Bronson Kaufusi Athlete Profile - FTB

Bronson Kaufusi

Defensive Line 90

Ht/Wt

280 lbs.

Class

Senior

Hometown

Provo,

Utah

Last School

Timpview High School

Roster Years

2012-2015

Career Summary

Bronson Kaufusi came to BYU from Timpview High School rated the No. 1 recruit from Utah by Scout.com and Rivals.com. He finished his career ranked No. 3 in BYU career tackles for loss with 44 and second all-time in sacks since 2000 when the NCAA officially began to recognize defensive statistics. He is No. 5 all-time in BYU career sacks with 26.5. Kaufusi contributed to the Cougars' defensive edge from the beginning as he played in all 13 games and totaled 23 tackles while lettering as a freshman on the No. 3-ranked 2012 defense. He became a defensive standout, creating matchup problems for opposing teams throughout his career. Kaufusi registered a team-high seven sacks on the year as a junior and led the Cougars with 11 sacks as a senior, ranking No. 11 in the nation. During his final season, he also set a BYU single-game record (NCAA official since 2000) with 3.5 sacks against Cincinnati and recorded a career-high 10 total tackles, three tackles for loss and two forced fumbles against Mizzou. Kaufusi also led the nation his senior year with four blocked kicks. He was named to several watch lists and garnered several accolades throughout his career. Kaufusi was a three-year starter who played in 50 games while totaling 167 tackles, including his 44 tackes for loss and 26.5 sacks. He added 17 quarterback hurries and 15 pass breakups to go with two interceptions. See the season summary tabs below and the recognition and stats tabs for more details.

Professional

Selected in the third round and 70th overall pick of the NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens in April 2016

Personal

Father is Steve Kaufusi, BYU's current defensive line coach
Married to wife Hilary who plays on the BYU soccer team
Brother Corbin also plays for BYU
Also played basketball for the Cougars on the 2012-13 squad, playing at forward in 20 games, averaging 6.4 minutes per game, 1.1 points and 1.7 rebounds

Before BYU

Ranked the No. 9 strongside defensive end in the nation by Rivals.com and rated the No. 1 recruit out of the state of Utah by Scout.com and Rivals.com
Red Zone Player of the Year and Utah County Defensive MVP
Was invited to play in the 2010 Under Armour All-America Football Game
Totaled 19 tackles and two sacks in 2009 before suffering a season-ending knee injury
Recorded over 70 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 23 forced fumbles and batted down a team record 21 passes in 2008
Had 57 tackles and eight sacks as a sophomore
Also recruited by Stanford

Mission

Auckland

BYU Hall of Fame

Freshman Year 2012

Earned letterman honors as a true freshman
Played in all 13 games
Totaled 23 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, one quarterback hurry and one pass breakup
Had three tackles and one sack vs. Weber State
Recorded a sack at No. 5 Notre Dame
Four tackles at Georgia Tech
Two tackles for loss (1.5 sacks) at New Mexico State
Had one sack and two tackles vs. San Diego State in Poinsettia Bowl

Sophmore Year 2013

Named to the Ted Hendricks Award watch list
Recorded a career-high seven tackles and added one tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry against Georgia Tech
Returned his first-career interception 12 yards for his first touchdown as a Cougar
Had three tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack against Houston
Tallied three tackles, one sack and one tackle for loss against Boise State
Notched three straight games with three tackles and one tackle for loss ( Georgia Tech, Houston and Boise State)
Earned second team All-Independent honors by College Sports Madness for the second consecutive year
Phil Steele All-Independent Second Team

Junior Year 2014

FBS Independent Defensive Player of the Week (9/1, 11/17)
Phil Steele Preseason All-Independent First Team
Notched two pass breakups, two tackles for loss and five solo tackles vs. Nevada
Tallied seven total tackles, recorded his third sack on the year and notched his third-consecutive game with at least a half tackle for loss against Boise State
Tied his career high for solo tackles with five while recording his fourth sack of the year in road win at Middle Tennessee
Registered career highs in total tackles (9), solo tackles (8) and tied career highs in tackles for loss (3) and sacks (2)
CFPA Linebacker Performer of the Week Honorable Mention (11/17)
Recovered a fumble at Connecticut
Forced a fumble against Memphis in the Miami Beach Bowl
Recorded a team-high seven sacks on the year
Named to the College Sports Madness All-Independent First Team
Named to Phil Steele Postseason All-Independent Team

Senior Year 2015

Named to the Phil Steele Preseason All-Independent First Team
Selected to the Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Named to the Bednarik Award Watch List
Allstate AFCA Good Works Nominee
Finished the game against UConn with three tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and his second-career interception
Recorded the first punt block of his career in the second quarter against ECU
Ended the game against Cincinnati with 3.5 sacks (his fourth multi-sack game of his career), a forced fumble, and a field goal block
Upped his career sack total to 22 with a half sack and one tackle for loss to go along with six tackles against San Jose State
Recorded 10 total tackles for a career high and to go along with three tackles for loss and two forced fumbles against Mizzou
Recorded three sacks, four tackles for loss, one pass breakup and a blocked field goal against Fresno State
Notched his third and fourth blocked kicks of the year against Utah State and passed Kyle Van Noy for No. 2 in BYU career sacks since 2000 with 26.5 total
Recorded nine total tackles with seven solo stops, three tackles for loss and one pass breakup in the Las Vegas Bowl, passing David Nixon’s for No. 3 in BYU history for career tackles for loss with 44
Led the nation with four blocked kicks
Received letterman honors while starting all 13 games
Received 2015-16 Ed Stein Outstanding Senior Male Athlete Award at annual Y Awards for high athletic and academic performance and sportsmanship