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Star Lotulelei doesn't have an easy name to pronounce and he didn't have an easy journey into the NFL, but now it is over and he can enjoy his new life starting in Carolina.
From being considered the first pick overall to having a questionable heart valve and now back with a clean bill of health his draft stock was in question. He still might be the most dominant player in the draft, and a player has worked his way into the NFL.
Who knows how high he could have gone had he not been diagnosed with the heart abnormality that very well could have dropped him from top-3 to the teens.
#CARPicksay.ly/UCc5GiJ — Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) April 26, 2013
He is so good that there were a lot of people surprised that he fell to Carolina, maybe even the Panthers.
Took Carolina about :30 to make this pick. Translation? We got the guy we never thought we'd get... SEND IN THE CARD! — trey wingo (@wingoz) April 26, 2013
Of course, just because you are a top pick doesn't mean that people know how to pronounce his last name. In a few years that should change.
Goodell: Lo-too-LUH-layKiper: Lo-TOO-luh-layBerman: Lo-TOO-luh-layGruden: Lo-TOOEYA pronounced failure. #NFLDraft — Rick Aaron (@RickAaron) April 26, 2013
Star might not be the best pass rusher, but his ability to take up space and stop the run will open up room for last year's star rookie linebacker Luke Kuechly.
Great pick by Carolina. Star is dominate when he wants to turn it on. There isn't a more happier man in Carolina than Kuechly right now! — Kevin Weidl (@KevinW_ESPN) April 26, 2013
> "He's a true space eater." Mel Kiper on @[panthers](https://twitter.com/panthers) pick of DT Star Lotulelei [\#CARPick](https://twitter.com/search/%23CARPick) > > — NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) [April 26, 2013](https://twitter.com/ESPNNFL/status/327601693242060801)
This pick is another feather in the Utes drum who have had a lot of players around who have started in the NFL from on the hill. > With Lotulelei going 14th to Carolina, the [\#Utes](https://twitter.com/search/%23Utes) have now had 26 players drafted in the last 10 years. @[utah\_football](https://twitter.com/utah_football) > > — Bill Riley (@espn700bill) [April 26, 2013](https://twitter.com/espn700bill/status/327603364466659328)
> Star Lotulelei is the 7th Utah player taken in the first round of the NFL Draft and first since Alex Smith went No. 1 overall in 2005. > > — Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) [April 26, 2013](https://twitter.com/JJSportsBeat/status/327602749132922880)
And now after all his struggle he will cash in with a pretty contract to honor his accomplishments. He has built an impressive resume with Pac-12 opponents and some that probably don't belong in the Pac-12.
According to NFL Financial site "Over The Cap" #Utah Star will get a $5.6 Million signing bonus, deal worth $9.6 Million! — Tom Kirkland (@tksportsbeat) April 26, 2013
> Star is a future star. But I'm not sure highlights against Colorado's offensive line should count. > > — Pat Forde (@YahooForde) [April 26, 2013](https://twitter.com/YahooForde/status/327601481249349632)
With Ziggy and Star now drafted it might be time to appreciate local products than fight over when and where.
