Utah Utes football catch-up guide before 2026 season

The Utah Utes won 11 games last year, and the only ones they lost were the two that mattered the most. The contests with Texas Tech and BYU were both decided in the second half, which left the program just on the fringe of a Big 12 title berth.

Then Kyle Whittingham decided to step down after 21 seasons to take the Michigan job, and some of the roster with him. Can’t blame him for a better opportunity, but the way it happened was still abrupt. He took his offensive coordinator, Jason Beck, to Ann Arbor, throwing a wrench into what might happen with Devon Dampier. Add that to two first-round offensive linemen in Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu moving on. On defense, sack leader John Henry Daley and top corner Smith Snowden followed Whittingham to Michigan, as well.

Utah watched a lot of talent walk out the door. But Morgan Scalley was instrumental in keeping the best pieces. The man who ran this defense for a decade in Salt Lake City was also the head coach and waiting for the last four years. He got quarterback Deion Dampier to stay. The ace is one of the best dual-threat passers and returns after a career year. Not to mention, backup Byrd Ficklin is just as talented and wanted to stay with Dampier.

Wayshawn Parker is the workhorse. After rushing for nearly 1,000 yards last year, along with 6.6 yards per carry, he’s coming in to fall camp with the chip on his shoulder. The new offensive coordinator, Kevin McGiven, won’t be making any major changes. The scheme worked and Scalley is already calling Utah’s receiver room the best during this time in Salt Lake City. Numbers don’t lie. Utah has a pair of receiver transfers in Kyri Shoels and Braden Pegan, who combined for 1,700 yards last season.

Utah’s biggest concern will be depth along the offensive line. All five starters from last year are out. But the way Utah develops in the trenches makes them one of the best in the nation.

Overall, Scalley and the Utes never lost their physical edge. That’s just kind of who they are, and it’s part of the culture.

This year’s schedule brings Arkansas to Salt Lake City in Week 2. The September 12th game will be a measuring stick to see where Utah sits nationally. The Holy War remains must-see football at home on Nov. 7. Two weeks later, Utah will be in Fort Worth facing TCU. The toughest road trip of the season.

Utah could very well find themselves in the Big 12 title game. At the end of the day, culture wins. Always trust Utah will be a competitor with a physical nature. The wins should stack up later this year for Morgan Scalley and the Utes.