Utah Football Offensive Lineman Orlando Umana Enters Transfer Portal

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah football starting center Orlando Umana has entered the transfer portal, KSL Sports has confirmed.

The senior has played a key role for Utah over the course of his career. His loss may prove troublesome for Utah given the timeframe of his departure. Utah is just 66 days away from starting their 2021 season against Weber State at Rice Eccles Stadium.

Umana appeared in just one game during the disheveled 2020 season. His lack of games was a result of an injury that he sustained during the opening game of the season against USC.

Previously, he started in 12 games at center in 2019, missing two games due to injury, and in 2018 started all 14 games at various positions across the offensive line.

2x 1st-team All-Metro Sacramento OL Orlando Umana is latest Ute signee. https://t.co/qq1wNkrliE #UtahNSD17 #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/waPrHfb8ka

— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) February 1, 2017

As a freshman, Umana played a role on special teams and saw action in three games on the offensive line.

Umana was recently voted by his teammates as one of four captains prior to the 2020 season. He was one of only two offensive captains. Yet, despite proudly wearing the “C” on his jersey throughout the 2020 season, Umana was not voted as a 2021 Spring captain by his peers.

Regardless, Umana is considered a leader and is one of the most highly regarded players on the roster.

His departure is certainly confusing given that Utah is ramping up its preparation for the upcoming season. Umana was competing for starting minutes alongside a crop of younger players. His reasoning to transfer is yet to be known.