Pair of Aces

As reported via Matthew Piper's blog on The Salt Lake Tribune, two Utah pitchers were selected in the 2014 MLB Draft. Mitch Watrous went to the San Diego Padres in the eighth round, and Nick Green was picked by the Kansas City Royals in the tenth round. Both players are former walk-ons for the Utes.

Value Picks

Keith McGill and Trevor Reilly were both drafted later than projected, in the 4th and 7th rounds respectively, making them value picks in the 2014 NFL Draft. The Oakland Raiders used their second pick in the fourth round, #116 overall, on McGill. The big corner had a second day grade, but was still on the board on day three due to off the field concerns. He will join Tony Bergstrom in Oakland.

Reilly slipped all the way to #233, the last of twelve picks for the New York Jets. He has accrued some extra years and injuries, but anyone who has seen him play knows he is a difference maker. The lack of bowl game coverage may have been the difference in how many people did see Utah play last season.

Four more Utes signed free agent offers: Karl Williams and Jake Murphy with Oakland (benefit of PAC-12 coverage, perhaps?), Tenny Palepoi with San Diego, and Anthony Denham with Houston.

Seattle's Second

The Seattle Storm of the WNBA used their second round pick to select Michelle Plouffe. Seattle drafted UConn's Bria Hartley with the 7th pick and Plouffe 19th overall. Stanford's Chiney Ogwumike was the first player chosen by the Connecticut Sun. Plouffe is the first Ute to be drafted since Morgan Warburton, a Utah assistant coach, in 2009. BYU's Jennifer Hamson was also drafted in the second round by the LA Sparks, although she has indicated she will return to school to play volleyball in the fall.   

Chip Off The New Block

Joe (#99) and Dave (#44) Kruger

Joe Kruger was a 7th round selection of the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday. Utah hasn't played Oregon yet in the new PAC-12, but new Eagles head coach Chip Kelly must have seen enough of Kruger to give him a shot. Kruger was selected #212 overall, almost exactly where WalterFootball predicted. Joe left Utah before exhausting his eligibility so he would have an opportunity to join his brothers Paul and Dave at the next level.

Dave is joining Paul in Cleveland's camp after signing as an undrafted free agent. Other players receiving tryouts include: Reggie Dunn (Pittsburgh), Ryan Lacy (New Orleans), David Rolf (San Diego), Tevita Stevens and DeVonte Christopher (Washington), Sam Brenner (Miami), Sean Sellwood (Atlanta), Moe Lee (Baltimore), and Reggie Topps (Arizona).

Ziggy Stardust

Star Lotulelei was selected at #14 by the Carolina Panthers! He joins Steve Smith and Jordan Gross as ProUtes on the Panthers roster. Star was deserving of a top ten pick, but this is a great fit for a tremendous player. Michael Schottey of Bleacher Report deemed it the best pick of the first round to that point.

He wasn't the first defensive tackle drafted (Missouri's Sheldon Richardson went one pick earlier to the Jets) in this line-heavy first round, nor was he the first defensive lineman from a Utah school to be picked; that distinction went to the school down south's Ziggy Ansah. Ziggy didn't even start the full season in college, but his athleticism and his potential propelled him into the first round. And, because pass rushers are considered more valuable than run stoppers, Ziggy was taken before Star (#5 by the Detroit Lions).

I must admit I wanted to see Star's production to go ahead of Ziggy's potential, but I wouldn't want them to trade places. I'm pumped to see Star go to Carolina, my second favorite NFL team. I wanted him to go #10 to Tennessee, but I can understand why they picked an offensive lineman instead.

According to Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com, new Panthers general manager David Gettleman wasted no time in turning in the draft card with Star's name on it. Gettleman got his man!

Star Chart

Star Lotulelei topped the charts with 38 reps on the bench press at Utah's Pro Day yesterday; that would have tied him with Margus Hunt of SMU and Brandon Williams of Missouri Southern State for the most by a defensive lineman at the Combine. Star wasn't able to participate in any drills at the Combine due to an irregularity in tests on his heart. He was medically cleared to workout at Pro Day, and the big man put on a show! He displayed a 30 inch vertical and posted times of 7.66 and 4.65 seconds in the three cone drill and the shuttle. His 40 times were 5.31 and 5.36 seconds. According to Gil Brandt, Star had been advised not to run the 40 but he wanted to join his teammates. His times weren't all that impressive, but he dominated in position drills.

Reggie Dunn may turn some heads with his 40 times of 4.25 and 4.26 seconds; his speed coupled with his kick return abilities should get Dunn some offers to training camp if he isn't drafted.

 Joe Kruger also worked out in position drills, while standing on his numbers produced at the Combine.

Pro Day featured 21 Utes and 12 players from other schools in the area.

Star's Heart

Star Lotulelei was excused from the NFL Combine for further testing on his heart. Initial tests showed his heart is pumping below average, so he returned to the Salt Lake area to meet with a specialist. Lotulelei has been projected as a top 5 or top 10 pick in this year's NFL Draft; missing the combine won't affect his draft status, but health concerns might. Better to have it detected and treated while slipping in the draft than to become another Len Bias, however. We are hopeful that his career follows the path of Utah State's Bobby Wagner, who missed last year's Combine due to being hospitalized with pneumonia. He was drafted by a contender, started the whole season, and nearly won Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Joe Kruger was the only Ute to participate in the Combine this year. While he did not stand out in any of the drills, he rated a grade of 73.0 and is expected to be drafted in the first 100 picks.

Save Leader

Tyler Wagner, a closer who set the single-season record with 17 saves, was drafted in the fourth round by the Milwaukee Brewers. Parker Morin, whose 69 hits tied for a team-high, was picked 10 rounds later by the Kansas City Royals. New Ute Caleb Frare was also selected by the New York Yankees in the 11th round. James Brooks was drafted the following day, going to the Washington Nationals in the 20th round.

For more details see the article by Tony Jones in the Salt Lake Tribune.
For more on the development of 2011 first round pick C.J. Cron, see George Alfano's piece in the Deseret News.

Friday Night Lights

Tony Bergstrom was the final pick on Friday night, the second day of the NFL Draft. He was also the first pick of the Oakland Raiders, as they traded away their first three picks in 2012. They received a compensatory pick at #95, which they used to draft the tackle out of Utah. Bergstrom will attempt to become the next Barry Sims, a ProUte who played nine seasons in Oakland.

Also joining Bergstrom in Oakland will be Conroy Black, who will try to don the silver and black as an undrafted free agent. Other ProUtes going the undrafted route are John Cullen with the Jets, Derrick Shelby and Shawn Asiata with the Dolphins, and Tevita Finau with the Cardinals.

Combine Notes

Cullen is put through his paces.

Bergstrom had a decent showing at the combine, as he tied for 3rd on the bench press (32 reps), tied for 9th in vertical jump (29.5"), and tied for 13th in the 40 yard dash (5.27 sec). He graded out at 51.2, barely ahead of Cullen (pictured), who got a mark of 51.0. Cullen finished 5th in the 20 yard shuffle (4.59 sec) and 7th in the 3 cone drill (7.58 sec).

Shelby graded out slightly higher than his counterparts at 53.7. He was 3rd in vertical jump (35.5"), tied for 9th in the 3 cone drill (7.09 sec), and tied for 11th in broad jump (9'8"), but his lackluster time in the 40 yard dash (4.96 sec) has Tony Pauline of SI.com putting him in the slider category.

The best combine performance by an athlete with Utah ties was put up by Utah State running back Robert Turbin. He tied for 1st on the bench press (28 reps), took 4th in broad jump (10'2"), tied for 8th in vertical jump (36"), finished 9th in the 40 yard dash (4.5 sec), and tied for 14th in the 20 yard shuttle (4.31 sec) for an overall grade of 74.5. Fellow Aggie Bobby Wagner, a linebacker who figures to be the first player from a Utah school selected in the draft, was unable to participate, as he was hospitalized with pneumonia.

Under Way

Tony Bergstrom, first team All-PAC-12 O-line

The NFL Combine gets under way today, and three former Utes have been invited to participate: Tony Bergstrom, John Cullen, and Derrick Shelby. All three linemen were all- conference selections in the PAC-12 this season. Bergstrom has been rated the 10th best offensive tackle in the 2012 class, and is being projected as a 4th round pick. He's also included in the top ranks of guards by Eric Edholm of ProFootballWeekly.com. Cullen, a second team All-PAC-12 selection, is not listed in the few seven round mock drafts currently available. Their prospects resemble those of last year's participants, Schlauderaff (drafted and traded) and Taylor (undrafted free agent practice squad member).

Shelby is likewise unlisted in full seven round mocks, which is odd considering he was named the national defensive player of the week by the Walter Camp Football Foundation for his play against Pitt. He has been mentioned as a sleeper to watch by Matt Rybaltowski, the Titans correspondent for CBSSports.com. I'd love to see him end up in Tennessee!

Perhaps the biggest name of the bunch is the one that isn't on the list - that's because Star Lotulelei is returning to Utah for his senior season. Lotulelei was also named first team All-PAC-12, and he won the Morris Trophy following a stellar campaign as a junior. The Morris Trophy is voted on by the opposing linemen in the conference, making it true recognition of a player's impact on the field. For comparison, USC's Matt Kalil won the Morris Trophy for offensive linemen, and he is currently projected to be the third overall pick in the draft this April. Lotulelei likely wouldn't be picked that high, but after another outstanding season at Utah he could really make a name for himself!

Back Home

Miller was a Nugget from '03-'06

Andre Miller was part of a draft day trade that sent him back to Denver in exchange for Raymond Felton. According to an article in USA Today, Miller is pleased to be back in Denver, where he still has a home. He felt maligned by the team when he was traded to Philadelphia for Allen Iverson midway through the 2006-2007 season, but he has put that behind him. He is prepared to play behind Ty Lawson too, if that is what coach George Karl asks of him. This is not the same Nuggets team Miller played with from '03-'06; only Nene, Kenyon Martin, and Coach Karl remain from that unit. Miller's role with this team will be to provide veteran leadership to a new group of young players, including draft picks Kenneth Faried, Jordan Hamilton (also included in the trade), and Chu Chu Maduabum (acquired from the Lakers).

The question is when will Miller be able to work out with his new team, now that the NBA has entered into a lockout that could cost the league part or all of the 2011-12 season.

Who's On First

C.J. Cron became the first Utah baseball player to be selected in the first round of the MLB Draft when the Los Angeles Angels selected the slugger with the 17th pick. Cron lead the nation with a  .803 slugging percentage and was third in batting average (.434). Just a junior, Cron is #1 in school history with a .396 career batting average and 198 RBIs, and was named to the Louisville Slugger All-America first team. His position? First base, naturally.

Cron will be in a unique position in the Angels' organization: he could play for the AAA-affiliate Salt Lake Bees in Spring Mobile Ballpark, where he played his home games as a Ute.

Sights Set

The UFL made a bold move Monday, holding their draft while free agents are unable to sign with NFL teams due to the lockout. A few of the notable names that didn't get called over the weekend were called on Monday, but the UFL draft was not solely limited to players coming out of college. Case in point: the Virginia Destroyers used the 4th pick to select Martail Burnett, a defensive end out of Utah who played most recently on the practice squad for the San Francisco 49ers. Burnett and the other players drafted now face a quandary: remain in limbo, or sign with a UFL team and possibly miss an opportunity with an NFL team if and when the lockout is lifted?

Burnett was an undrafted free agent who signed on with the Minnesota Vikings before joining the 49ers. San Francisco used its first round pick on Missouri's Aldon Smith, a similar type of player. Both played defensive end in college but transition to rush linebacker in the NFL. Burnett could return to defensive end in the UFL and have more of an impact. The Virginia Destroyers will be coached by Marty Schottenheimer, so Burnett would still benefit from NFL level coaching. It is an expansion franchise, but it received the rights to the players of the now defunct Florida Tuskers, a competitive team that played in the first two UFL Championship games. Burnett's best move might be to jump ship.

Go North, Young Man

Brandon Burton was drafted as expected, albeit later than expected. Burton (pictured here beating first-round pick Jon Baldwin to the ball) was projected to go as high as the third round, but that distinction went to Utah State's Curtis Marsh instead. Burton had to wait until the fifth round to hear his name called by the Minnesota Vikings at #139 overall.

Forty picks later another Ute was drafted by a team from the NFC North. The Green Bay Packers used the first of three sixth round picks to acquire Caleb Schlauderaff at #179 overall. Schlauderaff and Sherrod (Green Bay's first round pick) will be tasked with protecting Aaron Rodgers, one of the league's best (and most concussed) quarterbacks.

Burton will also have some company with the Vikings, as they drafted a second Burton: wide receiver Stephen Burton from West Texas A&M. Minnesota also has ProUte wide receiver Freddie Brown on the practice squad.

Sealver Siliga had been projected as a late sixth or seventh round pick but he, Matt Asiata, and Zane Taylor were not drafted. Normally players in their situation would be signed as free agents following the draft, but the lockout will block that route into the league. Other possibilities might include Arena Football or the UFL in the interim.

Pro Day 2011

Utah held its Pro Day yesterday, with 18 former players participating and 20 coaches and scouts evaluating. Gil Brandt singled out Zane Taylor for his 41 reps of 225 pounds, an improvement over his top ten showing at the NFL Combine. Taylor also improved his other numbers from the combine, capitalizing on his chance to impress the offensive line coaches of the Patriots, Jets, and Seahawks. Brandon Burton improved his 40 times, running a 4.58 and a 4.50. Burton had an individual workout with the defensive backs coach of the Browns. Brandt made mention of Caleb Schlauderaff (limited by a calf strain), Sealver Siliga, and Matt Asiata, who caught the ball well. One player not invited to the combine who Brandt brought up was Eddie Wide.

Other reports have mentioned Justin Taplin-Ross, who was having a nice workout until he hurt his leg. Two players who seem to be overlooked are Jereme Brooks and Shaky Smithson. With the adjustment to the starting position of the kickoff imposed by the league kick return specialists like Brooks and Smithson may see their stock drop.

Misi to Miami

Koa Misi was the first ProUte selected in the 2010 NFL Draft, followed five picks later by Zane Beadles. Both players were taken in the second round of the new three day draft format, making this the second consecutive year Utah has had two players drafted in the second round. Misi went to Miami at #40, and the Broncos picked Beadles at #45. Misi becomes the third ProUte on Miami's defense, joining last year's second round pick Sean Smith and Paul Soliai. If only they would bring back Steve Fifita! Like Paul Kruger, Misi will transition from defensive end to outside linebacker in the NFL. Unlike Kruger, Misi will be expected to contribute immediately according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. Three more Utes were drafted in the fifth round on Saturday. Robert Johnson will carry on the proud tradition of ProUtes playing for the Titans, David Reed goes to the Ravens (the team that cut free agent Bradon Godfrey last year), and Stevenson Sylvester's a Steeler!

Here's the complete list from this year's draft:

#40, Miami Dolphins, Koa Misi, de/lb
#45, Denver Broncos, Zane Beadles, ol
#148, Tennessee Titans, Robert Johnson, s
#156, Baltimore Ravens, David Reed, wr
#166, Pittsburgh Steelers, Stevenson Sylvester, lb
#223, Carolina Panthers, R.J. Stanford, cb

With Stanford's selection in the seventh round Utah set a new school record of six players drafted! By way of comparison that's the same number that traditional powerhouse Texas had drafted this year - only four schools had more.

ProDay 2010

The University of Utah held it's pro day workouts on Monday, with 16 prospects participating. Defensive end Koa Misi continues to impress scouts in all of his workouts, and is projected to be a possible second round/probable third round pick. Misi will convert to outside linebacker in the NFL like Paul Kruger did last year with the Ravens. The offensive line coaches of the Ravens, Seahawks, and Steelers came to this year's pro day to evaluate Zane Beadles, another top prospect. Wide receiver David Reed and linebacker Stevenson Sylvester are the other players who stand a good chance of hearing their names called during the new three day draft format, held on April 22-24. Twenty teams sent representatives to Salt Lake City, including a wide receiver coach and a linebacker coach from the Browns. Gil Brandt of NFL.com reports that two players who weren't invited to the combine, safety Robert Johnson and cornerback R.J. Stanford, also had stand out performances on Monday. That comes as no surprise to Utah fans who watched Johnson stand out all season!

Six Out Of Six

Kelly Isleib was selected with the sixth pick in the sixth round of the Women's Professional Soccer draft on Friday. Sky Blue FC of New Jersey, the 2009 WPS champions, drafted the senior midfielder 53rd overall. Isleib, a Park City native, was a four year all-conference player at the University of Utah. She made All-Region three times and has been to camp with the U.S. national team twice.

Update on Brian Johnson

One of the lingering questions left unanswered by the NFL Draft was what about Brian Johnson? The last time a quarterback led the Utes to a perfect season he went #1 overall in the draft. Brian Johnson had more career wins than Alex Smith, yet the Sugar Bowl MVP wasn't drafted. That question was finally answered by Gordon Monson in today's Salt Lake Tribune. See his article for more details.