Caleb Lomu: Is the Utah Tackle the Missing Piece for the Bears?

As the 2026 NFL Draft draws closer, the buzz surrounding Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu has reached a fever pitch. Just days before the draft kicks off in Pittsburgh, reports have surfaced that the Chicago Bears hosted the 6-foot-6, 303-pound standout for a critical Top 30 visit. Lomu, a Gilbert, Arizona native, has seen his draft stock skyrocket after a dominant redshirt sophomore season that left NFL scouts drooling over his rare combination of length and technical precision.

During his tenure with the Utah Utes, Lomu became a cornerstone of one of the most physical offensive lines in the country. In 12 starts during the 2025 campaign, he was a brick wall in pass protection, allowing zero sacks and just eight total pressures across 357 pass-blocking opportunities. His ability to anchor against power rushers while maintaining the lateral quickness to handle speed off the edge has made him one of the most intriguing tackle prospects in this year’s class. Utah’s offensive identity under head coach Morgan Scalley relied heavily on a punishing ground game, and Lomu was a primary catalyst, helping the Utes amass a school-record 3,462 rushing yards last season.

NFL analysts, including Lance Zierlein, have praised Lomu for his balance and well-timed punches. While some scouts have noted that his run blocking is slightly behind his elite pass protection, the consensus is that his upside is limitless. "Lomu is an above-average athlete," one report noted, highlighting his 86 athleticism score at the NFL Combine, which ranked fifth among all tackles. For a team like the Chicago Bears, who are desperately searching for long-term stability at the left tackle position, Lomu represents a high-ceiling prospect who could protect their franchise quarterback for the next decade.

The Bears' interest in Lomu isn't isolated. He has reportedly taken visits with several other tackle-needy teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns. However, the connection to Chicago is particularly interesting given the team's current roster situation. With projected starter Ozzy Trapilo expected to miss significant time due to injury, the path for a rookie tackle to start on Day 1 in the Windy City is wide open. Lomu’s experience in Utah's zone-heavy scheme, which utilizes movement and misdirection, makes him a natural schematic fit for modern NFL offenses that prioritize mobile, athletic protectors.

Despite being labeled as "still under construction" by some skeptics who want to see more consistent aggression in his run blocking, Lomu's trajectory suggests he is nowhere near his floor. His rapid development over the last 12 months, combined with his clean injury history and All-Big 12 First Team honors, has solidified him as a potential first-round selection. As the draft board begins to take shape, the question isn't whether Caleb Lomu will be a star, but which team will be lucky enough to secure his services on draft night.