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Former BYU football players (from left) Samson Nacua, Uriah Leiataua, Neil Pau'u, James Empey and Tyler Allgeier pose for a photo before the 2022 BYU Pro Day at the Indoor Practice Facility in Provo on Friday, March 25, 2022. (Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo)

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Former BYU offensive lineman James Empey runs a blocking drill during the 2022 BYU Pro Day at the Indoor Practice Facility in Provo on Friday, March 25, 2022. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

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Former BYU running back Tyler Allgeier (left) and wide receiver Neil Pau'u watch the vertical jump during the 2022 BYU Pro Day at the Indoor Practice Facility in Provo on Friday, March 25, 2022. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

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Posters honor the players participating in the 2022 BYU Pro Day at the Indoor Practice Facility in Provo on Friday, March 25, 2022. (Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo)

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Former BYU defensive lineman Uriah Leiataua (left) gets instructed on a drill by a scout from the New England Patriots during the 2022 BYU Pro Day at the Indoor Practice Facility in Provo on Friday, March 25, 2022. (Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo)

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It’s not feasible to calculate all of the hours that former BYU football players like offensive lineman James Empey have put in during their lives to hone their craft with the goal of becoming a pro football player.

“I’ve played a lot of football and there have been a lot of relationships that I have been made through through the game of football,” Empey said in a phone interview on Tuesday. “I feel a lot of appreciation for the journey, for all the people who have helped me along the way — especially for BYU and just how much of a big part they played in it. I’m just grateful that I’m even here and have the opportunity to try to keep playing.”

After all of the time and effort, now the future for Empey (as well as other fellow Cougars Tyler Allgeier, Samson Nacua, Neil Pau’u and Uriah Leiataua, and other former Utah Valley football stars like ex-Timpview phenom Britain Covey) basically hinges on what happens in the next few days.

That’s because this week is the 2022 NFL Draft, with the first round on Thursday (6 p.m. MT, ESPN/NFL Network), the second and third rounds on Friday and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday.

Unlike 2021, when former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson was a lock to go early in the first round, this year the only athlete with local ties likely to hear his name called on Day No. 1 is Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd.

Everyone else is likely looking at being drafted in the later rounds with most either getting picked on Day 3 or signing as an undrafted free agent.

Empey said he’s still not sure how he is going to approach the weekend and the accompanying stress as his next step in football is determined.

“All I know is I’ll just be hanging out with my wife and my family, relaxing and enjoying the weekend,” Empey said. “I’ll try to stay vigilant to know what is going on and try to make the best choices I can. Everything I’ve seen tells me to be ready for anything, so I’ll be by my phone, of course.”

He said he knows there are teams who are intrigued by what he can do on the gridiron.

“I’ve had multiple teams who have showed serious interest,” Empey said. “My agent (Andrew Kabat at IHC Sports) has a list of everybody. I’m just waiting to see what everything looks like. It’s been fun to go through the process and do everything, and it’s fun to be here this week.”

He said he has talked to some of the other players and said the emotions are about the same.

“We’re just excited the moment is here and ready to go with whatever happens,” Empey said.

Allgeier is the former Cougar most likely to be drafted as he is projected to go in the middle rounds by most prognosticators.

Last year in the 2021 draft BYU had five players get drafted with four of them (Wilson, Brady Christensen, Khyiris Tonga and Dax Milne) seeing action during the 2021 NFL season.

Whether that success will encourage teams to give more Cougars a chance isn’t clear but Empey said he was proud of what they accomplished.

“It’s really cool that there was tons of exposure last year for everybody,” Empey said. “Those guys came through and did a great job. They’re playing right now and doing great things. It helps everybody when stuff like that happens.”

Empey said he talked to some of those players and got the same advice that he would give to next year’s class: Enjoy the ride.

“This is an opportunity that comes along one time,” Empey said. “So just take a step back, enjoy it all and be really grateful.”

He said his favorite part of the pre-draft process has been the people who have been there for him along the way.

“There’s been so much that has gone into it and so many so many people who have worked really hard to help me get where I am,” Empey said. “I just can’t be more appreciative.”

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