EPHRAIM, Utah (April 25, 2020) -- Former Snow College defensive tackle John Penisini was selected by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft on Saturday.

Penisini was an immediate contributor at the University of Utah after transferring from Snow College, earning back-to-back second-team All-Pac-12 selections to finish his career for the Utes. He played in 40 career games as a Ute, starting 22 on the defensive line.

The West Jordan, Utah, native received positive feedback after his strong performances at the 2020 East-West Shrine Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine on the heels of a productive senior season in 2019. He saw action in all 14 games, starting 13, finishing second on the defensive line with 38 tackles (7.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks).

His two forced fumbles in 2019 tied for the team lead and ranked eighth in the Pac-12, notching one of them in Utah's win over Washington. He earned Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of the Week for his performance against the Huskies, also recording a career-high seven tackles and a sack.

Penisini is continuing the Snow College to Utah defensive tackle pipeline that includes NFL players Star Lotulelei and Tenny Palepoi. He was a 2015 All-Western States honorable-mention selection after racking up 40 tackles with 6.5 tackles for a loss, including three sacks as a freshman. Penisini graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in sociology in 2019.