SALT LAKE CITY – Safety Clayton Isbell will be hitting the transfer portal as a graduate transfer after spending one season with Utah football. Graduate student-athletes can transfer at any point regardless of the portal being open or not.

The rangy safety came to the Utes last season as a transfer from Illinois State but saw limited action in 2022 despite earning praise from the coaches for continued improvement. Isbell played in all 14 of Utah’s games last season while making his first start against Arizona toward the end of the year.

Isbell recorded 16 total tackles (0.5 TFL) on the year, with a season-high seven coming on defense and special teams vs. Arizona. He also had one tackle on kickoff coverage in the regular season win over No. 7 USC in October.

I would like to give thanks to
The University of Utah and the city of Salt Lake for the opportunity but I will be entering the transfer portal as a Graduate transfer with one year of eligibility remaining. pic.twitter.com/muQU1TWBCN

— CLAYTON ISBELL (@claytonisbell10) March 15, 2023

Utah Football And The Transfer Portal

There wasn’t a lot of movement for the Utes in the transfer portal to end 2022, largely due to their second-straight Rose Bowl berth. It is hard not to expect more movement after spring ball when the transfer portal opens back up in May and athletes better understand where they stand heading into the 2023 season.

So far, most of the players who have entered the portal for the Utes have been guys who have seen limited to no playing time at Utah. Others, like Isbell, are simply looking for a fresh start or change of scenery after putting in their time to get their degrees.

Utah officially begins spring practices next week in the ramp up to their “22 Forever” Game. The Utes are expected to have a chance at three-peating as Pac-12 Champions, making the movement in and out of the NCAA Transfer Portal even more interesting and critical as we inch closer to another football season.

Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for KSLsports.com and host of both the Crimson Corner Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and The Saturday Show (Saturday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.) on The KSL Sports Zone. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram: @BodkinKSLsports

 

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