Khyiris Tonga

Khyiris Tonga (born July 7, 1996)[1] is an American football nose tackle for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at BYU and was drafted in the seventh round (250th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft.[2]

Khyiris Tonga
No. 95 – Chicago Bears
Position:Nose tackle
Personal information
Born: (1996-07-07) July 7, 1996
West Valley City, Utah
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:325 lb (147 kg)
Career information
High school:Granger (UT)
College:BYU
NFL Draft:2021 / Round: 7 / Pick: 250
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:24
Fumble recoveries:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

College career

Initially committed to Utah after high school, Tonga flipped to BYU after former Utah defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake was named the Cougars' head coach when Tonga was serving his two-year mission.[3]

After a strong junior season where he made 45 tackles, Tonga was expected to be an NFL draft prospect, but announced he would return for his senior season.[4][5]

Professional career
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 2+1⁄8 in
(1.88 m)		 325 lb
(147 kg)		 31 in
(0.79 m)		 9+5⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		5.07 s1.74 s2.89 s4.73 s7.83 s28.0 in
(0.71 m)		8 ft 9 in
(2.67 m)		35 reps
All values from Pro Day[6][7][8]

Tonga was praised by draft analysts for his ability to eat up space as a nose tackle, but was expected to be a day three prospect due to his age, short arms, and below-average hand size.[9][10]

Tonga was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round, 250th overall, of the 2021 NFL Draft.[2] On June 2, 2021, Tonga signed his four-year rookie contract with Chicago.[11]

Personal life

Before enrolling at BYU, Tonga served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Wichita, Kansas.[12]

References
  1. "NFL draft: Returned Latter-day Saint missionaries may be the oldest players taken". Deseret News. April 30, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  2. "Bears draft BYU nose tackle Tonga in seventh round". Chicago Bears. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  3. "BYU snagged Khyiris Tonga from Utah, but now have to worry about losing the star defensive tackle early to the NFL". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  4. "Wreaking havoc: He's only a junior, but BYU DT Khyiris Tonga still plans to enter NFL draft next April". Deseret News. September 18, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  5. "Khyiris Tonga's Parents Played Large Role In His Return To BYU For Senior Year". KSL Sports. January 13, 2020. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  6. "Khyiris Tonga Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  7. "2021 Draft Scout Khyiris Tonga, Brigham Young NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  8. "Khyiris Tonga 2021 NFL Draft Profile". insider.espn.com. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  9. "Bears select Khyiris Tonga with 250th pick". NBC Sports Chicago. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  10. "2021 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: DL Khyiris Tonga, BYU". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  11. "NFL Draft Signings: 6/2/21".
  12. "BYU football: What if we told you the No. 8 Cougars could have the same stingy defense next year, but probably won't?". Deseret News. November 25, 2020. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
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