Bronson Kaufusi
Defensive Line #90
Ht/Wt
6'
8"
|
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
Graduate Year

Redshirt Year

Medical Redshirt Year



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    Football | Nov, 14

    BYU falls 20-16 to Missouri

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    Football | Oct, 14

    Bronson Kaufusi- Standout

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    Football | Dec, 18

    Fua in quiet pursuit

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    Football | Nov, 16

    Cougars win big on senior night

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