Utah Football’s Tight End Group Making Their Mark
Oct 7, 2025, 8:48 PM | Updated: Oct 8, 2025, 10:07 am
SALT LAKE CITY – In the middle of a high-stakes 2025 season, Utah football’s tight end room has quietly emerged as one of the most consistent and versatile units in the Big 12. With Arizona State on-deck, this group will be key to Utah’s chances at a win.
What started as sort of an unknown factor, given the change in scheme, the tight end position has remained a vital cog in Utah’s offense.
The group has provided blocking, receiving, and matchup headaches for opposing defenses.
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Freddie Whittingham has watched closely as his tight end room has taken shape. “I think they’re playing pretty well,” he said. “They’ve had some good productivity in the throw game, and I’m pleased with how they’ve performed so far—but we’ve still got to keep getting better.”
For Utah, tight ends aren’t just supplemental—they’re foundational. The room has been instrumental in the running game, helpful at times in pass protection, and a go-to option in the passing attack.
The staff has incorporated a couple of defenders in the room as well, Lander Barton and Semi Taulanga.
Dallen Bentley: From JUCO Walk-On to Go-To Tight End Target
Senior Dallen Bentley has been the standout story of the group. Once a walk-on at Snow College in 2022, Bentley has grown into a reliable target for quarterback Devon Dampier, and one of Utah’s most consistent playmakers.
Through five games, he’s totaled 22 receptions for 246 yards and three touchdowns, stretching defenses vertically while remaining a safe, dependable presence over the middle.
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Freddie Whittingham points to a mix of opportunity and preparation as the keys to Bentley’s rise. “Last year, our lead tight end was Brant Kuithe. When he was healthy, most of the targets went through him. Giving Dallen more opportunities this year has really opened the door for him,” he explained.
Bentley’s success is more than just chance—it’s the product of hard work and a deep understanding of the position.
“He was brand new to the position at Snow College,” Whittingham noted. “He’s taken steps every season, building confidence, running precise routes, catching the ball well, and blocking effectively. Even with Hunter going out and changing some personnel dynamics, he’s been reliable, consistent, and a key contributor to the offense.”
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JJ Buchanan: A freshman making waves for the Utes
While Bentley has carried the torch, true freshman JJ Buchanan has provided a promising spark for Utah’s tight end room.
“He came out on fire in training camp, and started to earn the trust,” Whittingham said. “Making a lot of those plays, you know, those inside fades down in the low red zone, he was doing that left and right, in training camp.”
That early success in camp, continued into practice success, which led to opportunities in-season. That above all else is the key to success for players under this staff. “You go with the guys that prove that they can do it in practice,” Whittingham stated. “And then if they do it in practice, they’re much more likely to be able to do it in a game.”
Still, to convert on the specific opportunities he’s been given is significant. He’s made a couple of touchdown grabs that had a high-degree of difficulty, and trust from Dampier.
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“He’s got a lot of poise for a true freshman, not a lot rattles him, he plays with confidence,” Whittingham explained. “I think those things are what has led him to be able to be out there and make plays, make it and have the coaches trust put a true freshman in that position.”
Buchanan has already contributed 9 receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns, and seems to be trending towards more consistent opportunities.
Opportunity knocking for Otto Tia?
Senior tight end Otto Tia also has a prime opportunity to emerge, given Hunter Andrews being sidelined for the season. Tia made the move to tight end from receiver, and Whittingham emphasized that consistency in practice will be key to him seeing more reps.
“He’s got to stay consistent, show in practice that he can be very consistent and productive with his assignments,” Whittingham said. “He’s got to blend a little bit more of that tight end-type blocking into his skill set as a receiver. If he can do that and demonstrate every day in practice that he can get the job done, that’ll increase his reps and games.”
Tia possesses a lot of good physical tools and athleticism to contribute, but the staff wants to see reliability, disciplined blocking, and precise execution before giving him a larger role.
If he can put it together, Tia could become an important complementary piece in Utah’s tight end rotation.
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Through five games, Utah’s tight end room has become a quiet strength in an offense navigating the rigors of the Big 12.
Bentley’s reliability, Buchanan’s promise, and the overall discipline and versatility of the group have provided a foundation for sustained success.
