05/03/13 - (OG) - Sam Brenner, rSr, 6-3, 307 Dolphins Sign 19 Undrafted College Free Agents...C - SAM BRENNER (6-2, 301, 4/27/90, Utah): Two year starter played both guard and left tackle … Played in 50 of 51 games during his career with 26 starts … Allowed just two sacks total in 25 games as a junior and senior. - MiamiDolphins.com
04/30/13 - (DT) - Dave Kruger, rSr, 6-5, 283 Browns sign 18 undrafted free agents...Dave Kruger - Started 37 of 49 career games at the University of Utah (2009-12)… Totaled 116 career tackles, 3.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble… Brother, Paul, is a linebacker for the Browns and brother, Joe, was selected by Philadelphia in the seventh round in this year’s draft… Attended Timpanogos High School in Orem, Utah. - ClevelandBrowns.com
04/30/13 - (P) - Sean Sellwood, rSr, 6-3, 208 Falcons Add 24 College Free Agents...P Sean Sellwood, 6-3, 203 yards, played in all 51 games from 2009-12 at Utah, serving as the punter and holder. He averaged 43.8 yards per kick on 190 punts with 54 being downed inside the 20, 20 touchbacks, and 81 fair catches. He also booted 51 punts of 50-plus yards in his career. - Jay Adams, AtlantaFalcons.com
04/29/13 - (CB) - Ryan Lacy, Sr, 5-09, 194 New Orleans Saints Announce 2013 Rookie Free Agent Class...Ryan Lacy - Cornerback, Utah (5-9, 186): Lacy was a two-year starter for the Utes, posting career totals of 80 tackles, one sack, four stops for a loss, five interceptions, 16 passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. As a senior, he posted 22 tackles, two picks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery for a touchdown. As a junior, he earned honorable mention All-Pac 12 as he made 51 tackles, two picks and 10 passes defensed. - NewOrleansSaints.com
04/25/13 - (DT) - Star Lotulelei, Sr, 6-3, 311 ROB RANG'S FINAL 2013 NFL DRAFT BIG BOARD: 5. Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah: Over the past two seasons, no defensive tackle has generated more attention from the opposition than Lotulelei, though the Utah star was put under the spotlight for all of the wrong reasons after a routine electrocardiogram at the combine turned up what appeared to be a life-threatening heart issue. Lotulelei has since passed "at least 10" medical exams, including two cardiac MRIs, considered to be the "gold standard" of all heart tests. The fact that Lotulelei was not invited back to the combine for a medical re-check is an indicator that teams are convinced the combine flareup was a fluke, making the Utes' defender a strong contender for top 10 honors. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
04/25/13 - (DT) - Star Lotulelei, Sr, 6-3, 311 DANE BRUGLER'S FINAL 2013 DRAFT BOARD: 8. DT Star Lotulelei, Utah (6-3, 311, 5SR)...A coordinated, fluid big man, Lotulelei flashes the get-off quickness and power at the point of attack to dominate games. He just needs to do it for all four quarters. - Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout.com
04/24/13 - (DE) - *Joe Kruger, Jr, 6-6, 269 2013 NFL DRAFT RANG'S GANG: DE: Joe Kruger, Utah, 6-6, 269, 4.81...Considering that he played alongside Star Lotulelei, it is easy to understand why Kruger hasn't received more attention. Furthermore, he's often been cast off as the younger brother of former Baltimore Raven and new Cleveland Browns' outside linebacker Paul Kruger. A passionate player who possesses a very intriguing skill-set of powerful long arms (34 3/8), surprising get-off and good overall athleticism, Joe, like his older brother, could surprise at the next level. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
04/17/13 - (OG) - Sam Brenner, rSr, 6-3, 307 2013 NFL DRAFT: 124 FBS PROGRAMS, 124 POSSIBLE UNDRAFTED ROOKIE FREE AGENTS: UTAH: OL Sam Brenner (6-2, 307, 5.03)...Versatile experience at both tackle and guard, Brenner will need to move inside at the next level, but he has the foot quickness and natural awareness to fight for a roster spot. - Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout.com
04/10/13 - (DT) - Star Lotulelei, Sr, 6-3, 311 Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro tweeted the news last month -- he'll be headed to Radio City Music Hall on April 25 for the 2013 NFL Draft. And a day after Vaccaro's announcement, Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o, once considered a top 10 pick who now could fall out of the first round altogether, said that he wouldn't be in New York City for the festivities. On Wednesday, the NFL confirmed that 23 players would attend the draft, three fewer than a year ago.
One notable omission: Utah defensive lineman Star Lotulelei, who released this statement through his agent Wednesday: “I want to thank the NFL for inviting me to New York City for the draft. Being invited is a tremendous honor and I am very grateful for the consideration. After discussing it with my family, I have decided to stay in Utah for the draft so I can share this moment with all of the people that have supported me my entire life. I expect over 50 family and friends at our home for this wonderful occasion and look forward to a special day." - Ryan Wilson, CBSSports.com
04/08/13 - (DT) - Star Lotulelei, Sr, 6-3, 311 Lotulelei passed "gold standard" of heart tests...Shortly after teams received the medical reports from the combine, multiple teams informed NFLDraftScout.comthat Utah defensive tackle Star Lotulelei would be removed from their draft board because of a possible heart issue. According to a source close to Lotulelei, the 6-3, 311-pound defensive tackle has since passed "at least 10 tests, including two Cardiac MRIs, the gold standard of medical testing of the human heart."
NFLDraftScout.com has obtained a letter that was part of the literature sent to teams explaining the details of the medical tests. The letter is signed by Dr. Josef Stehlik, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Utah. A University of Utah doctor signing the letter to clear a former Ute player? Sounds suspicious, right?
According to the source, Stehlik's opinion was requested by an NFL team and that the doctor granted his name being used publicly, which is a statement in itself about his con Lotulelei's results have been confirmed by other doctors, including those employed by clubs. They requested not to be named publicly but did share their opinion with the NFL. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
04/08/13 - (DT) - Star Lotulelei, Sr, 6-3, 311 Based on the expert opinions, the NFL, according to the source, is not requesting Lotulelei return to Indianapolis for a medical re-check along with other high-profile prospects, including Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner and Oregon defensive end Dion Jordan. This would be a stunning reversal; the league typically requests most players with any medical concern – from broken bones to, in Milliner's case, recovery from shoulder surgery -- to go through another battery of exams.
The NFL might be satisfied with these doctors' medical opinions. Still, each individual team will have its own decision to make. Teams trust their own doctors more than they do one who sends them a letter, requested or not. Each of the players invited to the combine are asked to undergo an echocardiogram as part of the standard medical screening in Indianapolis.
The test is considered a fair and relatively cost-effective evaluative tool but isn't as trusted by doctors as the "Holter Test" in which the patient is asked to wear a vest for up to 48 hours or a "Stress Test" in which patients' heart activity is compared after significant physical activity to their normal levels. Lotulelei, NFLDraftScout.com was told, passed each of these, as well as the all-important Cardiac Magnetic Reasoning Test (MRI), which uses magnets and radio waves to take a picture of the heart. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
04/08/13 - (DT) - Star Lotulelei, Sr, 6-3, 311 The medical questions make Lotulelei, a two-time first-team All Pac-12 selection, a risky selection in the top 10, perhaps, though he undeniably has the talent to warrant such a pick. If there were no questions about his medical, he'd be a lock for such a selection, perhaps even earning consideration at No. 1 overall to Kansas City and certainly No. 2 overall to Jacksonville, due to their league-worst 20 sacks a season ago.
Possessing a unique combination of power and overall athleticism, Lotulelei is intriguing to 4-3 and 3-4 teams, alike. He's a spectacular talent, who, even with his medical concerns ranks 16th overall on NFLDraftScout.com's board and 21st overall on my own Big Board. He's certainly getting plenty of attention from teams eager to learn more about him. NFLDraftScout.com has confirmed that Lotulelei has plans to either visit or work out privately with 10 NFL clubs, virtually all of which are among those holding selections in the top half of the first round. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
03/28/13 - (WR) - Reggie Dunn, Sr, 5-10, 178 2013 Utah Pro Day: Reginald Dunn, WR (5-9 3/8, 178) - Dunn ran the 40 in 4.25 and 4.26 seconds. He had a 36-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-1 broad jump. He ran the short shuttle in 4.36 seconds and the three-cone drill in 6.85 seconds. Dunn had 17 lifts on the bench press. Dunn has never been a full-time starter, but his speed might get him a look by an NFL team in training camp. - Gil Brandt, NFL.com
03/28/13 - (DE) - *Joe Kruger, Jr, 6-6, 269 2013 Utah Pro Day: Joe Kruger, DE (6-6 3/8, 261) - Kruger - the younger brother of Paul Kruger, who was a member of the Super Bowl XLVII-champion Baltimore Ravens and just signed a lucrative free-agent contract with the Cleveland Browns - stood on all of his numbers from the combine. Kruger looked very good in the positional workouts. - Gil Brandt, NFL.com
03/28/13 - (DT) - Star Lotulelei, Sr, 6-3, 311 2013 Utah Pro Day: Representatives from 31 NFL teams gathered at the pro day held at Utah on Wednesday, where 21 Utes players - joined by 12 other players from smaller schools in the area - went through a workout held indoors on FieldTurf. This represented the first on-field workout in front of NFL scouts for Star Lotulelei, a player projected to be selected in the top half of the 2013 NFL Draft. A heart condition detected at the NFL Scouting Combine kept the defensive tackle from working out in Indianapolis. His workout Wednesday could nudge him back up draft boards.
Lotulelei measured in at 6-foot-3 1/4, 314 pounds at Utah’s pro day. He ran the 40-yard dash (after being advised not to run it, but doing so anyway since he desired to join the rest of his teammates who were running), and recorded times of 5.31 and 5.36 seconds. He had a 4.65-second short shuttle and did the three-cone drill in 7.66 seconds. Lotulelei had a 30-inch vertical jump and an 8-foot-9 broad jump. Lotulelei performed 38 lifts of 225 pounds on the bench press, which would have tied Lotulelei with SMU’s Margus Hunt and Missouri Southern State’s Brandon Williams for most at this year’s combine. - Gil Brandt, NFL.com
03/28/13 - (DT) - Star Lotulelei, Sr, 6-3, 311 2013 Utah Pro Day: Lotulelei worked out Wednesday at Utah’s pro day after seeing cardiologist Josef Stehlik, who was recommended to Lotulelei’s agent - Bruce Tollner - by the San Francisco 49ers. Lotulelei - who will continue to be monitored for the next two weeks - still has to go back to Indianapolis on April 15 for a recheck on his heart condition. Defensive line coaches from the Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers and San Diego Chargers were on present to watch the workout. - Gil Brandt, NFL.com
03/24/13 - (DT) - Star Lotulelei, Sr, 6-3, 311 2013 Utah Pro Day: Utah defensive tackle Star Lotulelei impressed NFL teams on Wednesday at Utah's pro day as he was finally able to perform agility and positional drills for scouts. He was unable to work out at the combine in Indianapolis last month after he was diagnosed with a heart condition, a situation that has still not been fully resolved, but Lotulelei's workout was a positive step forward.
According to multiple reports, Lotulelei looked dominant on Wednesday and performed well in the bench press (38), vertical jump (30-inch), three-cone drill (7.76) and short shuttle (4.65).
At 6-3 and 311 pounds with almost 34-inch arms, Lotulelei showcased his unique blend of size, strength and athleticism during positional drills and showed why several evaluators have stamped him with a top-10 grade. Lotulelei is NFLDraftScout.com's No. 2 defensive tackle for the 2013 NFL Draft and was once mentioned among the candidates to be the No. 1 overall pick.
However, the unknown heart condition has put his draft stock in limbo. Since the combine, Lotulelei underwent further testing to determine the cause of his failed medicals in Indianapolis. Several reports indicated that rapid weight loss or dehydration might have been the culprit for his heart pumping at less than full capacity during tests.
With an impressive collegiate resume, workout numbers and NFL skill set, Lotulelei is highly thought of in NFL circles. And as long as he passes the medical evaluation by teams, Lotulelei will be in the conversation to be the first defensive player drafted. - Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout.com
03/01/13 - (DT) - Star Lotulelei, Sr, 6-3, 311 2013 NFL PRO DAY DATES TO REMEMBER: March 20 - Tennessee, Utah...A potential top-10 pick, Utah defensive tackle Star Lotulelei was held out of combine workouts last week after an echocardiogram detected a heart condition. He was unaware of the condition and is seeking a second opinion but remains confident he will be able to work out at this pro day. - Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout.com
02/27/13 - (DT) - Star Lotulelei, Sr, 6-3, 311 TOP 10 COMPELLING NFL COMBINE STORY LINES: 2. Star Status. Utah's all-American DT Star Lotulelei has been touted as a potential No. 1 overall pick, but that was before the news that he has a heart condition that was detected in NFL medical exams. Many scouts watch his tape and see an ideal 3-Technique. Now, there will be questions and much attention about whether subsequent exams determine if it's a chronic condition. His agent told colleague Jason La Canfora that Lotulelei will compete in all the physical tests at his pro day in March. A DT who everyone seemed to be falling in love with was Florida's Sharrif Floyd. - Bruce Feldman, CBSSports.com
02/25/13 - (DT) - Star Lotulelei, Sr, 6-3, 311 Utah defensive tackle Star Lotuleilei returned to Salt Lake City and didn't work out with linemen in the 2013 draft Monday while instead undergoing further testing to identify what caused his heart function to appear abnormal in medical testing at the NFL Scouting Combine. USA Today Sports cites unnamed sources that indicate rapid weight loss or dehydration might have contributed to his heart pumping at less than full capacity during tests in Indianapolis.
Lotuleilei is a top-10 prospect and has held a lofty spot -- including No. 1 overall -- on the Big Board of senior analyst Rob Rang since the start of the 2012 season. He's a prototype nose tackle who dominates one-on-one blocks against interior offensive linemen. There are teams that project him as a defensive end in the 3-4 -- similar to former Oregon nose tackle Haloti Ngata -- but whether he can match Ngata's superhuman strength and short-area agility remains a question to be determined. Ngata still hopes to be able to answer those questions at his Pro Day on March 20.
He reportedly lost 10 pounds in a recent three-day stretch and the chaotic schedules players follow at the combine can lead to dehydration. Regularly they are asked to be awake by or before 4 a.m. ET -- which is a 2 a.m. wake-up call on Lotuleilei's body clock -- and then conduct formal interviews late into the night, often ending between 9 and 10 p.m. - Jeff Reynolds, The Sports Xchange
02/25/13 - (DE) - Niasi Leota, Sr, 6-4, 278 The University of Utah has kicked defensive tackle Koliniasi Mona Leota off the team after Leota was accused of beating up and trying to kill his wife in front of their 2-year-old child. The Deseret News said the 24-year-old Leota is facing three felony charges and four misdemeanor counts stemming from an argument that is alleged to have occurred on Feb. 17. Leota is accused of punching his wife in the head and face in their Salt Lake City apartment.
The 6-foot-4, 278-pound Leota told his wife to go into the bathroom to clean up the blood, according to court documents that the newspaper cited. While in the bathroom, Leota allegedly hit his wife in the head with a curling iron, then wrapped the iron's cords around his hands and tried to strangle her. Leota is then accused of trying to stab his wife in the throat with the towel bar that he ripped from the wall. According to the Salt Lake County Jail report, he also allegedly try to electrocute his wife in a bathtub full of water with the electrical wires. "We will do everything we can to help Niasi and his family get through this situation, but obviously we do not tolerate this kind of behavior," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said in a statement.
Leota recorded six tackles in 10 games last season, had been suspended from the team after being arrested and then kicked off once formal charges were filed. He is being held on $250,000 bail and has a court appearance scheduled for Monday. - The Sports Xchange
02/24/13 - (DT) - Star Lotulelei, Sr, 6-3, 311 Utah's Star Lotulelei is the top-rated defensive tackle on NFLDraftScout.com's big board. But on Sunday we found out Lotulelei is dealing with a heart condition that could seriously hurt his draft stock and, more important, be an issue for his personal health. CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora confirmed with Lotulelei's agent Bruce Tollner that the defensive tackle is dealing with a heart condition that resulted in him not working out at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine. La Canfora reports that the combine asked him not to work out until meeting with a specialist later in the week.
Chris Mortensen of ESPN reported that Lotulelei is dealing with a left ventricle that is pumping at 44 percent efficiency (verus a "normal range" of 55 to 70 percent).
The news came out after Sunday afternoon's media session with players ended. Lotulelei never spoke to the press, and his absence was certainly curious considering his position on big boards and in mock drafts. Lotulelei is expected to undergo further tests in Salt Lake City. Tollner tells La Canfora that Lotulelei will still interview with teams in Indy and will compete in all the physical tests at his pro day in March. - Will Brinson, CBSSports.com
02/24/13 - (DT) - Star Lotulelei, Sr, 6-3, 311 Star Lotulelei, the former Utah defensive lineman who was projected to be one of the first players taken in the 2013 NFL Draft, faces an uncertain future after an echocardiogram detected a heart condition during tests at the NFL scouting combine.
Lotulelei’s agent, Bruce Tollner, told NFL.com that Lotulelei was asked to sit out workouts until he consults with a specialist. Lotulelei will see a specialist this week and plans to take part in all the tests at Utah’s pro day on March 20, Tollner told NFL.com.
ESPN is reporting that Lotulelei’s left ventricle is pumping at 44 percent efficiency compared with the normal range of 55 to 70 percent. University of Utah sports information director Liz Abel said she was unaware what heart tests Lotuelelei underwent during physicals at Utah.
The 6-foot-4, 320-pound Lotulelei made six All-America teams as a senior and was a first-team all-Pac-12 Conference player. The nose tackle finished with 42 tackles including a team-high 11 tackles for loss and five sacks. - Lya Wodraska, The Salt Lake Tribune
01/02/13 - (DE) - *Joe Kruger, Jr, 6-6, 269 Utah junior defensive end Joe Kruger has elected to forego his final season of eligibility and make himself available for the 2013 NFL draft, Utah announced on Wednesday. Kruger, a 6-foot-7, 280-pound defensive end, led the Utes with six sacks in 2012. He also had 30 tackles, including eight of them behind the line, an interception and two forced fumbles. The decision by Kruger means that Utah will lose two key members off its defensive line from 2012. Big tackle Star Lotuleilei is expected to be one of the top picks in the draft.
Kruger is definitely an intriguing prospect with his size, wingspan and athletic ability and, if he tests well, a team might fall in love with him and take him in the first few rounds. His brother, Paul, was a second round pick for the Baltimore Ravens in 2008. Rising senior Niasi Leota, Kruger's backup this past season, looks to be the favorite to replace him in 2013. - Chris Huston, CBSSports.com
01/02/13 - (DE) - *Joe Kruger, Jr, 6-6, 269 Utah defensive end Joe Kruger has opted not to return for his senior season and instead will enter the NFL draft. The 6-foot-7, 280-pound junior played in 37 of 38 games for the Utes from 2010 to 2012, with 14 starts. He led Utah with six sacks this season and had eight tackles for loss. Joe is the youngest of three Kruger brothers. Paul plays linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens and Dave just finished his Utah career as a four-year starting defensive tackle.
Joe Kruger says it was ''priceless'' playing alongside brother Dave but he now is ready to pursue a lifelong dream of suiting up in the NFL. The school released a statement from Joe Kruger and coach Kyle Whittingham on Wednesday. Kruger's decision to turn pro is another blow for the Utes defensive line. Nose tackle Star Lotulelei just completed his senior year and figures to be one of the top picks in the April draft. - AP Sports
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