[5] A 2-star defensive end recruit, Fotu committed to Utah on September 20, 2015, choosing the Utes over offers from BYU, Oklahoma State, and USC.
[6] After his sophomore season, Utah coaches considered moving Fotu from defensive end to offensive tackle, but Fotu instead moved to defensive tackle and claimed the starting spot at that position.
[8] During the season, after a game against Cal, Fotu was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week after recording a 13-yard sack.
[15] In Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Fotu recorded his first career sack on fellow rookie Jalen Hurts during the 33–26 win.
He played in 17 games with three starts, recording 19 tackles, three passes defensed, and a forced fumble.