According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, one of the NFL’s elite prospects Utah defensive Tackle Star Lotulelei, will not be able to workout on Monday after an echo-cardiogram revealed a heart condition.
Utah DT Star Lotulelei, projected top five 5 draft pick, will not work out after echocardiogram detected heart condition. Filed to ESPN.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) February 24, 2013
Lotulelei's left ventricle is pumping at 44 percent efficiency – normal range is 55-70 percent. He will undergo more tests in Salt Lake City
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) February 24, 2013
Lotulelei has been ranked as a Top 5 player in plenty of Mock Drafts, including drafts from Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay. Â ESPN says that:
The 6-foot-2, 311-pound Lotulelei will undergo further testing in Salt Lake City in an effort to seek more clarity with the condition, a source said. If it’s a confirmed chronic condition, medical experts consider it an indication of possible heart damage.
Tollner [Lotulelei’s agent] said that Lotulelei was asked by combine officials to not participate until consulting a specialist. Lotulelei still will be interviewed by NFL teams this weekend in Indianapolis and plans to participate at Utah’s Pro Day on March 20.
You have to feel bad for Lotulelei. Â This is going to absolutely kill his draft stock, and instead of going Top 5 in the first round, it’s possible he won’t get drafted at all. Â It is important though to remember that this is only football, and that his long-term health is far more important. Â It’s almost a good thing that the NFL Combine is extremely thorough with their exams and that they put players through a various array of medical exams. Â Without it, they may have never found this heart condition.
[ESPN.com]