Former Utes Continue to NFL

5/6/2016 12:00 AM | Football

May 6, 2016

After running back Devontae Booker was selected in fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, seven former University of Utah football players have joined NFL teams as undrafted free agents or will try out during rookie camps, including Tevin Carter (Washington), Jason Fanaika (San Francisco), Tom Hackett (N.Y. Jets), Jared Norris (Carolina), Gionni Paul (Cincinnati), Jason Whittingham (Oakland) and Travis Wilson (Cincinnati).

There are 33 former Utes on current NFL rosters.

Tevin Carter
Washington Redskins · S · Undrafted Free Agent
Redskins.com Release

It's easy to see why NFL scouts are interested in seeing Carter, as he is a physically imposing safety with excellent speed. After an injury-shortened 2014 season in which he had two interceptions in just four games played, Carter was the regular starter at strong safety in 2015 with 56 tackles, 5.5 for loss, two interceptions and three pass breakups. --- NFL.com

Without a doubt, there will be NFL defensive coordinators wanting to make use of Carter's athleticism and physicality. - NFL.com

Carter was the 2015 Las Vegas Bowl MVP with two interceptions and returned one pick for a 28-yard touchdown and the other for 33 yards to the 1-yard line to set up a Utah score against BYU. He also posted a career-high nine tackles against Michigan (1.5 TFL, 1 PBU), California and Oregon State.

Carter is the lone Ute on the Washington roster and the sixth Utah defensive back now in the NFL.

Blessed !!I'm beyond happy to be able to have a chance to play at the next level!! #redskins pic.twitter.com/iGuU8HDyHn

— Dr.Carter (@tevcarter9) April 30, 2016

Jason Fanaika
San Francisco · DE · Undrafted Free Agent NFL.com Profile

Fanaika is a strong-side defensive end was a high-motor producer for the Utes over the past two years. He earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors in 2015 with 10.5 TFL and 4.0 sacks. --- NFL.com

Carter started eight games (9.5 tackles for loss, five sacks) in 2014 and tied for second on the team (fifth in the Pac-12) with two forced fumbles last season. He was Utah's strongest player with an 830-pound squat and 495-pound bench press.

Fanaika is the sixth defensive lineman in the NFL and the third Ute on the San Francisco roster, joining wide receiver Dres Anderson and offensive lineman Zane Beadles.

Congratulations @jayFITA51! He's headed to the @49ers!#UtesInTheNFL pic.twitter.com/PMnwVjzojO

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) April 30, 2016

Tom Hackett
New York Jets · P · Undrafted Free Agent
NewYorkJets.com Release

Amongst the influx of Australian kickers into college football, Hackett is the lead dog - NFL.com. A two-time winner of the Ray Guy Award as the nation's top punter, he finished second in the FBS with a 47.95-yard gross average in 2015, just 0.05 under the top mark. He was a first-team AP All-American and All-Pac-12 Conference pick and planted 28 of his 61 kicks inside the 20-yard line, and forced 21 fair catches last season.

During Hackett's junior year, he was equally spectacular as he received consensus All-American status averaging 46.7 per kick, and led the nation with 36 punts inside the 20 (36) and inside the 10 (19).

Hackett is the lone former Ute punter and/or placekicker currently in the NFL and he will join fellow ex-Utah linebacker Trevor Reilly on the Jets' roster.

The ?? to the @nyjets #UtesInTheNFL pic.twitter.com/EwS2rbi6M0

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) April 30, 2016

Jared Norris
Carolina Panthers · LB · Undrafted Free Agent
Panthers.com Release

Norris has the potential to become the next great Ute end/linebacker in the NFL (recent draftees include Joe and Paul Kruger, Koa Misi, Nate Orchard and Trevor Reilly) - NFL.com.

Norris, a Bakersfield, Calif., native, recorded 87 tackles, 6.5 for loss and 1.0 sack as a senior in 2015 as league coaches named him second team all-conference because he showed stoutness between the tackles and a burst to the ball which portends a solid NFL career - NFL.com.

Norris came into his own as a junior during the 2014 campaign, receiving honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors with 116 tackles, 13 for loss, and four sacks - NFL.com.

He is a two-time All-Pac-12 Conference honoree and two-time honorable mention Academic All-Pac-12 selection and turned in 11 career double-figure tackle games.

Norris is the fourth Ute on the Carolina roster and he will become teammates with fellow former Utes Brian Blechen, Star Lotulelei and Paul Soliai. There are currently six former Utah defensive linemen on NFL rosters.

.@babychuck41 is heading to the @Panthers!#UtesInTheNFL pic.twitter.com/WvZtnbU7fF

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) April 30, 2016

Gionni Paul
Cincinnati Bengals · LB · Undrafted Free Agent
Bengals.com Release

A bright person and player who has two degrees from the University of Utah, teammates have gushed over Paul's enthusiasm and energy in the weight room and in practice. --- NFL.com

As a senior in 2015 cemented his status as an NFL prospect, Paul earned first team All-Pac-12 honors with the second-best tackle total in the conference (109), four interceptions, three fumble recoveries (returning one for a score), and a team-leading 12.5 tackles for loss. --- NFL.com

In his first year with the Utes during the 2014 season, Paul picked off four passes in just seven games. He also recovered four fumbles and tied for the Pac-12 lead and tied for second in the nation. He also earned two national Defensive Player of the Week awards (Athlon Sports vs. Michigan in 2014 and Walter Camp vs. Washington in 2015) and was a three-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week.

Paul is one of eight former Ute linebackers on current NFL roster and he joins fellow Utah quarterback Travis Wilson on the Bengals' roster.

.@GionniPaul is heading to the @Bengals minicamp!#UtesInTheNFL pic.twitter.com/NA9j5YFO80

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) May 1, 2016

Jason Whittingham
Oakland Raiders · LB · Undrafted Free Agent
NFLDraftScout.com Profile

Whittingham will participate in Oakland's rookie camp and started at least part time his last three seasons and lettered all four years, starting 24 games.

He earned Honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors in 2013 as well as honorable mention Academic All-Pac-12 accolades. He played and started in 10 games and despite missing the first two games with injury, finished second on the team in total tackles (81) and tackles per game (8.1). He also ranked sixth in the Pac-12 in tackles per game (8.1), 5.0 TFL (1.0 sack), four double-figure tackle games, four pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He turned in a career-high 14 tackles against Arizona State included 2.5 TFL and a sack and also recorded six tackles, a forced fumble, fumble recovery and two pass breakups against Washington State.

In 2015 as a senior, Whittingham played in all 13 games with four starts, recording 26 tackles with 6.0 TFL and 1.5 sacks. He had a season-high nine tackles (2.5 TFL, 0.5 sack) and a pass breakup against USC, four tackles (1.0 TFL) at Fresno State and two tackles with a sack against Oregon.

Whittingham joins former Ute cornerbacks Keith McGill and Sean Smith on the Oakland roster and he is now one of eight former Utah linebackers in the NFL.

.@jwhitt53 will head to the @RAIDERS!#UtesInTheNFL pic.twitter.com/SQg9ulRQ2r

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) May 1, 2016

Travis Wilson
Cincinnati Bengals · QB · Undrafted Free Agent
Bengals.com Release

Wilson set Utah's school quarterback record for starts (39) and games played (46). He earned 24 career wins (24-15) ranks second in school history and also set the school record for total touchdowns with 75 (54 passing, 21 rushing).

Wilson ranks second in Utah's career record book in pass attempts (1,068) and third in pass completions (646), touchdown passes (54) and total offense yards (8,627). His 7,403 career passing yards ranks fourth all-time at Utah, 60.5% career completion percentage is sixth, 21 career rushing TDs is tied for sixth-most and 11.46 yards per completion ranks seventh. He threw 16 career 200-yard passing games (tied for fourth in school history), which included three 300-yard games and two career 100-yard rushing games. He was just the third four-year starting quarterback at Utah and in 2012 and became the fourth Ute true freshman starter at quarterback since the NCAA restored freshman eligibility back in 1972. He was two-time Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week and a three-time honorable mention Academic All-Pac-12 Conference pick.

Wilson is one of two former Utah quarterbacks on current NFL rosters (along with Kansas City Chief Alex Smith) and he will reunite with former teammate Gionni Paul on the Cincinnati roster.

.@TravisWilson_7 will head to the @Bengals minicamp!#UtesInTheNFL pic.twitter.com/9uGxS9yZ6v

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) May 1, 2016

Utes in the NFL - Class of 2016 (as of May 6, 2016)

Name                   Team             Pos.    AcquiredDevontae Booker        Denver           RB      Fourth RoundTevin Carter           Washington       S       Undrafted Free AgentJason Fanaika          San Francisco    DE      Undrafted Free AgentTom Hackett            New York Jets    P       Undrafted Free AgentJared Norris           Carolina         LB      Undrafted Free AgentGionni Paul            Cincinnati       LB      Undrafted Free AgentJason Whittingham      Oakland          LB      Undrafted Free Agent Travis Wilson          Cincinnati       QB      Undrafted Free Agent