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Draft Scout College Football Player News: Utah

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08/30/24 - Cameron Rising, rSr/2025, Utah + More +

Cam Rising made his return with a career-high five touchdown passes - three to Brant Kuithe - to power No. 12 Utah to a 49-0 win over Southern Utah on Thursday night. Rising, a seventh-year senior quarterback, shined in his first game action since tearing multiple knee ligaments in the Utes' Rose Bowl loss to Penn State on Jan. 2, 2023, going 10 of 15 for 254 yards and 25 rushing yards as the 84th consecutive sellout crowd at Rice-Eccles Stadium held its collective breath on each rush. He left the game in the second quarter with Utah up 35-0.

Kuithe, who also missed last season and most of the 2022 campaign, caught three touchdown passes - all in the second quarter. He caught a 29-yard toss for a score on the first play of the quarter before an 18-yarder three minutes later. With 1:08 to play in the half, Kuithe fought off three defenders on his way into the end zone on a 11-yard grab. Rising's barrage marked the first time Utah had five passing TDs in a half since Brian Johnson against San Diego State in 2008, the last season Utah went undefeated. In their first game as a member of the Big 12 Conference, the Utes churned 513 yards of total offense in their 15th straight win over FCS opponents. Utah only reached the 500-yard mark once in 2023, against Arizona State. Kuithe wrote his way into the Big 12 record book as the first tight end to ever have three touchdown receptions in a half. - AP College Football

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QB Cameron Rising, Utah
News Source: AP College Football
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03/02/23 - Cameron Rising, rSr/2025, Utah + More +

Kyle Whittingham expects that the next time you see Cam Rising, he will be starting for the University of Utah in the season-opener vs. the University of Florida. The Utes' head coach has been steadfast in that belief in the weeks since Rising exited the Rose Bowl in the third quarter on Jan. 2 with what was later revealed to be a torn left ACL. The opener will be played on either Aug. 31 or Sept. 2, roughly nine months since the injury, which falls in line with what is the general recovery timeline. Whittingham told The Salt Lake Tribune last week in a wide-ranging interview that Rising is on, if not ahead of schedule in his recovery, but there is another factor as far as the timeline goes that isn't being talked about enough.

Is Rising going to be ready for fall camp? If yes, will he be there for all of it? Some of it? Either way, how much of camp does Rising need to participate in for Whittingham to be comfortable putting him out there against the Gators? "To be ready for the opener, he has to get some reps in camp," Whittingham told The Tribune. "Maybe not necessarily the onset of camp, but by midway through camp, so we'll see how things progress. If he's not ready until a few days before the game, it's unlikely he would play in that game because he just wouldn't be completely sharp in all other areas." Utah has not announced a start date for fall camp, but FBS programs can practice 25 times over 29 days leading up to the opener, which would put the Utes' first practice on or about Aug. 2, eight months after the injury occurred. - Salt Lake Tribune

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QB Cameron Rising, Utah
News Source: Salt Lake Tribune
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02/08/23 - Cameron Rising, rSr/2025, Utah + More +

Utah announced its four captains for spring ball on Monday, naming quarterback Cameron Rising and tight end Brant Kuithe as the offensive captains, and safety Cole Bishop and linebacker Karene Reid as the defensive captains. Rising returns for his third full season as Utah's starting quarterback. He's led the Utes to back-to-back Pac-12 championships as a starter. He threw for 3,034 and 26 touchdowns last season. - Deseret News

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QB Cameron Rising, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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01/31/23 - Miles Battle, rSr/2024, Utah + More +

While Utah is losing All-America cornerback Clark Phillips III, who has declared for the NFL draft, the Utes have some talented newcomers joining the secondary. Cornerbacks coach Sharrieff Shah welcomes a pair of four-star corners in Smith Snowden and C.J. Blocker as well as Ole Miss grad transfer Miles Battle. Battle was a four-star wide receiver out of Cy Creek High in Houston before moving over to the defensive side of the ball. In 2022, the 6-foot-4, 205-pound Battle recorded 22 tackles, four pass breakups, an interception and a forced fumble.

Shah likes Battle's size, length and athletic ability. "When you have long-levered corners, it just makes it more difficult for a quarterback to fit a ball in a small window. We play incredibly good quarterbacks over and over again," he said. "We have a tremendous amount of speed coming in with C.J. Blocker and Smith Snowden. These kids have signed and they're unbelievably fast. "It's a good complement to have longer corners so offensive coordinators can't always simply think they can back-shoulder you in the red zone. We have people that can jump for the ball, too." - Deseret News

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CB Miles Battle, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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01/30/23 - Sam Huard, rJr/2026, Utah + More +

The combination of Sam Huard and Sheldon Cross produced 13,214 passing yards and 153 touchdowns - both state records - in four unparalleled seasons at Kennedy Catholic High School, from 2017 to 2021. They'll chase that same success in the FCS. Huard - a former five-star recruit, who announced a decision to enter the transfer portal after two seasons at Washington on Jan. 10 - will transfer to FCS Cal Poly, he announced on the "Brock and Salk" show on Seattle Sports Station 710 AM Monday.

In the Big Sky Conference, Huard will reunite with Cross - who agreed to become Cal Poly's offensive coordinator this month after seven successful seasons as head coach at Kennedy Catholic. "Obviously the relationship with coach Cross I've had throughout my high school career and just how much he pushed me to grow as a person and as a player," Huard said Monday morning. " So, less than two years after enrolling at UW early as a five-star recruit, is looking for an offense that is familiar. "That [air raid system at Cal Poly] definitely also had a big impact on my decision," Huard said. "I've had two different systems in two years. I know if I was going to go choose another place where I'd have to learn a third system in three years there's obviously a lot of challenges with that." - Seattle Times

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QB Sam Huard, Utah
News Source: Seattle Times
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01/30/23 - Emery Simmons, rSr/2024, Utah + More +

Former Indiana and North Carolina wide receiver Emery Simmons announced his commitment to the Utes on Sunday via social media. Simmons will have one year of eligibility remaining - the former four-star prospect transferred to Indiana last year, and played three seasons at North Carolina prior to that. Simmons had 30 receptions for 516 yards and three touchdowns during his time in the Tar Heels program, with 14 starts. Last year, he made 37 catches for 408 yards (both second-best on the team) with one touchdown for the Hoosiers. Simmons also had two carries for 54 yards. - Deseret News

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WR Emery Simmons, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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01/30/23 - Micah Bernard, rSr/2025, Utah + More +

Less than a month after entering the NCAA transfer portal, Utah running back Micah Bernard is reportedly returning to the Utah Utes' football program. UteZone's Steve Bartle first reported Friday that the 6-foot, 202-pound Bernard will withdraw from the portal and return to Utah, and KSL Sports later reported the same, saying that "things are moving in a positive direction" for Bernard to stick with the Utes.

While Bernard did not officially make a statement regarding any decision, he later appeared to confirm the news when on his Instagram story he shared a headline from a Utah fan page that read, "Micah Bernard is returning to Utah for the 2023 season." Bernard has started 12 games over the past two seasons for Utah, including one at cornerback in the 2022 Rose Bowl when Utah had injury limitations at the position. In four seasons with the Utes' program, Bernard has rushed for 1,136 yards and six touchdowns, while also catching 64 passes for 590 yards and three touchdowns. - Deseret News

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RB Micah Bernard, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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01/12/23 - Sam Huard, rJr/2026, Utah + More +

Sam Huard's story is not unique. Granted, there are certainly exclusive elements - how his father (Damon) and uncle (Brock) both starred in Seattle, cultivating a legacy of prolific quarterback play; how his last name became inextricably bound to a program as well as a position; how he set the state's prep passing record (with 13,214 yards) in his final game before enrolling early at Washington; how a ranking, a reputation and an expectation sat on the shoulders attached to his prized left arm. But Huard's transfer fits with the larger trend. Indeed, the redshirt sophomore - who announced Tuesday he'll enter the transfer portal - is one of 13 quarterbacks ranked as a five-star recruit by the 247Sports Composite between the 2018 and 2021 classes. And of those 13 celebrated slingers, eight have since searched for a second home.

That list includes Heisman Trophy winners Trevor Lawrence, Bryce Young and Caleb Williams, a top draft pick in Justin Fields … and a graveyard filled with failed marriages. Which doesn't mean Huard - or Uiagalelei - are destined for perpetual disappointment. Fields, Williams, Rattler and Nix have each found a measure of success at their second stops. But it does reveal an unfortunate fact surrounding the ongoing quarterback carousel: whether via the transfer portal or the high school ranks, signal callers are constantly coming to take your job. If you're not good enough, you'll be gone. - Seattle Times

rJr/2026

QB Sam Huard, Utah
News Source: Seattle Times
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01/12/23 - Damien Alford, rSr/2025, Utah + More +

Syracuse football has hit double digit exits via the transfer portal with just over a week to go until the first transfer window closes. Wide receiver Damien Alford entered the portal Tuesday night. The third-year player is the fourth wide receiver to depart the SU program this offseason, joining Courtney Jackson, Anthony Queeley and Dom Foster.

Alford finished the 2022 season with the third-most receiving yards (429) among the Orange. He had two receiving touchdowns and caught the deepest pass of the season, a 58-yard dime from quarterback Garrett Shrader, during Syracuse's late scoring run against Boston College. His departure will leave Syracuse without three of its top five receivers from this season. - The Post-Standard

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WR Damien Alford, Utah
News Source: The Post-Standard
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01/11/23 - Brant Kuithe, rSr/2025, Utah + More +

Utah Utes tight end Brant Kuithe will be returning once again. Kuithe announced on social media Monday morning that he will play for the Utes in 2023 instead of entering his name in April's NFL draft. The news comes as Kuithe, Utah's most important receiving target, played in just four games in 2022 after he tore his ACL Sept. 24 against Arizona State.

Kuithe returned to the Utes in 2022 after it appeared he could have been a relatively high draft pick last spring. The 2023 season will be Kuithe's fifth as a Ute. A native of Katy, Texas, the 6-foot-2, 219-pounder was named to the All-Pac-12 second team for three consecutive seasons from 2019-2021 before getting hurt this fall. In his career, Kuithe has tallied 148 receptions for 1,882 yards with 16 touchdowns. - Deseret News

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FB Brant Kuithe, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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01/11/23 - Devaughn Vele, rJr/2024, Utah + More +

No matter what sort of roster turnover the University of Utah has next season, it will return two of its top pass-catching options. Brant Kuithe, a fifth-year senior tight end who was lost for the season on Sept. 24 due to a torn right ACL, announced on Monday that he will return for a sixth season in 2023.

Wide receiver Devaughn Vele will follow Kuithe's lead, the program also announced Monday. A fourth-year sophomore wide receiver in 2022, Vele at one point late in the regular season indicated he was leaning towards leaving, but later did a 180-degree turn to indicate he was leaning towards staying. Vele led all Utes wide receivers last season in catches (55), yards (695) and touchdowns (5). - Salt Lake Tribune

rJr/2024

WR Devaughn Vele, Utah
News Source: Salt Lake Tribune
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01/09/23 - Cameron Rising, rSr/2025, Utah + More +

Utah quarterback Cameron Rising is returning after considering a jump to the NFL. The school announced Monday that Rising will be back as a sixth-year senior in 2023 after leading the Utes to consecutive Pac-12 titles. Rising was a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien and Maxwell awards after throwing for 3,034 yards and 26 touchdowns with eight interceptions. The Ventura, California, native was named MVP of the Pac-12 Championship game after leading the Utes to a 47-24 win that knocked USC out of the College Football Playoff.

Utah played in the Rose Bowl the past two seasons, falling short in both after Rising went down with injuries. He suffered a left leg injury and had to leave in the third quarter of this year's game, which the Utes lost 35-21 to Penn State. Rising's return adds to a strong list of Pac-12 quarterbacks who will be back in 2023, including Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams of USC, Oregon's Bo Nix and Washington State's Michael Penix Jr. Former Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei also transferred to Oregon State. - AP College Football

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QB Cameron Rising, Utah
News Source: AP College Football
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01/08/23 - Cole Becker, Sr/2025, Utah + More +

Utah didn't have to look too far to reel in a kicker from the transfer portal. Former Colorado kicker Cole Becker announced Friday he has committed to the Utes, three days after entering the NCAA transfer portal. Becker, who was the Buffaloes' kicker the past two seasons, will have two years of eligibility remaining.

What did Cole Becker do at Colorado? The 6-foot-3 kicker out of Roseville, California, made 11 of 13 field goals during the 2022 season, with a long of 49 yards, while connecting on 20 of 21 extra points. He made 25 of 33 field goals at Colorado, with a long of 56, and 45 of 46 extra points over the past two years. Becker had touchbacks on 67% of his 94 kickoffs over the past two seasons, though that improved to 73.9% during the 2022 season. He was also flagged for kickoffs out of bounds just twice. Becker entered the transfer portal not long after Jackson State kicker Alejandro Mata followed new Colorado coach Deion Sanders to Boulder. - Deseret News

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K Cole Becker, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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01/08/23 - Anthony Woods, Jr/2026, Utah + More +

2022 ALL-BIG SKY SECOND TEAM: RB Anthony Woods (UI),...Woods, a true freshman running back was named second-team All-Big Sky after rushing for 880 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 5.7 yards per carry and rushed for more than 100 yards against Portland State and Idaho State. - Idaho Football

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RB Anthony Woods, Utah
News Source: Idaho Football
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01/08/23 - Micah Bernard, rSr/2025, Utah + More +

Utah running back Micah Bernard is reportedly entering the NCAA transfer portal, according to multiple reports Wednesday afternoon. The Athletic's Max Olson, who first reported the news, said Bernard will enter the portal as a graduate transfer. Later Wednesday, Bernard shared a message on social media, thanking the Utah football community. Bernard finished second on the team in 2022 with 533 rushing yards and had four rushing touchdowns. He added 34 catches for 314 yards and another score.

Bernard, who also played cornerback for the Utes last year in the Rose Bowl when injuries limited Utah at the position, rushed for 1,136 yards and six touchdowns in four years in Utah's program. He caught 64 passes for 590 yards and three touchdowns at Utah. It's the second expected departure for the Utes' running backs group, after leading rusher Tavion Thomas declared for the NFL draft. - Deseret News

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