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Five former Utes are in Indianapolis this weekend for the 2026 NFL Combine as they take the next step toward a professional football career.
Scouts, general managers and coaches from every NFL team will be on hand at the combine, with on-field testing running from Thursday to Sunday. Prospects will participate in a series of drills and interview with teams, giving them valuable insight on players.
Drills include the bench press, 40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump, three-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle, and a good performance can send players up draft boards.
Linebacker Lander Barton and defensive end Logan Fano are first up on Thursday, with tight end Dallen Bentley taking the field on Friday and offensive tackles Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu closing things out on Sunday.
Here’s a look at where each former Ute ranks on various draft boards, along with a scouting report from NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, as they head into the combine.
Spencer Fano, offensive tackle
- 2025 stats: 84 PFF grade, no sacks allowed, only five pressures allowed
- 2025 honors: Outland Trophy winner, unanimous first-team All-American, Polynesian College Football Player of the Year, Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year, All-Big 12 first team
- PFF Big Board rank: 18
- Mel Kiper’s positional rank: No. 2
- NFL.com prospect grade: 6.44 (will eventually be plus starter)
Scouting report:
“Fano lacks ideal proportional build but compensates with loose hips, quick feet and high-end athleticism. He has the tools to mirror speed rushers, wall off the top of the pocket and find a late anchor when taking the worst of a bull rush. He needs to stay square longer to prevent inside moves and refine his punch approach/timing. His athletic profile is designed for move-based blocking schemes where he can pull, reach and climb while beating opponents to the spot with quickness/feel for hitting landmarks on time. He gives good effort as a downhill blocker but issues with pad level and core strength lead to him being overtaken as the rep progresses. Fano’s level of NFL success might be tied to scheme fit and individual matchups.” — Zierlein
Caleb Lomu, offensive tackle
- 2025 stats: 68.4 PFF grade, no sacks allowed, eight pressures allowed
- 2025 honors: All-Big 12 first team
- PFF Big Board rank: 29
- Mel Kiper’s positional rank: No. 5
- NFL.com prospect grade: 6.36 (will eventually be plus starter)
Scouting report:
“Two-year starting left tackle who is still in the early stages of his development. Utah’s run game leaned heavily on movement and misdirection, preventing Lomu from firing out and showing his power. His run blocking trails his pass protection, but improved pad level and a nastier demeanor could close the gap. In protection, he shows good balance with adequate foot quickness, landing quick, well-timed punches and using a firm grip to control rushers once he’s in. His anchor was rarely stressed by power and his athletic recoveries are average. Lomu flashes but is still under construction. His play could improve rapidly with strength gains and additional coaching.” — Zierlein
Dallen Bentley, tight end
- 2025 stats: 76.9 PFF grade, 48 catches for 620 yards and six touchdowns
- 2025 honors: All-Big 12 third team
- PFF Big Board rank: 181
- Mel Kiper’s positional rank: No. 3
- NFL.com prospect grade: 5.84 (average backup)
Scouting report:
“With just three catches over his first two seasons at Utah, Bentley’s 48 grabs in 2025 came as a surprise. He has the build of an in-line tight end but mostly uses his size to occupy defenders instead of digging into blocks. A heavy portion of his catches came against zone, so he will need to refine his route running and contested-catch technique to prove he can win on his own. Bentley’s NFL future could depend on his ability to play with more tenacity and technique as a run blocker since his catch production from 2025 might not translate.” — Zierlein
Logan Fano, defensive end
- 2025 stats: 78.7 PFF grade, 44 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, two pass deflections
- 2025 honors: All-Big 12 second team
- PFF Big Board rank: 262
- Mel Kiper’s positional rank: “Just missed” top 10
- NFL.com prospect grade: 6.36 (average backup)
Scouting report:
“An edge defender with pro size and strength, Fano is capable of playing standing up or with a hand down. He plays with a blend of hurry and heart that keeps him keyed in on the action. However, urgency can become impatience, which pulls him out of position and opens him to counters/misdirection. He’s quick but lacks upfield juice to challenge the edge. His rush plan is too predictable and overly reliant on feet over hands. He’ll shine on special teams and has toughness to defend a pro run game, but Fano needs to improve as a rusher to become a three-down player.” — Zierlein
Lander Barton, linebacker
- 2025 stats: 61.7 PFF grade, 55 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, one interception, one pass deflection; six catches for 44 yards and a touchdown
- PFF Big Board rank: 266
- NFL.com prospect grade: 5.94 (average backup)
Scouting report:
“Barton saw a slight downturn in production and consistency in 2025. He lacks ideal short-area quickness and agility for the NFL game but it’s good enough for backup consideration. He needs to play with better block slip and take-on to make his job easier. Barton’s handful of snaps and targets as a tight end might create some H-back roster flexibility to go with his linebacker label.” — Zierlein
Utah defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley talks with linebacker Lander Barton (8) before a play against the Kansas State Wildcats during an NCAA football game held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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