Utah’s Spencer Fano selected by Cleveland Browns with No. 9 pick in NFL draft

TL;DR

Spencer Fano, a former offensive tackle from the University of Utah, was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the No. 9 pick in the 2026 NFL draft. He is the first offensive lineman chosen this year.

Key points

Spencer Fano selected by Cleveland Browns
No. 9 overall pick in 2026 NFL draft
First offensive lineman taken in the draft
Former University of Utah player
Draft held in Pittsburgh

Mentioned in this story

Cleveland BrownsUniversity of UtahPittsburgh

Spencer Fano2026 NFL draft

Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano cheers during spring football practice at Spence and Cleone Eccles Football Center in Salt Lake City, UT, on Thursday, April 3, 2025. | Anna Fuder, Utah Athletics

Spencer Fano didn’t have to wait long to hear his name called during the 2026 NFL draft.

The former University of Utah offensive tackle was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the No. 9 overall pick in Thursday’s first round in Pittsburgh.

Fano was the first offensive lineman taken in the draft.

It’s only the third time a former Ute was a top 10 selection.

“He has the talent to be an immediate NFL starter at right tackle or guard,” The Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote of Fano in his annual “The Beast” NFL draft preview.

While Fano (6-foot-5.5, 311 pounds) primarily played tackle at Utah — he started at left tackle as a freshman before moving to the right side the next two years — he is projected as someone who could end up playing at either tackle or guard at the next level.

At the NFL combine in February, Fano ran a 4.91-second 40-yard dash, second among offensive tackles, and his combine production score, according to NFL.com, was first at the position.

Fano, who prepped at Timpview High, was a Day 1 starter at Utah and started 36 games over his three seasons playing for the Utes under Kyle Whittingham.

He earned freshman All-American accolades in 2023, then continued to earn All-American honors each of the next two seasons before being a consensus All-American as a junior.

Utah was second nationally in rushing, averaging 266.3 yards per game, in his final year with the program. Fano declared for the NFL draft following his junior season.