Utah’s NFL Prospects Have Improved Draft Stock After Returning For Senior Season

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Before the 2019 season started, the Utes had four key players decide to return to Utah for their senior season rather than jump to the NFL. All four players have improved their draft stock with excellent play this season.

Running back Zack Moss, defensive end Bradlee Anae, defensive tackle Leki Fotu and safety Julian Blackmon all had a chance to play at the next level but decided to come back to the Utes due to “unfinished business.” Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham believes all four players have improved their NFL draft stock.

“To me without a doubt. If I am making the evaluation, I think they have positioned themselves better. We still have a lot of football left because we are only about 2/3 of the way through, but I think right now you would have to say that yes they have improved.”

#Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham addressing the media at his weekly press conference ahead of Utah's big game on Saturday at Washington. https://t.co/4kU961CZ7h #UTAHvsUW https://t.co/wtO3P9kgHc

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 28, 2019

Zack Moss

Moss decided to return not only for the unfinished business but to also break the rushing record at Utah. He broke the career rushing yards record two weeks ago in their win over Arizona State. On Saturday against Cal, Moss broke two more records, including the most 100-yard games and career rushing touchdowns.

The new career rushing leader is No. 3 in the Pac-12 with 728 rushing yards and yards per carry with 6.6 and leads the conference with 10 rushing touchdowns.

Moss would have been drafted if he left after his junior season last year but will certainly be an NFL player next season.

According to thedraftnetwork.com, Moss is the 62nd ranked prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft and the No. 5 running back on the board.

Bradlee Anae

Anae had played really well over the last three games, leading Utah’s defense to allowing opponents to score 10 points combined. His seven sacks on the season is second-most in the Pac-12 and tied for 14th in the nation. He is fourth in Pac-12 with eight tackles-for-loss. Anae also has 24 career sacks, which is fourth among active players in college football.

As far as his draft projection, Anae was going to likely get drafted last year based off of potential, but this season Anae has solidified a spot in the NFL. He is rated as the 97th overall prospect and 14th edge rusher.

Leki Fotu

Fotu’s production won’t show up on stat sheets like other elite players in football, but he has been just that, elite. The West Valley City, Utah native has been a focal point in the Utes ability to shut down the opposing rushing attack. Utah leads the country in rushing yards allowed per game at 56.4. They have allowed 451 rushing yards through 8 games and have allowed just three touchdowns on the ground.

Fotu is the 78th highest rated draft prospect and the 12th interior defensive lineman in the upcoming draft according to thedraftnetwork.com.

Julian Blackmon

The Layton, Utah native has made the transition from cornerback last season to safety this season an easy one. This season, Blackmon has 29 tackles, four pass deflections, one forced fumble and two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown against BYU in the season opener.

Blackmon is rated as the 180th overall prospect and No. 16 safety.

The No. 9 Utah Utes will face the Washington Huskies on Saturday at 2 p.m. on FOX.

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