Two Utah Football Stars Show Up On ESPN Early 2026 NFL Mock Draft
May 1, 2025, 4:02 PM
Utah Utes wide receiver Money Parks (10) and Utah Utes offensive lineman Spencer Fano (55) celebrate after a touchdown by Parks during a game between the University of Utah and the TCU Horned Frogs at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. The TCU Horned Frogs defeated the Utah Utes 13-7. (Photo courtesy of Brice Tucker, Deseret News)
(Photo courtesy of Brice Tucker, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Now that the 2025 NFL Draft is over, analysts are already making their way-too-early predictions for next year’s class.
ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Jordan Reid released his first draft mockup, which included two Utes in the first 32 picks.
@Jordan_Reid makes way-too-early predictions for every pick of next year’s first round of the NFL draft ⬇️ https://t.co/pyioFALcqN
— ESPN (@espn) May 1, 2025
ESPN NFL Mock Draft Sees Two First-Round Utes
First of all, after the 2025 draft was unlike one in recent history for many reasons, Reid’s mock predicted that NFL teams would get back to the basics.
He had four quarterbacks going in the first 10 picks, a total of nine offensive skill position players, and seven secondary members.
The QBs he has going off the board early are Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, and Penn State’s Drew Allar.
Onto the 2026 draft we go! pic.twitter.com/OE7kFCaPry
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) May 1, 2025
With that said, the two Utes in his mock are not in skill positions.
Reid predicted offensive tackle Spencer Fano to land in Seattle at pick No. 12 and another tackle, Caleb Lomu, to end up in Los Angeles at pick No. 23.
Understandably, as a prospective top-12 pick, Reid had high praise for Fano.
Fano is a physical, heavy-handed blocker who takes pride in putting rushers on the ground. He has light feet in pass protection and gave up only one sack last season. He has played both left and right tackle in college and could even slide inside to guard in the NFL. Fano would be a great fit in a zone-blocking scheme because of his ability to make effective blocks in space.
Fano already has two seasons under his belt and has been dominant. However, Lomu got his first real look last year.
He played well, but a first-round selection would require a jump in production, which Reid alluded to.
Lomu’s game centers on his power profile and wide body, which he uses to generate movement at the point of attack. He could still add weight to his frame (6-6, 304 pounds) and is expected to make a major leap in his second college season. His playing style, build and progression are reminiscent of Colts left tackle Bernhard Raimann.
If Reid’s prediction ends up coming to fruition, it would mark the first time since 2005 that the Utes had two first-round selections in the same draft.
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