Kyle Van Noy Reflects On Rough Start At BYU With Fred Warner

SALT LAKE CITY – Former BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy joined fellow Cougar alum Fred Warner on The Warner House podcast earlier this month.

The two star linebackers talked about everything from NFL experiences to financial health and more.

Kyle Van Noy Tells Story From First Season With BYU Football

On the KSL Sports BYU Football’s 100 Greatest Players Of All-Time list, Van Noy came in at 16th. However, for one of the program’s all-time best talents, he didnt have the start with the Cougars most would expect.

Coming in as a highly-touted prospect on scholarship, Van Noy didnt see the field for the first three games of the season.

Van Noy looked back on this month and included a story of a meeting he had with then-head coach Bronco Mendenhall.

“I didn’t play my first three games,” Van Noy said. “I had a meeting with (Bronco) Mendenhall and was like, ‘I’ve done everything you’ve asked me to do. I’ve run more than anybody. I did all your little roles. I’ve done any kind of punishment you could think of and more.'”

Van Noy didn’t share why he received that treatment. However, based on what he said next, it must have not been entirely justified.

“Finally, they fired the defensive coordinator the following week,” Van Noy said. “I went into the next game starting and never looked back.”

In his college career, Van Noy posted 226 total tackles, 62 tackles for loss, 24 sacks, seven interceptions, 11 forced fumbles, and two defensive touchdowns.

Kyle Van Noy back at #BYU, doing sideline work for the spring scrimmage. 🎤 #NFL #BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/AinfG1CFyi

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 31, 2023

About Kyle Van Noy

After a standout career at BYU, Van Noy was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Following two and a half seasons with Detroit, the linebacker was traded to New England. Van Noy played the next three and a half seasons with the Patriots and helped New England win a pair of Super Bowls.

After the 2019 season, the linebacker signed with the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins released Van Noy after one season in South Beach and he returned to New England on a two-year deal. The 2021 season was the lone year of Van Noy’s second stint with the Patriots.

Van Noy signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in May 2022.

The linebacker recorded 46 total tackles, 30 solo tackles, five sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and three pass breakups during the regular season. In Los Angeles’ postseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Van Noy had three total tackles, two solo tackles, and a pass breakup.

After one year in Los Angeles, Van Noy joined the Ravens.

Kyle Van Noy making big plays for the @Ravens 💪

📺: #PITvsBAL on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/WxnOXJY8R6 pic.twitter.com/AqaWSX5LQl

— NFL (@NFL) January 6, 2024

Following his first season in Baltimore, Van Noy built his career totals to 541 total tackles, 363 solo tackles, 55 sacks, 14 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries, three interceptions, one touchdown, and 35 pass breakups. He’s played in 158 games in his career.

About #LocalsInTheNFL

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Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com. Follow Chandler on X for Utah Jazz and Locals In The NFL updates.

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