Last year’s draft was quiet for the University of Utah, aside from the selection of tight end Caleb Lohner by the Denver Broncos in the final round.
This year, it could be a busy three days for former Utes as the NFL draft gets underway in Pittsburgh on Thursday night (6 p.m. MT, ABC/ESPN).
For the first time in school history, expectations are that two former Utes — offensive tackles Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu — could be selected in the opening round of the NFL draft.
Tight end Dallen Bentley is also expected by most NFL experts to be selected during the three-day event after a good showing at the NFL combine and Utah’s pro day, alongside defensive end Logan Fano. Linebacker Lander Barton could also hear his name called from the stage in Pittsburgh.
Many more former Utes — including the entire starting offensive line — could also be in line for free-agent deals at the conclusion of the draft.
Here’s a player-by-player look at the most likely selections from the University of Utah in this year’s draft.
Long considered one of the top offensive tackle prospects in the 2026 NFL draft, Spencer Fano is projected to be one of the first offensive linemen off the board in Pittsburgh.
Fano had a good junior season at Utah, earning a PFF grade of 88 and allowing no sacks and just five pressures all season. He was a key piece of an offensive line that set school records in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns and was named the 2025 Outland Trophy winner — an award given to the best interior lineman in the country.
At the combine, Fano’s athleticism stood out, with the 6-foot-5.5, 311-pound lineman ranking first among offensive tackles in Next Gen Stats’ combine score.
Despite the good showing at the combine, the buzz in NFL circles was all about Fano’s arm measurement — 32 1/8’’ (the minimum arm length for an NFL offensive tackle is usually 33 inches). At Utah’s pro day, however, Fano’s arm length was measured at 32 7/8″ at Utah’s pro day, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, who said that “for whatever reason, the measurements in Indy were short for a number of prospects.”
Could he move inside to guard? Fano said at Utah’s pro day that he is willing to play wherever he is needed.
“I think I’ll play my best ball at tackle, but if you want me to go run routes, I’ll run routes. I’m fine playing anywhere on the field,” Fano said.
Most mock drafts have Fano just outside the Top 10, but a big payday is coming for the former Ute, who is expected to be selected somewhere in the teens.
Part of a successful bookend with Fano, Lomu could help Utah accomplish something exceedingly rare — two college teammates of the same position being selected in the first round.
Lomu — 6-foot-6 and 313 pounds — is another athletic tackle. At the combine, his 40-yard dash time, vertical jump and broad jump were all in the top 10 among offensive linemen. His “combine score” of 81 trailed only Fano, and after a good performance at the combine, appears to have done enough to be selected in the first round.
Lomu had a PFF grade of 68.4 on the season, allowing no sacks and just eight pressures.
Mock drafts have him in the late first round — No. 24 to the Cleveland Browns and No. 27 to the San Francisco 49ers are popular picks.
Being a first-round draft selection with his friend Fano would be a dream come true for the former Ute.
“... We got recruited together and then came to Utah. We started freshman year, then the last two years we were both starting on the end,” Lomu said. “So it’s been awesome with Spencer, being to learn from him and just learn off each other throughout these past couple years. And it’s been awesome now that we’re in this position to both get drafted.”
Bentley’s football journey has been anything but typical.