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As Isaac Asiata waited for call that would define his life, his phone rang. It was a Philadelphia number.

Racked with anticipation, he answered. But his nervous excitement turned out to be much ado about nothing: It was a telemarketing robo-call.

"That killed me, man," he said. "I was preparing for the worst."

But the call came for Asiata Saturday — and for five other Utes as a record eight total were taken in the 2017 NFL draft this weekend. Utah sent more alums to the NFL than any other Pac-12 school, and finished fourth nationally. The Utes did particularly well on offensive line: Four players who started in the trenches last year were taken.

After Garett Bolles (Denver Broncos) was picked on Thursday night in the first round and Marcus Williams (New Orleans Saints) followed on Friday, six others were selected Saturday: Joe Williams (San Francisco 49ers), Isaac Asiata (Miami Dolphins), Brian Allen (Pittsburgh Steelers), J.J. Dielman (Cincinnati Bengals), Sam Tevi (San Diego Chargers) and Pita Taumoepenu (San Francisco).

Among the most unlikely picks was Williams, who abruptly retired from football last September midseason, only to return four weeks later when Utah was stricken by injuries. He finished his senior season with a flourish, recording 1,407 yards and 10 touchdowns in only nine games. His 332 yards against UCLA was the second-highest rushing performance in the country last year.

As it turns out, he'll be returning to where he played his final college game: Levi's Stadium. Picked in the fourth round with the 121st overall, Williams said the call came as a bit of a shock.

"It was amazing to go through everything I've been through," he said. "Speaking to [general manager John] Lynch and all the coaches there, I was just thanking them so much. I told them they're getting a hell of a player, and that I'm going to be a better pro than a college player."

Williams said he went into the weekend believing he would go undrafted with a litany of off-field issues. He was kicked out his first school at UConn, then went to Utah after a stint at junior college. He acknowledged in February that he dealt with numerous problems that led to his sabbatical from football, including depression and overuse of pain medication. Williams credited the 49ers for believing him when he told them his problems were behind him.

He also gave credit to his wife, Jasmine Williams, who has been glued to his side throughout the NFL draft process. As he ran a blazing-fast 40-yard dash during Utah's Pro Day, she was heard to shout, "Get that money!"

"I think I accomplished that goal today," Joe Williams said. "Everything I've put her through, the more she's been by my side, she's been more of a blessing. That's the reason I married her."

At the 164th overall pick, Asiata was the next off the board, starting a run on Utes. Once the fifth round was over, cornerback Allen (173) and offensive lineman Dielman (176) were selected.

Utah wrapped the day in the sixth round as offensive tackle Tevi (190) went to San Diego, then the 49ers picked up defensive end/linebacker Taumoepenu (202).

All eight drafted Utes went to the NFL combine in Indianapolis this year, with Utah finishing with the most top-3 performances by position on the various field tests and measurements.

Asiata, a Spanish Fork graduate, said the draft results give a lot of credibility to Utah football's player development.

"That's huge, man," he said. "That's a testament to this program."

kgoon@sltrib.com Twitter: @kylegoon —

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