TribLive is highlighting the top prospects leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. The three-day event is April 23-25.
Caleb Lomu
Position: Offensive tackle
Height/weight: 6-foot-6/313 pounds
College: Utah
Utah could have two offensive linemen drafted in the first round this year.
Lomu and teammate Spencer Fano were bookend tackles for the Utes, with Lomu starting the past two seasons on the left side. Fano is the higher-rated prospect of the two, but Lomu has lots of potential.
The 21-year-old may eventually start at left tackle in the NFL, according to some draft analysts. Lomu allowed no sacks last season on 383 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. He gave up six hurries and two quarterback hits.
Draft analyst Lance Zierlein said Lomu is less advanced as a run blocker but noted in his NFL.com profile that “improved pad level and a nastier demeanor could close the gap.”
A redshirt sophomore, Lomu started 24 games over the past two seasons. He allowed 17 pressures as a freshman but only eight last year.
Lomu is “still in the early stages of development,” said Zierlein, but his play “could improve rapidly with strength gains and additional coaching.”
Key stat
4.99 seconds — Lomu’s 40-yard dash time, which ranked ninth out of 39 offensive linemen at the NFL combine.
Did you know?
Only two Utah offensive lineman were drafted in the first round previously: Garett Bolles in 2017 and Jordan Gross in ’03. Each earned All-Pro honors.
On draft
Here is a look at where the top NFL Draft analysts rank Lomu among players at his position and prospects overall:
Draft expert — OT/Overall
Mel Kiper Jr. — sixth/NA
Daniel Jeremiah — fifth/26th
Todd McShay — sixth/27th
Field Yates — fifth/28th
Quotable
ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.: “Lomu has got to get bigger and stronger. But he’s got good feet. He’s got really good athleticism and balance. … That’s a really good late first-round, early second-round pick for somebody.”
