SALT LAKE CITY — Fans of Ute football may not have seen any of their own get drafted in Round 1 of the NFL draft, but there were a handful of guys going on day two.
Defensive back Eric Rowe led off, going to Philadelphia. He was taken 15th overall in the second round.
Four picks later, Nate Orchard was snapped up. The outside linebacker is off to the Cleveland Browns.
But that wasn’t it for the Ute’s representation. Offensive guard Jeremiah Poutasi was taken as the second overall pick in the third round. Poutasi, taken by the Titans, has a chance to possibly protect Tennessee’s new franchise quarterback, Marcus Mariota, in the future.
This was the first time that three University of Utah football players were taken so high in the draft in the same year.
The draft concludes with rounds 4-7 Saturday. Ute hopefuls, Dres Anderson, Brian Blechen, Kaelin Clay and Westlee Tonga are still on the board.
