NFL Draft 2013: Star Lotulelei Makes Comeback at Pro Day
By Josh Hill
One of the more interesting stories to follow leading up to the NFL Draft is that of Utah plug Star Lotulelei. The gigantic defensive tackle was once in the running to be the No. 1 overall pick, but he ran into a scary roadblock at the NFL Scouting Combine a month ago. Lotulelei had to suspend his workouts at the combine when it was discovered he had a life threatening heart condition that reportedly was causing his heart to operate at a percentage efficiency. The medical red flag sunk Lotulelei’s draft stock but more importantly caused major concern about his well being.
But Lotulelei has apparently cleared up the issue with his heart and performed at Utah’s Pro Day in an attempt to regain his status as a top-ten prospect this April. His numbers weren’t off the charts in either direction, but he was well on the right side of mostly every workout he did and it appears as though his status as a top-ten prospect is back on track.
Utah DL Star Lotulelei Pro Day standout: Bench of 38. 30 vertical. 3 cone of 7.76 and shuttle of 4.65.
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) March 20, 2013
Lotueleli’s rebound is great news not only for fans of the teams that can now draft him in the middle of the first round, but for Lotulelei and his family. Heart conditions are no joke and more than a few NFL players have succumb to them over the years. But the star is back on track and it’s looking like Lotulelei has gone from a highly anticipated top-three draft pick to a steal at the bottom of the top-ten.