ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals sign WR Aleva Hifo, release Isaac Whitney

Aug 6, 2021, 8:34 AM

BYU wide receiver Aleva Hifo breaks the tackle by Arizona safety Isaiah Hayes (21) during the first...

BYU wide receiver Aleva Hifo breaks the tackle by Arizona safety Isaiah Hayes (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Trading size for speed, the Arizona Cardinals churned the backend of their receiver room Friday by releasing 6-foot-2 wideout Isaac Whitney and signing slot man Aleva Hifo.

Arizona signed Whitney to the practice squad in August.

He was pulled off the COVID-19 reserve list on Monday along with center Rodney Hudson, guard Justin Pugh, right tackle Kelvin Beachum, plus receivers Andy Isabella and KeeSean Johnson. Those players were placed under the protocols on July 29.

The 5-foot-10, 187-pound Hifo went undrafted out of BYU and spent last training camp with the Kansas City Chiefs. He brings 4.41-second speed (recorded at a 2020 pro day) in the 40-yard dash.

Hifo played four seasons at BYU, posting 1,336 total yards on 118 catches with seven touchdowns. He added four scores on the ground and 233 rushing yards.

As a senior in 2019, he recorded 483 yards on 42 receptions to go with 23 carries for 104 yards, scoring five combined touchdowns.

Hifo joins a training camp receiver group that includes sub-6-foot speedsters Rondale Moore (5-foot-7), Greg Dorch (5-foot-7), Andy Isabella (5-foot-9), JoJo Ward (5-foot-9), Andre Baccellia (5-foot-10) and Christian Kirk (5-foot-11).

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

1 day ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

2 days ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

3 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

3 days ago

Cardinals sign WR Aleva Hifo, release Isaac Whitney