If you thought the 2025 season was a wild ride for the Utes, buckle up. We are looking at a program that just underwent its biggest seismic shift in two decades. Kyle Whittingham—the man, the myth, the guy who basically built the modern drum and feather—has officially stepped down.
Morgan Scalley is the guy now.
Honestly, the transition to Scalley feels right, but it changes how we look at the Utah Utes football depth chart. Scalley isn't just "Whitt 2.0." He has already started tweaking how this team is built, especially through the portal. The days of solely relying on "Ritt-ing" (recruiting and developing) are blending into a new era of aggressive portal hunting.
Let's talk about the room everyone cares about first.
The Quarterback Room: A Two-Headed Monster
Most people assumed that when Isaac Wilson hit the portal for Colorado, the Utes would be in a panic. Nope. Not even close.
Devon Dampier is back for his final season. He's coming off a year where he put up Alex Smith-style numbers—over 2,400 passing yards and 800+ rushing yards. He's the undisputed QB1. But the depth chart here is fascinating because Byrd Ficklin isn't your typical backup.
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Ficklin is basically the heir apparent. Last season, he wasn't just holding a clipboard; he was a legitimate weapon in the run game, racking up over 500 rushing yards himself. Scalley and new OC Kevin McGiven (replacing Jason Beck) are likely to keep that two-QB look in specific packages.
Behind them, you’ve got guys like Brandon Zurbrugg and freshman Kane Archer. But let’s be real: this is the Dampier and Ficklin show. If Dampier stays healthy, Utah is a Big 12 favorite. If he doesn't, Ficklin has already proven he can win games in this league.
The Offensive Line: Rebuilding the Great Wall
This is where things get a bit dicey. Utah lost all five starters from the 2025 unit.
That's a lot of "beef" to replace.
The depth chart at tackle is currently a battleground. Keep a very close eye on Cedric Jefferson, the transfer from Montana State. He's 6'5", 300 pounds, and comes from a winning culture. He's likely the frontrunner for one of the tackle spots. On the interior, the Utes landed a massive (literally and figuratively) get in Isaiah Kema from Ohio State.
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Projected Trench Starters
- LT: Cedric Jefferson (So.)
- LG: Isaiah Kema (So.)
- C: Mataalii Benjamin (Fr.) — The kid is 315 lbs and a local Lehi product.
- RG: Kelvin Obot (Fr.) — A 5-star recruit who might be too good to keep off the field.
- RT: TBD — This is a dogfight between Logan Fano (who might move from DE) and several portal targets.
It's young. It's talented. But is it ready for a September 12th date with Arkansas? That’s the $100,000 question.
Skill Positions: Speed for Days
Wayshawn Parker is the dude at running back. Period. He’s back for 2026, and after the way he shredded defenses late last year, he’s a dark horse for All-Big 12 honors.
The wide receiver room got a much-needed facelift via the portal. Braden Pegan (Utah State) and Kyri Shoels (San Jose State) aren't just depth pieces. They are starters. Pegan, in particular, is a 6'3" burner who had nearly 1,000 yards last year.
Pairing them with Money Parks and Dorian Singer gives Dampier the best weapons a Utah QB has had in a long, long time.
The Scalley Defense: No Fly Zone 2.0
Defensively, Scalley is staying true to his roots. The secondary is the crown jewel of this Utah Utes football depth chart.
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Jackson Bennee is the name you need to know. He’s a local Holladay kid who turned into a superstar as a freshman. He had four picks last year and can play safety or nickel. He’s the leader of that back end.
Up front, the Utes are reloading. Losing the starting interior tackles hurts, but getting John Henry Daley and Logan Fano back on the edges is huge. They also added Ethan Day (North Texas) and Lucas Samsula (Wyoming) to bolster the middle.
Key Defensive Depth Pieces
- DE: John Henry Daley (So.)
- DT: Jamal Wallace (Jr.) — A Tennessee transfer who adds immediate size.
- LB: Jonathan Hall (Jr.) — The thumper in the middle.
- CB: Elijah Reed (Jr.) — A 6'3" corner from Akron who fits the Scalley mold perfectly.
What This Means for the 2026 Season
Expectations in Salt Lake City haven't dropped just because Whittingham retired. If anything, they've shifted. There's a "new energy" around the facility.
The non-conference schedule is brutal. Idaho is a warmup, but then you've got Arkansas and Utah State. The Big 12 is wide open, and with the CFP expanded, the Utes aren't just looking for a bowl game. They are looking for a seat at the table.
Scalley has kept the core of the 2025 team together, which is a miracle in the NIL era. Keeping Ficklin and Dampier in the same room is a testament to the culture Robert Blecken (the GM) has built.
Actionable Insights for Ute Fans
- Monitor the O-Line Battles: Watch the spring game specifically for the chemistry between Kema and Benjamin. If the center-guard exchange is shaky, the offense will sputter regardless of who is at QB.
- Watch the Portal Windows: The singular January window is closed, but summer additions are always a possibility for depth.
- Ticket Strategy: With Arkansas coming to Rice-Eccles, secondary market prices are already spiking. If you aren't a season ticket holder, look for "mini-plans" usually released in late May.
- Freshman Watch: Kelvin Obot is the real deal. Don't be surprised if he starts from day one.
The 2026 Utes look like a team that will win with explosive playmaking on offense and a disciplined, "bend-but-don't-break" secondary. It’s a different look than the ground-and-pound teams of 2019 or 2021, but in the modern Big 12, it might be exactly what the doctor ordered.