Utah Picks Up Two Big Commitments In Wayshawn Parker, Na’Quari Rogers
Dec 20, 2024, 10:18 AM | Updated: Dec 23, 2024, 2:53 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah football has landed two big commitments, both running backs, on Friday.
The big one is former Washington State running back Wayshawn Parker. He announced his pledge and will follow running backs coach Mark Atuaia to Salt Lake City.
Prior to Parker’s announcement, On3’s Pete Nakos reported that former New Mexico running back Na’Quari Rogers has also signed with the program.
That’s two significant additions to the running back room, which was a position of need in the transfer portal cycle.
Wayshawn Parks Commits To Utah
View this post on Instagram
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
New Mexico running back @NaquariR has committed to Utah! pic.twitter.com/j7puAsoF80
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) 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.
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.
Joseph Williams Commits To Utah
@Utah_Football let’s work! @CoachC_Osunde @CoachJ_O pic.twitter.com/stGqaFt5Aw
— Joseph “Jo” Williams (@JosephWQB1) December 18, 2024
There was a need for receivers with so many moving on from the program. Landing Williams is a big deal for Utah, offensive coordinator Jason Beck, and receivers coach Micah Simon.
At 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, Williams has the size and athleticism to play outside and inside. Utah needed a receiver with production and experience, and Williams brings that. Williams amassed 30 receptions and 588 yards, most of it coming in a four-game stretch he hauled in 21 passes for 461 yards. He is the sort that can step into a significant role and hit the ground running.
Williams is now joining Creed Whittemore in the transfer class. That gives Utah two promising receivers, but the staff will likely continue to push for another receiver to bolster the depth.
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.
Michael Washington Jr Commits To Utah
https://twitter.com/MykeWash03/status/1868497144061272443
At 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, Washington possesses good size for the running back position. Utah didn’t have a bigger back capable of handling a large workload, but Washington addresses that.
Washington had a solid 2024 campaign with New Mexico State. He totaled 725 yards and 8 touchdowns while adding 9 receptions for 74 yards and another touchdown.
He played three seasons at Buffalo before this year. Through 39 career games, Washington has totaled 420 carries for 1,844 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground. He’s added 45 catches for 244 yards and two touchdowns.
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
View this post on Instagram
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.
–
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.
