Utah’s Spencer Fano, Caleb Lomu Tabbed Midseason All-American

Oct 18, 2024, 4:32 PM | Updated: 4:33 pm

Utah offensive tackles Spencer Fano, Caleb Lomu are first-round picks according to Mel Kiper....

Utah offensive tackles Caleb Lomu, Spencer Fano. PHOTOS by Joel Davidson

Utah Insider

SALT LAKE CITY – At the midway point of the season, two Utah offensive linemen have garnered midseason All-American honors.

Sophomore right tackle Spencer Fano was named to PFF’s Midseason All-America team, while redshirt freshman left tackle Caleb Lomu was selected by The Athletic as a Midseason Freshman All-American.

𝐎𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐊 with not one, but 2️⃣ mid season All-Americans‼️https://t.co/m3VzrbEafF #GoUtes | @CalebLomu51 @FanoSpencer pic.twitter.com/k70OOLOesk

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 18, 2024

Utah’s Spencer Fano, Caleb Lomu midseason All-Americans

After playing and earning Freshman All-American honors himself at left tackle last season, Fano made the move to right tackle. That has allowed him to blossom in the position he grew up playing. He’s earned a 93.3 run-blocking grade, leading all other offensive tackles by nearly six points. PFF also has credited him with a nation-leading six big-time blocks, helping Fano to an overall grade of 91.4.

As for the freshman, Lomu has earned a 75.0 grade overall. Thanks in large part to his pass-blocking efficiency at 97.4 and his pass-blocking grade of 70.3, which is fourth among first and second-year tackles. Lomu also earned the fourth-best run-blocking grade among the same qualifiers with a 72.7 grade.

Fano and Lomu, together with the rest of the offensive line, lead the way for Utah’s offense. They have done a good job in the run game and have held their own in pass protection. Micah Bernard has racked up 676 yards on the ground, including four games eclipsing the 100-yard mark. Bernard is currently top 15 in the country in rushing yards and seems to be gaining more traction as the season wears on.

Head coach Kyle Whittingham raved about his two tackles

“When you’re good on the edges, which is the most demanding offensive line spot where you’re out on an island, you have a chance to really be good and both him and Caleb Lomu are doing an excellent job out there,” head coach Kyle Whittingham said at his Monday press conference.

“They’re both only second year in the program and you’re right, Spencer is playing at an elite level,” he continued. “He’s just getting better and better. So is Caleb, which has been a big plus. The inside three are doing good as well. I don’t want to diminish what they’re doing, but it’s very demanding out there and they’re holding down the fort, to say the least.”

The Utes’ offensive line has played well to this point of the season. That effort has been spearheaded by these two gifted tackles. They and the rest of the line will be vital to Utah’s success the rest of the season.