Ute duo invited to NFL combine

Utah All-American Eric Weddle and teammate Paul Soliai have been invited to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine Feb. 22-28 in Indianapolis.

The duo will also participate in postseason all-star games.

Weddle, a defensive back, accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., on Jan. 27 and Soliai, a defensive lineman, is headed to the Houston-based East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 20.

Three Utes — quarterback Brett Ratliff, defensive lineman Kelly Talavou and offensive lineman Tavo Tupola — are slated to play in the Hula Bowl on Jan. 14.

Utah's football program also received some good news academically. The Utes placed 14 players on the Dean's List (3.5 GPA and higher). Thirty-four members of the team had a 3.0 or higher.