Former BYU cornerback D’Angelo Mandell has earned another NFL chance.
On Tuesday, Mandell joined the Washington Commanders practice squad.
Practice squad players are not part of a team’s 53-man gameday rosters, but they are a group of players who are developed within the franchise.
D’Angelo Mandell signs with Washington Commanders
Mandell has joined his second NFL team during his rookie season in the league. After signing an undrafted free-agent contract with the Dallas Cowboys last April following the NFL draft, he played 59 snaps in three preseason games before being released. Subsequently, Mandell had a tryout with the New York Giants and later with the Commanders in October, ultimately getting signed by Washington this week.
Back in April, BYU cornerback coach Jernaro Gilford praised Mandell, describing him as a hardworking player with the right attributes, such as length and speed, and a strong determination to excel. Gilford emphasized Mandell’s commitment to putting in the effort required to reach his full potential, stating that any program would be fortunate to have him.
Mandell was at BYU for five seasons
Mandell, standing at 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 192 pounds, contributed to BYU’s program for five seasons spanning from 2018 to 2022. He accumulated 90 tackles and six pass deflections while being a part of two BYU teams, in 2020 and 2021, that achieved rankings in the AP Top 25.
At BYU’s Pro Day in March, Mandell showcased his athleticism with a 4.51-second 40-yard dash, a 30-inch vertical jump, and a 9 feet 8 inches broad jump. Notably, he now joins the Commanders organization, where former BYU wide receiver Dax Milne is also a part of the team.
