ESPN Considers Dorian Singer The Utah Utes' Most Impactful Newcomer

A recent ESPN article describing the most important newcomer for each top 25 college football team pinned USC transfer wideout Dorian Singer as the Utah Utes' most prominent offseason pickup.

Singer comes to Salt Lake City as somewhat of an enigma. The 6-foot receiver from Saint Paul, Minnesota, had a down year in 2023 after transferring to USC from Arizona, where he was one of the country's best receivers in 2022.

Many expected Singer to have a breakout season in 2023 after joining a USC offense that included reigning Heisman winner Caleb Williams. This was unfortunately never the case.

Singer hauled in only 24 receptions for 289 yards and three touchdowns throughout his season with the Trojans. Moreover, in the last six games of the season, the Minnesota native caught a mere 12 catches for 132 yards without a single touchdown.

By the end of the season, Singer, who was projected to be the Trojans most prolific playmaker during preseason, ranked sixth within the team's offense in both total receptions and receiving yards.

What makes Singer such a paradox is how he performed with Arizona in 2022.

With the Wildcats the year before his season with USC, Singer had a career year posting 66 receptions for 1105 yards and six touchdowns. In 12 games, the AP First-Team All-Pac-12 receiver averaged 16.7 yards per catch and finished the season ranked second in the Pac-12 in receiving yards.

To put Singer’s 2022 season into perspective, he had nearly identical stats to 2023 first-round NFL Draft pick, Quentin Johnston. With TCU in 2022, Johnson had 60 receptions, 1,069 yards, six touchdowns, and averaged 17.8 yards per reception.

In regards to Singer’s potential impact on Utah's offense, it can be answered with one question: Will Utah get 2022 Singer or will they get 2023?

In Singer’s defense, the USC receiver room was as convoluted as ever in 2023. The Trojans had more talented receivers than they knew what to do with and frequently shuffled personnel throughout the season. Utah’s offense should be much more streamlined in 2024.

Singer immediately comes to Salt Lake City as the Utes' most talented receiver on the roster. Both Money Parks and Washington transfer Taeshaun Lyons are also talented but far less proven than Singer, who should be Cam Rising's first option this upcoming season.

2024 will give Singer the perfect opportunity to show his previous season with USC was a fluke. He will also play a significant role in guiding a Utah Utes team with Big 12 Championship hopes.