SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah football program will send four former Utes to the pros in the form of rookie mini-camps and free agent contracts after a successful 2019 NFL Draft saw five taken in the seven rounds.
Linebacker
Chase Hansen and safety
Corrion Ballard have reportedly signed free agent contracts with the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers while offensive linemen
Jordan Agasiva and
Lo Falemaka have both been invited to the Seattle Seahawks mini-camp.
With Agasiva and Falemaka being invited to mini-camp,
Marquise Blair and
Cody Barton being drafted and former defensive lineman Nate Orchard signing a free agent deal this summer, Utah fans could see five former Utes playing in Seattle.
Hansen will head to New Orleans after becoming the first player in Utah's Pac-12 history to earn all-conference honors at two different positions, getting an honorable mention nod as a safety in 2016 and a first-team selection at linebacker in 2018. As a senior in 2018, Hansen was a second-team All-American by the FWAA, Sporting News, The Athletic and Phil Steele.
Ballard is set for his rookie season with Carolina after starting at safety for the Utes the past two seasons. He earned honorable mention all-conference honors as a senior after recording 70 tackles (4.0 TFL, 1.0 sack) and seven pass breakups, both ranking third on the team.
Falemaka was a two-time honorable mention All-Pac-12 selection at Utah after coming into the program as a walk-on. As a senior in 2018, he started nine games in an honorable mention all-conference season where his versatility played a major role in Utah's success, splitting time between center and left guard.
Agasiva was a two-year starting right guard at Utah, earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors as a senior. In 2018, Agasiva was second on the team in total plays and in 2017, he played more than 500 snaps despite missing three games with an injury.
For more news on Utes In The Pros, stay tuned to UtahUtes.com for updates throughout the NFL season.
