Utah earned a commitment Washington State transfer running back Wayshawn Parker on Friday morning.
Parker, rated as the No. 2 running back in the transfer portal according to 247Sports, announced his decision on Instagram. He chose the Utes over offers from Arizona, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, USC and Boise State.
He’ll be joining forces with his former Washington State position coach Mark Atuaia, who was hired to become the U.‘s new running backs coach this offseason alongside new offensive coordinator Jason Beck.
The freshman running back had a breakout first-year campaign in Pullman, Washington. He finished the season with 137 carries, 735 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while averaging 5.4 yards per carry. His best game of the season came against Utah State on Nov. 9, when he had 11 carries for 149 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a 49-28 win over the Aggies.
With Parker’s addition, the Utes might’ve finally found their starting running back for the 2025 season. He’ll be set to replace redshirt senior running back Micah Bernard, who ended 2024 with a career-high 197 carries, 1,009 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Outside of Parker, the Utes have been hard at work in the transfer portal this offseason with hopes of rebuilding their offense that ranked as the second-worst unit in the Big 12 last season. Utah recently signed New Mexico transfer quarterback Devon Dampier, who finished with 2,768 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
The sophomore quarterback also had 1,166 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns with the Lobos. With Parker locked up, the pair of playmakers could be a formidable duo on the ground in Utah’s second season in the Big 12.
Alongside Dampier and Parker, the Utes have also added transfer running back Naquari Rogers, wide receiver Joseph Williams, wide receiver Creed Whittemore and running back Michael Washington to their transfer portal class.
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