NFL Draft tracker: Utes safety Cole Bishop is first Utah player selected

Utah football fans had to watch and wait as the NFL Draft kicked off on Thursday.

Now things are starting to heat up.

Utah’s Cole Bishop and BYU’s Kingsley Suamataia were both selected in the second round of the NFL Draft on Friday.

The Buffalo Bills took Bishop with the 60th overall selection, making the safety the Utes’ highest-drafted defensive back since Jaylon Johnson (50th) in 2020.

A short while later, the Kansas City Chiefs moved up one spot to make sure they grabbed Suamataia with the 63rd overall pick.

Utah safety Cole Bishop, No. 60 to Buffalo Bills

He was a three-year starter and one of the best players in the Pac-12. An incredibly willing tackler, Bishop made Utah’s safety position the most active spot on the field. He led Utah in tackles in 2022 and finished his career with nearly 200.

Bishop had 60 tackles — including 6.5 tackles for losses and three sacks — to go with two interceptions, a forced fumble and two recoveries last season for the Utes.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia (78) as BYU hosts Texas Tech, NCAA football in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. (Trent Nelson/)

BYU lineman Kingsley Suamataia, No. 63 to Kansas City Chiefs

At almost 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, Suamataia can run a five-second, 40-yard dash. He can also dunk a basketball and grew up boxing with his family. That fluidity translates to the football field.

Offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick called Suamataia one of the best athletes he’s ever seen play the position. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” Roderick remarked back in 2022.

The sophomore is still learning. He changed spots on the offensive line during his two years in Provo. He told The Salt Lake Tribune he can play every spot on the line, except maybe center.

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NFL Draft tracker: Utes safety Cole Bishop is first Utah player selected

NFL Draft tracker: Utes safety Cole Bishop is first Utah player selected

NFL Draft tracker: Utes safety Cole Bishop is first Utah player selected

NFL Draft tracker: Utes safety Cole Bishop is first Utah player selected

NFL Draft tracker: Utes safety Cole Bishop is first Utah player selected