SALT LAKE CITY — It could be a record year for the Utah Utes in the NFL draft. This weekend’s selections may exceed the program-best eight players chosen in 2017. NFL.com’s list of draft prospects includes 11 Utes, nine of whom were invited to the scouting combine.
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham acknowledged he’ll be monitoring the draft closely when it takes place on this Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
“I will be glued to the TV. I can tell you that.” — Utah defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley
“Absolutely. We’ve got a bunch of guys that have a chance to get drafted and we’ll be tuned in and watching with great interest,” he said.
The former Utes to keep an eye on include cornerback Jaylon Johnson, safety Terrell Burgess, running back Zack Moss, defensive end Bradlee Anae, defensive tackle Leki Fotu, linebacker Francis Bernard and safety Julian Blackmon. Others to watch: cornerback Javelin Guidry, quarterback Tyler Huntley and defensive tackle John Penisini. Offensive tackle Darrin Paulo and wide receiver Demari Simpkins are also draft possibilities, or at the very least camp invitees.
“I will be glued to the TV,” said Utah defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley. “I can tell you that.”
Scalley noted that having eight guys on defense invited to the NFL scouting combine says a lot about the two-time defending Pac-12 South champions.
“A lot of the reason we had success this year and were one game away from being in the playoffs was because we had eight guys of that caliber, right? So great players make good coaches and we’re blessed to have them,” he said.
Every one of Utah’s draft prospects, Scalley continued, are players that NFL teams are going to love having in their locker rooms.
“They do things right on and off the field and they’re ‘yes sir, no sir’ kids that don’t have egos,” he said.
Offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig is also fired up about the players headed to the NFL. He said the large number of prospects from the program is unbelievable and a treat.
“I think it’s unprecedented with my career,” Ludwig said.
In 2017, Utah set a school record with eight draftees. The list included: offensive tackle Garett Bolles (Broncos, first round, 20th overall); safety Marcus Williams (Saints, second round, 42nd overall); running back Joe Williams (49ers, fourth round, 121st overall); offensive guard Isaac Asiata (Dolphins, fifth round, 164th overall); defensive back Brian Allen (Steelers, fifth round, 173rd overall); center J.J. Dielman (Bengals, fifth round, 176th overall); offensive tackle Sam Tevi (Chargers, sixth round, 190th overall); and linebacker Pita Taumoepenu (49ers, sixth round, 202nd overall).
This year’s draft class is expected to be led by Johnson, who opted to turn pro and give up his final season of collegiate eligibility. Some prognosticators have him going in the first round.
“With Jaylon there wasn’t a lot of development that had to take place. He was pretty darn good when we got him. He was the whole package as a corner,” Whittingham said while noting that Johnson was a four or five star recruit. “So he was one of those guys that was pretty much ready when he got here.”
Even so, Whittingham explained that they had to fine tune some things. He didn’t want to diminish the work cornerbacks coach Sharrieff Shah did with Johnson.
“He definitely improved and became a terrific player. He had all the tools,” said Whittingham, who noted it’s another illustration of a guy coming in and doing what the process requires. “Do things right and good things happen at the back end.”