I love their style of defense. They have great coaches and great players. It’s a great fit for me. – Bronson Kaufusi, on being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens
PROVO — BYU defensive end Bronson Kaufusi believes he’s landed in the right spot for him with the Baltimore Ravens.
Kaufusi became the first local player selected in the 2016 National Football League draft Friday night when he was picked in the third round by the Ravens, No. 70 overall.
“I’m excited. I’m grateful for the opportunity. I can’t wait to get out there and get to work,” said Kaufusi, who was watching the draft with his wife and family in Provo. “I love their style of defense. They have great coaches and great players. It’s a great fit for me.”
Kaufusi was the first Cougar returned missionary to be drafted since tight end Dennis Pitta in 2010. Pitta was also taken by the Ravens. Kaufusi was the first BYU player drafted since linebacker Kyle Van Noy went 40th overall to the Detroit Lions in 2014.
The last defensive end from BYU to be drafted was Ezekiel Ansah, who was the No. 5 overall pick of the 2013 draft. Both Van Noy and Ansah are Kaufusi’s former teammates.
“I’m really happy for Bronson,” BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said in a statement. “I’ve known Bronson since he was a child and he’s an incredible person from a great family. I didn’t have the chance to coach him here at BYU, but I did coach against him and know how good of a player he is and how hard he’s worked. He will represent BYU well in the NFL."
Kaufusi is the 10th Cougar defensive lineman and the 15th BYU defender to be selected in one of the opening three rounds of the draft.
Going into the draft, Kaufusi was confident that he would be selected in the first three rounds.
“There’s some relief but there’s excitement at the same time,” he said. “It’s nice to know where my wife and I will be going and where I’ll be playing. I’m excited to get out there and do my best and make a lot of plays for the Ravens.”
After being taken by Baltimore, Kaufusi said, his family was thrilled and started jumping up and down. “They’re excited to be Ravens fans,” he said. He added that he received about 100 text messages from well-wishers after he was picked.
Kaufusi is scheduled to leave Saturday morning for Baltimore, hold a press conference with media and take a tour of the Ravens' facilities.
In a teleconference with Baltimore media Friday night, Kaufusi said he sees himself playing defensive end in the Ravens’ scheme, adding that he can play all over multiple defensive fronts. He also compared his game to Julius Peppers of the Green Bay Packers.
“I cannot wait to be out there and be part of the Ravens’ defense,” Kaufusi said.
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. liked the pick based on what Kaufusi accomplished at BYU.
“What didn’t he do this past year? He had tackles for loss (20), sacks (11), forced three fumbles, blocked four kicks, the hands are always in motion,” Kiper said of Kaufusi. “When he looks to get into the backfield and get those impact plays against the run and the pass he varied his moves. He didn’t let the offensive line ever get in their comfort zone. What I love about Kaufusi, I said the same thing about Kamalei Correa (Ravens’ second-round pick from Boise State), he is relentless. At worst you are looking at a rotation guy that can pressure the quarterback. He’s in a division with (quarterbacks) Ben Roethlisberger and Andy Dalton, so you’ve got to get heat on the quarterback and you need these young pass rushers.”
Former NFL general manager and NFL Network commentator Charley Casserly tweeted about Kaufusi, “I like his long lean build and quickness. Has potential as a pass rusher.”
In Baltimore, Kaufusi will join a former teammate, offensive lineman De’Ondre Wesley, who has re-signed with the Ravens.
EMAIL: jeffc@deseretnews.com