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BYU offensive tackle Blake Freeland (71) blocks a defender during spring practice on March 10, 2022.

Ryan Campbell/BYU Photo

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BYU quarterback Jaren Hall throws a pass during the game against Notre Dame at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022.

Harold Mitchell, Special to the Herald

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BYU junior wide receiver Puka Nacua signals first down after making a catch during the game against Boise State at Albertsons Stadium in Boise on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU senior Kaleb Hayes sings the Cougar fight song with his teammates after the game against South Florida played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022.

Jaren WIlkey, BYU Photo

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BYU offensive lineman Harris LaChance gets ready to block during fall camp in Provo on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020. 

Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo

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BYU senior running back Chris Brooks runs through a hole during the game against Stanford at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU sophomore defensive back D'Angelo Mandell celebrates after making a stop during the Cougar football game against Liberty at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019.

BYU Photo

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Twenty-one years.

That’s how long it had been since BYU football had three players taken in the first five rounds of the NFL draft, with the last time being in 2002 when tight end Doug Jolley (Raiders, second round), Ryan Denney (Bills, second round) and Brandon Doman (49ers, fifth round) were the first three of five draft picks that season from the 12-2 Cougar team in 2001.

That streak came to an end Saturday in the fourth and fifth rounds of the 2023 NFL draft as the trio of BYU stars — offensive lineman Blake Freeland, quarterback Jaren Hall and wide receiver Puka Nacua — all were selected within 71 picks of each other.

Four other former Cougars officially signed free agent contracts after the draft, meaning seven ex-BYU athletes are getting opportunities to chase their pro football dreams.

“I’m excited for our guys,” said BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said in a press release. “They have all been a big part of our program and will always be Cougars. It has been an honor to coach them, and I look forward to following their careers in the NFL.”

Freeland was the first Cougar player selected when he was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the fourth pick in the fourth round (106th overall).

“He’s a big-time playmaker,” Sitake said of Freeland. “A lot of people know him for breaking the vertical jump record at the NFL Combine, but he’s been showing this type of athleticism since he was young. He was a basketball player and state champion in discus and shotput. His parents are also former BYU student-athletes, with his mom being an All-American, so it makes sense that he has great genetics. Blake still has so much potential. He has not hit his peak yet. It’s going to be a lot of fun to see him in the NFL.”

The 6-foot-8, 302-pound All-American from Herriman, Utah, started 41 games for the Cougars, including 26 consecutive games at left tackle the past two seasons.

“Getting Freeland at tackle we thought was important,” Colts general manager Chris Ballard said on Colts.com. “We think he’s got really good upside. He’s a very talented athlete. Of course he needs work like all guys do, but we’re excited to get his ability in the building and have him compete.”

In the fifth round, it was Hall’s turn as the former Maple Mountain Golden Eagle was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 29th pick of the fifth round (164th overall).

“I walked away from that [combine] interview blown away with the organization, the coaching staff, and it was everything I felt in that room. All the people present,” Hall told reporters via videoconference Saturday. “It’s one of my favorite organizations, and I’ve just always had a great feeling about them.

“We kept in talks over the phone for the next few weeks. I didn’t have any visits or workouts, just kind of coaches checking in now and then. But I’m grateful that that’s where I landed today. That’s always been a team I’ve felt great about.”

A 6-foot, 207-pound native of Spanish Fork, Utah, Hall led BYU’s successful offense as the starting quarterback the past two seasons while appearing in 31 games with 25 starts overall during his college career from 2018-2022.

“Jaren is an ultimate leader,” Sitake said. “He’s all about the team, does everything right. Just a great kid and a great leader and has tons of ability. He’ll do amazing things to help the Vikings. I’m looking forward to seeing him in the NFL.”

Just 13 selections later, Nacua — a former Orem High star — came off the board as he was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams with the 42nd pick of the fifth round (177th overall).

Nacua appeared in 21 games, including 14 starts, leading the Cougars in receiving during his two seasons at BYU.

He totaled 1,430 yards on 91 receptions along with 11 touchdown grabs with the Cougars after transferring from Washington. He totaled seven games with more than 100 yards receiving in his career.

“Puka has tons of ability and is a playmaker,” said BYU head coach Kalani Sitake. “He is the hardest worker, especially in practice. You can tell by his energy that practice is the best part of his day. He loves football. He’s the ultimate competitor and has non-stop energy and he’s a great teammate. I’m excited for what he can accomplish in the NFL.”

While that would be all of the BYU players drafted, other former Cougars also got pro opportunities.

Immediately following the draft, running back Chris Brooks signed with the Miami Dolphins, and offensive lineman Harris LaChance reached an agreement with the Colts, joining Freeland, his fellow offensive lineman, in Indianapolis.

Meanwhile, two cornerbacks reached deals, with Kaleb Hayes inking an agreement with the Jacksonville Jaguars and D’Angelo Mandell heading to Dallas with the Cowboys.

Additional free-agent opportunities could still be announced.

In addition to the BYU players, former Orem High linebacker/running back Noah Sewell was also a fifth-round pick in draft, getting selected by the Chicago Bears with the No. 148 overall selection.