Upcoming Event: Football versus Idaho on September 3, 2026
Football
vs Idaho
.png&width=31&height=31&type=webp)
The University of Utah Athletics
NFL Teams Draft Four More Utes
4/24/2010 12:00 AM | Football
April 24, 2010
NEW YORK, N.Y. -
NFL teams drafted four Utes today, raising Utah's newest NFL draft class to a record six. Joining Koa Misi (Miami) and Zane Beadles (Denver)--drafted in the second round yesterday--were defensive back Robert Johnson (Tennessee), receiver David Reed (Baltimore), linebacker Stevenson Sylvester (Pittsburgh) and defensive back R.J. Stanford (Carolina). Johnson, Reed and Sylvester were all fifth-round picks, while Stanford was selected in the seventh round.
The six draft picks is the most in school history, breaking the old mark of five, achieved in 1982 and 2005.
Like Misi and Beadles, Johnson, Reed and Sylvester were first-team all-Mountain West Conference selections last season. Johnson had 13 interceptions in his three years at Utah, including six in 2009. Reed set school single-season records for receptions (81) and receiving yards (1,188), while leading the MWC in receiving yards per game (91.9) in 2009. Sylvester, a four-year starter, led Utah in tackles last fall with 81 stops and was named the Defensive MVP of the Poinsettia Bowl in his final college game. Stanford, Utah's fastest player, switched from running back to cornerback late in his freshman season and played in 51 of 52 games in his career.
Reed moves closer to his hometown with his selection by Baltimore. The New Britain, Conn., native joins former Ute teammate Paul Kruger, who was drafted by the Ravens in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. There are also other Ute connections awaiting today's draft picks. Johnson joins the Titans where former Ute assistant Fred Graves coaches the wide receivers. Sylvester will team up with former Ute All-America offensive lineman Chris Kemoeatu in Pittsburgh, and R.J. Stanford joins former Utes Jordan Gross and Steve Smith on the Carolina Panthers.
"We thought all six guys had a good chance of getting drafted," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham, "But obviously you never know for sure until their names are called. As is the case with Koa and Zane, who were drafted yesterday, Robert, David, Stevenson and R.J. are all good citizens and good football players. We are extremely proud to have had a University of Utah-record six players drafted into the National Football League and it is a huge compliment to everyone involved with our program."
Players Mentioned
OL
/ Football
LB
/ FootballCrimson Corner with Bill Riley - College football analyst Yogi Roth
Wednesday, May 06
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Utah Football Head Coach Morgan Scalley
Wednesday, April 29
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Utah Football legend Brian Johnson
Friday, February 20
Utah Football Head Coach Morgan Scalley Introductory Press Conference | 1.06.25
Tuesday, January 06