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SALT LAKE CITY — Isaac Asiata casually adjusted the Miami Dolphins hat he proudly wore following the fifth round of Saturday's NFL draft.
It seemed to fit him pretty well — especially as the place for the Spanish Fork native to begin his pro football career after three days of interminable waiting.
“It was unbearable. Last night sucked,” he said of the internal second and third round that didn’t hear his name called. “It was rough, watching picks come and go. … I thought it was supposed to be the day. My family was there, and it was horrible.”
Asiata wanted to stay positive. But as each pick came off the board, and with each passing round, he admits positivity slowly started to seep away.
His wife turned to him and woke him up; things would work out, even if he had to go the free agent route like many undrafted NFL hopefuls.
“I was really getting down on myself,” Asiata said. “My wife told me to be positive, and maybe five minutes after she said that, my phone rang with a number from Fort Lauderdale. I knew that was it.”
The Dolphins traded up in the fifth round to acquire Asiata, who led four drafted offensive linemen from Utah in the 2017 draft that started with Garett Bolles in the first round.
The Utes set a school record with eight total draft picks and added seven more free agents, including standout defensive lineman Hunter Dimick with Jacksonville and kicker Andy Phillips with Chicago.
The moment was a dream come true for any college football player — even if it came with a little extra waiting.
“Everybody who plays football wants to hear their name called in the draft,” Asiata said. “It was a staple to put on this chapter in my life.
“I’m excited to write the next chapter in the NFL."
