BREAKING : BYU Football Pulls Off Unprecedented Blockbuster — Acquires Toronto Maple Leafs Star Forward in Shocking Multi-Sport Trade
July 5, 2025 — Provo, UT
In a sports world first that’s sending shockwaves through both hockey and college football, BYU Football has acquired star forward Colton Rielly from the Toronto Maple Leafs in what analysts are calling the most surreal multi-sport deal of the decade.
Yes, you read that correctly — a NHL All-Star forward is trading skates for cleats and joining the Cougars in Provo.
The trade, facilitated through a groundbreaking NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) and cross-league rights agreement, sees the 6’4″, 225-pound Rielly transitioning from NHL ice to NCAA turf, becoming eligible to play tight end for the Cougars this fall. The move follows a year of rumors that Rielly, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and known for his elite athleticism and soft hands, had been exploring a career in football.
“This is real. This is happening,” said BYU Head Coach Kalani Sitake at an emergency press conference held at LaVell Edwards Stadium. “Colton is not just a freak athlete — he’s a cultural fit. He brings fire, discipline, and something different that this program has never seen before.”
The blockbuster deal was made possible through a coordinated effort between BYU Athletics, private NIL collectives, and a silent donor rumored to be a tech billionaire and BYU alum. The collective negotiated a $6.8 million NIL package — making Rielly the highest-paid college football player in the country, despite never having played a single collegiate snap.
How Did It Happen?
Rielly, 28, shocked the sports world just weeks ago when he opted out of his final year with the Maple Leafs, citing “personal growth and a desire for something new.” At the time, no one expected that “something new” to be tight end reps in the Big 12.
Behind the scenes, however, BYU staffers had already begun evaluating Rielly’s potential — even running mock combine tests with him at a private training facility in Utah. Reports indicate he clocked a 4.59-second 40-yard dash, bench pressed 225 pounds 23 times, and posted a 36-inch vertical. Analysts quickly began drawing comparisons to NFL hybrid tight ends like Travis Kelce and Darren Waller.
“It’s no gimmick,” said BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick. “Colton’s body control, hand-eye coordination, and toughness make him a natural fit. He’s already picking up our playbook faster than some freshmen.”
Reaction Across the Sports World
Social media exploded with mixed reactions. Some fans hailed the move as innovative and inspiring, while others questioned the integrity of the college athletic system.
Former BYU stars like Zach Wilson and Taysom Hill praised the move, with Hill tweeting: “TEU just got a whole lot meaner.” Meanwhile, NHL players sent supportive — and a few bewildered — messages. Toronto’s captain remarked humorously: “Guess we’ll be seeing Colton in the end zone instead of the penalty box.”
Rielly Speaks
Rielly, speaking for the first time since the announcement, was candid and composed.
> “Hockey’s been everything to me, but this opportunity felt divine. I’ve always admired the brotherhood, discipline, and mission of BYU. I’m not here for show — I’m here to win, to grow, and to honor this new chapter.”
What’s Next?
Rielly will join the team for fall camp in August and is expected to play significant reps in the season opener against Utah. BYU plans to utilize him in a flex-tight-end role, pairing him with star QB Jake Retzlaff in what could become one of the most dangerous red-zone combinations in college football.
Meanwhile, a new BYU merchandise line titled “Ice to Iron: The Rielly Era” is already in production.
Whether stunt or stroke of genius, one thing is certain: Provo just became the epicenter of the sports world.
