Sportsvival continues its early look at the premier prospects projected for the 2026 NFL Draft, highlighting trench anchors who have developed into cornerstone pieces for top college programs. Today’s profile centers on Spencer Fano, Utah’s technically refined left tackle whose blend of athletic footwork, balance, and physicality in both the run and pass game has made him one of the most complete linemen in college football.
Spencer Fano — OT Utah — 6'5" 315 lbs
Background and Recruit Profile
High school: Timpview High (Provo, UT); four-star recruit and one of the top offensive line prospects in the 2023 class. Signed with Utah as a local standout, choosing the Utes over national offers from Oregon, Clemson, and Michigan.
Recruit rating and trajectory: Immediate contributor and future cornerstone. Fano earned All-Pac-12 Freshman honors and quickly established himself as a multi-year starter. His steady progression and consistency in pass protection have positioned him as one of the top offensive tackles in the 2026 draft pool.
Physical Profile and Measurables
Height and weight: 6 ft 5 in; 315 lbs.
Frame and length: Ideal NFL tackle frame with long arms, a thick base, and elite balance through contact.
Athletic traits: Smooth mover with light feet for his size, fluid hip rotation, and strong lateral agility to mirror top edge rushers. Generates consistent power through core and hand placement.
College Career and Production
2023
Games Played / Starts: 13 / 10
Honors: All-Pac-12 Freshman Team
Allowed Sacks: 2
Penalties: 3
2024
Games Played / Starts: 13 / 13
Honors: Second-Team All-Pac-12
Allowed Sacks: 1
Penalties: 2
2025 (as of 11-15-25)
Games Played / Starts: 9 / 9
Sacks Allowed: 0
Penalties: 1
Strengths
Technical precision and hand usage: Exceptional strike timing and inside hand placement; maintains leverage and resets hands quickly against counter moves.
Balance and footwork: Rare control for his size, stays square in his pass set, mirrors speed rushers without overextending, and recovers well against inside counters.
Run-game dominance: Plays with heavy hands and strong pad level, creating consistent movement at the point of attack. Can reach, seal, and climb effectively in zone and gap concepts.
Football IQ and communication: Veteran-level understanding of defensive alignments; identifies twists and blitzes pre-snap and coordinates protections effectively.
Durability and consistency: Three years of starting experience with minimal missed time; proven durability against Power Five competition.
Weaknesses
Anchor versus elite power: Occasionally gives up ground against top-tier bull rushers—needs continued lower-body strengthening to absorb NFL-level torque.
Pad level under fatigue: When plays extend or drives wear on, pad height can creep up, slightly affecting leverage in the run game.
Finish aggression: More technician than mauler; could develop a nastier finishing mentality to consistently dominate through the whistle.
Player Profile and Projection
Draft projection: Early-to-mid Round 1 candidate, projected as one of the top offensive tackles in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Role projection: Day-1 starter at left or right tackle in a zone- or balanced-blocking scheme. Capable of anchoring a young offensive line from the outset.
Ceiling and floor: Floor is a reliable multi-year starter with high pass-protection value. Ceiling is an elite franchise left tackle with Pro Bowl upside, capable of anchoring a playoff-caliber offensive line for a decade.
Pro Comparison
Penei Sewell (Detroit Lions) - similar athletic frame and movement skills for a player over 310 pounds, with advanced footwork, strong leverage discipline, and elite awareness. Fano projects as a Sewell-type tackle who wins through polish, positioning, and functional strength rather than raw power alone.
Sportsvival View
Sportsvival views Spencer Fano as one of the premier offensive line prospects in the 2026 class, a polished technician with NFL-ready movement, discipline, and intelligence. His clean protection record (0 sacks allowed through nine games in 2025) and three-year track record of consistency give him one of the safest profiles in the draft. Continued lower-body development and finishing aggression could elevate him into the conversation for OT1 and a potential Top-10 overall selection in April.
(photo courtesy of Utah Athletics)