Barring a sudden 'vault of cash' available, Utah football expects a 'quiet' transfer portal

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SALT LAKE CITY — If you know of someone — or are that person — with a "vault of cash" who is ready to spend on college football, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham is looking to talk to you.

On Wednesday, the 10-day spring transfer portal window opened for football, allowing players a second chance to consider their options before the fall season.

Though, generally, a more quiet portal period, this window still serves as a reminder that rosters are fluid as athletes around the country potentially look for a better landing spot — take Cal running back Jaydn Ott transferring to Oklahoma suddenly, or the mismanagement of former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava as recent examples shaking up the sport.

Regardless of the occasional tumult that comes with roster building in the current age of collegiate sports — including a pending NCAA settlement that will further define the sport — Whittingham said Utah has no plans to alter how it views the portal.

As Utah looks to upgrade or add depth to several position groups, there won't suddenly be an influx of cash — at least no more than the standard rates Utah values certain position groups — thrown around to attract new players before the NCAA settlement impacts how schools can entice prospective athletes.

"We don't have a vault of cash somewhere to put in people's pockets," Whittingham said. "If you do, if you know about one, let me know. But, no, that doesn't change how we operate right now."

But Utah will still be active during this portal session.

Though no position group stands out as an immediate need, Whittingham said his coaching staff will primarily be looking for another receiver, defensive tackle and cornerback, while noting that running back may also be an area Utah entertains.

"It just depends on availability," Whittingham said. "And we may lose (some) that we don't anticipate losing, so that could alter that, but as we stand right now, that's the plan."

On top of that, Whittingham said the staff will always look to add more depth at the quarterback position — "you always do in the portal every time it opens" — but it's not a huge emphasis of need with Devon Dampier as the clear starter, and Isaac Wilson and Byrd Ficklin as contenders for QB2.

In spring, the three have been the primary quarterbacks splitting all the reps, with Oklahoma transfer Brendan Zurbrugg absent from the mix and true freshman quarterback Wyatt Becker already leaving the team.

Nate Johnson can moonlight as a backup quarterback if needs be, but Utah has much different plans for the do-it-all athlete that will be utilized all over the field.

So there's a potential need at the position — especially with Utah's recent bad luck at the position, where the fifth-string QB has finished out the season — but not one that will be at the top of the list.

Gentlemen: START YOUR ENGINES (hell, they already did back east😂 #ThePortal#GoUtes Let the chaos begin…and I'm here for ALL OF IT!!! pic.twitter.com/UGUMK2vxcB — Mark Atuaia (@CoachAtuaia) April 16, 2025

As for players potentially leaving the program, Whittingham said "indications are that it shouldn't be too crazy" — at least that's the way it's been trending. Utah already had two corners enter the portal at the start of spring camp, but the remaining players on roster have not made indications of such an upcoming move, he said.

He'll know more once Utah concludes its spring practices Saturday with its annual spring game (1 p.m. MDT, ESPN+). Until then, "everyone right now is out here working hard," he said.

"We've still got to get through spring ball and finish up," Whittingham said. "We'll have our exit meetings next week. And typically, if a guy's going to go to the portal, they are not going to go through the entire spring ball. That typically opt out prior to that.

"Doesn't mean that it's not going to happen; that's usually the indicator when they say I'm not going to practice anymore. But we can't have too much disruption and change the whole routine just because of that; we've just got to keep plugging away and keep going through the process that we have."

So unless Utah suddenly comes into some cash to attract new players, expect a relatively quiet spring portal season.

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