Utah Utes football: Several Utes hope to hear NFL call their names

Editor's note: This is the sixth in a nine-part series previewing the NFL draft on April 25-26. Today's installment is a look at the Utes.

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham is confident several of his former players will be contacted by the National Football League during this weekend's draft.

"You're 13-0 for a reason and it's not because of the coaching," he said. "It's because of the players, and we've got good football players."

Former U. quarterback Ken Vierra, who is now an agent, agrees. He estimates that as many as 10 Utes will get NFL opportunities, most as free agent signees.

Vierra expects cornerback Sean Smith to be the first Utah player taken, going as early as the late first round but no later than the middle of the second.

The latter, he added, is where defensive end Paul Kruger is expected to go. Vierra predicts he'll be gone by the third round at the latest.

All-American kicker Louie Sakoda, meanwhile, is projected to be a second-day draft pick — going somewhere in rounds four through seven.

Three others — cornerback Brice McCain, as well as receivers Freddie Brown and Brent Casteel — could be picked late. Vierra, however, thinks the trio will most likely be free agent signees.

The same, he continued, goes for wide receiver Bradon Godfrey, running back Darrell Mack, quarterback Brian Johnson and long snapper Clint Mower.

Vierra compares this group of pro prospects to Utah's previous unbeaten squad. In 2005, Utah had four players drafted and several others invited to camps.

"It's kind of the same thing," said Vierra.

The lone difference, obviously, is there's no Alex Smith and no discussion about the No. 1 overall pick coming out of Utah.

And just like then, Vierra notes, the Utes had a good team with a relatively large senior-dominated squad.

"I think we'll have a good number of guys who will get calls and will get invites to tryout," Kruger said while pointing out that his former teammates were built for football and were smart. "It was definitely a special group and you'll see guys do really well."

There's no guarantees, however, that everyone will get a chance to show what they can do at the next level.

Hopes are high that Johnson, the Sugar Bowl MVP and two-time captain of the Utes, will be given an opportunity.

"Brian Johnson would be an asset to any football team. I'm just hoping that somebody has that vision and will give him the opportunity," said Whittingham. "Whether it's as a draft choice or as a free agent, I think it would be a tragedy of he doesn't get a shot."