Williams, Hifo, Ghanwoloku receive NFL agreements as undrafted free agents following 2020 NFL Draft
PROVO, Utah — Three former BYU players reached agreements with NFL teams as undrafted free agents early Saturday evening following the 2020 NFL Draft. This story will be updated as any additional signings or free-agent invites are announced.
Running back Ty’Son Williams inked a free-agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens, wide receiver Aleva Hifo signed with the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs and defensive back Dayan Ghanwoloku received a deal from the Los Angeles Rams.
“I’m grateful for what each of these guys did for our program, and I’m really happy for them having earned these NFL opportunities,” BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said. “They are talented football players and great people who will continue to represent themselves and BYU well. It was an honor to coach them.”
Historically, BYU now has had 193 former players receive NFL opportunities as undrafted free agents in addition to the 142 former Cougars who have been selected in the annual draft.
Ty’Son Williams
While only with the Cougars for one injury-shortened season, Williams showcased his power, athleticism and leadership while on the field. Williams played in the first four games at BYU before suffering a season-ending injury. The 6-foot, 220-pound former SEC back at the University of South Carolina was just starting to emerge before his injury as one of BYU’s most lethal weapons, posting 49 carries, 264 yards and three scores.
Williams averaged 5.4 yards per carry and added seven receptions for 47 yards. The Sumter, South Carolina, product will be remembered for scoring the winning touchdown in double-overtime at Tennessee as the offensive line helped push the pile five yards as he powered into the end zone to beat the Volunteers in 2019.
Including his time at BYU, South Carolina and North Carolina, Williams played in 30 collegiate games. He totaled 233 carries, 1,120 yards and eight rushing touchdowns while adding 29 receptions, 231 yards and another touchdown.
Aleva Hifo
Hifo played in 51 career games, including 20 starts over his four-year career. From Menifee, California, Hifo totaled 118 receptions, 1,336 yards and seven touchdowns while adding 53 carries, 233 yards and four rushing scores. In addition to his skills as a wideout, Hifo shined in the return game with 29 kick returns for 598 yards and 15 punt returns for 232 yards.
A versatile offensive weapon, Hifo accounted for 2,399 career all-purpose yards. The 5-foot-10, 187-pounder recorded at least one touch on the football either receiving, rushing or returning in 46 of 51 career games played. Hifo also threw two passes for 53 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown pass in BYU’s victory over No. 6 Wisconsin in 2018.
Hifo, always a deep-threat, posted at least one 20-yard reception in 10 career games and had two receptions of 70 yards or more, both going for touchdowns. Hifo had a career-best nine receptions and 148 yards at East Carolina in 2017.
Dayan Ghanwoloku
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Ghanwoloku started 43 of 48 career games for the Cougars. A native of Liberia, Ghanwoloku played both cornerback and safety as a leader in BYU’s defensive backfield.
A 2019 Phil Steele All-Independent First Team selection, Ghanwoloku a recorded 207 career tackles, including 149 solo stops for the Cougars. A hard-hitter and sure tackler, Ghanwoloku added 10.5 tackles for loss and two sacks to go along with three forced fumbles and 15 career pass breakups.
With a nose for the football, Ghanwoloku finished his career as the school’s leader (since official defensive stats in 2000) with seven fumble recoveries and also posted seven interceptions to rank No. 4 at BYU. His 226 interception return yards rank No. 2 for the Cougars (since 2000). Ghanwoloku scored four touchdowns in his BYU career, two on defense and two more on offense in the Cougars’ scrum package.