Five standout athletes from the University of Utah are currently making their mark at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. This pivotal event serves as a crucial platform for these former Utes to demonstrate their capabilities to NFL scouts, general managers, and coaches, with the ultimate goal of securing a professional football career. The combine features a rigorous series of drills, including the 40-yard dash, bench press, vertical jump, and position-specific exercises, alongside critical interviews with team representatives. Each player's performance here can significantly influence their standing on draft boards, potentially elevating their prospects for the upcoming NFL Draft. The contingent from Utah includes prominent figures such as offensive linemen Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu, tight end Dallen Bentley, defensive end Logan Fano, and linebacker Lander Barton, all eager to showcase their talent and dedication.
As these athletes navigate the intense environment of the NFL Combine, their individual skill sets and potential for growth are under close scrutiny. Spencer Fano, an offensive tackle, is lauded for his athleticism and ability to handle speed rushers, though he aims to refine his punch technique and core strength. Caleb Lomu, another offensive tackle, shows promise in pass protection and balance, with room for improvement in run-blocking tenacity. Dallen Bentley, a tight end, surprised many with his receiving production in 2025 and is focused on enhancing his route running and contested-catch skills. Defensive end Logan Fano's blend of size, strength, and hustle is noted, while linebacker Lander Barton, despite a slight dip in recent performance, offers versatility with his experience as an H-back. Each player's journey at the combine is a testament to their hard work and a critical step towards realizing their NFL dreams, with detailed scouting reports offering a glimpse into their professional potential.
Utes' NFL Combine Performance and Prospects
The 2026 NFL Combine is a critical juncture for five former Utah Utes, as they strive to impress professional football franchises. This event is a comprehensive showcase designed to assess every aspect of a player's physical and mental readiness for the NFL. Athletes engage in a series of demanding physical tests, such as the 40-yard dash, which measures speed, and the bench press, which evaluates strength. Agility and explosiveness are tested through drills like the vertical and broad jumps, alongside more intricate football-specific drills like the three-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle. Beyond the physical, players also undergo extensive interviews with team personnel, providing an opportunity for teams to gauge their character, football IQ, and personality. A strong showing across these evaluations can dramatically improve a player's draft stock, potentially moving them up draft boards and securing a more favorable position in the NFL Draft. The five Utes participating—Lander Barton, Logan Fano, Dallen Bentley, Spencer Fano, and Caleb Lomu—are all acutely aware of the stakes, knowing that this weekend could shape their professional futures.
The combine schedule is meticulously organized, with specific days dedicated to different position groups. Lander Barton, a linebacker, and Logan Fano, a defensive end, initiated their combine experience on Thursday. Dallen Bentley, a tight end, followed on Friday, showcasing his receiving and blocking abilities. The weekend culminates with offensive tackles Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu on Sunday, where they will demonstrate their proficiency in protecting the quarterback and opening running lanes. Each player's performance is closely scrutinized, with scouting reports from experts like NFL.com's Lance Zierlein offering detailed analyses of their strengths, weaknesses, and potential NFL roles. These reports delve into aspects such as Spencer Fano's athleticism and footwork, Caleb Lomu's balance and pass protection, Dallen Bentley's surprising receiving output and need for refined route running, Logan Fano's blend of size and urgency as an edge rusher, and Lander Barton's versatility despite a recent dip in consistency. For these Utes, the combine is not just a series of drills but a comprehensive evaluation that will determine their pathway to the NFL, with every drill, interview, and statistic contributing to their overall professional profile.
Detailed Player Evaluations and Scouting Insights
Each of the five former Utah Utes participating in the NFL Combine comes with a unique skill set and a specific professional outlook. Spencer Fano, an offensive tackle, is highly regarded for his fluid movement and quick footwork, which enable him to effectively counter agile pass rushers and maintain pocket integrity. His ability to anchor against bull rushes, even when initially challenged, highlights his resilience. However, scouts note that he could benefit from refining his punch technique and improving his core strength to prevent being overwhelmed by inside moves. Fano's athletic profile makes him particularly well-suited for offensive schemes that emphasize mobile blocking, where he can leverage his quickness to lead blocks and engage defenders downfield. Despite his strong effort as a run blocker, there is an acknowledgment that maintaining a lower pad level and enhancing overall strength could significantly improve his efficacy in downhill blocking scenarios. His success in the NFL, therefore, might largely depend on finding a scheme that optimally utilizes his current strengths while allowing him to develop in areas of improvement.
Caleb Lomu, another offensive tackle from Utah, has garnered attention as a two-year starter who is still in the developmental phase of his career. While his pass protection showcases good balance and quick feet, allowing him to deliver well-timed punches and secure rushers, his run-blocking currently lags behind. This discrepancy is partly attributed to Utah's run-game philosophy, which often relied on misdirection rather than direct power blocking, thus limiting opportunities for Lomu to fully exhibit his power. Enhancing his pad level and cultivating a more aggressive demeanor in run situations are identified as key areas for growth. His ability to recover athletically in protection is considered adequate, and his anchor strength has rarely been thoroughly tested by powerful opponents. Scouts believe that with focused coaching and significant strength gains, Lomu's overall performance could see rapid improvement. Dallen Bentley, a tight end, made a significant leap in his receiving production during the 2025 season, making him an intriguing prospect. While he possesses the physical stature of an in-line tight end, his current effectiveness largely stems from occupying defenders rather than aggressively engaging in blocks. To succeed at the professional level, Bentley needs to refine his route-running precision and improve his contested-catch technique, particularly since many of his collegiate receptions came against zone coverage. His NFL future may hinge on his commitment to developing a more tenacious and technically sound approach to run blocking, as his collegiate receiving statistics might not directly translate without these improvements. Logan Fano, a defensive end, is recognized for his professional size and strength, making him versatile enough to play both standing up and with a hand on the ground. His energetic and persistent approach to plays, however, sometimes leads to impatience, causing him to be out of position or susceptible to misdirection. While he demonstrates quickness, he lacks the explosive upfield burst to consistently challenge the edge. His pass-rushing repertoire is noted as predictable and overly reliant on footwork rather than hand usage. Despite these areas for development, Fano is expected to be a valuable contributor on special teams and possesses the toughness required to defend against professional run games. To become a consistent three-down player in the NFL, significant advancements in his pass-rushing technique are necessary. Lastly, Lander Barton, a linebacker, experienced a slight decline in his performance consistency in 2025. While he may lack the ideal short-area quickness and agility typically sought in NFL linebackers, his current skill set is deemed sufficient for a backup role. Improving his ability to shed blocks and effectively engage offensive linemen will be crucial for his success. Barton's limited experience playing tight end could offer valuable H-back flexibility, providing an additional dimension to his utility on an NFL roste