PHILADELPHIA—Utah was one of the biggest winners on the third and final day of the 2017 NFL Draft when six players were drafted to give the Utes a school-record eight overall picks. Utah’s eight 2017 draft picks led the Pac-12 and tied for fourth in the country.
Running back Joe Williams, offensive guard Isaac Asiata, cornerback Brian Allen, center J.J. Dielman, offensive tackle Sam Tevi and outside linebacker Pita Taumoepenu went in rounds 4-7, joining first round pick Garett Bolles and second rounder Marcus Williams. The 2017 Ute draft class broke the former school mark of six picks in 2010.
Joe Williams was the first Ute on the board Saturday, selected with the 15th pick of the fourth round (No. 121 overall) by the San Francisco 49ers. The fifth round featured a flurry of Utes that began when the Miami Dolphins chose Asiata with the 20th pick of the fifth round (No. 164 overall). Next came Allen as the 30th pick of the fifth round (No. 173 overall) by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Minutes later, Dielman’s name was called as the 33rd pick of the fifth round (No. 176 overall) by the Cincinnati Bengals.
Tevi and Taumoepenu went to San Diego and San Francisco, respectively, in round six. Tevi was the sixth pick of the round and No. 190 overall, while Taumoepenu was the 18th pick of the round and No. 202 overall.
Joe Williams is the second Ute running back in as many years drafted in the fourth round, a year after Devontae Booker went to the Broncos in the same round. Williams and Taumoepenu will join former Ute offensive guard Zane Beadles (a 2010 draft pick) in San Francisco.
Williams (5-11, 205) came out of a one-month retirement his senior season to become the school record holder for rushing yards per game (156.3). In just nine games, he rushed for 1,407 yards and averaged 6.7 yards per carry. He had six 100-yard games, including a school-record 332 vs. UCLA and 222 against Indiana to earn MVP honors in the Foster Farms Bowl. His 332 rushing yards against UCLA ranked second in the NCAA FBS in 2016. Williams clocked the second-fastest 40 time of the running backs at the 2017 NFL Combine at 4.41 seconds.
Asiata will also find a former Ute on his new team in linebacker Koa Misi—a 2010 draft pick who has spent his entire NFL career with Miami.
A four-year starting guard for the Utes, Asiata (6-3, 323) was a two-time All-Pac-12 selection and the 2016 Morris Award winner, presented to the Pac-12’s best offensive lineman as chosen by the league’s starting defensive linemen. He also made the Associated Press All-Bowl team. At the 2017 NFL Combine, Asiata led all offensive linemen with 35 reps at 225 pounds in the bench press.
Allen (6-3, 205) signed with Utah as a receiver before moving to cornerback, his position for 32 of his 42 career games played. He became a starter in his senior season, when he recorded four interceptions and six pass breakups.
Dielman (6-5, 300), a second-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2015, suffered a season-ending injury five games into his senior season. The 2016 season was his first at center after two years as the starting right tackle. He started in 31 straight games before his injury.
After playing on the defensive line as a true freshman, Tevi (6-6, 305) moved to the offense for his last three years. He started at left tackle his junior season and at right tackle as a senior.
Taumoepenu (6-1, 245) was honorable mention All-Pac-12 in 2016 when his nine sacks and three forced fumbles were tied for fourth and third, respectively, in the league. He has the fifth-most career sacks in school history (21.5).
