Top 2026 quarterback locks in visit with Kyle Whittingham and Utah

The Utes will try to pull in one of the best pro-style passers in the country
Oscar Rios/Downey Athletics
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Four-star quarterback Oscar Rios has scheduled an official visit with Kyle Whittingham and the Utah Utes, marking a key recruitment battle for one of the West Coast’s top signal-callers in the 2026 class.

The 6-foot-3, 175-pound quarterback from Downey (Calif.) is already generating major buzz and is expected to rise to five-star status before his commitment. Utah’s new offensive coordinator Jason Beck has been leading the charge in recruiting Rios, recognizing his potential as a future star in the Utes’ system.

Rios has established himself as an elite passer with an impressive 73% completion rate as a sophomore starter. He blends dual-threat ability with precise passing, demonstrating both a quick release and the ability to stretch the field vertically. Compared to former Downey standout Aidan Chiles, now at Michigan State, Rios appears to be more advanced as a passer at this stage of his development. His frame suggests he can continue to add strength, making him even more dangerous at the next level.

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Utah will host Rios on June 6, following his trip to Oklahoma State on April 25 and preceding a visit to Deion Sanders and Colorado on June 20. His recruitment is gaining steam, and his decision could come down to which program best aligns with his development goals. With Cam Rising’s departure and a shift into what many expect to be the Morgan Scalley era, Utah would benefit from adding a premier quarterback talent to their pipeline.

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A commitment from Rios would be a massive win for the Utes, solidifying their quarterback future and continuing their evolution as a program capable of landing elite offensive playmakers under Jason Beck’s leadership.


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Jason Jones
JASON JONES

Jason Jones is a writer and reporter for On SI. He has covered all major sports for the past two decades. Jones began his career in sports radio broadcasting, working for WKNR in Cleveland and KKML in Denver as show host, producer, and director of production. He previously worked as an NFL Draft analyst and reporter for Yahoo Sports Radio.