The Utah Utes are coming off of an excellent season where they not only won the Pac-12 South but also played in one of the most exciting Rose Bowl games in recent memory, losing 48-45 to Ohio State. After such a good season, it’s normal to expect to see a number of prospects heading to the NFL Draft. Here are the scouting reports for the Utah prospects who could hear his name called during the 2022 NFL Draft.
Utah 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
The Utah scouting reports lack potential first-round prospects but are chock-full of Day 2 and 3 players.
Bamidele Olaseni, OT
Positives: Massive offensive lineman who is primarily a size prospect. Strong, turns defenders off the line, and completely engulfs them. Stays square, jolts defenders with tremendous hand punch, and gives effort. Works to bend his knees and keeps his head on a swivel.
Negatives: Lined up at left tackle but shows little in the way of footwork or lateral range. Stiff and must do a better job placing his hands. Does not sink his butt at the line of scrimmage.
Analysis: Olaseni is a powerful blocker with immense size, but he’s unpolished in almost every aspect of his game. He’s a practice-squad prospect who should be kept around for at least two years with the hopes of future development.
Want more information on Olaseni? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Bamidele Olaseni, Utah OT | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Britain Covey, WR
Positives: Reliable receiver whose greatest value at the next level will be as a return specialist. Quickly releases off the snap into pass routes, adjusts to errant throws, and nicely makes receptions in stride. Immediately gets to top speed, finds the soft spot in the defense, and comes back to the ball out of routes.
Exceptionally quick and finds ways to separate from defenders. Makes the reception and immediately turns it upfield after the catch. Consistently keeps the play in bounds to pick up positive yardage whenever the ball is in his hands. Alters the momentum of games with big returns. Follows blocks everywhere on the field.
Negatives: Easily brought down at the point by a single defender. Small and needs space to work. More quick than fast.
Analysis: Covey was one of the more exciting return specialists in college football and continually took it to the house. He gets the most from his ability but has size and speed limitations. Still, his reliability as a slot receiver and big-play potential at return specialist is attractive.
Cole Fotheringham, TE
Positives: Hard-working tight end who gives effort in all areas of the position. Quickly releases off the line, works to make himself an available target, and gets vertical in a crowd for the difficult reception. Extends his hands to snatch the ball away from his frame and makes difficult catches with defenders draped on him. Runs solid routes for a tight end and quickly gets in and out of breaks. Bends his knees and blocks with excellent leverage. Fundamentally sound and stays square.
Negatives: Plays faster than his 40 time, yet isn’t a downfield threat at the position. Doesn’t finish blocks and was minimally productive throughout his college career.
Analysis: Fotheringham was a solid college tight end who gets the most from his ability, but he lacks the size to be a blocker and speed to be a pass-catching threat. His polished game and approach could help him grab a roster spot as a third tight end.
Devin Lloyd, LB
Positives: Polished, three-down linebacker who draws a variety of opinions in the scouting community. Instinctive, quickly diagnoses plays, and stays with assignments. Breaks down well, plays off blocks, and immediately gets to the action. Smooth, covers a lot of area on the field, and gets depth on pass drops. Easily changes direction, displays speed in lateral pursuit, and is fast to the flanks.
Catches ball handlers from the back side and has a closing burst. Shows himself to be a forceful pass rusher and gets vertical to knock the ball away when he cannot get to the quarterback. Resilient and stays with the action.
Negatives: Not smooth transitioning into coverage. Haphazard in his movement and can be all over the place. Inefficient on occasion.
Analysis: Lloyd was a terrific linebacker the past three seasons as a run stuffer, pass rusher, and coverage defender. He’s underrated in my opinion, as I believe Lloyd offers scheme versatility and will quickly break into a starting lineup at the next level.
Want more information on Lloyd? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Devin Lloyd, Utah LB | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Hauati Pututau, DT
Positives: Big-bodied interior defender who effectively occupies the gaps and ties up opponents. Stays with assignments, plays with excellent pad level, and works his hands throughout the action. Fires off the snap with an explosive first step. Attracts a lot of double-team blocks. Shows the ability to slide down the line and gives effort defending the run.
Negatives: Marginally productive throughout his college career and is not much of a pass rusher.
Analysis: Pututau is a big, strong defensive tackle who flashes athleticism. He’s unpolished but has an upside and should get consideration for a practice squad.
Mika Tafua, EDGE
Positives: Underrated pass rusher who comes out of a three-point stance or stands over tackle. Gets off the snap with an explosive first step, plays with terrific pad level, and easily moves about the field. Bends off the edge, plays with balance, and does not stay blocked. Resilient, gets after the action, and runs hard to the flanks in pursuit of plays. Gets his hands up to protect himself or knock away the pass if he cannot get to the quarterback.
Negatives: Possesses average size and speed. Doesn’t make a lot of plays in pursuit or in space. Possesses minimal upside.
Analysis: Tafua was a hard-working defender and very productive for Utah. He has size and scheme limitations. Regardless, the ability to constantly penetrate the line of scrimmage will get Tafua consideration as a pass-rush specialist.
Nephi Sewell, LB
Positives: Small pursuit linebacker who makes plays in every direction. Remains disciplined with assignments, flows laterally, and has a closing burst to the action. Quickly changes direction, shows speed in backside pursuit, and catches ball handlers in space. Fires up the field and sells out on running downs.
Negatives: Controlled by tight ends and struggles to get off blocks. Easily knocked from his angle of attack and gets caught up in the trash. Was never much of a factor in coverage.
Analysis: Sewell is an explosive run-and-chase/pursuit linebacker who stood out defending the run last season. He possesses size as well as scheme limitations, and Sewell must improve his play in coverage to make an NFL roster.
Want more information on Sewell? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Nephi Sewell, Utah LB | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Nick Ford, C
Positives: Versatile, strong offensive lineman who fires off the snap into blocks and plays with a nasty attitude. Sets with a wide base and starts the play with leverage. Turns defenders off the line and works to finish the play. Keeps his head on a swivel and works well with linemates. Effectively gets his hands into defenders and jolts them with a violent punch. Stays square and fights through the action.
Negatives: Off balance, gets upright in his stance, and loses leverage. Often late with his hands. Gets knocked around in the middle of the line.
Analysis: Off his junior film, Ford looked like a big, mobile blocker with scheme and position versatility. He took a step back last season and seemed out of sorts in 2021. Ford comes with an upside, can be used at center or guard, and should be kept on a practice squad with the hopes of getting his game back to where it was in 2020.
TJ Pledger, RB
Positives: Smaller running back who was primarily a situational player in college. Runs hard on the inside, keeps his feet moving, and displays a burst through the hole. Runs behind his pads, consistently turns it upfield, and gives effort. Solid pass catcher who adjusts to errant throws and extends his hands to snatch the ball out of the air.
Negatives: Smaller back who is easily brought down at the point by a single defender. Lacks the speed necessary to turn the perimeter. Moderately productive throughout his college career.
Analysis: Pledger displays a versatile game with a variety of skill, yet he may never get off a practice squad.
Vonte Davis, DB
Positives: Aggressive safety who is best making plays up the field. Effective facing the action, possesses an explosive closing burst, and throws his body around the field. Quick to diagnose, moves well laterally, and plays faster than his 40 time. Drives his shoulders through tackles, wraps up, and brings opponents down in the open field.
Negatives: Inefficient and does not take proper angles to the action. Possesses average ball skills and showed minimal production against the pass. Intercepted just a single throw last year and broke up none.
Analysis: Davis is a tough, run-defending safety who has limitations in his game. He offers possibilities as a traditional strong safety, but he must stand out on special teams to make a roster.