SALT LAKE CITY — In the high-stakes world of the NFL Draft, three-quarters of an inch can be the difference between a top-10 lock and a second-round slide. Spencer Fano just found that extra length when it mattered most. The Utah standout measured in with 32 7/8-inch arms at the Utes’ Pro Day on Thursday, a significant jump from the 32 1/8-inch mark recorded at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis just weeks ago.
The discrepancy confirms a growing suspicion among league circles: the tape measures in Indianapolis were running short. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network first reported the 3/4-inch difference, noting that Fano wasn’t the only prospect to see a “growth spurt” once they left the Combine. While Fano still sits just a hair under the scout-preferred 33-inch threshold, the jump largely erases the “T-Rex arms” label that some critics tried to pin on him after February.
Fano brings more than just measurables to the table. He was a cornerstone of the Utes’ front for three years, logging 37 career starts since arriving as a four-star recruit in 2023. At 21 years old, he offers a rare blend of youth and elite-level experience. Scouts love his 4.91-second 40-yard dash and his 1.72-second 10-yard split, which rank him among the most athletic blockers in this class.
“I knew the Indy numbers felt off. I’ve been holding my own against the best pass rushers in the country for three years. Today was just about putting the truth on paper. I’m a tackle, period.”
— Spencer Fano, Utah Offensive Tackle
Fano is currently projected as a mid-to-late first-round pick. With the 2026 NFL Draft set to kick off on April 23 in Pittsburgh, teams like the Cleveland Browns (Pick 6) and the Washington Commanders (Pick 7) are reportedly looking closely at the tackle class. Fano’s corrected arm length likely secures his status as a “Day 1” starter at tackle rather than a forced transition to guard.
Expect Fano to spend the next month on the “30-visit” circuit. Teams will want to see if his refined technique on film matches the improved physical profile he displayed in Salt Lake City. If the tape holds up, Fano could be one of the first three tackles off the board at Acrisure Stadium.
