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The University of Utah Athletics
Caleb Lomu Picked 28th Overall by New England in NFL Draft
4/23/2026 9:07 PM | Football
Second Ute selected in first round of 2026 NFL Draft to play for Patriots
PITTSBURGH — Former Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu has been selected 28th overall in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.
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Lomu is the second Ute selected in the first round of this year's draft, following fellow offensive lineman Spencer Fano who was taken ninth overall by Cleveland. Lomu and Fano mark the first time in program history Utah has had two first round selections in the same draft.
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Lomu is the 12th Utah player picked in the first round of the draft and fourth offensive lineman, along with Fano (No. 9, 2026, Cleveland), Garett Bolles (No. 20, 2017, Denver) and Jordan Gross (No. 8, 2003, Carolina)
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CALEB LOMU | OFFENSIVE TACKLE
Hometown: Gilbert, Ariz.
High School: Four-star, All-American recruit out of Highland High School
Utah Awards: Big 12 First Team All-Conference selection (2025), Named to the 2025 and 2024 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List; Named to the 2025 Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List; Played in 25 total games at Utah, starting 22 times.
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2025:Â Started at left tackle in all 12 regular-season games in 2025.
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Lomu is the second Ute selected in the first round of this year's draft, following fellow offensive lineman Spencer Fano who was taken ninth overall by Cleveland. Lomu and Fano mark the first time in program history Utah has had two first round selections in the same draft.
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Lomu is the 12th Utah player picked in the first round of the draft and fourth offensive lineman, along with Fano (No. 9, 2026, Cleveland), Garett Bolles (No. 20, 2017, Denver) and Jordan Gross (No. 8, 2003, Carolina)
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CALEB LOMU | OFFENSIVE TACKLE
Hometown: Gilbert, Ariz.
High School: Four-star, All-American recruit out of Highland High School
Utah Awards: Big 12 First Team All-Conference selection (2025), Named to the 2025 and 2024 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List; Named to the 2025 Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List; Played in 25 total games at Utah, starting 22 times.
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2025:Â Started at left tackle in all 12 regular-season games in 2025.
- All-Big 12 First Team selection
- Part of the unit named to the Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll.
- Has allowed just eight pressures and six hurries and has yet to allow a sack in 357 pass blocking opportunities, per PFF; given up just one hurry in the last five games.
- Blocked for an offense that gained 587 yards of total offense against Colorado, including 422 rushing yards, the seventh-most in a single game in program history.
- Blocked for an offense that put up 483 yards of total offense against Baylor, including 380 rushing yards and five scores on the ground.
- Helped the Utes rush for 267 yards and pass for 213 yards while holding the ball for 40:02 in the 45-14 win over No. 17 Cincinnati.
- Helped Utah gain 541 yards of total offense at Wyoming (311 rushing, 230 passing).
- Helped Utah rush for 276 yards on 6.6 yards per carry against No. 21 Arizona State, scoring six rushing touchdowns, which tied for the fifth-most in a single game in program history.
- Named a Midseason Freshman All-American by The Athletic.
- CSC Academic All-District.
- Academic All-Big 12 Team.
FOLLOW THE UTES
Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here.
Players Mentioned
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