Oregon linebacker Noah Sewell (1) waits to enter the sphere earlier than an NCAA school soccer recreation Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Eugene, Ore. Sewell, who performed at Orem Excessive, is a powerful candidate to be a first-round 2023 NFL draft decide, in response to a number of nationwide writers. Andy Nelson, Related Press
Utah cornerback Clark Phillips III (8) celebrates a landing through the fourth quarter of an NCAA school soccer recreation towards Washington State at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake Metropolis. Utah gained the sport 24-13. Shafkat Anowar, Deseret Information
BYU Cougars offensive lineman Blake Freeland (71) celebrates after a landing through the second half of an NCAA school soccer recreation towards Utah at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. BYU gained 26-17. Shafkat Anowar, Deseret Information
Baylor Bears defensive deal with Siaki Ika (62) celebrates with followers after an NCAA school soccer recreation towards Texas, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Waco, Texas. Baylor gained 31-24. Sam Hodde, Related Press
Alabama’s Cameron Latu reacts after catching a landing go through the second half of the Faculty Soccer Playoff championship soccer recreation towards Georgia Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. Paul Sancya, Related Press
Two years in the past, two former Utah highschool soccer gamers have been chosen within the first seven picks of the 2021 NFL draft.
Former BYU and Nook Canyon quarterback Zach Wilson went to the New York Jets at No. 2 general, whereas former Oregon and Desert Hills offensive deal with Penei Sewell was the Detroit Lions’ decide at No. 7.
It was arguably the greatest NFL draft for Utah-developed expertise in historical past, as seven gamers who performed highschool soccer within the state have been drafted.
If 2023 NFL mock drafts are any indication, subsequent 12 months may very well be a giant one once more for the state.
With the 2022 NFL draft wrapping up final weekend, the main target from many nationwide writers has turned towards the longer term and the 2023 draft.
A have a look at 10 completely different 2023 NFL first-round mock drafts launched over the previous few days exhibits that a handful of Utah ties may work themselves into being an early-round draft decide subsequent 12 months.
Paradoxically sufficient, the highest projected Utah tie for subsequent 12 months’s draft is Sewell’s youthful brother — Oregon linebacker Noah Sewell.
It’s all the time a guess making these form of predictions so early, since underclassmen wouldn’t have declared for the 2023 draft but. We’re a number of months away from that.
Nonetheless, it offers a have a look at what sort of expertise may very well be accessible.
Right here’s 5 Utah ties who confirmed up in a number of of the way-too-early 2023 mock drafts.
Noah Sewell, Oregon
Linebacker
6-foot-3, 251 kilos.
- Star rating: 5-star prospect by each 247 Sports activities and Rivals popping out of Orem Excessive within the 2020 recruiting class.
- The place he’s chosen in 2023 NFL mock drafts:
No. 9 general, Seattle Seahawks — The Draft Community
No. 14 general, New England Patriots — Bleacher Report
No. 16 general, New England Patriots — CBS Sports activities
No. 19 general, Minnesota Vikings — Professional Soccer Community
No. 22 general, Cincinnati Bengals — Sporting Information
No. 24 general, Miami Dolphins — The thirty third Group
No. 28 general, Detroit Lions — 247 Sports activities - The Draft Community’s Joe Marino wrote: “Noah Sewell is a particular expertise that jumps off the display together with his elite defensive playmaking abilities. He could be an exquisite alternative for Bobby Wagner.”
- Professional Soccer Community’s Cam Mellor wrote: “Sewell can drop in protection properly, react to the run recreation, and has an uncanny skill to grasp when to choose and select his pictures within the blitz recreation. A 3-down linebacker within the mould of Devin Lloyd turns into one other cornerstone defensive piece on the Minnesota Vikings’ protection.”
- 247 Sports activities’ Blake Brockmeyer wrote: “How nice wouldn't it be for Detroit to herald the youthful brother of 2021 first-rounder Penei Sewell?Noah Sewellis fairly good on his personal proper. Noah’s a large backer who's all the time trying to trigger the opponent some complications. Ceiling participant who performs with a hearth in his recreation and is a positive tackler within the field.”
Utah cornerback Clark Phillips III (8) celebrates a landing through the fourth quarter of an NCAA school soccer recreation towards Washington State at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in Salt Lake Metropolis. Utah gained the sport 24-13.
Shafkat Anowar, Deseret Information
Clark Phillips III, Utah
Cornerback
5-foot-10, 184 kilos,
- Star rating: 4-star prospect by each 247 Sports activities and Rivals within the 2020 recruiting class.
- The place he’s chosen in 2023 NFL mock drafts:
No. 20 general, Arizona Cardinals — Professional Soccer Community
No. 29 general, Inexperienced Bay Packers — 247 Sports activities
No. 29 general, Inexperienced Bay Packers — The Draft Scout
No. 30, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs — Barstool Sports activities - Professional Soccer Community’s Cam Mellor wrote: “The Utah Utes are recognized for his or her protection. And shortly, they’ll be recognized for Clark Phillips III. A dominant cornerback, Phillips has velocity for days and loads of soccer IQ that permits him to keep up protection towards any receiver. He’s a ball hawk with plus abilities towards the run as properly.”
- 247 Sports activities’ Blake Brockmeyer wrote: “Utah cornerbackClark Phillips III has cat-like quickness, plus the flexibility to pivot and alter course in addition to any nook within the nation. Phillips performs with a excessive IQ, can match routes and has an opportunity to take his recreation to a different stage in 2022.”
BYU Cougars offensive lineman Blake Freeland (71) celebrates after a landing through the second half of an NCAA school soccer recreation towards Utah at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. BYU gained 26-17.
Shafkat Anowar, Deseret Information
Blake Freeland, BYU
Offensive deal with
6-foot-3, 305 kilos.
- Star rating: 3-star prospect by each 247 Sports activities and Rivals popping out of Herriman Excessive within the 2019 recruiting class.
- The place he’s chosen in 2023 NFL mock drafts:
No. 21 general, Baltimore Ravens — 247 Sports activities - 247 Sports activities’ Blake Brockmeyer wrote: “Blake Freeland has a large body and is a superb protector who by no means allowed a number of pressures in 2021. Freeland has grown into the place and isn’t wherever near his ceiling, which ought to make the 2022 season a cash 12 months for the previous three-star recruit.”
Baylor Bears defensive deal with Siaki Ika (62) celebrates with followers after an NCAA school soccer recreation towards Texas, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Waco, Texas. Baylor gained 31-24.
Sam Hodde, Related Press
Siaki Ika, Baylor
Defensive deal with
6-foot-4, 250 kilos.
- Star rating: 4-star prospect by each 247 Sports activities and Rivals popping out of East Excessive within the 2019 recruiting class. He initially signed with LSU and performed two seasons earlier than transferring to Baylor.
- The place he’s chosen in 2023 NFL mock drafts:
No. 22 general, Baltimore Ravens — Barstool Sports activities - Barstool Sports activities’ Steven Cheah wrote: “The Ravens have been hoping for Georgia DT Jordan Davis and simply missed out. Subsequent 12 months they might goal Ika who's near 350 kilos to allow them to get again to their roots.”
Alabama’s Cameron Latu reacts after catching a landing go through the second half of the Faculty Soccer Playoff championship soccer recreation towards Georgia Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis.
Paul Sancya, Related Press
Cameron Latu, Alabama
Tight finish
6-foot-5, 244 kilos.
- Star rating: 4-star prospect by each 247 Sports activities and Rivals popping out of Olympus Excessive within the 2018 recruiting class. He switched from defensive finish to tight finish at Alabama.
- The place he’s chosen in 2023 NFL mock drafts:
No. 32 general, Buffalo Payments — Professional Soccer Community - Professional Soccer Community’s Cam Mellor wrote: “He got here on robust final season as a go catcher, however Latu is extra than simply an inline receiver. Latu had 8 touchdowns and showcased a capability to line up everywhere in the Alabama offense.”
What different Utah connections present up in mock drafts?
- Stanford quarterback Tanner McKee, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who thought-about BYU, was the No. 6 general decide in Professional Soccer Focus’ 2023 NFL mock draft.
- Whereas it wasn’t in a mock draft, The Athletic additionally recognized a number of the nation’s prime abilities at every place, and Utah’s Dalton Kincaid was thought-about at tight finish.