By: Jay Yeomans

Published: October 2, 2018

Monday was a very big day for a pair of former BYU defensive studs.

Bronson Kaufusi was activated from the practice squad, the New York Jets announced. And his replacement is none other than Harvey Langi.

Kaufusi joined the Jets’ practice squad after he was released by the Baltimore Ravens at the end of the preseason.

The former Cougar defensive lineman spent two seasons on the Ravens roster, but struggled to make his mark after he was selected in the third round of the 2016 draft. Kaufusi was forced to miss his entire rookie season after breaking his ankle and then had a hard time cracking the rotation once he returned from the injury.

While he was able to get on the field during the regular season during year 2, Kaufusi registered just five tackles while playing in only three games.

Now he gets a fresh start with the Jets who have lost three straight after opening up the season with a 48-17 win over the Detroit Lions.

As for Langi, he gets his second shot with an AFC East team after spending his rookie campaign with the New England Patriots who he joined as an undrafted free agent.

Like Kaufusi, Langi’s NFL time has been derailed by injuries, including a serious car accident that ended his first year in New England after playing just one regular season game.

Langi was the second former Cougar defensive player to land a practice squad deal in the last week.

Tomasi Laulile signed with the New Orleans Saints on Thursday, a day after working out for the team.

Laulile spent the preseason with the Indianapolis Colts, but was cut before the regular season started. The defensive lineman spent three years on the field in Provo where he was a solid contributor. His best season as a Cougar came in 2015 when he recorded 26 total tackles, five and a half tackles for loss and three sacks.

One of his most memorable plays at BYU came that same season against Utah State when he recovered a Chuckie Keeton fumble in the closing seconds of the first half and took it back 37 yards for a touchdown as time expired to give the Cougars the 24-21 lead. It was a game-changing play for the Cougars who carried the momentum into the second half, scoring two third-quarter touchdowns to blow the game wide open before racing home with a 51-28 win.