Three Positions Utah Still Needs to Target in The Transfer Portal
Let’s be clear; Utah has done a great job in the transfer portal. So far, the Utes have added quite a few impact players with most being defensive additions.
Between Michigan DB Cameron Calhoun, UTEP edge Kanious Vaughn, Georgia Tech DB Kenan Johnson, and the Utes’ most recent addition, Stanford safety Alaka'i Gilman, the team has done a superb job filling positions of need.
The following list indicates the most important positions Utah should continue to target while the portal is hot.
Wide Receiver
Wide receiver is far and away the position that would benefit most from a transfer addition. With the Utes' No.1 option, Devaughn Vele, declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft, and emerging receiver Mikey Matthews transferring to California, Utah needs to find another ballhawk.
While the Utes have struck out on several high-profile wideouts, namely Oregon State transfer Silas Bolden and Washington State’s Josh Kelly, there are still quite a few players the team could target.
Taeshaun Lyons, who played for Washington in 2023 and was a four-star recruit in the 2023 class, would be a fantastic first option for Cam Rising in 2024. The 6 '2 transfer has yet to make a final decision but has been predicted to end up at Utah according to On3.
Dorian Singer, who played for USC in 2023 after transferring from Arizona, is another receiver in the portal the Utes should target.
Singer was highly underutilized by the Trojans after being forecast a big season and would see a surefire increase in production at Utah. It’s unclear if the Utes have communicated with Singer, but the team should throw everything at the wideout who had over 1,000 yards with the Wildcats in 2022.
Backup Quarterback
Before you call me crazy. Look back at how the Utes’ offense operated with a healthy Cam Rising and Nate Johnson in 2022.
While Johnson only played three games that year due to a redshirt, he made an impact that opened up significant possibilities within the team’s offense. Evidence of this came in Utah’s game against Arizona that year where Utah beat the Wildcats 45-20. In the game, Cam Rising threw for 151 yards and a touchdown, while Johnson rushed for 23 yards and two touchdowns as a sneaky quarterback option threat.
Gone are the days of Cam Rising scrambling for extra yards when a play breaks down. After suffering a gruesome knee injury, it’s just too dangerous for Rising to break off on long rushes. This is why the Utes should think about adding another backup quarterback, preferably one who is experienced and can act as a dual threat. I say all this with a specific name in mind, Robby Ashford.
Ashford would be the perfect addition to Utah’s quarterback depth chart in 2024. Having already taken an official visit to Salt Lake, and been heavily hinted at by Utah tight-end Landen King, Ashford would give the Utes offense a much-needed defining edge.
The Auburn transfer threw for 1,613 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022, while rushing for another 710 yards and seven touchdowns. In a limited role with the Tigers in 2023, Ashford rushed for 217 yards and five touchdowns.
Defensive Line
Added defensive line depth would be very beneficial to Utah in 2024. With the team's best edge rusher, Jonah Elliss, declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft, the Utes have big shoes to fill.
2023 freshman edge, Logan Fano, should provide a good boost of production when he returns from a season-ending injury suffered against Oregon State. Moreover, the Utes do have plenty of experience on their defensive line from long-tenured players like DT Junior Tafuna, DT Tevita Fotu, edge Van Fillinger, and edge Connor O’Toole. However, Utah could use at least one more game-changer.
While the team did add UTEP edge Kanious Vaughn and former BYU edge John Henry Daley by way of the portal, Utah might want to dip their feet back in to find another interior defensive lineman or dominant edge threat.
