Previewing Utah's Stacked 2024 Wide Receiver Room
Whether it comes by way of players declaring for the NFL Draft, reaching the end of their eligibility, or deciding to transfer, college football rosters undergo a significant amount of turnover come offseason.
Following the conclusion of their 2023 season, the Utah Utes roster experienced their own fair share of change.
In terms of departures, one of Utah’s most affected position groups this offseason has been the team’s wide receiver room. Between the loss of starting receivers Devaughn Vele and Mikey Matthews, many Utah fans were left perplexed regarding what the group might look like come 2024.
However, as luck would have it, thanks to the modern transfer portal and strong recruiting, Utah’s receiver room has been given a complete facelift. Now more than ever, fans should be excited, as Utah will enter the new season with one of their most talented receiver rooms ever.
2024 Wide Receiver Preview
When looking at Utah’s revitalized wide receiver room, two names should be at the forefront: Taeshaun Lyons and Dorian Singer.
Both Lyons and Singer were added via the transfer portal and come to Utah as significant upgrades to overall positional depth.
Lyons, a four-star from the 2023 class (#34 receiver), played his freshman season at Washington deep within one of the most impressive receiver depth charts in recent memory.
Although he didn't see much game time in 2023, Lyons spent his season learning from teammates Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, and Ja’Lynn Polk, all of whom are projected picks in the 2024 NFL draft. Due to his development under these talented players, Lyons should be considered one of Utah's biggest breakout candidates for the upcoming season.
Utah’s second receiver portal addition, Singer, had a down season with USC in 2023, but has already proven he can produce at an all-conference level.
Despite racking up only 289 yards and three touchdowns with the Trojans last season, Singer entered 2023 coming off an AP All-Pac-12 First Team performance with Arizona in 2022. With the Wildcats in 2022, Singer showcased some of the best contested-catch ability in the country while throwing down a respectable stat line of 66 receptions for 1,105 yards and six touchdowns.
While they each bring different skillsets to Utah’s receiver room, both Singer and Lyons complement Utah’s existing depth nicely.
Speaking of existing depth, the Utes have Money Parks, Luca Caldarella, Munir McClain, Sidney Mbanasor, Daidren Zipperer, and Mycah Pittman returning for the 2024 season. Parks, McClain, and Pittman are the most experienced of the bunch.
Parks will enter the 2024 season as the Ute who produced the most in 2023 after he had the second-most receiving yards on the team last season (293). While Pittman is by far the most experienced receiver on Utah’s roster, as the former Oregon Duck and FSU Seminole will play his sixth year of collegiate football in 2024.
In addition to their company of returning pass catchers, Utah also received 2024 commitments from three-star prospects Zacharyus Williams and David Washington.
Both Williams and Washington will fight an uphill battle to see significant playing time as a true freshman. However, there is always a chance that one (or both) impresses the coaching staff during training camp and earns the opportunity to join Utah's starters.
Nevertheless, Cam Rising will have an abundance of talented receivers to turn to in 2024. While it is unclear who will emerge as Rising’s No.1 option come next season, there are plenty of quality options.
