When Dallen Bentley signed his four-year rookie contract with the Denver Broncos, he didn't just join an NFL team—he walked into a reunion. The tight end is set to reconnect with three former Utah teammates: tight end Caleb Lohner and linebackers Jonah Elliss and Karene Reid.

It's a fitting homecoming for a player who embodies the grit and determination of his college program. Bentley overlapped with Lohner during the 2024 season at Utah. His first year with the Utes in 2023 was Elliss' final season and Reid's penultimate year. The Broncos also feature another Utah standout in left tackle Garett Bolles, who played for the program in 2016.

During his introductory conference call after being drafted by Denver, Bentley was asked what draws so many Utes to the Broncos. "I have no idea," he said with a laugh. "I think Utah just plays with a certain style and has a certain grit to them that kind of draws attention from NFL teams, and specifically the Broncos. It will be cool to see some of them."

Bentley was the second-to-last pick in this year's NFL draft, just one spot shy of "Mr. Irrelevant." But that lowly draft status won't slow him down. "I'm just grateful to be out there, and I'm grateful to be part of Broncos Country," the tight end said. "It doesn't matter when or where you get drafted or undrafted, you just have to make the most of every opportunity."

As summer camp approaches, Bentley is ready to prove that grit—whether from Utah or anywhere else—can turn a late-round pick into an impact player. For Broncos fans, this reunion of Utes might just be the spark the team needs.