{{Short description|American football player (born 1996)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}} {{Infobox NFL biography | embed = | name = Khyiris Tonga | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | current_team = Kansas City Chiefs | number = 92 | position = Nose tackle | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|7|7}} | birth_place = West Valley City, Utah, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 2 | weight_lb = 335 | high_school = Granger {{avoid wrap|(West Valley City, Utah)}} | college = BYU (2017–2020) | draftyear = 2021 | draftround = 7 | draftpick = 250 | pastteams = * Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2021}}) * Atlanta Falcons ({{NFL Year|2022}})* * Minnesota Vikings ({{NFL Year|2022}}–{{NFL Year|2023}}) * Arizona Cardinals ({{NFL Year|2024}}) * New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2025}}) * Kansas City Chiefs ({{NFL Year|2026}}–present) | status = Active | highlights = | statseason = 2025 | statweek = | statlabel1 = Total tackles | statvalue1 = 113 | statlabel2 = Sacks | statvalue2 = 0.5 | statlabel3 = Forced fumbles | statvalue3 = | statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries | statvalue4 = 1 | statlabel5 = Pass deflections | statvalue5 = 6 | statlabel6 = Interceptions | statvalue6 = | statlabel7 = Defensive touchdowns | statvalue7 = | pfr = TongKh00 }}
'''Khyiris Tonga''' ({{Respell|KYE|riss}};<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pronunciation Guide - Patriots |url=https://patriots.1rmg.com/pronunciation-guide/ |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=patriots.1rmg.com}}</ref> born July 7, 1996)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walch |first=Tad |date=April 30, 2021 |title=NFL draft: Returned Latter-day Saint missionaries may be the oldest players taken |url=https://www.deseret.com/faith/2021/4/30/22412184/nfl-draft-mormon-missionary-players-byu-second-third-round-oldest-lds |access-date=May 3, 2021 |website=Deseret News}}</ref> is an American professional football nose tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the BYU Cougars and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL draft.<ref name="BearsDraft">{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Larry |date=May 1, 2021 |title=Bears draft BYU nose tackle Tonga in seventh round |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/khyiris-tonga-nfl-draft-defensive-lineman-byu |access-date=May 3, 2021 |website=Chicago Bears}}</ref>
== College career == Initially committed to Utah after high school, Tonga flipped to BYU after former Oregon State defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake was named the Cougars' head coach while Tonga was serving his two-year mission.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Drew |first=Jay |date=September 20, 2018 |title=BYU snagged Khyiris Tonga from Utah, but now have to worry about losing the star defensive tackle early to the NFL |url=https://www.sltrib.com/sports/byu-cougars/2018/09/20/byu-snagged-khyiris-tonga/ |access-date=May 3, 2021 |website=Salt Lake Tribune}}</ref>
After a strong junior season where he made 45 tackles, Tonga was expected to be an NFL draft prospect, but announced he would return for his senior season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Drew |first=Jay |date=September 18, 2019 |title=Wreaking havoc: He's only a junior, but BYU DT Khyiris Tonga still plans to enter NFL draft next April |url=https://www.deseret.com/2019/9/18/20872081/wreaking-havoc-hes-only-a-junior-but-byu-dt-khyiris-tonga-still-plans-to-enter-nfl-draft-next-april |access-date=May 3, 2021 |website=Deseret News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Harper |first=Mitch |date=January 13, 2020 |title=Khyiris Tonga's Parents Played Large Role In His Return To BYU For Senior Year |url=https://kslsports.com/426266/khyiris-tonga-byu-football-return-senior-year-interview-parents-large-role/? |access-date=May 3, 2021 |website=KSL Sports}}</ref>
== Professional career == ===Pre-draft=== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 2 1/8 | weight = 325 | dash = 5.07 | ten split = 1.74 | twenty split = 2.89 | shuttle = 4.73 | cone drill = 7.83 | vertical = 28.0 | broad ft = 8 | broad in = 9 | bench = 35 | arm span = 31 | hand span = 9 5/8 | wingspan ft = 6 | wingspan in = 7 | wonderlic = | note = All values from Pro Day<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reuter |first=Chad |last2=Zierlein |first2=Lance |title=Khyiris Tonga Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/khyiris-tonga/3200544f-4e62-6509-9c30-e571694eee90 |access-date=March 21, 2022 |website=NFL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 Draft Scout Khyiris Tonga, Brigham Young NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1025076&DraftYear=2021 |access-date=March 21, 2022 |website=draftscout.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Khyiris Tonga 2021 NFL Draft Profile |url=https://insider.espn.com/nfl/draft/player/_/id/105321 |access-date=March 21, 2022 |website=insider.espn.com |archive-date=February 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206234856/https://insider.espn.com/nfl/draft/player/_/id/105321 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> }}
Tonga was praised by draft analysts for his ability to eat up space as a nose tackle, but was expected to be a day three prospect due to his age, short arms, and below-average hand size.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 1, 2021 |title=Bears select Khyiris Tonga with 250th pick |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bears/2021-nfl-draft-analysis-bears-select-khyiris-tonga-250th-pick |access-date=May 3, 2021 |website=NBC Sports Chicago}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Falato |first=Nick |date=April 25, 2021 |title=2021 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: DL Khyiris Tonga, BYU |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/giants/draft/2021-nfl-draft-prospect-profile-dl-khyiris-tonga-byu |access-date=May 3, 2021 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref>
===Chicago Bears=== Tonga was selected by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round, 250th overall, of the 2021 NFL draft.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2021/draft.htm |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> On June 2, 2021, Tonga signed his four-year rookie contract with Chicago.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Links |first=Zachary |date=June 2, 2021 |title=NFL Draft Signings: 6/2/21 |url=https://www.profootballrumors.com/2021/06/nfl-draft-signings-6-2-21 |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=Pro Football Rumors |language=en-US}}</ref> He was waived by the Bears on August 31, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Larry |date=August 31, 2022 |title=Roster Moves: Bears claim six players off waivers |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-claim-six-players-off-waivers-alex-leatherwood-alabama |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=ChicagoBears.com}}</ref>
===Atlanta Falcons=== On September 5, 2022, Tonga was signed to the practice squad of the Atlanta Falcons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ireland |first=Kyle |date=September 5, 2022 |title=Former BYU Standout Added To NFL Team's Practice Squad |url=https://kslsports.com/492017/atlanta-https://kslsports.com/492017/atlanta-falcons-khyiris-tonga-practice-squad-byu-cougars |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=KSL Sports}}</ref>
===Minnesota Vikings=== On October 5, 2022, Tonga was signed by the Minnesota Vikings off the Falcons practice squad.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Craig |date=October 5, 2022 |title=Vikings Sign DL Khyiris Tonga to 53 & Add S Mike Brown to Practice Squad |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/vikings-sign-dl-khyiris-tonga-to-53-add-s-mike-brown-to-practice-squad |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=Vikings.com}}</ref>
===Arizona Cardinals=== On March 15, 2024, Tonga signed with the Arizona Cardinals.<ref>{{cite web |author=Urban, Darren |date=March 15, 2024 |title=Cardinals Sign Another Defensive Lineman With Khyiris Tonga |url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-sign-another-defensive-lineman-with-khyiris-tonga |access-date=February 16, 2026 |website=AZCardinals.com}}</ref> He played in 13 games with one start, recording 22 tackles.
===New England Patriots=== On March 14, 2025, Tonga signed a one-year, $2.7 million contract with the New England Patriots.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 14, 2025 |title=Patriots Make A Series of Roster Moves |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-make-a-series-of-roster-moves-x3247 |access-date=February 16, 2026 |website=Patriots.com}}</ref> He played in 14 games with eight starts, recording 24 tackles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Khyiris Tonga 2025 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TongKh00.htm |access-date=January 16, 2026 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He would also take offensive snaps as a fullback.<ref>{{cite web | last=Patra | first=Kevin | title=Patriots NT Khyiris Tonga 'impressive' as a three-way player | website=NFL.com | date=2025-11-12 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/patriots-nt-khyiris-tonga-impressive-as-a-three-way-player | access-date=2026-02-15}}</ref>
===Kanasas City Chiefs=== On March 12, 2026, Tonga signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McMullen |first1=Matt |title=Five Things to Know About New Chiefs DT Khyiris Tonga |url=https://www.chiefs.com/news/five-things-to-know-about-new-chiefs-dt-khyiris-tonga- |website=Chiefs.com |access-date=13 March 2026}}</ref>
== NFL career statistics == {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="2" |Legend |- |'''Bold''' |Career high |}
=== Regular season === {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" ! rowspan="2" |Year ! rowspan="2" |Team ! colspan="2" |Games ! colspan="6" |Tackles ! colspan="6" |Interceptions ! colspan="2" |Fumbles |- ! GP !! GS !! Cmb !! Solo !! Ast !! Sck !! TFL !! Sfty !! PD !! Int !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! FF !! FR |- ! 2021 !! CHI | '''15''' || 2 || 24 || 10 || 14 || 0.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || '''1''' |- ! 2022 !! MIN | 11 || 2 || '''28''' || '''12''' || '''16''' || '''0.5''' || 1 || 0 || '''4''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2023 !! MIN | 14 || 2 || 15 || 9 || 6 || 0.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2024 !! ARI | 13 || 1 || 22 || 6 || '''16''' || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2025 !! NE | 14 || '''8''' || 24 || 9 || 15 || 0.0 || '''2''' || 0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! colspan="2" |[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TongKh00.htm Career] ! 67 !! 15 !! 113 !! 46 !! 67 !! 0.5 !! 5 !! 0 !! 6 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 1 |}
=== Postseason === {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" ! rowspan="2" |Year ! rowspan="2" |Team ! colspan="2" |Games ! colspan="6" |Tackles ! colspan="6" |Interceptions ! colspan="2" |Fumbles |- ! GP !! GS !! Cmb !! Solo !! Ast !! Sck !! TFL !! Sfty !! PD !! Int !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! FF !! FR |- ! 2022 !! MIN | 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2025 !! NE | 3 || 0 || '''7''' || '''5''' || '''2''' || '''1.0''' || '''2''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! colspan="2" |[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TongKh00.htm Career] ! 4 !! 0 !! 8 !! 5 !! 3 !! 1.0 !! 2 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0.0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 |}
== Personal life == Before enrolling at BYU, Tonga served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Wichita, Kansas.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Drew |first=Jay |date=November 25, 2020 |title=BYU football: What if we told you the No. 8 Cougars could have the same stingy defense next year, but probably won't? |url=https://www.deseret.com/sports/2020/11/25/21646231/byu-football-byu-seniors-kalani-sitake-khyiris-tonga-isaiah-kaufusi-chris-wilcox-zac-dawe |access-date=May 3, 2021 |website=Deseret News}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{Twitter|khyiristonga}} * [https://www.chiefs.com/team/players-roster/khyiris-tonga/ Kansas City Chiefs bio] * [https://byucougars.com/athlete/football/121504/khyiris-tonga BYU Cougars bio]
{{Kansas City Chiefs roster navbox}} {{Bears2021DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tonga, Khyiris}} Category:1996 births Category:Living people Category:People from West Valley City, Utah Category:Players of American football from Salt Lake County, Utah Category:American Mormon missionaries in the United States Category:American football defensive tackles Category:BYU Cougars football players Category:Chicago Bears players Category:Atlanta Falcons players Category:Minnesota Vikings players Category:Arizona Cardinals players Category:New England Patriots players Category:Kansas City Chiefs players