Everybody is working the phones this time of year.
Coaches. Players. Agents.
Reporters, too.
Every telephone ring, social media ping or text message ding could potentially change a program’s future.
That’s just the reality of the transfer portal. (Or, shall I say, college football’s weird, unorthodox free agency?) Welcome to the new world, Utah fans.
The portal taketh and it giveth.
I’m sure some fans are, understandably, tired of it.
As a reporter, it’s fun. I would describe it as the true definition of beat work, which is all about making phone calls, and looking for scoops to make sure you have the best information possible.
Here’s a quick breakdown of some of Utah’s latest transactions in the transfer portal:
Freshman QB Isaac Wilson entered the transfer portal after Utah had an apparent interest in Devon Dampier, a source told The Salt Lake Tribune. The Utes now have lost three quarterbacks to the transfer portal and one, senior Luke Bottari, to eligibility.
This isn’t a transfer portal entry, but Cam Rising’s time with the Utes is “expected” to come to a close, per a report. That could very well mean he’s entering the transfer portal here soon or he’ll be declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Utah has landed its future starting quarterback in New Mexico’s Devon Dampier. He will be following his former OC Jason Beck to Salt Lake City in 2025.
This might be the most pressing news of the week, in my opinion. Cornerback Cam Calhoun surprisingly entered the portal this week after seemingly re-affirming his commitment to the program multiple times in social media posts. But, as we all know, NIL money talks, and according to my source, that’s what it came down to for the Utah cornerback.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Kyle Whittingham and Utah Utes defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa (57) as Utah hosts BYU, NCAA football in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024.
Kyle Whittingham announces his return in two words
Utah’s head coach is back.
And, in maybe the most Kyle Whittingham way ever, he announced his return in a weird, almost corny, social media post.
“I’m back,” the post read.
But then it changed.
“We’re back,” it said in an edited post a few minutes later.
Behind the scenes, I’m sure the now 21-year head coach thought that was a bit too selfish. That is how Kyle Whittingham rolls.
He doesn’t want any attention.
But, deep down, he’s a competitor.
And even if family draws the 65-year-old head coach deeper into the thought of retirement, he wants to win.
That, in my mind, is the ultimate reason he’s sticking around.
4th Down
(Butch Dill | AP) New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier (4) looks to throw a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Auburn, Ala.
What are Utah’s biggest portal needs?
Here’s how I would rank them.
1st: Running back - The Utes only have two serviceable running backs on the roster heading into the 2025 season. They’ll need to hit the portal hard at this position moving forward.
2nd: Quarterback - Yes, getting Dampier certainly helps Utah’s cause, but they need more depth behind him to truly have some sort of shot in 2025 if he gets injured. We all saw what happened to Utah’s offense this past season when Rising went down.
3rd: Linebacker - Karene Reid is out of eligibility. Sione Fotu has gone portaling. Utah is also awaiting a decision from Lander Barton, to see whether or not he’ll be returning to the team or going to the NFL Draft. The Utes will likely need to pull in some depth at this position before Dec. 28 to fill out their defense.
4th: Wide Receiver - This one is easy to point out. Utah is losing Money Parks and Dorian Singer to eligibility, and it has to find someone to replace them at that position. Again, it’s just that simple.
What’s next?
Utah men’s basketball takes on Radford at 5 p.m. MT on Saturday.
Utah women’s basketball takes on Washington on the road at 7:30 MT on Saturday night.
