2022 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch: Utah vs. BYU

The Beehive State’s top 2 teams battle for in-state bragging rights. All the while Utah’s Devin Lloyd and BYU’s Tyler Allgeier try to make their mark leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft.

They call it the Holy War. The flagship university of the state of Utah against the flagship university of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The University of Utah and Brigham Young University are only separated by 50 miles of interstate highway, and their rivalry dates back 99 years if you ask BYU, and 125 years by Utah’s count. They can’t even agree on that. What they can agree on though, is the significance of this game. Utah enters the contest ranked 24th in the country, and BYU is coming off a magnificent 11-1 season where, led by QB Zach Wilson, they beat both Boise State and Houston on the road by double digits and drubbed UCF in the Boca Raton Bowl 49-23. Both schools have multiple players that could end up on NFL rosters at some point soon, but we’re going to zero in on one prospect from each team ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Utah LB Devin Lloyd

Devin Lloyd made ESPN’s first team preseason All-American squad and was named to the Associated Press’s second team preseason All-American roster. He figures to be one of the best players on one of college football’s best defenses in Salt Lake City this year. While Lloyd could have declared for the 2021 NFL Draft after last season, he chose to remain in Utah and compete for a conference championship. He was named a captain prior to the 2020 season and will no doubt reprise his role as the leader of the defense.

COVID threw a wrench into the Pac 12’s season last year, and it led to Lloyd only playing in 5 games. He produced during those games though, recording 10 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and a forced fumble. The year before that, in 14 games, Lloyd made 11 tackles for loss and racked up 6.5 sacks. He also had a 64-yard interception return for a touchdown.

The Otay Ranch High School (Ca.) alumnus is trending in the right direction this year, and in his first game against Weber State he had a sack, a forced fumble, an interception and 2 tackles for loss. But his skills are what set him apart ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Devin Lloyd has the requisite size (6’3” 235) speed, athleticism, and intelligence to play linebacker at the next level. He’s a tackling machine, using his burst, twitchiness, long limbs, range, and football IQ to diagnose plays and to square up, wrap up, and bring down ball carriers. With his fluidity and ability to rush the passer, Lloyd could even take some snaps at outside linebacker on passing downs in the NFL. Whoever selects Devin Lloyd in the 2022 NFL Draft will be getting a player that should help their defense right away.