The Cleveland Browns made a bold statement when they hired Todd Monken as their new head coach—this offense was getting a complete makeover. Free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft brought a wave of fresh talent across the board, from the offensive line and receiver room to the defensive line, safety, and tight end positions.
Speaking of tight ends, the Browns made some tough calls. Veteran David Njoku wasn't retained, but the team re-signed Blake Whiteheart and Brendan Bates, brought in Jack Stoll from the New Orleans Saints, and added two promising rookies: Joe Royer from Cincinnati and Carsen Ryan from BYU, picked at No. 248 in the seventh round.
Ryan's journey to the NFL is a story of versatility and persistence. Growing up in Orem, Utah, he attended Timpview High School in Provo before transferring to American Fork High School for his senior year. A true multi-sport athlete, he played baseball, basketball, and football—lining up at both defensive end and tight end while also returning kickoffs. He earned a starting spot as a sophomore and finished his high school career with exactly 1,000 receiving yards on offense, averaging 11.1 yards per catch.
College recruiters took notice. Ryan had offers from a who's who of programs: San Diego State, UCLA, Tennessee, Michigan State, Kansas, Washington, BYU, Nebraska, Colorado, Virginia, Boise State, TCU, Arkansas, Oregon State, Colorado State, Utah State, New Mexico, Arizona State, Ohio State, and Texas. He ultimately chose UCLA to play under Chip Kelly.
His time in Westwood was quiet—just 19 receptions over two seasons. So he entered the transfer portal, drawing interest from several programs before landing at Utah. There, he played in all 12 games but managed only 10 catches for 113 yards and a single touchdown.
For his senior year in 2025, Ryan made one more move, entering the portal again and accepting an offer from BYU. That's where everything clicked. He exploded for 45 receptions, 620 yards, a 13.8-yard average, and three touchdowns. He even returned a punt for 14 yards, showing the kind of all-around athleticism that caught Cleveland's eye.
Off the field, Ryan comes from a close-knit family. His parents, Chase and Dani, have four children, and their support has been a constant throughout his winding path to the NFL.