Former QB Nate Johnson Commits, Set To Return To Utah
Dec 31, 2024, 4:24 PM
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 26: Nate Johnson #3 of the Vanderbilt Commodores passes the ball against the Texas Longhorns in the first half at FirstBank Stadium on October 26, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Carly Mackler/Getty Images)
(Photo by Carly Mackler/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utes landed another transfer portal commitment on New Year’s Eve, as former Vanderbilt and Utah quarterback Nate Johnson announced his commitment.
He becomes Utah’s 15th commitment in the transfer portal class, with 10 of those coming on the offensive side.
Utah continues its offseason makeover and will continue to be active with only a few spots remaining.
Nate Johnson Commits To Utah Return
BREAKING: Former Vanderbilt and Utah QB, @Shaboinate3, is returning to SLC! #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/7G0ScPQ1iN
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) December 31, 2024
After spending the past season with the Vanderbilt Commodores, the former Utah quarterback is running it back with the Utes.
Johnson did not play much at Vanderbilt, as Diego Pavia took control of the job there. However, his familiarity and impact are well known at Utah.
Given the change in offense with Jason Beck, Johnson is a rather intriguing addition. He will return as a quarterback and will also be used as a versatile offensive weapon.
With the additions of Devon Dampier and Brendan Zurbrugg, as well as the return of Isaac Wilson, Utah has depth at quarterback.
Otto Tia Commits To Utah
Utah has landed the commitment of former Utah State receiver @OttoTia5! pic.twitter.com/LVUL9iNlk5
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) December 26, 2024
The former Utah State pass catcher will head south about an hour to Salt Lake City to continue his career with the Utes. Tia will join Utah as a redshirt senior with one year of eligibility. He gives Utah a bigger body in the receiver, something the unit certainly needed.
As a player who has always possessed exciting potential, Tia hadn’t put it all together until this past season. He became a much more consistent pass catcher in the second half of the year. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder played in 12 games and hauled in 44 receptions for 434 yards and 7 touchdowns this past season.
Ryan Davis Commits To Utah
Ute’s Nation let’s ride!!💪🏽🙏🏽 #AGTG pic.twitter.com/4JuxudCKgd
— RD ‼️ (@Davis_Ryan2) December 23, 2024
The former New Mexico pass catcher is the third Lobo to follow Jason Beck and Micah Simon to Salt Lake City. The 5-foot-11, 174-pounder is primarily a slot receiver but showed the ability to make plays at all levels of the passing attack.
With 54 receptions totaling 747 yards and 3 touchdowns, Davis was the second-leading pass catcher for New Mexico this season.
He also produced against the three P4 programs the Lobos faced last season. He totaled 12 receptions for 181 yards against Arizona, Auburn, and Washington State.
Davis is now the second receiver in the transfer class and Utah remains active in pursuing other pass cathcer.
Brendan Zurbrugg Commits To Utah
@Utah_Football @COACHKDJR @Coach_Beck7 pic.twitter.com/oN3IR0BksD
— Brendan Zurbrugg (@BrendanZurbrugg) December 23, 2024
Following a report late last week that Zurbrugg committed to Utah, he made that official this morning. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder comes to Utah via Oklahoma, where he redshirted this past season as a freshman.
Zurbrugg is actually very familiar with Jason Beck. He was once committed to Syracuse as a high school prospect when Beck served as quarterbacks coach. That relationship played a key role in Utah landing his commitment.
Devin Green Commits To Utah
I have committed to the university of Utah!! Go utes!!!🤍❤️@Utah_Football @IAmTDowns pic.twitter.com/UQ60OOA2e9
— Devin Green (@DevGreen_2) December 22, 2024
As a true freshman, Green worked his way into the rotation at UNLV. The 6-foot, 210-pounder finished the year with 123 yards and one touchdown on 29 carries.
Green hails from Grant Union in Sacramento, the same school that produced fellow running back Wayshawn Parker and former Utah great Devontae Booker.
With this being the third addition, this serves as the final touch on Utah’s revamped running back room.
Lance Holtzclaw Commits To Utah
𝑺𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒆𝒅 ✍️ @lancefrmdabean #GoUtes | #UBOYZ25 pic.twitter.com/QQUMv8uBaL
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) December 22, 2024
A 6-foot-3, 224-pound edge, Holtzclaw showed promise this past season as a pass rusher. In 13 games with the Huskies, he’s totaled 13 tackles, 2 sacks, along with 16 total pressures.
One of the bigger needs in the transfer portal window has been bolstering the defensive end room. Connor O’Toole and Van Fillinger have both exhausted their eligibility, while Kaeo Akana hit the transfer portal.
Among the first transfer portal additions was former Oregon pass rusher Jaxson Jones. Utah has now added a former Washington Husky in Holtzclaw to the mix.
Wayshawn Parks Commits To Utah
𝑺𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒆𝒅 ✍️ @WayshawnParker #GoUtes | #UBOYZ25 pic.twitter.com/aEeytO6uiM
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) December 20, 2024
Parker follow coach Atuaia to Utah and that’s a big win for the Utes. Parker is coming off of a fantastic freshman campaign at Washington State.
He finished the 2024 season with 735 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns, while adding another touchdown and 108 yards on 11 receptions.
He narrowed down his recruitment to Arizona and Utah, and the Utes will get the last word before his decision.
This is a significant win for the Utes, who needed a bonafide stud after the departures from the group this season.
Na’Quari Rogers Commits To Utah
𝑺𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒆𝒅 ✍️ @NaquariR #GoUtes | #UBOYZ25 pic.twitter.com/GT3mpIDJz8
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) December 20, 2024
The former New Mexico running back was one of the first players extended an offer by the new offensive staff.
Though not the lead back for the Lobos, Rogers was a consistent source of production. He played an important role as a complementary piece in the rushing attack.
The 5-foot-11, 208-pound back finished the season with 74 carries for 382 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Kalolo Ta’aga Commits To Utah
Utah Man Am I… #GodsPlan #TaagaEmpire #Committed #GoUtes! pic.twitter.com/b8dx6vfLzr
— ✝️ Kalolo Ta’aga ✝️ (@LoloTaaga) December 19, 2024
It’s always a good thing to keep the offensive line stocked with promising big men. Utah added another one in USC transfer Kalolo Ta’aga.
He was a priority recruit for Utah in last year’s cycle. Ta’aga committed to the Trojans over the Utes in the final days before the early signing period.
Now, Utah welcomes the 6-foot-7, 315-pounder to the O-Block. Ta’aga has a very high ceiling, given his combination of athleticism and frame.
He will need further development but given what Utah has in place at tackle already, it’s an ideal situation for him and Utah.
Blake Cotton Commits To Utah
Let’s get it! @Utah_Football pic.twitter.com/oxcKSBHvlH
— Blake_Cotton_ (@BCotton0) December 18, 2024
After officially visiting Utah at the start of the week, Cotton has given his pledge to the Utes. With his addition, Utah continues to improve the defensive secondary’s depth and flexibility.
At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Cotton is the third defensive back of similar stature. Over the course of his three-year career at UC Davis, Cotton has limited opponents to under 48% completion percentage when targeted and has notched 9 pass deflections.
He comes to Utah with three seasons of experience under his belt and one season of eligibility remaining.
Donovan Saunders Commits To Utah
Im finally home, lets work‼️🏝️ pic.twitter.com/5enHNL01RI
— Donovan Saunders (@Don_Saunders_) December 16, 2024
Checking in at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, Saunders has an exciting blend of size and athleticism for the cornerback position.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about his recruitment is that Saunders was a top priority for Utah in last year’s portal cycle. He ultimately landed at Texas A&M but he visited Salt Lake City and was considered a top option for Utah. Now, he ends up at Utah after a year in College Station.
Saunders is the second cornerback to commit to since the portal opened. Utah has worked swiftly to address the cornerback room with size and athleticism. Saunders is a very good addition to the room.
Creed Whittemore Commits To Utah
UTAHHH!! Let’s do it pic.twitter.com/tdgQhtZ18U
— Creed Whittemore (@c_whit115) December 15, 2024
On Sunday, the Utes continued their roll after picking up their fourth addition of the weekend. Former Mississippi State receiver Creed Whittemore announced his commitment to the program.
Whittemore is a 5-foot-11, 185-pound pass catcher is a prototypical slot receiver. He’s totaled 15 receptions for 167 yards and two touchdowns.
He was previously considered a four-star talent from high school in Gainesville, FL. He comes to Utah with three seasons of eligibility remaining after redshirting this season.
Jaxson Jones Commits To Utah
Time to get after it Utes fans !❤️ pic.twitter.com/KhcZ8HlPkv
— Jaxson Jones (@JaxsonJones80) December 15, 2024
Jones was a member of Oregon’s 2024 class and appeared in just one game this season. The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder has a lot of potential and ties to the program. His father Daniel Jones played receiver at Utah from 1997-98.
As a recruit, Jones showed a lot of promise as a linebacker and edge rusher. Jones was a high three-star prospect last year and committed to Oregon after backing off of a pledge to Washington. He held offers from Michigan and USC among others.
Orion Phillips Commits To Utah
I’m excited to announce I have committed to the University of Utah to continue my football career. Thank you to @JakeCookus @ShaneSmithUtah @UteReef33 @Colton_Swan for the visit and @JohnnyPKA with @ProkickAus for the help! Go Utes!! pic.twitter.com/L0MqVNi8rU
— Orion Phillips (@OrionPhillips14) December 14, 2024
After losing their own punter to the portal, and ultimately the Texas Longhorns, Utah wasted little time to address the position.
Utah landed the commitment of former Missouri punter Orion Phillips.
A native of Australia, Phillips averaged 43.5 yards per punt, including a long of 71 yards. Phillips also pinned 12 punts inside the 20-yard line.
Jeremiah Caldwell Commits To Utah
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Caldwell will join Utah after a year at Garden City CC. He was once a four-star composite prospect in the 2022 recruiting class.
Hailing from the state of Michigan, Caldwell’s high school recruitment boiled down to Louisville, Kentucky, Michigan State, and Iowa State.
He ultimately committed to Louisville but transferred after a year to Miami (OH). After a season there, he moved to Garden City CC.
At 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Caldwell played both cornerback and safety. He finished this past season with 32 tackles, 6 interceptions, and 7 pass breakups.
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Utah currently has seven total additions and remains heavily involved with several other targets. The program hosted several players over the weekend and will continue to welcome prospects to campus in the coming days.
