Former BYU Cougars tight end Carsen Ryan was successful in earning a spot on the Cleveland Browns' final 53-man opening day roster. The seventh-round pick beat the odds to make the team as part of a stacked TE room led by Harold Fannin.
Ryan caught both of his targets for nine yards in Thursday's 37-13 preseason win over the New England Patriots. He suited up after suffering a foot injury earlier in the week. Who will be throwing passes to Ryan this season?
The Browns QB carousel is about to take another turn. Deshaun Watson was named the starter ahead of Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and rookie Taylen Green. All four passers were kept as part of the final roster in Cleveland. Sanders ended the 2025 season as the starter but relinquished the role to Watson, who's coming back from injury. As for Gabriel, the former Heisman finalist is now a third-string afterthought to start his NFL career. He was also placed on IR with a back injury. Green showed flashes during the preseason to make the final cut this season.
Ryan fought to stay among the final 53 players on the roster. The situation was complicated, but Blake Whiteheart is the clear No. 2 behind Fannin as the starter. Fifth-round rookie Joe Royer was placed on reserve/non-football illness and is designated for return. Jack Stoll didn't play in the final preseason game and Brenden Bates was injured. This pushed Ryan to the front of the pile behind Fannin and Whiteheart.
Ryan was tied for the sixth-most receiving yards among FBS tight ends in 2025. He spent his first two collegiate seasons at UCLA from 2022-23, where he was teammates with current Browns LB Carson Schwesinger. They're reunited in Cleveland on opposite sides of the ball. Ryan had 45 receptions for 620 yards and three touchdowns during his final season at BYU. He racked up 74 catches for 1,020 yards and seven touchdowns across four seasons at UCLA, Utah and BYU. His time in Provo was the most productive.
Out of the ex-BYU players who made the final roster in the NFL, Ryan was projected mostly as a practice squad player. He became more of a toss up as the preseason went into the final week. With Taysom Hill not currently on an NFL roster, Ryan is the only former Cougars' tight end in the league.
The Browns open the 2026-27 season on Sunday, Sept. 13 against the Jaguars.
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