UTAH UTES

Utah’s Caleb Lomu caps Pro Day with first-round momentum

Mar 20, 2026, 1:56 PM

Caleb Lomu preparing for the NFL Draft...

Offensive tackle Caleb Lomu going through drills at Utah's Pro Day. Photo courtesy by Utah Athletics

SALT LAKE CITY For Caleb Lomu, Utah’s Pro Day wasn’t just another workout. It was a full-circle moment.

Back on the same field he develop his game and turned himself into one of the top offensive tackles, Lomu delivered one final performance in front of NFL scouts — closing the pre-draft evaluation phase with a sense of both accomplishment and anticipation.

“It was awesome,” Lomu said. “It was great being out here, seeing everyone again, being back on Utah’s campus… it was a super fun day. It was a blast.”

Lomu’s approach to the next step is straightforward — and honestly, it’s exactly what NFL teams want to hear.

“I’m coming in as a rookie… I’m gonna have to prove a lot of things to get a spot,” he said.

 

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From Dream to Reality

Just weeks removed from the NFL Combine, Caleb Lomu described the entire pre-draft process as something he had envisioned long before it became reality.

“It was a dream come true for sure… the whole feeling and experience was surreal,” he said of his Combine experience.

At 6-foot-6, 313 pounds, Lomu didn’t just look the part — he tested like one of the most athletic offensive linemen in the class. He ran a 4.99 40-yard dash, posted a 32.5-inch vertical, and a 9-foot-5 broad jump, with all three marks landing among the top performers at his position.

Lomu finished near the top of the group in multiple drills, reinforcing his profile as a true left tackle with NFL-caliber range and recovery ability.

What started as a childhood dream has now become a business trip. And Lomu has approached it like one. After spending two months training in California, he emphasized growth — not just physically, but technically.

“I got to work with a lot of great people… different techniques about what they like, what I like, and just helping me improve on my craft,” Lomu said.

Built the Utah Way

If there’s one theme that came through consistently from Caleb Lomu, it’s this: He believes he’s ready — because of Utah.

“I know Utah prepares players to be in the NFL,” he said. “We have so many great players in the NFL right now… the teachings and the things I was taught here at Utah has prepared me for the NFL.”

Over the last decade, Utah has quietly built one of the more reliable offensive line pipelines in the country — not flashy, but consistent. Since 2017 alone, the program has produced multiple NFL-caliber linemen, headlined by first-round tackle Garett Bolles (No. 20 overall, 2017).

Since 2017, Utah has developed seven NFL draft picks along the offensive line, with more now cycling through rosters and practice squads — a reflection of a system built on physicality, versatility, and pro-style development.

Lomu is stepping into that lineage as the next iteration — not just a prospect with traits, but one built inside a system that has already proven it translates.

Just like that 2017 draft that featured a first round selection, Utah could potentially match, or even exceed, the four total linemen— Isaac Asiata, JJ Dielman, Sam Tevi, who were all selected that year.

Lomu highlighted the rarity of what Utah is sending to the draft this cycle with Spencer Fano, Tanoa Togiai, Jaren Kump, and Michael Mokofisi all draft eligibile.

“It’s cool that our entire offensive line is also getting drafted, all five of us are declaring… which is fricking amazing,” he said.

Offensive lines don’t usually develop in sync like that — especially not to the point where multiple players are in legitimate early-round conversations.

And at the center of that is Lomu and Fano — bookend tackles who could both hear their names called early.

“It doesn’t happen a lot… two bookend tackles will get drafted in the first round, but it would be amazing,” Lomu said.

The Bottom Line

Caleb Lomu has been a steady presence protecting the blindside over the past two seasons. With the traits that lead to a promising projection, it seems Lomu will have a presence at the next level for quite some time.

As he prepares for the next level, he checks the boxes that actually translate:

  • Elite movement metrics for his size

  • Proven pass protection production

  • And a mindset that understands he hasn’t earned anything yet

Utah has produced at least seven offensive line draft picks over the last decade, including a first-rounder in Garett Bolles and multiple multi-year NFL contributors.

And now, Lomu & Fano lead a group that could take it a step further — both pushing for early-round status, backed by a unit where all five starters are draft-eligible.

Steve Bartle is the Utah insider for KSL Sports. He hosts The Utah Blockcast (SUBSCRIBE) and appears on KSL Sports Zone to break down the Utes. You can follow him on X for the latest Utah updates and game analysis.

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Utah’s Caleb Lomu caps Pro Day with first-round momentum