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Two Utah wide receivers who have taken different journeys will be counted on to produce for the Utes this season. And they'll try to help fill the void left by wideouts Bryan Thompson and Samson Nacua, who left the program last winter. Junior Jaylen Dixon entered the transfer portal in October 2020 but ended up withdrawing from the portal last February and returned to the Utes, something that had never been done before at the U. Meanwhile, redshirt freshman Devaughn Vele has emerged this spring as a potential weapon, highlighted by his performance in the spring game, when he caught four passes for 66 yards and a touchdown.

"I have very high expectations for him," quarterback Charlie Brewer said of Vele. "I feel like he's a complete receiver. He has size and he can jump out of a gym and really go up and high-point the ball. He's a big-play receiver. I feel like he's going to have a huge fall." Vele, a 6-foot-4, 205-pounder from San Diego, has played in nine games in his career, including one start. He's recorded two receptions for 12 yards. "Devaughn Vele has been our secret weapon for a minute now. It sucks seeing Bryan and Samson moving on but we support them at the end of the day. They've got to do what they've got to do. We're brothers so we love each other for that," said wide receiver Solomon Enis. "But Vele's been ready, he's been consistent, he's been reliable. People can rely upon him a lot. I'm excited for this tandem, this duo, we have going...Vele's ready to go and he's capable." - Deseret News

(DS#45 WR) rJr/2024

WR Devaughn Vele, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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05/05/21 - Munir McClain, rSr/2025, Utah, 6-3, 220 (DS#999 WR) + More +

Munir McClain, the USC receiver suspended last fall amid a federal inquiry into apparent unemployment fraud on campus, has re-entered the NCAA transfer portal, six months after opting to withdraw his name the first time. His decision to leave USC marks the messy end of a relationship that swiftly soured last fall, when federal agents first arrived on USC's campus asking questions about the sophomore receiver.

McClain was first suspended from USC's football team last September as he emerged as one focus of a federal probe into unemployment fraud. McClain told The Los Angeles Times last fall that he applied for and received pandemic unemployment assistance benefits last summer. By late October, federal agents were on USC's campus, questioning his USC teammates about McClain and whether they were approached about fraudulently filing for unemployment benefits. Some were given subpoenas to appear before a grand jury. - Los Angelese Times

(DS#999 WR) rSr/2025

WR Munir McClain, Utah
News Source: Los Angelese Times
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04/29/21 - Devaughn Vele, rJr/2024, Utah, 6-4, 203 (DS#45 WR) + More +

In the days leading up to the April 17 spring game, Whittingham said positive things about Devaughn Vele, even going as far as to say the redshirt freshman had control of the fourth receiver spot as spring ball came to a close. At the spring game, Vele made Whittingham look smart, finishing with four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown. A 40-yard second-quarter catch from Brewer was among the offensive highlights of the afternoon as Vele had to shake off a clear defensive pass interference penalty on Vonte Davis down the right sideline to finish the play. "The biggest thing I've been trying to learn is just how to do my job, understanding the offense," Vele said after the spring game. "We have a lot of playmakers on the offense, so I just want to add a little mix to it however I can. Spring was an opportunity for me and some other guys to find our place in what can be a really good team this fall." - Salt Lake Tribune

(DS#45 WR) rJr/2024

WR Devaughn Vele, Utah
News Source: Salt Lake Tribune
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04/17/21 - Nick Ford, rSr/2022, Utah, 6-5, 310 (DS#11 C) + More +

During his time at Utah, junior Nick Ford has played every position on the offensive line. He's started one game at left tackle, six at left guard, 13 at right guard, two at right tackle and four at center. This spring, Ford has become a fixture as the Utes' starting center. "Nick has an extremely high football IQ. He does a very good job of communicating up front," said offensive line coach Jim Harding. "We had a couple of younger players last year and he's a real calming presence on the sidelines. He came in and played a number of different positions. That's lent to the ability to know the calls and things like that. He's done a nice job executing the center-quarterback exchange. I think it's a natural fit for him." Ford is a two-time All-Pac-12 offensive lineman, having earned first-team honors in 2020. While he could have declared early for the NFL draft, he chose to return for another season at Utah.

When the season ended, Ford explored his options and received a draft evaluation. He was told he would likely be a third-round or fourth-round pick in the draft, with a chance to improve his stock to a second-round or third-round selection. After consulting with coaches, agents and his parents, Ford decided it was in his best interest to play another season of college football. "Just thinking about it over all, the main thing that every agent and coach said was I could leave now but if I come back, I could leave even better, which was a big factor in my decision as well as knowing how much talent was returning this year and the capability this team to not only win the Rose Bowl and the Pac-12 but this team reminds me of 2018-19 when we had everybody and we were able to make that run. I really think we can make that run again. So I just want to go out with another ring." - Deseret News

(DS#11 C) rSr/2022

C Nick Ford, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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04/13/21 - Blake Kuithe, Sr/2023, Utah, 6-3, 255 (DS#999 DE) + More +

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound native of Katy, Texas, earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2019 and 2020. Whittingham loves Kuithe's versatility and his ability to play in multiple spots on the field - like wide receiver, tight end and fullback. "He's an extremely talented young man. He's more of a hybrid than he is a tight end. He doesn't have the prototypical tight end size. He's more of an H-back," he said. "He played running back in high school. He catches the ball exceptionally well, runs great routes and he's elusive in the open field as you've seen many times over the last couple of years. He's a big weapon for us." Kuithe is one of the Utes that could have declared early for the NFL draft but he decided to return for another year. "I had a decent season but we only won three games," he explained. "We haven't won a Pac-12 championship. That's the most important goal. Every single year, we fall short of it. I came here to win that." - Deseret News

(DS#999 DE) Sr/2023

DE Blake Kuithe, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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04/12/21 - Nephi Sewell, rJr/2022, Utah, 6-0, 224 (DS#24 OLB) + More +

Entering his third season as Utah's linebackers coach, Colton Swan manages one of the strengths of the Ute defense. At linebacker, Utah boasts veteran stars like juniors Devin Lloyd and Nephi Sewell, as well as highly touted freshmen like Trey Reynolds and Mason Tufaga. Another promising freshman linebacker, Cole Bishop, has been moved to safety. Sewell, whose brother, Penei, was an offensive lineman at Oregon and is expected to be a top-10 pick in the NFL draft later this month, enjoyed a breakout season last year after switching from safety to linebacker.

"He's not the biggest man in stature but he does pack a powerful punch. He is physical. Probably his best attribute is just how he can find ways to get to the football. He has an unbelievable knack for the football." - Colton Swan on Nephi Sewell

"He's a phenomenal individual. He has an uncanny ability to get to the football. It's something like I've never seen," Swan said of Nephi Sewell. "He really, really understands offense; he really, really understands defense. He puts himself in great positions to make plays. He's very productive. He's not the biggest man in stature but he does pack a powerful punch. He is physical. Probably his best attribute is just how he can find ways to get to the football. He has an unbelievable knack for the football." - Deseret News

(DS#24 OLB) rJr/2022

OLB Nephi Sewell, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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04/10/21 - Brant Kuithe, rSr/2025, Utah, 6-2, 236 (DS#2 FB) + More +

Whoever winds up as the starting quarterback at the University of Utah, whether it be Charlie Brewer, Cameron Rising, or Ja'Quinden Jackson, there is some question right now as to who that person will throw to this fall. The Utes are thin at wide receiver, a problem coach Kyle Whittingham has addressed numerous times in the last two months in the wake of Bryan Thompson and Samson Nacua transferring. Whittingham has made clear he will hit the NCAA Transfer Portal in the time between spring practice ending and fall camp beginning, so for now, wide receiver is a significant question mark for the program. As far as pass-catching options go, that's the bad news. The good news, though, is two-folded. One, Utah likes to utilize the tight end position. Two, there are no questions at Utah about tight ends like there are about wide receivers.

Two-time All-Pac-12 tight end Brant Kuithe is back as a junior. Another veteran pass-catching option returns in junior Cole Fotheringham, and still, there is a third legitimate option in junior Dalton Kincaid, an FCS All-American as a sophomore in 2019 at the University of San Diego. "We have playmakers," Kuithe said this week a Zoom call with reporters. "Dalton is doing well this spring and I think next year, it's going to be a different story. He wasn't involved much last year, and only getting five games, the play was a little erratic. Getting a full slate of games, I think the tight end group is going to be really solid." - Salt Lake Tribune

(DS#2 FB) rSr/2025

FB Brant Kuithe, Utah
News Source: Salt Lake Tribune
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04/07/21 - Micah Bernard, rSr/2025, Utah, 5-10, 199 (DS#39 RB) + More +

Among Utah's intriguing position battles this spring is at running back. The arrivals of T.J. Pledger, a transfer from Oklahoma, and Chris Curry, a transfer from Louisiana State, have been well publicized while a three-star recruit from Florida, Ricky Parks, will join the Utes this summer. But overlooked somewhat is 5-foot-11, 200-pound redshirt freshman Micah Bernard, who is actually No. 1 on the depth chart this spring. Bernard has been in the program since 2019, arriving on campus when he was just 17 years old.

Bernard, a three-star recruit, rushed for 2,411 yards during his career at Gahr High School in Cerritos, California. He hails from Long Beach. After redshirting at Utah in '19, Bernard played in five games last season, rushing 15 times for 76 yards and catching four passes for 25 yards. So what puts Bernard at the top of the depth chart, ahead of Pledger and Curry at this point? "He's 200 pounds and he has great hands out of the backfield. He's tough and really smooth. You didn't really see Micah last year for obvious reasons. But he's really made a big jump from last spring to this spring. Now it's his time to shine." - Utah coach Kyle Whittingham, on Micah Bernard - Deseret News

(DS#39 RB) rSr/2025

RB Micah Bernard, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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03/24/21 - Britain Covey, rSr/2022, Utah, 5-08, 169 (DS#34 WR) + More +

There always seem to be jokes about Utah wide receiver Britain Covey's age. During media availability via Zoom Monday morning, he cracked that he's been in the program for 35 years. It only seems that way. Covey had an impactful freshman season in 2015, followed by a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Chile. Since returning from his mission, he's experienced both good times and tough times. He's dealt with a variety of injuries. While he is as healthy as he's been for some time, during spring practices, in some ways, Covey is feeling a little different.

"We've got a great group of guys and I'm really grateful for that. It is really cool to be an older guy on the team. It's strange," said the 5-foot-8 junior from Provo. "Every other year in my career, I've felt like this was the older guys' team. This is probably the first year where I come in and I see someone doing something that maybe is not in Ute culture. And I'm the one that's like, 'No, this is my team. We don't act like that here. This is our team.' That's really cool to feel like that and feel like an older guy." Most years, Utah loses a handful of players to the NFL. But all the players that could have declared for the draft have decided to return for the 2021 campaign. - Deseret News

(DS#34 WR) rSr/2022

WR Britain Covey, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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03/19/21 - Devin Lloyd, Sr/2022, Utah, 6-3, 237 (DS#1 ILB) + More +

Like some of his teammates, Utah middle linebacker Devin Lloyd faced a major decision after the truncated 2020 campaign ended last December. Should he enter his name in the NFL draft? Or should he come back for one more season? Ultimately, Lloyd chose to return to the Utes. So why did he postpone his shot at the NFL? "More than anything, I want to leave with a championship, with a nice little ring on my finger. Hopefully a couple of rings," said the 6-foot-3, 232-pound junior. "I want to bring everyone along with me, too. I know this team wants to be great. I'm not the only one on this team that wants to be great. "My passion for the game as well - the NFL isn't going anywhere," he continued. "I just want to cement a legacy here at the university and do a lot of great things here. I knew I had an opportunity to leave but it wouldn't have been up to my expectations as far as the draft. I just felt like it was all around the best decision to come back and invest another year." - Deseret News

(DS#1 ILB) Sr/2022

ILB Devin Lloyd, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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03/18/21 - Cameron Rising, rSr/2025, Utah, 6-2, 220 (DS#28 QB) + More +

The University of Utah quarterbacks room is undergoing a radical shift with Power Five transfers Charlie Brewer and Ja'Quinden Jackson entering the fray, but Cameron Rising is the incumbent.The redshirt sophomore won the starting job last season, out-dueling Jake Bentley late in fall camp to get the nod in the Nov. 21 season-opener vs. USC. Rising lasted all of 14 offensive snaps, though, suffering a season-ending shoulder injury while trying to recover his own fumble. Rising underwent surgery to repair the shoulder injury and continues to go through rehabilitation as spring practice begins to unfold without him. Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham has ruled Rising out for the spring, so he has no choice but to continue rehab, not to mention wait for his turn to come back around. - Salt Lake Tribune

(DS#28 QB) rSr/2025

QB Cameron Rising, Utah
News Source: Salt Lake Tribune
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02/25/21 - Theo Howard, rSr/2022, Utah, 6-0, 188 (DS#158 WR) + More +

Theo Howard's time at Oklahoma appears to have met its end. Rivals.com reports the OU receiver is entering the NCAA transfer portal following one season in Norman. Howard transferred from UCLA to OU ahead of the 2020 college football season. He recorded 163 receiving yards on 13 catches in 10 appearances for the Sooners. His most productive outing came against Missouri State on Sept. 12, posting 63 yards on five catches. Howard came to OU following three seasons with the Bruins and was a consensus four-star recruit coming out of Westlake Village High School in California. - Norman Transcript

(DS#158 WR) rSr/2022

WR Theo Howard, Utah
News Source: Norman Transcript
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01/15/21 - Devin Lloyd, Sr/2022, Utah, 6-3, 237 (DS#1 ILB) + More +

On Saturday at 5:20 p.m., Devin Lloyd tweeted out a 21-second highlight video from the shortened 2020 football season, and slapped a caption on it that read, "One Last Ride." Lloyd, a University of Utah redshirt junior linebacker and a finalist for last season's Butkus Award, will return to Salt Lake City in 2021 as a redshirt junior. With that, all of the Utes' major offseason business should now be complete.

Lloyd is returning, an announcement that came days after redshirt junior offensive lineman Nick Ford and junior tight end Brant Kuithe both announced they would return. The coaching staff restocked the quarterback room, hitting the NCAA Transfer Portal for Baylor's Charlie Brewer and Ja'Quinden Jackson of Texas. Same with the running back room, which now includes Oklahoma transfer T.J. Pledger and LSU's Chris Curry. The question now begs, will Utah contend for the Pac-12 South title? - Salt Lake Tribune

(DS#1 ILB) Sr/2022

ILB Devin Lloyd, Utah
News Source: Salt Lake Tribune
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01/12/21 - TJ Pledger, Sr/2022, Utah, 5-08, 192 (DS#46 RB) + More +

T.J. Pledger, a 2018 Oklahoma signee and three-year reserve running back, will transfer to Utah, he announced on Monday. The 5-foot-9 running back, who's from Pacoima, California, appeared in 30 games, rushing for 695 yards and six touchdowns on 135 carries. Pledger leaves the program following his most productive season. He tallied 451 rushing yards and five scores during the 2020 season, receiving the role of OU's primary running back while Rhamondre Stevenson served a five-game suspension. He backed up Stevenson, who leaves this offseason as well but for the 2021 NFL Draft, during the last half of OU's 2020 slate. - Norman Transcript

(DS#46 RB) Sr/2022

RB TJ Pledger, Utah
News Source: Norman Transcript
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01/11/21 - Devin Lloyd, Sr/2022, Utah, 6-3, 237 (DS#1 ILB) + More +

Devin Lloyd isn't ready to end his college career just yet. Lloyd, a finalist for the Butkus Award and a Sporting News second-team All-American linebacker as a University of Utah redshirt junior in 2020, announced on Sunday evening that he will return to Salt Lake City for the 2021 season. With the NCAA freezing the eligibility clock this past season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lloyd will remain a redshirt junior next season. The 2021 season is expected to be Lloyd's last as a collegian. An All-Pac-12 first-team selection during the Utes' five-game season, Lloyd led the Utes in total tackles (48) and tackles for a loss (10) to go along with two sacks. - Salt Lake Tribune

(DS#1 ILB) Sr/2022

ILB Devin Lloyd, Utah
News Source: Salt Lake Tribune
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