SALT LAKE CITY — Considering he played alongside two All-Americans in Bradlee Anae and Leki Fotu, John Penisini could easily have been known as just the other senior on Utah’s highly touted defensive line.

Penisini, though, proved to be much more than that. The two-time All-Pac-12 honoree was a definite force to reckon with up front for the Utes.

Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley noted that Penisini has a great will to win. Such an attitude helped the 6-foot-2, 333-pound tackle earn an invite to both the East-West Shrine Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine. 

“I would say the reason that scouts are interested in John is this is a guy that never takes a play off, that loves the game of football and it shows in every single rep,” Scalley said. “He is a guy that doesn’t have the length that’s going to wow you or the size, he just has that motor and that will to win. He’s a guy that loves the game and he’s a fairly efficient pass rusher.”

In 2019, Penisini recorded 38 tackles — seven behind the line of scrimmage, including two sacks. He was named Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of Week after making a career-high seven tackles and a forced fumble in Utah’s 33-28 win at Washington on Nov. 2.

“I would say the reason that scouts are interested in John is this is a guy that never takes a play off, that loves the game of football and it shows in every single rep.” — Utah defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said Penisini was one of the most underrated guys on the team, in the conference, as well as the nation for that matter.

“He was outstanding for us,” Whittingham explained. “John Penisini is fundamentally and technique sound. Unselfish and has one of the best attitudes I’ve ever been around.”

Whittingham also noted that Penisini is a great competitor. After earning All-Western State Football League honors at Snow College in 2015, the West Jordan High alum sat out a season before joining the Utes. Penisini didn’t make much of an impact as a sophomore at Utah — netting just four tackles — before receiving all-conference recognition over his final two college campaigns. He finished his career with 80 tackles (15 for loss) with five sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery for the Utes — appearing in 40 games with 22 starts.

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‘Unsung hero’ John Penisini is a big part of Utah Utes’ highly touted defensive line

“I always wanted to wear the red,” Penisini told NFLDraftBlitz.com. “It’s always been a dream since I was little to play for Utah.”

Penisini added that being part of the program’s famed defensive line was special as well.

“We have a tradition. We know what came before us. We learned from the older guys,” he said. “Then when they left, we had to become the older guys and carry the tradition. We called ourselves ‘D-line U.’  Our defensive numbers were good.”

So good, in fact, that all three senior starters from 2019 (Anae, Fotu and Penisini) are expected to be taken in the upcoming NFL draft. Penisini’s Utah teammates and coaches remain quite meaningful in his life.

“I love those guys. Most coaches preach family, but those guys really do mean it. We feel it,” Penisini told NFLDraftBlitz.com. “The team is diverse. I can call my teammates and coaches. They will support me.”  

In sizing up his future in the NFL, Penisini used the word “accountable” to describe himself. He noted to the website that his strengths were run stopping and attacking his keys.

“I am thick in my gap,” Penisini said. “I will hit my guy and sit in the gap.”

Areas of improvement, he acknowledged, include working on multiple stances and generating more off a pass rush.    

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What they’re saying about John Penisini. . . 

NFL.COM: “Chance to make end of roster or practice squad.”

BLEACHER REPORT: 7th round, 242nd overall — Green Bay Packers

SB NATION: 7th round, 253rd overall — Minnesota Vikings

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