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Indianapolis • The advice wasn't exactly what Jeremiah Poutasi wanted to hear.

Stay in school, the NFL Draft Advisory Board informed Utah's massive junior left tackle. Work on your game, boost your stock and look to the 2016 draft.

Poutasi mulled it over. He discussed the life-altering decision with his family, then opted to declare for the April 30-May 2 draft.

"They told me I wasn't a first-round, second-round [prospect], that I should go back to school," Poutasi said during a quiet moment Wednesday at the NFL scouting combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. "I talked to some dude from the National Football League and he told me the grades he saw . . . were pretty good grades.

"I just felt like I was ready. I felt like I could take my talent and compete in the National Football League. Utah prepared me well. I have no regrets with my decision."

So Poutasi is moving forward. He not only brought intriguing size to the combine — 6-foot-5, 335 pounds and 19 percent body fat — but the type of versatility NFL teams covet. He started 36 of 37 games at tackle for the Utes, including 25 at left tackle the past two seasons, but some envision him sliding inside at the next level.

"I feel guard is a little bit easier [than tackle] because of the fact the D-tackle is just right there," he said. "Right out of your stance, he's right there in front of you. At tackle, you need to be a little bit more fluid in your steps because you're going against some of the best speed rushers.

"At guard, you've got a little bit of help, but guard also is more about being physical."

That style suits Poutasi. He was quick with a reply when asked to check off his positive attributes.

"My size, my ability to move for a big-body guy, my overall strength," he said. "My speed off the ball and my footwork."

Poutasi plans on going through all of the on-field work Thursday, and is eager to impress in bench-press drills, which require players to do as many repetitions at 225 pounds as possible.

"Man, I'm expecting more than 30 reps, hopefully over 35," he said.

Along with undergoing medical exams and position-specific drills, players deal with interviews with teams. Poutasi has met with the Houston Texans and had a meeting with the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday night. He also expects to talk with, among others, the Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions.

"I think it went well," he said of his talk with the Texans. "They asked me some football questions and had me draw up some plays, and I think I presented myself well.

"Hopefully I get another meeting with them to tell them about who I am and where I come from."

His overriding message to teams: I will be an asset to your franchise.

"I can't tell [a team] to draft me," he said, "but I'd tell them that if they were to draft me what kind of guy they'd be getting. They'd be getting a guy who's willing to work hard and do whatever he has to do to be on the field and do whatever he can to help the team win."

At tackle. At guard. Wherever.

"I'm not sure where I'll be playing,'' Poutasi said, "but I'm willing to play wherever they want me."

Twitter: @mchappell51