Tight end Carsen Ryan grateful for his time in Provo, wishes he had arrived sooner

Defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa and offensive tackle Andrew Gentry made the biggest splashes in the offseason when they transferred to BYU from Utah and Michigan, respectively, but perhaps the greatest contribution from a transfer not named Bear Bachmeier was made by tight end Carsen Ryan in 2025.

The former American Fork and Timpview star, who began his college career at UCLA before transferring to Utah in 2024 and then BYU in 2025, filled a huge hole at the tight end position and was a big reason why the Cougars’ offense performed so well against all of its opponents except Texas Tech this season.

“Carsen has been everything we expected him to be,” offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick said a few weeks ago. “He’s been great.”

Of course, the 6-foot-4, 250-pound Ryan will get at least one more chance to do his thing when the No. 12 Cougars (11-2) meet No. 22 Georgia Tech (9-3) in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Dec. 27 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. While some seniors and juniors seemingly headed to the NFL are opting out of bowl games, Ryan said the thought has never crossed his mind.

“I am not in the position to do that, but even if I was, I feel like I would still want to play in this game,” he told the Deseret News on Wednesday. “You never know. Any game could be your last game playing football.

“You are never going to experience playing college football again, most likely. ... It’s been such a special time for me in my life. I would be upset with myself if I didn’t play in this game and give myself one more chance to have one more game with my brothers and have fun.”

BYU tight end Carsen Ryan

“You are never going to experience playing college football again, most likely,” he continued. “I’m never gonna experience that again. It’s been such a special time for me in my life. I would be upset with myself if I didn’t play in this game and give myself one more chance to have one more game with my brothers and have fun.”

Ryan is listed as a redshirt senior on BYU’s roster, but the truth is he is just a senior and has played only four years of college football. Because he played in only five games at UCLA his freshman year (2022) before sustaining a season-ending injury, he has applied for a waiver with the NCAA to get that year of eligibility back.

But he’s not holding his breath, having heard through various channels that the waiver is not likely to be granted.

“I have applied, but I am treating this season like I am training to go full-go to the (NFL) right now.

“That’s the goal right now,” he said. “I don’t know what the outcome of that’s going to be. I haven’t heard a lot of good news about it. I am treating everything like I am going to the league next year.”

Ryan has selected agent Carter Chow — Norm Chow’s son — of Red Envelope Sports to represent him in NIL and NFL draft negotiations and would like nothing more than to put up another outstanding game in Orlando next week.

While some college players have language in their NIL contracts with schools that stipulate they must play in bowl games, Ryan said his contract does not include that. Not that it would matter.

“I have been at places where that is in the (NIL) contract,” he said. “I haven’t heard about that being a thing here at BYU. However, I don’t have any negative thoughts about playing in the bowl game, either. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Ryan said that sentiment applies to all of his teammates; as of Friday, it appeared that BYU would have no bowl game opt-outs, aside from the handful of backups who have announced their intentions to enter the transfer portal when it opens on Jan. 2.

“Everyone is excited, still. We still bring the same energy, same intensity to practice,” he said. “It is not a vacation or a week off for us. It is another serious game that we want to go out there and win.”

Ryan said getting a victory against the ACC foe won’t be easy. Georgia Tech is coming off a close loss — 16-9 — to No. 3 Georgia in Atlanta and has the ACC’s Quarterback of the Year, Haynes King.

“They are a good team. They are good defensively. They have a lot of really good players on that team. They all work together. Everyone does their job. So it’s gonna be a tough game,” he said. “They only lost three games this year, and those losses were to really good teams (North Carolina State, Pitt and Georgia).”

Meanwhile, Ryan turned out to be just what the doctor ordered for BYU, after tight ends Keanu Hill (12), Mata’ava Ta’ase (9) and Ryner Swanson (10) combined for just 31 catches in 2024, for 290 yards.

Ryan is BYU’s third-leading pass-catcher, with 37 receptions for 500 yards and three touchdowns. He’s often wondered what might have been if he had considered BYU two years ago when he was leaving UCLA.

“I have loved it here. Every second I have been here has been fun,” he said. “There have been ups and downs. With football, it has been a good year for me, and the relationships I’ve made with the coaches and players will last forever.

“I wish I could have had more time at this place. I wish I got here sooner,” he continued. “But everything happened for a reason, and I’m grateful for my journey and how I’ve gotten here, and that Kalani and his staff found a place for me here.”

Part of that journey included meeting his fiancee, Jayne Basso, at UCLA. She is finishing up her degree at UCLA this winter. The couple plans to wed in June.

“We are excited to start this whole new chapter of our lives together,” Ryan said.