The University of Utah is celebrating a major milestone as 99 student-athletes prepare to graduate this week—and some of the biggest names in recent Utes history are leading the charge.
NFL stars Clark Phillips III and Sealver Siliga headline the list of graduates, proving that the drive to finish what you started never fades—even after years in the pros. Phillips III, one of the highest-rated recruits to ever wear a Utah uniform, was a standout cornerback for three seasons before declaring for the NFL draft. Selected in the fourth round by the Atlanta Falcons, he’s now three years into his professional career. But he never forgot his academic goals, returning to earn his degree in management. It's a powerful reminder: the classroom matters as much as the field.
Siliga’s story is equally inspiring. A defensive tackle on Utah’s undefeated 2008 team, he left early for the NFL after the 2010 season. Though he went undrafted, he built a six-year pro career—including a start in Super Bowl XLIX with the New England Patriots, where he recorded four tackles against the Seattle Seahawks. Now, more than a decade after leaving campus, Siliga is graduating with a degree in sociology. It’s a testament to the lifelong commitment these athletes have to their education.
Another standout is offensive lineman Jaren Kump, who recently signed a free-agent deal with the Chicago Bears. Kump earned a master’s degree in Health and Kinesiology, writing his thesis on the health and wellness challenges Division I athletes face as they transition out of sports. That’s the kind of insight that can change lives—both on and off the field.
In total, nine football players are graduating this cycle. Six of them—Rabbit Evans (Human Development & Family Studies), JC Hart (Financial Planning and Counseling), Nate Johnson (Communication), Tobias Merriweather (Psychology), Trey Reynolds (Economics), and Nate Ritchie (Health and Kinesiology)—will be back on the field for the upcoming season. They’re proof that you can chase championships and a diploma at the same time.
And the numbers back it up. Utah Athletics posted a 95% Graduation Success Rate this past year, tying a department record and ranking tied for third among all power conference public institutions nationwide. That’s not just a win for the scoreboard—it’s a win for life.
Other notable graduates include Rabbit Evans, Bryce Madden (double major in Accounting & Finance), Dallin Tanner (double major in Criminology & Sociology), Kelly Bullock (Spanish & Health and Kinesiology), Ava Hetzel (Master’s in International Affairs & Global Enterprise), and Claire Le Gallo (double major). Each one represents the heart of what it means to be a Ute: excellence in competition and in the classroom.