Utah’s College Football Landscape in Flux
The offseason in Utah’s college football scene has been marked by a flurry of activity, as programs across the state prepare for a new alignment of conferences and competitive expectations.
At the University of Utah, the hiring of Morgan Scalley as head coach marks the fourth leadership change for the program this century, bringing with it a background as a defensive back under Kyle Whittingham, who guided the team to an 11‑2 record last season.
Roster Turnovers and Returning Talent
Scalley inherits a roster that lost several key contributors — including offensive linemen Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu, tight end Dallen Bentley, and defenders John Henry Daley, Salesi Moa and Jonah Lea’ea — who have moved on to the NFL or other programs.
Despite those departures, the Utes retain experienced players such as quarterback Devon Dampier, running back Wayshawn Parker, and receivers Braden Pegan and Larry Simmons, who will look to build on last year’s 7‑2 conference performance.
Conference Realignments and Outlook
Heading into the new season, Brigham Young University has risen into the top 15 of the AP Poll despite being unranked in the preseason, driven by sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier, who will lead an offense reshaped by the departure of targets Chase Roberts and Parker Kingston.
BYU’s offensive scheme will lean on new receivers Jojo Phillips, Kyle Kasper and Legend Glasker, while offensive coordinator Kalani Satake and play‑caller Aaron Roderick continue to shape the attack.
Meanwhile, Jay Hill, formerly BYU’s defensive coordinator, is set to join the University of Michigan’s staff, while Satake and Roderick remain in Provo to guide the Cougars’ defense.
Utah State University, now a member of the revitalized Pac‑12, has assembled a 32‑player transfer class under second‑year head coach Bronco Mendenhall, highlighted by former BYU quarterback McCae Hillstead.
Weber State has appointed Eric Kjar, a longtime high school coach with a 181‑39 record, to lead the Wildcats, who have signed 12 recruits in February and added 18 more in December.
Southern Utah, returning to the Big Sky, is rebuilding under head coach DeLane Fitzgerald after a winless conference campaign, adding quarterback Noah Lugo and receiver Lamason Waller III to the mix.
Defensively, Utah State’s secondary remains anchored by senior safety Brevin Hamblin, who helped the team finish among the nation’s top 10 in red‑zone defense and interceptions.
The convergence of new coaches, player movements and conference realignments promises a dynamic season for Utah’s football programs, with each team eyeing a chance to make a national impact.