Latest news with #UtahUtes
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kelvin Obot graded a ‘game-changer' and instant impact player as Utes' headliner commit
Utah Utes assistant head coach and offensive line coach Jim Harding talks with white team players during the Utah Utes' 22 Forever spring game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 19, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News The University of Utah football program landed its highest-rated commit of the 2026 recruiting class on Tuesday when offensive tackle Kelvin Obot announced his pledge to the Utes. Obot is a 6-foot-5, 265-pound talent out of Fruitland High in Idaho, where he plays under former Utah offensive tackle Jordan Gross, who was a first-round NFL draft pick who played for more than a decade with the Carolina Panthers. Advertisement Obot is a four-star recruit and rated the No. 1 prospect out of Idaho in the 2026 class, No. 9 among offensive tackles and the No. 131 recruit nationally in 247 Sports' composite ratings, which factor in ratings from 247 Sports, Rivals, On3 and ESPN. His 0.9406 composite score in 247 Sports' formula makes him the ninth-highest rated recruit in Utah history, per their metrics. On3 ranks Obot as the No. 9 overall player — and No. 3 offensive tackle — in the 2026 class. 'Athletic offensive tackle that has proven to be no match for Gem State-based competition over the years. Displays favorable reaction skills and body control as he's light on his feet and frequently in balance,' 247 Sports' Andrew Ivins wrote in evaluating Obot. Advertisement 'Quick out of a two-point stance as he tries to establish a wide base in his run sets. Patient in pass protection as he gains depth before engaging targets with well-timed strikes.' Could Obot be an immediate contributor when he gets on campus next year? CBS Sports, which teams with 247 Sports in its recruitment coverage efforts, has been grading major commitments as they happen, and has included Obot. CBS Sports developed a Commitment Impact Score, which rates a recruit from 1-10 on their projected impact on a program based on three factors — roster boost (50% of the final score), momentum hit and program fit/narrative. Advertisement In that formula, Obot was rated a 10 out of 10, or a 'game-changer.' 'Forget trying to buy premium offensive tackles in the transfer portal. Utah is one of the few programs that seems committed to developing them in-house,' Ivins wrote for CBS Sports, in scoring Obot's commitment to Utah. The Utes have a strong history of developing pro-caliber offensive tackles under offensive line coach Jim Harding. That's an indicator Obot could be the next one to cash in on the talent he brings to Salt Lake City. Four of Utah's top 10 all-time commits, according to 247 Sports, are offensive tackles. That includes Garett Bolles, who was a first-round draft pick in 2017 and has spent his entire career with the Denver Broncos, where he was a starter since Day 1. He was had a 0.9462 composite score, per 247 Sports, and is rated the eighth-best recruit in Utah history, just ahead of Obot. Advertisement Obot's addition to next year's class also is expected to come at a good time, as the Utes' starting offensive tackles this year, Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu, are both being projected as high-round NFL draft picks for 2026 — and perhaps first-rounders. Fano and Lomu were both a part of the Utes' 2023 class and had composite scores of 0.9530 and 0.9472, respectively, as recruits, placing Fano as the sixth-highest rated recruit in Utah history and Lomu seventh. 'With starting corner-protectors Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu expected to be Day 1 or Day 2 selections in next year's NFL Draft, the Utes pulled off a major heist Tuesday, beating out Oregon, Michigan and Nebraska for Kelvin Obot,' Ivins wrote. 'Currently pegged as the nation's No. 10 offensive tackle, Obot is an athletic big man with elite body control that can mirror twitched-up pass rushers. He's far from a complete product, and will see a major step up in competition when he leaves Idaho, but he's one of the few tackles in the class that looks like he has a chance to man the left side of the line. That's big for Utah, which wasn't afraid to play both Fano and Lomu as youngsters.'
Miami Herald
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Utah Football Preview 2025: Season Prediction, Win Total, Top 10 Players, Keys to the Season
X CFN, Fiu | CFN Facebook | Bluesky Fiu, CFN 2025 Utah Utes PreviewUtah Offense BreakdownUtah Defense Breakdown Utah Utes Key to the Season Get blasting with the ground game with Devon Dampier taking over at quarterback, the yards will pile up fast. Last year's team went 1-7 when it didn't get to 150 yards on the ground. To put this into perspective, the 2022 team only failed to run for 150 yards once, and over the last two seasons is 10-0 when it does. Utah Utes Key Player Devon Dampier, QB pressure or anything, new guy, but the entire franchise is on Wilson should be better if thrown into the mix again, but Dampier is the one with the upside to take Utah from solid to a team that could actually do some damage in the College Football New Mexico transfer has to avoid the multiple interception games - he had five last year - but Utah fans are in for something special from the guy who ran for 628 yards and nine touchdowns over the final four games last season. Utah Utes Top Transfer, Biggest Transfer Loss Top Transfer In: Wayshawn Parker, RB course the top transfer is Dampier, but Utah needs a back to rumble behind another great offensive front. Parker is a slick back who had a few big moments as a freshman at Washington State, but he'll be leaned on a bit more in the Ute attack. As long as he's averaging over five yards per carry like he did last year, he'll be doing his Transfer Out: Cameron Calhoun, CB is all on upside. Calhoun didn't do anything for Michigan in 2023, but he came up with 21 tackles and nine broken up passes last year for the Utes. He's got NFL talent and No. 1 corner ability, and now he'll be showing it off at Alabama. Utah Utes Key Game Texas Tech, Sept. 20The Big 12 season is loaded with landmines up and down, but the conference opener against Texas Tech will be a huge moment early on in the race. The Red Raiders loaded up through the transfer portal and have a top 20-caliber team. With a trip to West Virginia up next, Arizona State to follow, and then a date at BYU, Utah has to come out last time these two met was in 1973 - a 29-22 Texas Tech win.- 2025 Utah Schedule Breakdown Utah Utes Top 10 Players 1. Spencer Fano, OT Jr.2. Devon Dampier, QB Jr.3. Smith Snowden, S Jr.4. Levani Damuni, LB Sr.5. Caleb Lomu, OT Soph.6. Tao Johnson, S Jr.7. Logan Fanu, DE Jr.8. Wayshawn Parker, RB Soph.9. Tanoa Togiai, OG Sr.10. Lander Barton, LB Sr. Utah Utes 2024 Fun Stats - Total Yards: Opponents 2,403, Utah 2,393- Utah 1st Quarter Scoring: 49, 2nd Quarter Scoring: 111- Two Point Conversions: Utah 4-of-6, Opponents 2-of-5' Utah Utes 2025 Season Prediction, Win Total, What Will Happen The Utes made the changes to the offense that should kick it back into gear. If this thing works like it's supposed to, they'll win the games they should've taken down last season in all of those close no one on the slate Utah can't and shouldn't beat. There's no Ohio State, or Georgia, or any superpower to deal with. Arizona State is a home game, at UCLA is the toughest non-conference game, and while the Big 12 is good from top to bottom, it's not the SEC or the Big Ten. There's still a question mark, though, about whether or not the offense will work and if Devon Dampier's talent and style will translate to playing the Power Five teams on a weekly basis. And as good as the D will be, there are holes to be aware, this Utah win total is set conservatively low. Ten wins and a Big 12 title are attainable The Utah Utes Win Total At … 8Likely Wins: Cal Poly, Colorado, Cincinnati, at Wyoming50/50 Games: Arizona State, at Baylor, at BYU, at Kansas, Kansas State, Texas Tech, at UCLA, at West VirginiaLikely Losses: No sure-thing projected losses2025 Utah Utes PreviewUtah Offense BreakdownUtah Defense Breakdown © 2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
College Football Fans Saddened as Star Quarterback Announces Medical Retirement
Some upsetting news struck the college football world on Wednesday, as it was revealed that just a week after former Florida State star quarterback Jordan Travis announced his medical retirement, another standout has also been forced to call it a career due to persistent injuries. Utah Utes star quarterback Cameron Rising, who had a highly successful run with the program and likely cemented himself as one of the greatest players in its history, announced his medical retirement from football after battling multiple season-ending injuries throughout his collegiate career. "Due to a hand injury I suffered during the Baylor game, I've been advised by two orthopedic physicians that I will never be able to return to playing football," Rising posted on social media. "I'II be obtaining a 3rd medical opinion and will undergo the recommended surgery. I will continue to rehab and do all I can to get healthy. In the meantime, I will unfortunately be forced to medically retire from the game I love." Rising continued, "My why has always been my family. I have always thought of my teammates as my brothers and always will. Thank you guys for always pushing me to improve and just making this game enjoyable. Thank you to the coaches for guiding me in the right direction to become a better man and football player. Coach Ludwig, thank you for turning me into a football nerd and showing me the correct way to respect the game. Lastly, thank you to all the fans and everyone that supported me throughout my career. You all made the moments special." Fans reacted Rising's post: Advertisement "My favorite QB who has ever put on a University of Utah uniform… Nothing will beat the 2 PAC12 Championship seasons. Appreciate everything you've done for Utah football! You'll always have a fan in me," a fan said. "What a legend. You gave us the best memories and are a true Utah Man. I hope to see you part of the program for a long time. Much respect," another fan posted. "Sad. But once a ute always a ute!" someone else added. One more fan commented, "Bad Moon forever! Thank you." Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7)© Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images Rising is stepping away from the game at the age of 25—one of the older quarterbacks at the collegiate level—largely due to extended eligibility granted from injuries and the COVID-19 waiver. Advertisement A two-time Pac-12 champion, Rising's decision to retire was influenced by a hand injury he suffered early in the 2024 season against Baylor, which caused him to miss nine games that year. Despite the setbacks, his career was marked by impressive production. Over 30 games, he threw for 6,127 yards, 53 touchdowns, and just 17 interceptions, while also adding 986 rushing yards and 12 rushing scores. Rising appeared in every game during both the 2021 and 2022 seasons, but only played in one game in 2020 and missed the entirety of the 2023 season due to injury. Now, he steps away from a game in which he found immense success and left a lasting legacy at Utah. Related: Major College Football Program Ruled Ineligible for Bowl Games After Academic Collapse
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
25-Year-Old College Football QB Makes Decision on Eighth Year
Providing clarity on what was one of the bigger unknowns of the college football offseason, Utah Utes quarterback Cam Rising made a decision about his future. Although he had the option to return for what would have been his eighth season of college football, the former four-star recruit from the class of 2018 took to social media on Wednesday to clarify his situation. Advertisement With the post captioned "Bad Moon Out," Rising revealed that a hand injury suffered in the team's Week 2 win over the Baylor Bears after he was shoved into a water cooler will prevent him from playing football again. He is medically retiring at this time. Rising does say in the post that he plans to get surgery on his hand and rehab the injury, but in the "meantime," he is "forced" to medically retire after being told by two different orthopedic physicians that he will "never" be able to play football again. While it's unclear if Rising was waiting for clearance to return to football before he went through the process, there was a possibility that he could have received an eighth year thanks to a medical redshirt for this past season. Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7) drops back to throw the ball.© Rob Gray-Imagn Images While he will forever be remembered as the quarterback who led Utah to its first two Pac-12 championships in 2021 and 2022, fans will also recall all of the injuries he endured during his career. Advertisement During 2020, he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the first game of the season. He then returned in 2021, taking over as the starter three games into the season. After leading Utah to a Pac-12 title in 2022, he suffered a horrific knee injury in the team's Rose Bowl loss to the Penn State Nittany Lions, which led to him missing all of 2023. This past season, he suffered a hand injury in Week 2 before returning in Week 7, when he suffered a lower-body injury against the Arizona State Sun Devils that led to his being ruled out indefinitely. It is unclear if Rising declared for the draft or went through any pre-draft process activities. Regardless, he left a lasting legacy in Salt Lake City. Related: Former 5-Star WR Unexpectedly Announces Retirement After Going Undrafted
USA Today
17-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
More Big Ten Expansion? Utah rumored to be candidate for further league expansion
More Big Ten Expansion? Utah rumored to be candidate for further league expansion Breaking down the latest Big Ten expansion rumor -- which is focused around the Utah Utes Could the Big Ten be looking to expand yet again? There is an interesting rumor out there right now surrounding one school linking up with the league. There is a rumor swirling around the web right now that the Big Ten is interested in adding Utah as a new member to the league. The rumor started with a message board post and has since been picked up by at least a pair of notable podcasts related to the Big Ten, including Locked on Big Ten. Craig Shemon -- host of Locked on Big Ten -- talked about the thought of Utah joining the Big Ten during an episode on Wednesday where he broke down the rumor. Shemon said the rumor could have some merit to it since Utah does meet a number of the Big Ten checklist items. But he also noted how Utah just joined the Big 12 last year and there would be a number of financial hurdles for the Utes to clear to even consider leaving for the Big Ten. Shemon added that it seems very unlikely that anything could materialize between the Big Ten and Utah for at least a few years, but down the road it would make sense for the Big Ten to add the Utes when the league is ready to expand again. The full break down from Shemon can be found in the video below: My Take on Big Ten-Utah Expansion Rumors This feels like something that probably doesn't even warrant a post since it started on a message board. But let's not forget that some of the biggest moves and stories have started with message board posts. So let's not just instantly dismiss the idea of Utah eventually joining the Big Ten. The key word there being eventually... Like Shemon said in his recent podcast episode, this doesn't seem like a move that is anywhere near close to being done. But I wouldn't be surprised if Utah was on a shortlist of schools that the Big Ten is targeting in future expansion. It would make sense for the Big Ten to look out west again in its next expansion to help spread its footprint more equally and make travel easier for the other newcomers (USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington). So for now, I wouldn't spend too much time looking into this one. But in three or four years, I wouldn't be surprised it we see Utah joining the Big Ten along with a few other western schools. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
