UTAH UTES

10 Utah Football Players I’m Most Interested In Seeing Action

Aug 26, 2024, 7:42 PM | Updated: Aug 27, 2024, 10:54 am

Utah Football quarterback Isaac Wilson...

Utah Football quarterback Isaac Wilson is among 10 players we're most interested in seeing in action.

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Football is only hours away from kicking off the 2024 season, which is exciting for many reasons. With the game on Thursday night, here’s a look at 10 players that we’re most interested in seeing.

Kyle Whittingham’s ball club is considered the favorite in the new Big 12 Conference, as well as a College Football Playoff contender.

There are plenty of proven commodities returning that provide the foundation for their promising outlook. They also have a number of other players ready to make a name for themselves.

RELATED: Top Five Takeaways From Utah Football’s Kyle Whittingham Week One Press Conference

With the season-opening matchup against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds, we now know how Utah will look in the matchup.

Frankly, though, I’m less concerned about the uniforms or the final score. I’m way more interested in who makes plays, who on the depth chart actually rotates in, and which new face flashes the most. I’ve put together a list of the 10 Utah Football players that I’m most interested in seeing this Thursday.

1. Dorian Singer – He’s been the talk of camp

Almost every single update provided during fall camp included an update on just how good Singer has looked. Whittingham has been effusive in his praise of the talented pass catcher. That’s rare. He’s a receiver that had a 1,000-yard season in 2022, could Utah get that out of him this season? Sign me up for the first episode of The Dorian Singer Show on Thursday.

2. Caleb Lohner – The most interesting TE6 in football history?

It’s not often a 6-foot-8, 250-pound dynamic athlete has taken to the gridiron. That sort of size has typically been limited to the hardwood. But Lohner has been hard at work to make this opportunity work and I am ready to see it. How does he look? What does the TE rotation look like with him? How do teams defend him? These are all the things I’m curious to see.

3. Cameron Rising – For old time’s sake

It’s been so long, I’m ready to be reminded of the Bad Moon Rising.

4. Isaac Wilson – For new time’s sake

I’m also ready to get a glimpse of the potential post-Bad Moon Rising era. Assuming Utah takes care of business early on in the game, that should provide backups the opportunity to see the field. We know that Wilson has talent, I’m curious to see how comfortable he looks in the offense under the lights at Rice Eccles Stadium.

5. Tao Johnson – A centerfielder in the secondary?

Utah’s defense has traditionally been strong. For whatever reason, it just seems to be that much stronger with a centerfielder type of free safety patrolling the secondary. Johnson has the sort of ability that gives him a promising projection to that sort of role. Beyond his own play, it’ll also be interesting to see the rotation between he, Nate Ritchie, and Alaka’i Gilman.

6. Caleb Lomu – The new blindside protection

It’s not often a true freshman earns a starting left tackle job. It’s even more rare for that true freshman to move to the other side because a redshirt freshman is just as promising. I’m quite interested in seeing how Lomu looks protecting the blindside. He’s got all the tools to be great.

7. Kenan Johnson – The other guy in the secondary

There’s been plenty of talk about Zemaiah Vaughn and Smith Snowden but Johnson is the guy that may end up leading the team in interceptions. There were a number of updates throughout camp that featured a K. Johnson interception. If he can be that for Utah this season, that’s a big boost to the outlook in the secondary.

8. Dijon Stanley – I got the need for speed

Mike Mitchell has been my breakout pick all offseason and still is but my interest has been piqued with Dijon Stanley. The dude’s speed is rated a 98 on College Football ’25… Coach Quinton Ganther said he operates on a different playing field because of that speed… Though it may be limited, due to the rotation at running back, all signs point to Stanley still being a factor this season. I’m ready to see him in action.

9. Keanu Tanuvasa – A disruptive interior presence

Utah’s defensive tackle room will be a strength of the team again this year. This group in particular has been together for about three seasons now and that bodes well for the group overall. Tanuvasa has worked very hard to take a big step in his game, which could really elevate the group’s impact as well.

10. Rayshawn Glover – A punt return specialist?

Utah’s had great success with the smaller, elusive punt returners. There has been a positive buzz about the 5-foot-8, 175-pound Glover as a punt returner. He seemed to make the most of his chance in camp and earned the starting punt returner role. I’m interested to see if he can capitalize on an opportunity in game one.

Utah Football Schedule

Utah will kick off the season against Southern Utah on August 29. You can find Utah football’s conference schedule here.

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.

Take us with you, wherever you go.

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.

Please follow our Community Guidelines
  • Utah Utes Scoreboard

  • Utah Utes Team Leaders

  • Utah Utes Standings

Utah Utes

Utah football travels to Ames to take on the Iowa State Cyclones, here's the preview & prediciton....

Steve Bartle

No. 15 Utah football at Iowa State: Game preview, score prediction

No. 15 Utah opens Big 12 play at Iowa State in a potentially rainy road test. Key matchups, players to watch and a final score prediction.

1 day ago

Utah's first availability report of the season against Iowa State...

Steve Bartle

Utah’s first availability report lists three as questionable for Iowa State game

Utah football's first player availability report lists two players out, and three as questionable for Saturday’s Big 12 opener at Iowa State.

3 days ago

Pierce Thompson has committed to Alex Jensen, Utah basketball....

Steve Bartle

Utah basketball lands commitment of three-star guard Pierce Thompson

Harvard-Westlake guard Pierce Thompson commits to Utah, bringing perimeter shooting and Austria U18 national team experience to Alex Jensen’s program.

4 days ago

Zereoue Williams has emerged at LT for Utah football... and the NFL?...

Steve Bartle

Zereoue Williams emerging as Utah’s next NFL OL prospect

Utah LT Zereoue Williams is building an NFL Draft case with strong pass protection, growing confidence and trust of quarterback Devon Dampier.

4 days ago

How to watch, stream, listen to Utah vs Iowa State....

Steve Bartle

How to watch No. 15 Utah football at Iowa State: TV channel, kickoff time, streaming

No. 15 Utah visits Iowa State on Sept. 26. Here's how to watch, TV, streaming and radio details for the Utes’ Big 12 football opener.

5 days ago

Takeaways from Morgan Scalley's press conference as Utah prepares for Iowa State...

Steve Bartle

Morgan Scalley press conference takeaways: Utah’s versatility, growth and aggressiveness stand out

Morgan Scalley discusses Utah's offensive fixes, defensive growth and quarterback development as the Utes prepare for Big 12 play at Iowa State.

5 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Photos provided by family of featured athletes...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 13 – Stacia Peoples & Gavin Lowe

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

...

Northern Utah High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 13 – Rachel McBride & Lincoln Smith

The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Northern Utah.

Photos provided by featured athletes...

Utah County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 13 – Janiece Sikander & Brody Thompson

The Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week is awarded each week to the top prep boy's and girl's basketball players in Utah County.

Photos provided by featured athletes...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 12 – Evy Roberts & Krew Eckman

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

Photos provided by family of featured athletes...

Northern Utah High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 12 – Fabiana Lopez, Madden Johnsen & Bracken Saunders

The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Northern Utah.

Photos provided by featured athletes...

Utah County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 12 – Leah Bailey & Lucas Castagnetto

The Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week is awarded each week to the top prep boy's and girl's basketball players in Utah County.

10 Utah Football Players I’m Most Interested In Seeing Action