BYU offensive lineman James Empey throughout break in play throughout recreation towards Washington State, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. The four-year Cougar starter is hoping to listen to his identify known as throughout this week’s NFL draft. Related Press, Younger Kwak
Siblings Savanna, James and Haven Empey pose for a photograph outdoors their dwelling in Lehi on Tuesday, July 7, 2020. All three are BYU athletes. James performs soccer and Savannah and Haven play soccer. Steve Griffin, Deseret Information
Former BYU offensive lineman James Empey has no regrets. If he had an opportunity to do it once more, the onetime Freshman All-American says he would take the identical path.
That’s saying one thing, contemplating Empey may need been chosen within the NFL draft if he had left Provo after his sophomore or junior seasons. Now, Empey is leaving after his fourth season at BYU, having made 41 begins at middle, and the 25-year-old returned missionary in all probability received’t be drafted when the participant choice assembly commences Thursday in Las Vegas with the primary spherical and runs by Saturday.
Rounds 2 and three are Friday, whereas Rounds 4-7 are Saturday.
“We're simply alongside for the trip. My spouse and I are so excited, and we're simply able to go. Issues are beginning to warmth up a little bit bit with extra communication from a number of groups, which is enjoyable. A number of groups are beginning to present some severe curiosity, so who is aware of what might actually occur? We're simply grateful to be part of it.” — Former BYU middle James Empey on his NFL draft prospects
Based on most mock drafts, operating again Tyler Allgeier will seemingly be the one BYU participant drafted. The opposite 4 who participated in professional day final month — Empey, receivers Neil Pau’u and Samson Nacua and defensive lineman Uriah Leiataua — will in all probability discover spots as undrafted free brokers or mini-camp invitees.
And that’s completely wonderful with Empey, who wouldn’t change a factor with regard to his standout profession at BYU, or his choice to serve a mission to Lisbon, Portugal, for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after signing with Utah out of American Fork Excessive.
Empey’s father, Mike, grew to become BYU’s offensive line coach whereas he was on his mission, so he switched allegiances when he returned from Portugal.
“My mission gave me some life experiences that I've been capable of construct upon these final 5 years at BYU,” he stated. “If I had the prospect to do it once more, I'd do it once more.”
Due to COVID-19 and the NCAA granting an additional yr of eligibility to student-athletes affected by the altered 2020-21 seasons, Empey technically might have returned to BYU for an additional season. However he made the choice to show professional shortly after the 2021 season ended and declared for the draft on Dec. 20, 2021.
“I wish to specific my gratitude to all coaches, previous and current, soccer workers, and particularly my teammates for believing in me and pushing me to be my greatest self in all side of life,” Empey wrote on Twitter the day he declared.
BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick responded to the information with a heartfelt reply on the identical social media web site, saying it's “inconceivable to say how a lot (Empey) has meant to our program in a single tweet.”
Roderick added that “the phrase ‘coach on the sphere’ generally is a cliche that will get used too typically, however on this case it's 100% correct. Nice soccer participant. Nice chief. Nice human being. We'll miss you.”
It’s inconceivable to say how a lot @JEmpey66 has meant to our program in a single tweet. The phrase “coach on the sphere” generally is a cliche that will get used too typically however on this case it’s 100% correct. Nice soccer participant. Nice chief. Nice human being. We'll miss you. https://t.co/EIksMZSvKI
— Aaron Roderick (@CoachRoderick) December 21, 2021
BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe additionally weighed in, saying Empey was a confirmed chief and distinctive scholar-athlete and has a really shiny future forward of him.
Will that future embody the NFL?
Of the seven current seven-round mock drafts surveyed by the Deseret Information’ Brandon Judd, solely Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports activities had Empey getting chosen. Trapasso’s mock draft has the 6-foot-31⁄2, 297-pounder going within the sixth spherical to Tennessee (204th general decide).
Allgeier’s identify was current in six of the seven mocks, not noted solely by Chad Reuter of NFL.com.
Empey seemingly had some draft momentum midseason, however suffered a season-ending damaged foot within the Cougars’ 21-19 win over Washington State on Oct. 23 and missed the ultimate seven video games.
Does he surprise what may need been?
“It's in all probability a very regular response to have these emotions,” he stated. “However I've tried actually laborious to manage what I can management, and there are issues you possibly can’t management and issues you possibly can. It's about what I can do within the second, and nothing else.”
Nonetheless, Empey and his spouse, Maddie, have been getting ready the previous 4 months to make a transfer to no matter place he’s drafted, or signed as a free agent.
Because the #NFLDraft will get nearer, check out a few of @JEmpey66's spectacular accomplishments as a Coug 🏈#BYUFOOTBALL | #GoCougspic.twitter.com/RzGhBe6A7G
— BYUtv Sports activities (@byutvsports) April 26, 2022
“We're simply alongside for the trip,” he stated. “My spouse and I are so excited, and we're simply able to go. Issues are beginning to warmth up a little bit bit with extra communication from a number of groups, which is enjoyable. A number of groups are beginning to present some severe curiosity, so who is aware of what might actually occur? We're simply grateful to be part of it.”
Shortly after declaring for the draft, Empey moved to Frisco, Texas, to coach on the Sports activities Academy with offensive line guru Duke Manyweather and pace and explosion coach Les Spellman. He was in Texas when he came upon he hadn’t been invited to the NFL mix.
Solely 30-40 noncombine invitees are drafted per yr — fewer than 10% — based on Utah-based agent Evan Brennan, who doesn’t consider Empey will get drafted however stated the middle class just isn't deep this yr, so which will assist him get a glance.
“Yeah, I'm anticipated to play middle. I don’t have a ton of expertise taking part in the opposite spots, as a result of after I bought the beginning job at middle at BYU I simply kinda stored it the entire time I used to be there,” Empey stated. “There was no actual cause to maneuver me round. Nonetheless, I do really feel like I can be taught any place on the O-line and be a precious asset to a staff and do no matter they want me to do.”
When he returned from Texas in February, Empey labored out with Dave Stroshine of Stroformance in Nice Grove and ready for BYU’s professional day.
At professional day, he stated he “hit a bunch of my objectives” and felt good about his efficiency. Principally, he stated, it confirmed scouts that he had absolutely recovered from the foot harm that minimize quick his season.
“BYU has performed an enormous half in my life to date. I really feel like we now have all the time completed issues the appropriate method and simply the individuals listed below are what make BYU so particular,” he stated that day. “I'm simply tremendous grateful for all the expertise, and for making immediately nice and for all the time taking good care of us.”
Siblings Savanna, James and Haven Empey pose for a photograph outdoors their dwelling in Lehi on Tuesday, July 7, 2020. All three are BYU athletes. James performs soccer and Savannah and Haven play soccer.
Steve Griffin, Deseret Information