SALT LAKE CITY — As far as drafts go, this one ranked right up there with a flat root beer and a cool breeze beneath a garage door. That said, the Deseret News’ fantasy draft for the University of Utah proved to be mildly interesting, if nothing else.
Deseret News sports writers Dirk Facer, Jody Genessy, Ryan McDonald and Mike Sorensen gathered on Zoom for 25 rounds of pick ’ems. Teams consisted of one quarterback, one tight end, two running backs, two wide receivers and five linemen on offense. The defense was comprised of five players from the secondary, four linemen and two linebackers. Special teams were represented by one kicker, one punter and one return specialists.
A drawing was held to determine the draft order and the most handsome of writers obtained the first pick. Team Facer was followed in order by Team Sorensen, Team McDonald and Team Genessy. A rotation took place in each subsequent round. Players were not chosen in order of position and thus things were wide open as positions were filled.
For the record, defensive back Eric Weddle was the first overall pick. The final selection was legendary quarterback Lee Grosscup.
A lot of great players went undrafted and to those players we apologize. This fantasy thing, obviously, isn’t our gig. We deal in reality — or so we think.
Team Facer
QB: SCOTT MITCHELL, 1987-89 (2nd round)
Reasons for pick: “The numbers say it all. Mitchell had 8,981 yards passing with 69 touchdowns.”
RB: MIKE ANDERSON, 1998-99 (14th round)
Reasons for pick: “As the proud brother of a retired Marine, I’ve always appreciated the path he took to Utah and the NFL. Averaged 102.4 yards per game for the Utes.”
RB: DEVONTAE BOOKER, 2014-15 (16th round)
Reasons for pick: “Hardworking back carried the ball 560 times over two seasons, netting 2,773 yards.”
WR: ROY JEFFERSON, 1962-64 (3rd round)
Reasons for pick: “One of the greatest Utes of all time played offense, defense and was the kicker. The 1964 WAC Player of the Year and first-team All-American went on to a distinguished NFL career and won a Super Bowl.”
WR: PARIS WARREN, 2003-04 (17th round)
Reasons for pick: “The Fiesta Bowl co-Offensive MVP with Alex Smith had 15 receptions in the win over Pittsburgh. Had 156 catches over two seasons at Utah.”
END: MAC SPEEDIE, 1939-41 (7th round)
Reasons for pick: “This name had game. Used his quickness to excel in college and then — after a four-year stint in the military — pro football.”
OL: DAVE COSTA, 1961-62 (20th round)
Reasons for pick: “Primarily a defensive guy of note, Costa was named WAC Lineman of the Year as an offensive tackle in 1962.”
OL: DEAN MIRALDI, 1978-80 (23rd round)
Reasons for pick: “After a stellar career at Utah, he was drafted in the second round by the Philadelphia Eagles.”
OL: ED PINE, 1959-61 (24th round)
Reasons for pick: “A center of attention, complete with All-America recognition. He was drafted by the 49ers in the second round.”
OL: LANCE SCOTT, 1991-94 (21st round)
Reasons for pick: “Two first-team all-conference accolades are tough to top.”
OL: BARRY SIMS, 1995-96 (22nd round)
Reasons for pick: “All-WAC honoree went on to play 174 games in the NFL.”
DL: BRADLEE ANAE, 2016-19 (4th round)
Reasons for pick: “The Mayor of Sack Lake City. Say no more.”
DL: STEVE FIFITA, 2002-05 (11th round)
Reasons for pick: “Quite the resume: Fiesta Bowl Defensive MVP and two first-team All-MWC honors.”
DL: JOHN FRANK, 1996-99 (12th round)
Reasons for pick: “Had to pick the 1999 MWC Defensive Player of the Year.”
DL: SIONE PO’UHA, 2001-04 (13th round)
Reasons for pick: “East is my high. Po’uha represented the Leopards well at Utah and in the NFL.”
LB: MARK BLOSCH, 1981-84 (6th round)
Reasons for pick: “Besides being in the same mission as one of my neighbors, Blosch just happens to be Utah’s all-time tackles leader with 495 stops.”
LB: KAUTAI OLEVAO, 1995/98-2000 (18th round)
Reasons for pick: “Ask Ronney Jenkins. This guy could hit.”
DB: ANDRE DYSON, 1997-2000 (15th round)
Reasons for pick: “Led the MWC with six interceptions in 1999.”
DB: ERIC JACOBSEN, 1984/86-88 (15th round)
Reasons for pick: “Great nose for the football, racked up interceptions and fumble recoveries.”
DB: JAYLON JOHNSON, 2017-19 (9th round)
Reasons for pick: “All-American left the Utes after three seasons. Graduated and became a second-round draft pick.”
DB: MORGAN SCALLEY, 2001-04 (8th round)
Reasons for pick: “A Utah man, through and through. All-American player has evolved into one of the nation’s top defensive coordinators.”
DB: ERIC WEDDLE, 2003-06 (1st round)
Reasons for pick: “Versatile athlete was a throwback in terms of being able to do just about everything on the field. Not a tough decision.”
K: ANDRE GUARDI, 1983-86 (25th round)
Reasons for pick: “Doesn’t crack the top three (Gay, Phillips and Sakoda), but was an impressive 125 of 127 on PATs. Scored 93 points in 1995.”
P: TOM HACKETT, 2012-15 (15th round)
Reasons for pick: “Not one, but two Ray Guy Awards. Didn’t need to kick around this draft pick.”
RS: ERROLL TUCKER, 1984-85 (5th round)
Reasons for pick: “Topped the nation returning punts (24.3 yards) and kickoffs (29.1 yards) in 1985.”
Team Sorensen
QB: ALEX SMITH, 2002-04 (1st round)
Reasons for pick: “How can you turn down the only No. 1 NFL draft choice in school history, who had a 22-2 record as a starter and finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy balloting?”
RB: FRANK CHRISTENSEN, 1930-32 (22nd round)
Reasons for pick: “Not many people are alive who saw this guy in action, but he was an all-American who scored more points than any nonkicker in Utah history (235) and never lost a conference game.”
RB: CHRIS FUAMATU-MA’AFALA, 1995-97 (18th round)
Reasons for pick: “May be the most dominant running back I ever covered in four decades. If not for injuries and leaving a year early for the NFL, he could have been the Utes’ all-time rusher. As it was, he ended up No. 5 with 2,630 yards. Plus, I love saying his name.”
WR: DRES ANDERSON, 2011-14 (15th round)
Reasons for pick: “Known for catching the long ball, finished fifth on the Utes’ all-time list for receiving yards with 2,077 yards, despite missing nearly half his senior season with a knee injury.”
WR: STUART VAUGHN, 1955-57 (19th round)
Reasons for pick: “OK, he was listed as a halfback on old Ute rosters and was just 5-9, 165 pounds, but he’s the only Utah player to ever lead the nation in receptions, which he did in 1957 with 53, which was a lot at the time.”
TE: MARV FLEMING, 1960-62 (3rd round)
Reasons for pick: “The big guy was technically just an end when he played in the early 1960s, but he went on to be a 4-time Super Bowl champion with Green Bay and Miami as a tight end.”
OL/TE: BOB TRUMPY, 1966 (25th round)
Reasons for pick: ”I was running out of O-linemen when I got to my last pick and thought it would be a shame to leave off Trumpy, who went on to an all-pro career with Cincinnati where he played for 10 years and later made his mark for two decades as a broadcaster. So the moderator let me take Trumpy, who played as close to the offensive line as anyone.”
OL: JORDAN GROSS, 1999-2002 (2nd round)
Reasons for pick: “Only Alex Smith was drafted higher than this farm boy from Idaho, who was picked No. 8 to Carolina and went on to a successful 11-year career with the Panthers.”
OL: GORDON JOLLEY, 1968-70 (23rd round)
Reasons for pick: “This Granite High standout was an all-WAC tackle, who went on to play for Detroit and Seattle in the NFL.”
OL: CHRIS KEMOEATU, 2001-04 (8th round)
Reasons for pick: “He anchored the line for the Fiesta Bowl perfect season for the Utes and was a first-team All-American who went on to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers and won a Super Bowl ring in 2009.”
OL: KARL SCHLECKMAN, 1935-37 (24th round)
Reasons for pick: “He was twice all-conference, made the Utah Hall of Fame and turned down an offer to play for Detroit and was a coach at Utah for 20 years.”
DL: STEVE CLARK, 1978-81 (7th round)
Reasons for pick: “After leading Skyline High to a pair of state titles, he was the WAC defensive MVP, a first-team All-American who went on to play several years for Miami in the NFL.
DL: MANNY FERNANDEZ, 1965-67 (13th round)
Reasons for pick: “He wasn’t a star at Utah and the story goes that the Miami Dolphins took him to appeal to their Hispanic fan base. He turned out to be a starter, who played in the league for eight years, including three Super Bowls, where he made 17 tackles in Super Bowl VII.”
DL: PAUL KRUGER, 2007-08 (11th round)
Reasons for pick: “The high school quarterback converted to the defensive line after his mission and was a stalwart for the 2008 Sugar Bowl-winning, undefeated team and a first-team all-MWC selection.”
DL: TREVOR REILLY, 2010-13 (20th round)
Reasons for pick: “A versatile all-Pac-12 player, who was fun to watch and always a pleasure to talk to. Played briefly in the NFL for three teams.”
LB: ANTHONY DAVIS, 1990-91 (9th round)
Reasons for pick: “Two-time all-WAC player could really lay the lumber. One of the more underrated Ute players, who played seven years in the NFL.”
LB: LARRY STONE, 1967-69 (16th round)
Reasons for pick: “Has the record for most tackles in a game with 30. Any guy that can make 30 tackles in a game is on my team.”
DB: JULIAN BLACKMON, 2016-19 (12th round)
Reasons for pick: “The former basketball star quickly became a starter in the Ute secondary and earned Heart of Dallas MVP honors as a sophomore and second-team All-American as a senior before being drafted in the third round of the NFL draft.”
DB: BRIAN BLECHEN, 2010-12/2014 (21st round)
Reasons for pick: “The converted quarterback started 48 straight games for the Utes, mostly at safety and was a freshman All-American and three-time all-Pac 12 honorable mention.”
DB: JEFF GRIFFIN, 1977-80 (14th round)
Reasons for pick: “The first modern Ute player to wear No. 1, Griffin was a four-year starter, twice all-WAC and earned second-team All-America honors as a senior.”
DB: C.D. LOWERY, 1963-64 (17th round)
Reasons for pick: “His eight interceptions were the most ever in a season for a Ute player and he did it for one of Utah’s greatest teams, the 1964 Liberty-Bowl winners.”
DB: NORM THOMPSON, 1969-70 (6th round)
Reasons for pick: “He was a second-team All-American, who set two NCAA records for interception yards and at No. 17 was one of the highest draft picks in Ute history.”
K: ANDY PHILLIPS, 2013-16 (10th round)
Reasons for pick: “The former Alpine skier scored more points than any player in Ute history and it’s not even close with 427 compared to 308 for Louie Sakoda. He also made 84 field goals, 27 more than second place and converted on 84% for his career.”
P: MARV BATEMAN, 1969-71 (5th round)
Reasons for pick: “The former Highland High standout led the nation in punting for two years and was a two-time All-American. He was also a fine placekicker, who booted a 59-yard field goal, still the Ute record.”
RS: STEVE ODOM, 1971-73 (4th round)
Reasons for pick: “How many guys have eight returns for touchdowns, something Odom accomplished with four on kickoffs and four on punts in his All-America career. He led the nation in kickoff returns as a senior.”
Team McDonald
QB: BRIAN JOHNSON, 2004-05/07-08 (3rd round)
Reasons for pick: “Put together a career that combined both big numbers and winning games, which is what you want from your quarterback. In Johnson’s 33 games as the starter, Utah went 26-7 — including a win in the 2009 Sugar Bowl over Alabama — and he finished his career second in school history in both passing yards and passing touchdowns.”
RB: EDDIE JOHNSON, 1984-86/88 (5th round)
Reasons for pick: “Held the school rushing record for 30 years until it was broken in 2019 by Zack Moss, and was second in rushing touchdowns until Moss became the leader, also last fall.”
RB: JOHN WHITE IV, 2011-12 (17th round)
Reasons for pick: “A junior college transfer, White’s time with the Utes may not have been as long as some others, but he certainly produced, setting the single-season record for yards in 2011 and he held the single-season rushing touchdown record by himself for eight years until Moss tied it in 2019.”
WR: KEVIN DYSON, 1994-97 (7th round)
Reasons for pick: “Holds the school record for career receptions and is second in career receiving yards. When he was selected 16th overall in the 1998 NFL draft, it was the highest a Ute had been picked since 1959.”
WR: CARL HARRY, 1986-88 (16th round)
Reasons for pick: “Was a top target for quarterback Scott Mitchell as Utah had some prolific offenses in the late 1980s. Harry is third in school history in both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.”
TE: DENNIS SMITH, 1986-89 (4th round)
Reasons for pick: “Tight end hasn’t historically been a highly productive position for the Utes, but Smith is a big exception, as he’s second in school history in receiving touchdowns, third in receptions and fourth in yards. His 18 touchdown catches in 1989 is the school record for a single season, with the next closest being Carl Harry’s 14 in 1988.”
OL: TONY BERGSTROM, 2008-11 (13th round)
Reasons for pick: “A three-year starter at right tackle for the Utes, Bergstrom was a first team All-Pac-12 pick in the team’s first season in the conference, and he’s gone on to play in the NFL.”
OL: GARRET BOLLES, 2016 (9th round)
Reasons for pick: “A Snow College transfer, Bolles was a five-star prospect and recruited by some of the top programs in the country, but stayed in the Beehive State and was dominant in his lone season in Salt Lake City, which he parlayed into being the 20th overall pick of the 2017 NFL draft.”.
OL: NORM CHOW, 1965-67 (22nd round)
Reasons for pick: “Most known for his successful coaching career, Chow was an honorable mention All-American his senior season with the Utes.”
OL: DOUG KAUFUSI, 1998-2001 (15th round)
Reasons for pick: “By the time his career on the hill was over, he was one of the best offensive linemen in the country, as he was considered for All-America honors and the Lombardi Trophy.”
OL: SAM TEVI, 2013-16 (18th round)
Reasons for pick: “A two-year starter, he has gone on to the NFL, where he plays for the Los Angeles Chargers.”
DL: LUTHER ELLISS, 1991-94 (1st round)
Reasons for pick: “Utah is a defensive lineman factory now, but Elliss’ career in the early 1990s still stands out. He was a three-time All-WAC first team selection and was a first team All-American as a senior in 1994.”
DL: JASON KAUFUSI, 2000-03 (20th round)
Reasons for pick: “Injuries wound up hampering his senior year, but he was certainly productive in his three seasons with the Utes, garnering co-Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year honors in 2000 and all-conference first team recognition the next two seasons.”
DL: STAR LOTULELEI, 2010-12 (6th round)
Reasons for pick: “Like his first name suggests, Lotulelei was an absolute star for the Utes. A first team All-American in 2012, he was a dominant force who was at one point in the conversation to be the No. 1 pick in the 2013 NFL draft. He’s still in the NFL now.”
DL: JOHN PENISINI, 2017-19 (23rd round)
Reasons for pick: “Playing on an absolutely stacked defensive line, Penisini was sometimes forgotten, but he was a two-time second team All-Pac-12 pick and was just drafted by the Detroit Lions.”
LB: JARED NORRIS, 2012-15 (19th round)
Reasons for pick: “A full-time starter for two seasons, Norris received honorable mention All-Pac-12 recognition as a junior and second team recognition as a senior.
LB: GIONNI PAUL, 2014-15 (12th round)
Reasons for pick: “A transfer from Miami, Paul played two seasons for the Utes and was particularly dominant in 2015, a campaign in which some say he was snubbed out of being named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. Nevertheless, he garnered first team all-conference honors that season as he did a little bit of everything for Utah at linebacker.”
DB: MARQUISE BLAIR, 2017-18 (14th round)
Reasons for pick: “A junior college transfer, Blair was an absolute enforcer in the defensive backfield and became a second round NFL draft pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 2019.”
DB: ERIC ROWE, 2011-14 (24th round)
Reasons for pick: “Over the course of his four-year college career, Rowe received numerous postseason accolades and is now in the NFL.”
DB: SEAN SMITH, 2006-08 (21st round)
Reasons for pick: “He’s had significant legal troubles since his college days, but he was a first team All-Mountain West pick in 2008 and had a few excellent years in the NFL.”
DB: MARCUS WILLIAMS, 2014-16 (8th round)
Reasons for pick: “Received first team All-Pac-12 honors as a sophomore in 2015 and second team recognition in 2016. He became a second round NFL draft pick of the New Orleans Saints in 2017.”
DB: LARRY WILSON, 1957-59 (2nd round)
Reasons for pick: “A two-way player back in the 1950s at running back and cornerback, Wilson went on to have a Hall of Fame career in the NFL with the Cardinals.”
K: LOUIE SAKODA, 2005-08 (10th round)
Reasons for pick: “An accomplished kicker and punter, Sakoda played four years with the Utes but holds the school record for highest percentage of field goal attempts made and is second in school history with 57 made for his career. In 2008, he was named a unanimous All-American.”
P: RICK PARTRIDGE, 1977-78 (11th round)
Reasons for pick: “Twice received first team All-WAC honors.”
RS: BRITAIN COVEY, 2015/2018-present (25th round)
Reasons for pick: ”Small but incredibly fast and shifty, Covey won first team Freshman All-America honors as a punt returner in 2015 and then won first team All-Pac-12 recognition in 2018 after returning from a church mission.”
Team Genessy
QB: LEE GROSSCUP, 1957-58 (25th round)
Reasons for pick: “Not only was he a first-team All-American in 1957, but more impressively he invented the shovel pass that still is called ‘Utah’ 63 years later. That’s my QB!”
RB: ZACK MOSS, 2016-19 (1st round)
Reasons for pick: “When the all-time leading rusher at a university with a rich history of solid running backs is available, it’s a no-brainer to snag him.”
RB: JAMAL ANDERSON, 1992-93 (3rd round)
Reasons for pick: “If you get a chance to take a man who can run over defenses and do the Dirty Bird after scoring, you must seize the opportunity.”
WR: STEVE SMITH, 1999-2000 (2nd round)
Reasons for pick: Even before this speedy receiver earned five trips to the Pro Bowl, he set a Utah record by averaging 20.6 yards per catch.
WR: BRYAN ROWLEY, 1989-91/93 (4th round)
Reasons for pick: What’s better than having the all-time leading rusher? Pairing him with the school’s all-time leading receiver and a terrific athlete, that’s what.
TE: BRANT KUITHE, 2018-present (11th round)
Reasons for pick: “Man, was it fun to watch him shred defenses and turn into a reliable offensive weapon for the Utes — through the air and on the ground.”
OL: ZANE BEADLES, 2006-09 (7th round)
Reasons for pick: “I’ll happily take an offensive lineman who churned out more pancakes than a short-order cook at IHOP.”
OL: ANTHONY BROWN, 1993-94 (15th round)
Reasons for pick: “This big dude — 6-foot-5, 315 pounds — was a force in the trenches. Bonus: He played for my Steelers and was just named to the University of Utah Athletics Hall of Fame.”
OL: JACK JOHNSON, 1930-32 (22nd round)
Reasons for pick: I originally gravitated to Jack Johnson because of his cool name. All the better for my football team that this old-school Utah legend was a Pro Bowl selection in 1939 and not just a catchy singer.
OL: CALEB SCHLAUDERAFF, 2007-10 (17th round)
Reasons for pick: “This lineman had brawn and brains, helping him become an All-American blocker who also earned a spot on the dean’s list.”
OL: CARLTON WALKER, 1983-84 (19th round)
Reasons for pick: “I stepped back in time a few decades to pick up this All-American lineman to bolster my trenches. I might’ve done the Carlton while picking him.”
DL: HUNTER DIMICK, 2013-16 (20th round)
Reasons for pick: “His current Twitter bio reads: “The Mayor. Godfather.” It could also include All-American, NFL player, offense disruptor and Proud Member of Team Genessy.”
DL: LEKI FOTU, 2016-19 (16th round)
Reasons for pick: “If Miracle Max were around, I have no doubt he’d tell this mammoth-sized human being: “You are the brute squad.” He’s also confident enough to wear green crocs around campus. ’Nuff said.”
DL: FILIPO MOKOFISI, 1982-85 (21st round)
Reasons for pick: First off, how fun is it to say Filipo Mokofisi. In the time you repeated that in your mind, this bruiser and former WAC Player of the Year just pummeled a quarterback.
DL: NATE ORCHARD, 2011-14 (8th round)
Reasons for pick: Orchard is a tough dude who averaged the most sacks in the FBS (1.46) en route to being named the nation’s top defensive lineman (Ted Hendricks Award winner).
LB: JOHN HUDDLESTON, 1973-75 (14th round)
Reasons for pick: “Trivia: Who holds the Utah record for most tackles in a season? Good guess! It is John Huddleston, who had 174 tackles in 1975! I’ll take a tough tackler from the 1970s anytime.”
LB: STEVENSON SYLVESTER, 2006-09 (18th round)
Reasons for pick: “As a general rule of thumb, if the Pittsburgh Steelers think you’re a good enough linebacker for them, then you’re obligated to draft him.”
DB: TERRELL BURGESS, 2016-19 (23rd round)
Reasons for pick: He really blossomed his senior season — 116 tackles, one interception — to turn himself into a third-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams and earn a spot on this elite squad.
DB: LAVON EDWARDS, 1988-91 (13th round)
Reasons for pick: Despite name similarities, Lavon Edwards is not LaVell Edwards’ long-lost twin brother. He was still a heckuva football player who had 17 picks.
DB: CHASE HANSEN, 2015-18 (5th round)
Reasons for pick: This All-American is such a versatile and heady player who happens to have a great football surname. Our GM squealed in delight when he was still on the board.
DB: HAROLD LUSK, 1993-96 (12th round)
Reasons for pick: “This outstanding athlete had as many or more receptions from the defensive backfield as some receivers on the other side of the ball — a school-best 19.”
DB: GIL TOBLER, 1948 (24th round)
Reasons for pick: Another solid old-school pick here. How sweet was it when Tobler owned — get it? — offenses in the post-World War II era with seven INTs in 1948?
K: MATT GAY, 2017-18 (9th round)
Reasons for pick: “Every team needs a reliable placekicker, and few have been better than this Lou Groza Award winner. Plus, my Twitter followers voted him as the top kicker, and I listened.”
P: MITCH WISHNOWSKY, 2016-18 (10th round)
Reasons for pick: “Crikey, mate! This Aussie rules when it comes to pinning opponents deep in their own territory and making a difference in the field-position game.”
RS: REGGIE DUNN, 2010-12 (6th round)
Reasons for pick: “Get ’er Dunn! Can’t wait to see how many 100-yard kickoff returns this speedster has for us after setting NCAA records with five in a career, four in a season and two in one game.”