Utah has made quick work in the transfer portal this offseason.
And, honestly, it had to after the offense ranked as the second-worst unit in the entire Big 12 during the 2024 regular season.
The Utes’ headline pickup of college football’s free agency had been quarterback Devon Dampier. Dampier, the sophomore quarterback from New Mexico finished with 2,768 passing yards, 12 passing touchdowns and 12 interceptions under former New Mexico and now-Ute offensive coordinator Jason Beck.
He also made strides in the ground game, putting up 1,166 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. With Dampier, the Utes seem to have their starter heading into the 2025 season.
Behind him will be freshman quarterback Isaac Wilson, who is returning to the lineup after entering the portal earlier this offseason, and a pair of incoming freshman quarterbacks.
But what about the rest of the 12 players coming in via the transfer portal?
Here are my top five rankings — outside of Dampier — of Utah’s top players in their incoming 2025 transfer portal class.
Ranking the incoming transfers
(Young Kwak | AP) Washington State running back Wayshawn Parker (21) carries the ball against Utah State, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Pullman, Wash. Parker has announced his commitment to the University of Utah.
Wayshawn Parker, Freshman RB
Parker was ranked the No. 2 running back in the portal after a terrific season at Washington State. He rushed for 735 yards (a 5.4 yards per carry average) and four touchdowns last season. He also caught 11 passes for 100 yards and a score.
The Utes desperately needed help at running back and Parker was their primary target.
Blake Cotton, Junior CB
Losing redshirt freshman cornerback Cameron Calhoun was, likely, Utah’s biggest loss of the offseason.
He was going to be the Utes’ lead corner on the outside in 2025. Instead, he chose to go into the transfer portal, leaving the Utes to pick up the pieces.
Getting a commitment from UC Davis junior cornerback Blake Cotton was a step in the right direction for head coach Kyle Whittingham and Utah’s defense. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Cotton has both the size and talent to be a formidable depth piece for Utah’s defense next season.
Creed Whittemore, Sophomore WR
Mississippi State junior transfer wide receiver Creed Whittemore has the size and speed to make a big impact on Utah’s offense.
Hailing from SEC country, Whittemore is transferring from one of the best conferences in college football. He finished the season with four receptions and 65 yards in 2024.
Whittemore, a former four-star recruit, was never able to find his footing with the Bulldogs, but maybe a fresh start in Salt Lake City will help revamp his career.
If senior wide receiver Dorian Singer is unable to earn a fifth year of eligibility from the NCAA, Whittemore’s presence will be even more important for the Utes.
NaQuari Rogers, Junior RB
With Micah Bernard declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft and Jaylon Glover transferring to UNLV, the Utes needed to find a depth piece at running back.
The Utes have done that with a number of pickups.
Parker is Utah’s top transfer at the position, but NaQuari Rogers will follow Dampier from New Mexico, where he averaged 5.2 yards per carry last season.
Kalolo Ta’aga, Freshman OL
Ta’aga has the size (6-foot-7, 315 pounds) to be a skilled offensive lineman at the collegiate level.
The next step for him is developing behind the scenes, and Utah has done a good job of doing that with its offensive tackles.
Ta’aga did not appear in a game this season. He signed with USC after being ranked as a three-star recruit and the No. 48 offensive tackle in the 2024 recruiting class.
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