Brady Christensen Is First BYU Football OL Selected In NFL Draft Since 2005

PROVO, Utah – Former BYU offensive lineman Brady Christensen was selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft. Christensen being selected by the Carolina Panthers at pick No. 70 ends a long drought for the BYU football program.

First time a #BYU offensive lineman is selected in the #NFLDraft since 2005. https://t.co/7VbH7IPuaP

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) May 1, 2021

Brady Christensen is the first BYU offensive lineman since Scott Young in 2005 to be picked in the NFL draft. Young was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles 16 years ago.

Christensen is the first offensive tackle since Dustin Rykert being selected by the Raiders in 2003 to come out of BYU.

When Kalani Sitake took over as the head coach at BYU, one of his top priorities was to have “humongous” offensive linemen, like the BYU lines of old under legendary coach LaVell Edwards. Christensen is a return to the size and looks of those great BYU offensive linemen of the past.

During LaVell Edwards’ 29 years as head coach at BYU, the Cougars produced 21 offensive linemen that were picked in NFL drafts from 1973 to 2001.

Brady Christensen profile

Christensen is 6-foot-5, 302-pounds. He has 32 1/4″ arms and 10 1/4″ hand size. During BYU’s Pro Day this past March, Christensen put together a broad jump that was historic. The former Bountiful High multi-sport athlete produced a 10’4″ in the broad jump. That measurement is the best all-time by an offensive lineman.

Christensen was once committed to play for the Air Force Academy before switching his commitment to BYU weeks before the 2015 Signing Day. A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Christensen served a two-year mission in New Zealand.

Panthers newest OT Brady Christensen: Highest-graded offensive lineman in 2020 (96.0) pic.twitter.com/xCB8vehoZh

— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) May 1, 2021

After serving a mission for the Church, Christensen redshirted at BYU in the 2017 season before becoming an anchor along the BYU offensive line from 2018-2020. Christensen protected the blindside of New York Jets QB Zach Wilson in all 27 of his starts as BYU’s quarterback.

During his senior year, Christensen produced the highest-graded season by an offensive lineman in the Pro Football Focus database since they began grading players in 2014. Christensen’s play earned him Consensus All-American status, the first time that’s happened for a BYU player since 2001.

Highest BYU Offensive Lineman selected in NFL Draft history

The common draft era since 1967

John Tait | 1999, Round 1, Pick 14 | Kansas City Chiefs

Trevor Matich | 1985, Round 1, Pick 28 | New England Patriots

Gordon Gravelle | 1972, Round 2, Pick 38 | Pittsburgh Steelers

Paul Howard | 1973, Round 3, Pick 54 | Denver Broncos

Brady Christensen | 2021, Round 3, Pick 70 | Carolina Panthers

Mohammed Elewonibi | 1990, Round 3, Pick 76 | Washington Football Team

John Hunter | 1989, Round 3, Pick 80 | Minnesota Vikings

Glen Titensor | 1981, Round 3, Pick 81 | Dallas Cowboys

Brad Oates | 1976, Round 3, Pick 83 | St. Louis Cardinals

Evan Pilgrim | 1995, Round 3, Pick 87 | Chicago Bears

Nick Eyre | 1981, Round 4, Pick 106 | Houston Oilers

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.