Utah Football 2026 Pre-Spring Offensive Depth Chart Projection

SALT LAKE CITY— With Morgan Scalley stepping into the head coach’s office, a wave of new assistants coming in, and a roster reshaped by portal exits and entries, the 2026 slate feels like a fresh starting point for this program.

This offseason has been one of the most consequential in recent Utah football history — a period defined by transition. But even amid change, there are reassuring constants: a veteran quarterback room led by Devon Dampier and a running back corps anchored by Wayshawn Parker give Utah an solid backbone.

The path is set. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒏‼️

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As spring ball approaches, those established pieces are the first solid blocks in what could become a very different offensive identity. This isn’t an offseason of uncertainty — it’s an offseason of rebuilding with purpose, and the early returns suggest Utah has enough experience in key spots to build momentum rather than scramble for answers.

That doesn’t mean every question has an obvious answer — far from it. But if Utah can find continuity at the top of its offense while integrating new voices on the sidelines and new faces in the huddle, spring practice could be the moment this team starts turning transformation into traction.

Spring practice is when Utah’s offense starts to take real shape. With spring reps looming under new play-caller Kevin McGiven, here’s how each offensive position group stacks up going into spring ball — with your updated personnel alignments plugged in.

Here’s an early look at what Utah’s offensive depth chart might look like heading into spring ball.

Quarterback

1. Devon Dampier

2. Byrd Ficklin

3. Kane Archer

4. Michael Johnson Jr.

The QB room is stable at the top and deep in competition — a welcome blend of proven experience and developmental talent.

Dampier is the unquestioned QB1: a dual-threat with good ball placement, progressions, and the athleticism to punish defenses outside the structure. In McGiven’s system, he should thrive as Utah opens up the intermediate passing game and leans into more play-action.

Ficklin slots in as a sharp veteran backup who knows how to move the offense and could spot start without a dramatic drop-off in execution. His development this offseason as a passer could have a significant impact on his developmental projection this season and beyond.

Throw in Archer and Johnson Jr. who are fascinating young signal callers — this spring is about who can show the readiness for reps with the second team to accelerate their acclimation. Utah’s not reinventing the wheel here; they’re building continuity with competition.

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Spring storylines:

• How do Dampier & Ficklin look and perform in the new offense?

• Which freshman QB steps up with his opportunities this spring?

Running Back

Projected Depth

1. Wayshawn Parker

2. Steve Chavez-Soto

3. Daniel Bray

4. LaMarcus Bell

Utah’s backfield is anchored by Parker — the most dynamic, downhill and capable runner on the roster. He was 19 yards short of breaking 1,000 rushing yards on the year but still finished with 1,166 total yards and nine total touchdowns on 162 total touches.

Behind him, Chavez-Soto brings power-back instincts with high-effort contact balance. As a freshman, the 6-foot, 205-pound bruiser totaled 448 yards and seven touchdowns. Bray offers pass-catching chops and versatility, while Bell rounds out the rotation with quickness and burst that could translate to change-of-pace work.

This RB room appears more play-ready and dynamic. Parker seems primed for a big jump this season, while Utah made one of the best sneaky-good additions in the portal with Chavez-Soto. Bray returns for his second go-around and Bell appears ready to compete right away.  Spring will test how coachable each player is in pass protection and route concepts — both critical in McGiven’s offense.

Spring narratives:

• Who emerges as the best complement to Parker?

• What dynamic can Bell add to this group?

Wide Receiver

X-Receiver

1. Braden Pegan

2. Tobias Merriweather

3. Ricky Johnson Jr.

Z-Receiver

1. Kyri Shoels

2. Larry Simmons

3. Ricky Johnson Jr.

4. Daidren Zipperer

Slot Receiver

1. Creed Whittemore

2. Daidren Zipperer

3. Mana Carvalho

4. Nate Johnson

Pegan is the clear perimeter alpha — size, contested catch ability, and explosive gear. He was a top 25 receiver in the country as the primary passing target, and finished among the top receivers in EPA. With Merriweather’s return, another offseason to develop chemistry and familiarity in the offense could be big for him. Johnson Jr. gives depth and rotational looks if he can consistently separate.

At the other receiver spot, Shoels brings good athleticism and ability. While Pegan was one of the best primary option receivers in the country, Shoels was nearly as dynamic as a secondary option (behind Danny Skudero), that should bode well for the passing attack.  Simmons was one of Utah’s biggest surprises this season, and proved to be a reliable target in the passing attack. His return is rather significant for the potential and depth of the receiver room. Zipperer rounds things out with speed and rotational energy — physical and disciplined play in spring could bump him up.

The slot room is where Utah can find its stealth advantage. Whittemore is the early favorite — crisp route runner who understands spacing and timing. Zipperer’s multi-position flexibility boosts his value here. Carvalho and Nate Johnson provide shiftiness and quickness that help against zone coverage.

Spring narratives:

• How quickly do Pegan & Shoels develop chemistry with Dampier & Ficklin?

• Who emerges as additional playmakers in the new offense?

Tight End

Projected Depth

1. Noah Bennee

2. Hunter Andrews

3. Will Monney

4. Bear Fisher

Tight ends in this offense are functional first — meaning blocking reliability and assignment correctness matter as much as receiving. Spring reps will confirm who plays with the physicality needed for success, as well as who runs routes cleanly and who can handle second-level defense at will.

Bennee should emerge as a reliable option here. Andrews likely won’t participate in spring ball but should still add a good dynamic to the group. Monney & Fisher both need reps to make important progress this spring.

Spring storylines:

• Which TE earns the most third-down targets?

• Who becomes the best inline blocker?

Offensive Line

Left Tackle

1. Kelvin Obot

2. Zereoue Williams

3. Nick Hallock

Left Guard

1. Solatoa Moea’i

2. Isaiah Garcia

3. Milz Asiata

Center

1. Alex Harrison

2. Isaiah Kema

3. Rowdy Pearce

Right Guard

1. Keith Olson

2. Roger Alderman

3. Moses Sparks

Right Tackle

1. Cedric Jefferson

2. Soren Shinofield

3. Mataalii Benjamin

This is the offense’s biggest spring crucible as Utah not only has to replace two project first-round NFL draft prospects and three veterans, but also work through Jordan Gross first spring ball as offensive line coach. Replacing multiple experienced linemen and building cohesion under a new staff and scheme means repetition and communication are the early priorities.

The five best players will emerge by fall, but spring gives the first look at who owns the calls and who survives contact cleanly.

Moea’i and Olson give the Utes linemen with valuable game experience, though not entirely as O-line specific experience. Those two were utilized as sixth and seventh linemen in jumbo packages, while also filling in when needed. Obot and Jefferson headline the bookends, and both appear capable of anchoring a side of the line. Harrison at center stabilizes calls and protection communication, and Moea’i and Olson give proven strength inside.

Spring storylines:

• How quickly do Obot & Jefferson acclimate to this level?

• Who can stay assignment-sound under blitz and stunt pressure?

• Which combinations sustain seals on stretch runs and delay loops in pass-protection?

The Bottom Line

This offseason has been defined by transformation — a new head coach, a revamped staff and a roster reshaped by portal movement. But underneath all the change, Utah’s offense enters spring with a foundation that isn’t built on hope, but on experience.

In the backfield, a seasoned core led by Dampier & Ficklin gives the Utes an anchor. Parker — backed by a promising room — provides a reliable engine in both the run and pass game. Those two groupings alone give Utah something many transition years lack: continuity at the most important spots.

The rest of the offense — wide receiver roles, tight ends, and especially the offensive line — will be defined in spring practices, but Utah isn’t starting from scratch. They’re in the process of evolving with purpose under Scalley and the new offensive staff.

If the Utes can establish cohesion early and lean into the experience they have at QB and RB, this offense could be ahead of schedule rather than behind it when September rolls around.

Steve Bartle is the Utah insider for KSL Sports. He hosts The Utah Blockcast (SUBSCRIBE) and appears on KSL Sports Zone to break down the Utes. You can follow him on X for the latest Utah updates and game analysis.

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