When the Cleveland Browns came into the is year’s NFL draft, there were certain positions of need that had to be addressed: offensive tackle, receiver, safety, and offensive guard. A third cover cornerback would be nice. Maybe another pass rusher, but one that was productive in college and not just a body to occupy space.
RELATED: SPENCER FANO TAKEN WITH THE #9 PICK
The Browns came into the draft wanting to improve their offensive line. First off, there was offensive tackle help. Later, at least one
offensive guard and perhaps a backup center would be needed to compete for a starting role, but if nothing else, help with quality depth. Attrition always hits the offensive line room the most during a season, and the roster needs to prepare for this.
When the Browns were on the clock with the #9 pick, Cleveland GM Andrew Berry had his choice of offensive tackles because none had been taken yet. His choice was Spencer Fano of Utah.
Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa was still on the board and considered by many to be the best tackle in this year’s draft. However, recent health issues were discovered, which may or may not become an issue as each season rolls along. Apparently, Berry didn’t wish to use a Top-10 pick on a player that just might not be available because of recurring back issues, and instead, took the second-best tackle on most analysts’ boards.
Mauigoa may one day be fitted for a gold jacket, and then again could be out of football sooner than later. Berry had to weigh his options and decided not to trust the situation and instead take the sure thing.
Who is Spencer Fano?
Beginnings
Fano grew up in the metropolitan area of Provo, Utah, in the small town of Spanish Fork, and was part of the Mormon Pioneer settlement. Today, the population is just over 42,000. Its Polynesian composition is about 8%, of which Fano and his family belong.
He was also the big kid and played defensive line before being moved over to the offensive line at Timpview High School. In his senior year, his team averaged 40.5 points a game, scored 76 touchdowns, and the roster featured a running back who almost eclipsed 2,000 yards.
In his senior season, he was named First Team Daily Herald All-Valley, Desert News First Team 5A, First Team All-State honors, All-American Four-Star recruit on 247Sports.com, and invited to play in the East vs. West All-American Bowl in San Antonio.
Fano had college offers from Michigan, Clemson, Utah, BYU, Oregon, Hawai’i, USC, Michigan State, UCLA, Washington State, Arizona, LSU, Oregon State, West Virginia, Baylor, Miami, Nebraska, Washington, Stanford, Colorado, Tennessee, Cal, Penn State, Arizona State, New Mexico, and Utah State. He chose Utah.
He comes from a family of athletes. His sister, Shalyn Fano, played basketball for Southern Utah and was nominated for conference defensive MVP twice. He has four uncles who played in the NFL, and his cousin, Karene Reid, is currently a linebacker with the Denver Broncos.
In college, Fano played 11 games at left tackle during his freshman year and one contest at right tackle, and was named an All-American on the freshman team. In his second season, he lined up at right tackle for all 12 games, and then all 12 games in his final year.
His Pro Day results:
Height: 6’-6”
Weight: 311 pounds
Hand: 9”
Arm: 32 1/8”
Wingspan: 80 1/4”
40-yard dash: 4.91
10-yard shuttle: 1.72
3-cone: 7.34
225-pound bench press: 30 times
Vertical jump: 32”
Broad jump: 9’3”
College games: 37
College snaps: 2,204
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Follow on social media:
Twitter: @FanoSpencer
Instagram: @spencerfano
What should Browns fans expect from Spencer Fano?
Fano comes from a very religious background. In conversations and interviews, he mentions his faith quite a bit, along with discipline and routine to keep him grounded and steady. His focus is on being consistent when he plays along with preparation. He is a confident person, but doesn’t tout who he is or what he has accomplished. Tough young man with elite physical tools.
Why He Could Succeed
This kid is a class act, soft-spoken, full of high character, and the type of player winning teams have on their roster. Berry and the coaching staff went into the draft targeting Fano as their first choice, then traded down three spots and were able to get him. He will line up at left tackle.
Fano is a tough player who has plenty of athleticism. His pass protection ratio in college was 90%, while his run blocking was 92%. He was selected as an All-American three years, and won the Outland Trophy for the best offensive lineman in the 2025 college season.
Other accolades:
- Unanimous All-American
- Two-time First Team All-Big 12
- Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year
- Polynesian College Football Player of the Year
- First Team All-American (2024)
- Freshman All-American (2023)
He was highly decorated at the high school level and was ranked as one of the highest offensive linemen to come out of the State of Utah. He shows exceptional lateral ability with good recovery skills. Strong hands and will latch onto his defender. Good leader and one of the most gifted athletes in this year’s draft. He can reach, pull, and get to the second level with the best of them, who will finish blocks with violence. One word: Beast.
Why He Could Fail
His 32” arms and nine-inch hands were well below the norm for an offensive tackle and a concern for a lot of people. Some hard-line talent evaluators would see this as a move to offensive guard immediately, but the Browns are going to slot him at left tackle from Day 1 and roll with it.
His chest area is pretty lean and looks more like a large tight end or a basketball player. And his hand placement occasionally will drift outside his defender’s frame. Fano will rely on the flash technique during his passing downs, which opens him up to inside counter moves. He will also compromise his anchor point at times.
