LOCALS IN THE NFL
Utah Football Players React To Getting Selected In 2020 NFL Draft
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – It was a very successful weekend for the Utah football program as seven of their players were selected in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Over the course of seven rounds, Utah finished tied with the fourth most players to get drafted in the country. They had four players taken in the first three rounds which is a school record, beating the previous mark of three back in 2015.
Utah’s seven players taken is the second-most in school history with the 2017 class holding the record with 8 draftees. Since Kyle Whittingham has been the head coach at Utah, 52 players have been drafted while he has been at the helm. It’s more than the total amount of Utah draft picks in school history before Whittingham took over as the head coach.
It was an emotional three days for the Utes as they waited for the phone call from NFL GM’s and coaches and the moment was captured when they finally found out that they were getting drafted.
The Crimson Corner podcast reacted to the seven players getting drafted with former Utah linebacker Stevenson Sylvester.
Here is all of the reactions or social media posts from the teams and players themselves of the seven Utah football players that were taken in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears
Johnson was the first Utah player taken in the draft as the Chicago Bears took the Utes’ shutdown corner in the second round with the 50th overall pick.
Here is the phone call from head coach Jim Nagy to Johnson as well as the reaction when his name was called on the ESPN broadcast.
And @NBAxJay1’s #NFLDraft moment. pic.twitter.com/6DTYSgwoVh
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) April 25, 2020
Julian Blackmon, Indianapolis Colts
Blackmon was the second player taken in the draft as the Indianapolis Colts took the Utah safety in the third round with the 85th overall pick.
The Layton, Utah native had a message for Colts fans after he was selected.
And now a quick word from @JumpManJuice23: pic.twitter.com/2K6jiPp9Xj
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) April 25, 2020
Below is the announcement from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
✅ 1st Team All-Pac-12
✅ 2nd Team All-American
✅ Our new secondary threat📺: NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/29JXd4NuIb
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) April 25, 2020
Zack Moss, Buffalo Bills
One pick later, Moss was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the third round, 86th overall pick, becoming the third Utah player taken in the draft.
Here is what Moss looks like in a Bills uniform.
Letsssss goooooooooo 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 @BuffaloBills #BuffaloBills #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/R0pEsnqlAQ
— Zack Moss (@PresMoss2) April 25, 2020
The Bills posted a photo of Moss wearing a Bills hat after his name was called.
Welcome home, @PresMoss2! 🙌#BillsMafia | #GoBills pic.twitter.com/zEYnETkAxq
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) April 25, 2020
Moss recorded a message for Bills fans.
Ready for #BillsMafia. 🤙 pic.twitter.com/RhbUKD4dY2
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) April 25, 2020
Terrell Burgess, Los Angeles Rams
Burgess was selected later in the third round by the Los Angeles Rams with the 104th overall pick. He was the fourth Ute taken off the board.
The Rams posted a video of General Manager Les Snead calling Burgess to let him know that the team is going to select him. The video is one of the best videos you will see out there.
This is what it’s all about 🥺
All your hard work has paid off, @TiTaniumT98. pic.twitter.com/LjKeOPu9jB
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) April 25, 2020
Below is the video of the reaction from Burgess and his family when the draft pick was official.
Truly an UNFORGETTABLE MOMENT ❤️ @TiTaniumT98 @AthletesFirst pic.twitter.com/F07XkKDLVu
— Overtime (@overtime) April 26, 2020
Leki Fotu, Arizona Cardinals
Fotu was the first Utah player drafted on the third day and the fifth Ute taken in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Arizona Cardinals took Fotu in the fourth round with the 114th overall pick.
Another hand in the trenches.
Welcome to the Valley, @LekiFotu! #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/gemfCxsVO6
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) April 25, 2020
Athletes just run in the Fotu family.
📺 #NFLDraft on ABC, ESPN & NFLN pic.twitter.com/DuMCnHDOcr
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) April 25, 2020
Bradlee Anae, Dallas Cowboys
It took longer than many expected but Anae was the sixth Ute to be drafted with the Dallas Cowboys took the mayor of “Sack Lake City” with the 179th overall pick in the fifth round.
After dropping to the fifth round, Anae is more motivated to get to work.
The cream always rises, wanted to thank the @dallascowboys for this opportunity! Blessed, now watch me work.
— Bradlee Anae (@BradleeAnae) April 25, 2020
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and head coach Mike McCarthy spoke with Anae to let him know that he is heading to Dallas.
Listen as the #DallasCowboys call @BradleeAnae to tell him that he is officially a Cowboy! #CowboysDraft
🔊 Secret Audio presented by @ATT pic.twitter.com/klziTcTtv2
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) April 25, 2020
John Penisini, Detroit Lions
Penisini was the seventh and final player to be drafted in 2020 when the Detroit Lions selected the defensive tackle in the sixth round with the 197th overall pick.
With the 197th pick, the #Lions select DT John Penisini.
Welcome, @Dub_jayy_boy! #NFLDraft | #OnePride pic.twitter.com/npUXCRndIX
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) April 25, 2020
Penisini is excited to get to Detroit.
Let’s go let’s work!!! pic.twitter.com/H7a8bojqu0
— John Penisini (@Dub_jayy_boy) April 25, 2020
The Utes had five players sign with teams as undrafted free agents which includes quarterback Tyler Huntley and cornerback Josh Nurse to the Baltimore Ravens, cornerback Javelin Guidry to the New York Jets. Linebacker Francis Bernard signed with the Dallas Cowboys and offensive tackle Darrin Paulo joined the New Orleans Saints.
Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for KSLSports.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports. You can download and listen to the podcast, here.
