2026 Big 12 Football Teams Previews: Utah Utes

Teams:

Portal Team Rankings:

On3: Big 12 15th | National 67th
24/7 Sports: Big 12 8th | National 44th
The Athletic: C

Via AI:

Braden Pegan (WR): Followed his offensive coordinator to Utah after racking up 60 catches for 926 yards and earning All-Mountain West honors.
Ethan Day (DL): Brings proven backfield disruption after logging 53 tackles and 4.5 sacks last season.
Cedric Jefferson (OT): A vital piece arriving from the FCS champion ranks with starting experience to help rebuild the offensive line.
Lucas Samsula (DL): Transferred from Wyoming to add seasoned depth and interior presence up front.
Isaiah Kema (IOL): Former Ohio State piece added to stabilize the trenches during a massive line transition.

Via The Athletic:

Top players added: RB Steve Chavez-Soto (San Jose State), WR Braden Pegan (Utah State), WR Kyri Shoels (San Jose State), OT Cedric Jefferson (Montana State), DL Ethan Day (North Texas)

Kyle Whittingham left for Michigan and took five starters with him, including four on defense. New coach Morgan Scalley, the school’s former defensive coordinator, was able to replace three of them with starters from other FBS programs, including Day, who had seven tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks last season at North Texas. The toughest task, though, is replacing all five starters on the Utes’ offensive line, including two potential first-round picks in tackles Caleb Lomu and Spencer Fano. Only five starters are returning, including quarterback Devon Dampier and running back Wayshawn Parker.

ESPN’s Bill Connelly:

On Nov. 28, 1989, Utah fired future New York Giants coach Jim Fassel after a frustrating 4-8 campaign. The school has been led by only three coaches in the 36 seasons since. Ron McBride left as the school’s second-winningest coach, a peak-of-his-powers Urban Meyer went 22-2 in two seasons and Kyle Whittingham took it from there. After 21 seasons and the most wins in Utah history, Whittingham passed the reins to longtime defensive coordinator Scalley.

Whittingham left after a particularly high-upside and what-if-heavy season. The Utes finished eighth in SP+, winning 11 games — 10 by double digits — and losing only to Texas Tech and, in a road nail-biter, BYU. Utah at least briefly found a new level of offensive upside with the combination of coordinator Jason Beck and dynamic quarterback Devon Dampier, ranking seventh nationally in success rate and first in red zone touchdown rate and crafting a few more big plays than normal. The defense, meanwhile, played at its normal top-20 level under Scalley.

There’s more at the link.

Team Recruiting Rankings:

On3: Big 12 5th | National 36th
24/7 Sports: Big 12 4th | National 27th

Via AI:

Kelvin Obot: Five-star offensive lineman and the highest-rated commit in Utah history.
Mataalii Benjamin: Elite four-star offensive tackle out of Lehi, Utah.
PJ Takitaki: High-potential four-star edge rusher from Lehi High School.
Salesi Moa: Top-tier local defensive back/athlete from Fremont High School.

Big 12 Power Rankings

ESPN’s Bill Connelly: 3rd in the Big 12
CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah: 5th in the Big 12
The Big Lead: 4th in the Big 12
Desert News’ Brandon Judd: 5th in the Big 12

AI Projection: What is the outlook for Utah Utes football for 2026?

The 2026 Utah Utes enter a historic transition year under new head coach Morgan Scalley, who takes over following Kyle Whittingham’s departure. Vegas sets their regular-season win total at 8.5, with expectations balanced between a favorable schedule and major roster rebuilding in the trenches.

Coaching and Leadership Changes

Longtime defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley officially takes over the helm as head coach.

Colton Swan steps up as the full-time defensive coordinator.

Kevin McGiven arrives from Utah State to take over as the new offensive coordinator.

Offense

Strengths: Dual-threat quarterback Devon Dampier and running back Wayshawn Parker return to form one of the league’s top backfields. The wide receiver room is also revamped via the transfer portal with productive additions like Braden Pegan.

Concerns: The Utes must completely replace all five starters on their offensive line, meaning the run-heavy blocking scheme needs to gel quickly.

Defense and Schedule

Defense: The secondary remains talented under an intact defensive staff, but the entire starting defensive line must be rebuilt.

Schedule: Favorable home matchups against Arkansas, Houston, and rival BYU at Rice-Eccles Stadium give Utah a clear path to contend for the Big 12 title and a potential playoff berth if early momentum holds.