2016 NFL Draft: BYU LB Manoa Pikula signs UDFA deal with the Green Bay Packers

BYU LB Manoa Pikula has signed a deal with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent per Jay Drew of the Salt Lake Tribune:

Free agent news so far involving BYU players: LB Manoa Pikula to the Green Bay Packers, OL Ryker Mathews to the New Orleans Saints.

— Jay Drew (@drewjay) April 30, 2016

Pikula played inside linebacker for the Cougars from 2011-2015 and improved his stock each year. Over his career, he recorded 81 solo tackles, 63 assisted tackles, 12 tackles for loss, five sacks, five pass deflections, and an interception. With 144 total tackles to his name, 55 of them came in his senior year.

As a senior he recorded seven tackles in a game four times (Nebraska, East Carolina, Cincinnati, Missouri). While playing in 11 games, five as a starter, he ended up ranked 6th on the team in tackles.

At 6-foot-1, 235 pounds, Pikula has decent size for an inside backer in the NFL. He looks to hit the gaps and get after the quarterback in an effort to disrupt the backfield. Although Pikula can drop back in coverage when needed, his strength lies in disrupting the quarterback and running backs at, or before, the line of scrimmage.

Pikula had a solid Pro Day, which may have helped him get this UDFA deal. Here are his results:

• 40-yard dash - 4.57 seconds
• 225 bench -  24 reps
• Vertical jump -  36.5 inches
• Broad jump - 9 foot 8 inches
• 20-yard shuttle -  4.23 seconds
• 3-cone drill -  7.06 seconds

Take a look at the highlights below and watch for his tenacity and determination to get to the ball carrier.