Cole Bishop and Sione Vaki Have Declared for the NFL Draft

Cole Bishop and Sione Vaki, two integral pieces to Utah's success, have set their sights on the NFL.

Author:
Elijah Grayson Murray
Publish date:
Dec 9, 2023 1:51 PM EST

The Utes are down two impact players as Cole Bishop and Sione Vaki have chosen to pursue their NFL dreams.

On December 8th, both Bishop and Vaki posted their thank you messages to the Utah faithful on X and despite the surprise of some, the reception was overwhelmingly positive.

Both players will be severely missed not only for their instant positive impact as soon as their cleats touch the turf but also due to the recent exodus of players from the program, the two stars leaving only leaves more holes to fill. Nonetheless, both players leave the program as beloved as ever, and their career stats echo the sentiment.

Cole Bishop (Safety)

Sep 29, 2023; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Utah Utes safety Cole Bishop (8) intercepts a pass intended for Oregon State Beavers tight end Jack Felling (88) during the second half at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

During his three-year career with the Utes, Bishop established himself as a leader and fan favorite. He racked up 197 total tackles accompanied by 7.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 3 interceptions but his impact on the field went well beyond the numbers. Anytime he'd step on the field, you felt safe in knowing that he would always be in the right place at the right time and play gritty and determined for all four quarters. His veteran presence will be immensely missed heading into the new season, and whoever is up next will have some big shoes to fill to replicate the impact Bishop had on every level.

Sione Vaki (RB/Safety)

Oct 14, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes safety Sione Vaki (28) runs the ball against the California Golden Bears in the first quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports — Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Sophomore Sione Vaki had a breakout year in 2023, being utilized as a dynamic two-way player and surpassing all expectations regarding his offensive abilities. In his career, Vaki garnered 90 total tackles along with 2 sacks and 1 interception. On offense, his impact couldn't be underscored enough as Vaki ran for 317 yards and 3 touchdowns on 42 carries with a whopping 7.5 YPC average. Through the air, Vaki raked in 11 receptions for 203 yards and 3 touchdowns averaging 18.5 YPR. Without Sione Vaki, the 2023 season could've looked far more bleak, and whoever drafts him will get a versatile hard-nosed baller.

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