SALT LAKE CITY\u2014As the 2025 college football season approaches, Utah football\u2019s roster boasts several players poised to make significant impacts. A handful of players have already established themselves as 2026 NFL Draft prospects, while others will have that opportunity this season.<\/p>\n
There will always be surprises and players that seemingly emerge out of nowhere.\u00a0Here\u2019s some of the Utes\u2019 most promising NFL prospects for next year:<\/p>\n
Spencer Fano \u2013 Offensive Lineman<\/p>\n
According to multiple draft analysts, Fano is a sure-fire first-round prospect. The Athletic\u2019s Dane Brugler mocked Fano going No. 3 overall in his way-too-early 2026 mock draft<\/a>. Pro Football Focus has him pegged as the No. 10 overall player on their 2026 NFL Draft Big Board<\/a>.<\/p>\n Fano has established himself as one of the premier offensive linemen in college football. In 2024, he earned multiple All-America honors, including AP Second Team and PFF First Team selections. His exceptional run-blocking grade of 93.6 led all FBS tackles, and he allowed only one sack throughout the season. Fano\u2019s consistent performance has made him a projected first-round pick in early 2026 mock drafts.<\/p>\n \u201cFano led all FBS tackles with a 93.0 overall PFF grade this past season. That\u2019s mainly due to his dominance in the run game, as the Utah native\u2019s 93.6 PFF run-blocking grade was the best in the country by over three points. He also finished as the second-most-valuable Power Four tackle according to PFF\u2019s wins above average metric, trailing only top-10 pick Kelvin Banks Jr. <\/a>Fano is no slouch as a pass protector either, earning a top-30 PFF pass-blocking grade among Power Four tackles (79.5). While some length concerns could push him inside to guard in the NFL, he\u2019s still an elite athlete with dominant tape as just a true sophomore.\u201d \u2013 Pro Football Focus<\/p>\n Highest Graded Returning Offensive Tackle for the 2025 Season:<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd34 Spencer Fano, Utah: 93.0@Utah_Football<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/xOxTXFgWlr<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 PFF College (@PFF_College) February 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Caleb Lomu \u2013 Offensive Lineman<\/p>\n He isn\u2019t on everyone\u2019s radar yet, but Lomu\u2019s getting there, as more draft analysts are noticing Utah\u2019s other top-flight offensive tackle.<\/p>\n Lomu stepped in last year and allowed Fano to move to his more natural position at right tackle, and the offensive line didn\u2019t skip a beat. Lomu went on to earn freshman All-American honors of his own.<\/p>\n As a redshirt freshman, Lomu earned a PFF grade of 77.0, ranking him 32nd among all tackles in college football. Lomu\u2019s rapid development and solid performance on the blind side make him a promising prospect for the 2026 draft.\u200b<\/p>\n 2026 Draft: Utah LT Caleb Lomu (19 y\/o) The Vikings signed Batty as a UDFA for $259k pic.twitter.com\/KzPsgcFZ52<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Clay Fink (@clay_fink) April 29, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Lander Barton \u2013 Linebacker<\/p>\n Barton has been a cornerstone of Utah\u2019s defense since his freshman year. In 2025, he will enter his senior season as one of the most impactful players on Utah\u2019s defense. His instincts, versatility, and ability to deliver key plays make him indispensable.<\/p>\n After suffering a significant foot injury in 2023, Barton\u2019s play was filled with highs and lows in 2024. However, it seemed Barton had finally regained his promising form over the season\u2019s final month. He led the team with 72 tackles, added 5.0 tackles for loss, and recorded two interceptions.<\/p>\n His playmaking allows him to contribute effectively in both run defense and pass coverage, giving the Utes a reliable leader in all situations. If Barton continues progressing on the trajectory he finished the year with, he should be among the top linebackers in the conference.<\/p>\n Smith Snowden \u2013 Cornerback<\/p>\n Snowden returns to Utah after a breakout 2024 season in which he showcased elite potential. Snowden\u2019s fluid movement, disciplined footwork, and instinctive play allowed him to excel in one-on-one coverage. His ability to mirror receivers and break on passes quickly elevated him as a top defender in Utah\u2019s secondary.<\/p>\n While in coverage, he allowed just 41.5% of the 65 targets for completions. He had two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, and six pass break-ups. Snowden\u2019s also played a physical brand of ball, as he\u2019s notched 48 tackles, four for loss, and forced a fumble.<\/p>\n Snowden has the prototypical size and athleticism for the nickel position at the NFL level. However, he will play more outside this season, which will enhance his draft profile. Snowden will take on a much greater role this fall and emerge as a notable prospect in the 2026 draft class.\u200b<\/p>\n Tanoa Togiai \u2013 Offensive Lineman<\/p>\n Togiai has been on a positive trajectory the last two seasons. He went from 19 pressures allowed in 149 pass snaps in 2023 to 16 pressures allowed in 359 pass snaps this season. Obviously, that number still needs to come down, but that is significant progress.<\/p>\n He was the fourth-highest graded guard in the Power Four last season, largely thanks to an 84.8 run blocking grade. At 6-foot-6, 307 pounds, Togiai is a big lineman who has worked inside and out. That sort of versatility will also help his draft stock.<\/p>\n Highest Graded Guards from the 2024 Season\ud83d\udcaa pic.twitter.com\/EAw5ezBZB6<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 PFF College (@PFF_College) January 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Tao Johnson \u2013 Safety<\/p>\n Johnson enters his second season at free safety with the potential to put himself firmly on the NFL Draft radar. He finished the 2024 season with 70 tackles, one interception, and five pass break-ups.<\/p>\n According to PFF, Johnson earned an 82.5 overall grade, good enough for the third-highest in the Big 12 and No. 15 among all Power Four safeties.<\/p>\n He possesses an ideal frame, elite speed, impressive range, and a willingness to be physical around the line of scrimmage. Johnson can round out his game in year two at the position, which will help his draft outlook significantly.<\/p>\n RELATED: Utah Lands Former Cal, Notre Dame Transfer Receiver Tobias Merriweather<\/a><\/p>\n Logan Fano \u2013 Edge<\/p>\n Remember the beginning of the 2023 season, when Fano and Jonah Elliss had a great back-and-forth with defensive pressures and sacks?<\/p>\n In the four-and-a-quarter games Fano and Elliss played together before Fano\u2019s injury that season, Elliss recorded 11 tackles, 8.0 for loss, and 5.5 sacks, while Fano recorded 14 tackles, 4.5 for loss, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a recovery.<\/p>\n Elliss went on to be a third-round draft pick, and two years later, according to coach Lewis Powell, Fano has returned to pre-injury form. If Fano can produce at the rate he did in 2023, he will help his draft stock significantly.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Utah\u2019s football program continues to develop NFL-caliber talent across the board<\/p>\n As the 2025 season unfolds, these players can showcase their skills further and improve their draft prospects. Their performances will be pivotal in determining their positions in the 2026 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n Steve Bartle is the Utah insider for KSL Sports. He hosts The Utah Blockcast (SUBSCRIBE<\/a>) and appears on KSL Sports Zone to break down the Utes. You\u00a0can follow him on X<\/a>\u00a0for the latest Utah updates and game analysis.
vs BYU DE Tyler Batty (25 y\/o). Batty was 2nd in the B12 with 42 pressures, but Lomu and Utah held him to 0 pressures in a game for just the second time all year.<\/p>\n
\nTake us with you, wherever you go.<\/p>\n