Utah 2014 news

Wyoming was expected to head into spring practice with Jason Thompson as its starting quarterback.

Um, oops?

In a surprise move Tuesday, Utah announced via its Twitter account that Thompson has decided to transfer into the Utes football program. Wyoming’s athletic director subsequently confirmed that Thompson had asked to be released from his scholarship.

Thompson, who had two cousins play football for the Utes, will be forced to sit out the 2014 season and will retain two years of eligibility beginning in 2015.

Utah’s depth and experience in the defensive secondary has taken an unexpected hit this weekend.

According to the Deseret News, defensive back Tyron Morris-Edwards has decided to take his leave of the Utes football program.

Utah has announced that quarterback Kendal Thompson has officially joined the Utes football program. Thompson transferred to the Pac 12 school from Oklahoma.

Over the weekend it was reported that linebacker Jacoby Hale suffered a torn ACL during practice Thursday. Monday, the school confirmed that Hale injured his knee during practice this past week, although they stopped short of calling it an ACL issue.

As it stands now, Hale is not expected to return until late September or early October at the earliest.

Greg Reese, Clarence Smith switch to bolster Utes defensive line
Tight end Greg Reese and linebacker Clarence Smith adjusting to position.

Marcus Sanders-Williams moved to linebacker

Former four-star Arizona signee now a walk-on at Utah

After it (very quickly) didn’t work out at one Pac-12 school, Logan Stott is going to give another member of the same conference a whirl.

Stott’s father, Dale Stott, confirmed to the Salt Lake Tribune that his son has decided to continue his playing career at Utah. At least initially, the offensive lineman will be a walk-on with the Utes, but one who could see immediate playing time.

Late this past week, San Diego State head coach Rocky Long confirmed to the San Diego Union-Tribune that running back Lucky Radley has joined the Aztecs football program. As a graduate transfer, Radley, who will be a walk-on, will play in 2014 and use his final season of collegiate eligibility.

No reason was given for Radley’s decision to transfer from Utah earlier this offseason.

QB-turned-WR leaves Utes

Earlier this offseason, Micah Thomas made the move from quarterback to wide receiver. Now, the player has made his move out of the Utah football program entirely.

In a move that’s been speculated on for weeks thanks to the receiver himself, the Utes confirmed to the Salt Lake Tribune that Thomas has decided to take his leave of the team. The move doesn’t come as a complete surprise as Thomas tweeted May 23 that he is “planning these moves I’m about to make,” then followed that up a couple of weeks later with a post to Instagram that read “Chest Up Eyes Up Prayed Up. Making Major Moves.”

While Thomas is officially gone, the Utes could be gaining a transfer from the SEC. The News writes that “[f]ormer South Carolina cornerback Ahmad Christian, who transferred to a junior college in December and announced plans to sign with Utah via Twitter earlier this week, has yet to sign a financial aid agreement with the Utes.” That, though, could happen as early as this week or he could wait until winter to join the team.

Former South Carolina cornerback Ahmad Christian will transfer to Utah this fall and be eligible to play in 2015, he told The Tribune by phone Wednesday night.

As a redshirt sophomore last season, Christian was credited with 18 tackles, two pass break-ups and one forced fumble. He played in every regular-season game and started once, against Georgia in Week Two.

During a scrimmage Tuesday, Reginald Porter suffered what was originally thought to be a minor knee injury. Unfortunately, further medical tests revealed that the injury was much more significant than originally diagnosed.

So much so, in fact, that the cornerback will not play at all in 2014 because of the unspecified knee injury.

Wallace Gonzalez has switched from tight end to defensive end.

Utah confirmed that the incumbent Travis Wilson had, to the surprise of some, fended off the challenge of Oklahoma transfer Kendal Thompson.

A little less than three weeks after leaving UCLA, it seems as if Kylie Fitts has found a new football home. And, as it turns out, the player won’t have to shift any type of conference allegiance with the move.

According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Fitts “has elected to transfer from UCLA to Utah.” The defensive end will be forced to sit out the 2014 season to satisfy NCAA transfer rules but will be eligible to play for the Utes in 2015. He will then have three years of eligibility remaining.