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The University of Utah Athletics
Former Utes Await NFL Draft
4/21/2016 12:00 AM | Football
April 21, 2016
CHICAGO - The National Football League holds its 2016 Draft Thursday, Apr. 28 through Saturday, Apr. 30 in Chicago's Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University and several Utes hope to hear their names called. Others anticipate signing free agent contracts once the draft concludes.
Former Ute running back Devontae Booker, inside linebacker Jared Norris, defensive end Jason Fanaika, strong safety Tevin Carter, punter Tom Hackett, outside linebacker Gionni Paul and center Siaosi Aiono are draft prospects listed by NFL.com.
Keep track of former Utes in the draft at NFL.com. Here's a look at Utah's leading NFL prospects in alphabetical order.
Siaosi Aiono (C)
NFL.com Draft Profile
• Sturdy, durable build and some natural anchor against the bull rush - NFL.com
• Strong upper body with decent hand placement - NFL.com
• Has played some right tackle and is a student of the game - NFL.com
• Stepped into leadership role at Utah during 2015 season and made the calls up front --- NFL.com
• Three-year starter at Utah with the last two at center, playing in 39 games with 31 starts (the last 23 at center) for the Utes
Utah center Siaosi Aiono played well in the East-West Shrine game including this block pic.twitter.com/lb4jsxN3B1
- Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) January 24, 2016
Devontae Booker (RB)
NFL.com Profile
• Patient runner but decisive when he sees the crease. Hits it through the crease with determination. -- NFL.com
• Compared to Jeremy Langford of the Chicago Bears -- NFL.com
• Two-time All-Pac-12 selection (first team in 2014 and second team in 2015)
• Set the Utah school record with a 120.6 career rushing average
• Just one of three players in school history to have two 1,000-yard seasons over his Utah career
Top fantasy rookies to watch (via @Michael_Fabiano)
1. Elliott
2. Henry
3. Booker
4-10: https://t.co/7OJr1LMK9U pic.twitter.com/a0bbX4yt08- NFL (@NFL) April 18, 2016
Tevin Carter (SS)
NFL.com Draft Profile
• It's easy to see why NFL scouts are interested in seeing Carter, as he is a physically imposing safety with excellent speed - NFL.com
• After an injury-shortened 2014 season (two interceptions in four games played), Carter was the regular starter at strong safety in 2015 (56 tackles, 5.5 for loss, two interceptions, three pass breakups) - NFL.com
• Without a doubt, there will be NFL defensive coordinators wanting to make use of Carter's athleticism and physicality - NFL.com
• 2015 Las Vegas Bowl MVP with two interceptions and returned one pick for a 28-yard touchdown and the other for 33 yards to the 1-yard line to set up a Utah score against BYU
• Career-high nine tackles against Michigan (1.5 TFL, 1 PBU), California and Oregon State
Tevin Carter - Utah Pro Dayhttps://t.co/pJuWDQdrEW #Utes pic.twitter.com/MLxZXNmzTM
- ESPN 700 (@ESPN700) March 24, 2016
Jason Fanaika (DE)
NFL.com Draft Profile
• Strong-side defensive end was a high-motor producer for the Utes over the past two years- NFL.com
• Earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors in 2015 with 10.5 TFL and 4.0 sacks- NFL.com
• Started eight games (9.5 tackles for loss, five sacks) in 2014- NFL.com
• Tied for second on the team (fifth in the Pac-12) with two forced fumbles last season
• Was Utah's strongest player with an 830-pound squat and 495-pound bench press
Jason Fanaika is just out here making plays.. https://t.co/haO6Voiwu9
- J. (@DraftHitta) March 27, 2016
Tom Hackett (P)
NFL.com Draft Profile
• Amongst the influx of Australian kickers into college football, Hackett is the lead dog - NFL.com
• Two-time winner of the Ray Guy Award as the nation's top punter
• Australia native finished second in the FBS with a 47.95-yard gross average in 2015, just 0.05 under the top mark
• First-team AP All-American and All-Pac-12 pick planted 28 of his 61 kicks inside the 20-yard line, and forced 21 fair catches last season
• During Hackett's junior year, he was equally spectacular as he received consensus All-American status averaging 46.7 per kick, and led the nation with 36 punts inside the 20 (36) and inside the 10 (19)
Vote for @UUtah's Tom Hackett as Collegiate Male Athlete of the Year #SOSA2016 https://t.co/cWSf80ytWy #UtahFootball pic.twitter.com/opc6wDi3R9
- UtahSportsCommission (@StateofSport) April 14, 2016
Jared Norris (ILB)
NFL.com Draft Profile
• Norris hopes to be the next Ute end/linebacker to enter the NFL (recent draftees include Joe and Paul Kruger, Koa Misi, Nate Orchard and Trevor Reilly) - NFL.com
• Recorded 87 tackles, 6.5 for loss and 1.0 sack as a senior in 2015 as league coaches named him second team all-conference because he showed stoutness between the tackles and a burst to the ball which portends a solid NFL career - NFL.com
• Came into his own as a junior during the 2014 campaign, receiving honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors with 116 tackles, 13 for loss, and four sacks - NFL.com
• Two-time All-Pac-12 Conference honoree and two-time honorable mention Academic All-Pac-12 selection
• Turned in 11 career double-figure tackle games
Jared Norris #UtahProDay16 pic.twitter.com/LmG66JWGa8
- Kim Brenneisen (@kbrenneisen) March 24, 2016
Gionni Paul (OLB)
NFL.com Draft Profile
• A bright person and player who has two degrees from University of Utah. Teammates have gushed over his enthusiasm and energy in the weight room and in practice - NFL.com
• Paul's play as a senior in 2015 cemented his status as an NFL prospect, earning first team All-Pac-12 honors with the second-best tackle total in the conference (109), four interceptions, three fumble recoveries (returning one for a score), and a team-leading 12.5 tackles for loss - NFL.com
• In his first year with the Utes during the 2014 season, Paul picked off four passes in just seven games
• Recovered four fumbles and tied for the Pac-12 lead and tied for second in the nation
• Earned two national Defensive Player of the Week awards (Athlon Sports vs. Michigan in 2014 and Walter Camp vs. Washington in 2015) and was a three-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week
TOMORROW#UtahProDay16@GionniPaul pic.twitter.com/rSSL8ZK8Eq
- Utah Football (@Utah_Football) March 23, 2016
There are currently 25 Utes on current NFL rosters and several others are expected to be drafted next week or invited to sign free agent contracts in the days following the draft.
Players Mentioned
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RB
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DB
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DE
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P
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LB
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DE
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DE/LB
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