Utah Utes Football Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!

Michigan football secures a significant transfer in JJ Buchanan, a four-star tight end from Utah. Buchanan, a six-foot-three, 225-pound standout, brings immediate production, having caught 26 passes for 427 yards and 5 touchdowns in his freshman year. Michigan, needing depth at tight end, finds a reliable player with three years of eligibility left, despite needing improvement in blocking. This move strengthens Michigans offense for the upcoming season.

Utahs secondary gets a boost with Elijah Reeds transfer from Akron, a six-foot-three cornerback with impressive stats in 2025. Reed, a former Kentucky prospect, earned a 77.6 grade from PFF at Akron, allowing just one TD and a 58.9 passer rating. Hes the first cornerback commit in the 2026 cycle, filling key losses and adding depth to Utahs pass defense, which held Big Twelve opponents to the lowest completion percentage and second-fewest passing yards in 2025.

Utah Utes football gains a significant boost in their cornerback room with the transfer of Elijah Reed from Akron. The six-foot-three, two-hundred-pound redshirt junior had a strong season with the Zips, recording forty-seven tackles, two interceptions, one sack, and four pass breakups. Reed joins Utah after stints at Akron and Kentucky, filling the void left by Smith Snowden and Blake Cottons departures. His arrival strengthens Utahs defense and sets up a competitive race for cornerback spots in camp.

Utah football coach Isaac Asiata leaves for Weber State, setting a school record for rushing yards in 2025. Asiata, a former Utes player, joins Weber States new head coach Eric Kjar, who praises his experience and local ties. Utahs first-year head coach Morgan Scalley continues reshaping the team, bringing in former All-American tackle Jordan Gross.

Utahs defense and special teams bolstered with key players return: Jackson Bennee, Johnathan Hall, Mana Carvalho, Nate Ritchie, Kash Dillon, and Lance Holtzclaw all re-sign for the 2026 season, ensuring a solid foundation for the Utes heading into the offseason.

Morgan Scalley, Utahs defensive mastermind, takes on offense for the first time since his playing days, hiring Kevin McGiven as new offensive coordinator. McGivens creative schemes, featuring shifts, motions, and run-pass options, promise to keep Utahs offense dynamic. Despite losing all starters on the offensive line, returners and new recruits like five-star tackle Kelvin Obot and Ohio State transfer Isaiah Kema aim to fill the void. Scalley vows to blend physicality with innovative strategies, shaping the attack around the talent they bring in.

Utah linebacker Johnathan Hall, a three-star recruit, is returning for his senior season, making him one of the highest-paid linebackers in college football. Last year, he led the team in tackles and sacks. Utahs defense, which allowed just 18.9 points per game, is losing several key players, but Halls return, along with new additions like Ethan Day and Lucas Samsula, should keep the defense strong heading into 2026.

Utahs Devon Dampier, a finalist for the Manning Award, dazzled in the Las Vegas Bowl, breaking records with 310 passing yards, 148 rushing yards, and 5 TDs, earning MVP honors. Dampiers impressive season stats and low turnovers make him a strong contender among finalists like Arch Manning and Kaleb Blaha.