Six Former Utes Will Represent Utah at the NFL Combine

The 6'5" 210-pound senior out of San Diego, California, accumulated 593 receiving yards on 43 receptions, averaging 13.8 yards per reception while crossing the pylon 3 times. Vele will look to use the combine to propel his name up mock drafts and appear on the radars of front offices around the league. 

The 6'4" 316-pound lineman out of Draper, Utah was a crucial part of the line for the Utes, and despite the lackluster outing the unit had week after week during the 2023 season, Bills was a valuable asset to the team's success. He joins fellow lineman Sataoa Laumea in Indianapolis and will look to also shoot up mock drafts and onto draft sheets following what will hopefully be a successful trip. 

The 6'4" 311-pound junior out of Rialto, California was a mainstay in the Utes offensive line and held down the right side all season resulting in a Senior Bowl invite, joining his teammates Cole Bishop, Jonah Elliss, and Sione Vaki at the event. Laumea is currently projected to go in the early 100-pick range in recent mock drafts and will look to use the combine to rocket his name further up draft boards across the league. 

The 6'2" 246-pound edge rusher out of Moscow, Indiana had a breakout season in 2023 racking up 37 total tackles, 12 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. Currently projected to go in the middle second round, Elliss will look to build upon his stellar Senior Bowl outing to continue his meteoric rise before draft day. 

The 6'2" 207-pound safety out of Peachtree City, Georgia tallied 60 total tackles, 3 passes defended, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 2 interceptions in his junior year at the U. After his impressive Senior Bowl outing, Mel Kiper ranked Bishop as the 5th best safety of the 2024 class and has since seen his name rise well into the third round. If he continues his momentum into the combine, the ballhawk would be a clear third-round pick, maybe even sneaking into the late second. 

The 6'0" 208-pound dual-threat sophomore out of Antioch, California put up 50 total tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 interception while rushing for 317 yards and 2 touchdowns and garnering 203 yards receiving and 3 touchdowns. After showing his dual threat abilities at the Senior Bowl, Vaki will look to continue to show his prowess on both sides of the ball at the combine, potentially increasing his draft stock from the current 140-160 pick range he's currently in.