There is no time to waste in the transfer portal anymore.
With the transfer portal window tightened this winter — down to just 20 days — players need to make their choice to stay or leave before the postseason begins.
The transfer portal officially opens on Dec. 9 and runs through Dec. 28 — which is before a number of bowl games will even be played — so the movement has already started.
Here is who’s on the move from Utah schools.
BYU
Kody Epps
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Kody Epps (0) as BYU hosts Southern Utah University, NCAA football in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Remember when Epps entered the transfer portal two years ago? It was quite a shock when Epps unexpectedly put his name in the portal after spring practice, his sights set on an NIL payday. At the time, BYU thought it was out of the woods with Epps leaving. He had already flirted with NIL offers that winter, but chose to stay, sources close to the situation told The Salt Lake Tribune in 2023.
But when Epps eventually did come back to the program, he was never the same. He had an injury riddled 2023 and 2024 and played sparingly for the Cougars. Now, he is gone for good as he hits the portal as a graduate transfer.
Jackson Bowers
Once one of BYU’s highest-ranked recruits, Bowers is looking for different pastures now. He played sparingly in his two years in Provo. It leaves BYU’s tight end room — which was already shaky — in a difficult spot. Ryner Swanson is the future, but he will go on a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Plus, Ray Paulo and Keanu Hill aren’t coming back. Mataa’va Ta’ase also went through senior day. This room will need a reset for the Cougars.
Micah Harper
(Jaren Wilkey | BYU) Safety Micah Harper speaks to media after the first day of BYU football fall camp in Provo, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023.
Harper was once one of BYU’s best defensive players in 2022. But then an ACL tear in 2023 kept him out and he was never the same in 2024. Defensive coordinator Jay Hill wanted to start him at both safety and nickel in fall camp. But it never worked and Harper ended up sitting most of the year behind Hill’s recruits. He will hit the portal as a graduate transfer too.
Utah
Jaylon Glover
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utes running back Jaylon Glover (1) on the sidelines as Utah State hosts the University of Utah during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Logan, Utah.
Glover’s most impactful moment at Utah came off the field, calling the rivalry with BYU the “Cold War.” But the Cold War ended up being too much for the Utes running back to handle.
After the game, Glover put his name in the transfer portal. He had just 60 yards on 12 carries this season. But in his career, he neared the 1,000-yard mark.
Utah State
Teague Andersen
A Lehi native, Andersen put his name in the portal after a difficult season in Logan. The 6-5 sophomore started seven games for the Aggies and appeared in all 12 games on the offensive line. He was viewed as a three-star recruit out of high school.
This story will be updated.
