Utah Football Provides National Signing Day Surprise Additions To 2026 Class
Feb 4, 2026, 3:24 PM | Updated: 6:16 pm
Utah flags wave in the wind as weather rolls in before an NCAA football game against Arizona State held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Isaac Hale, Deseret News)
(Photo courtesy of Isaac Hale, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY— On a National Signing Day where most recruiting classes had already taken shape by December, Utah football delivered a surprise. The program announced the official additions of junior college cornerback Brandon Holmes and offensive lineman Milz Asiata.
The Utes snag a late-emerging recruiting victory in Holmes, a junior college cornerback once committed to Arizona, bringing fresh talent into a position of need. While Asiata is a powerful interior offensive line prospect who had initially pledged and signed with Utah as part of the 2025 class but never actually enrolled.
The double-addition quietly helps address needs at cornerback— where Utah suffered a late portal departure, and offensive line which is undergoing a massive overhaul.
Utah signs a familiar name: OL Milz Asiata
Milz Asiata — a hulking 6-foot-5, 330-pound interior offensive lineman out of Aquinas High School in San Bernardino — had originally been part of Utah’s 2025 recruiting class, but Asiata never actually made it to Salt Lake City.
Officially 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒆𝒅 ✍️
Welcome to 𝐔𝐓𝐀𝐇, Milz Asiata‼️#GoUtes | #UBOYZ26 pic.twitter.com/yYH65lZ1Tc
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) February 4, 2026
At his size, Asiata has mauler potential and could become key piece to the offensive line. He’s been viewed as a developmental project but was still selected to the Polynesian Bowl, where he stood out as an offensive lineman.
Although Asiata never made it to Utah for the 2025 season, communication between the two parties remained. On Signing Day, Utah announced Asiata had officially signed his National Letter of Intent to join the Utes’ offensive line stable.
It’s a win not just for depth, but for long-term physical identity up front — an identity Utah’s new regime has emphasized repeatedly.
Utah adds secondary depth: CB Brandon Holmes
In a twist that underscores how interconnected the recruiting landscape has become, Brandon Holmes committed to the Arizona Wildcats just last month but made news with the Utes on Signing Day.
Officially 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒆𝒅 ✍️
Welcome to 𝐔𝐓𝐀𝐇, @HolmessBrandon‼️#GoUtes | #UBOYZ26 pic.twitter.com/cuSfE6YxiC
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) February 4, 2026
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound defender logged significant snaps at Fresno City College. He played in 12 games and logged 45 tackles and five interceptions in 2025.
After losing freshman Jason Stokes Jr. in the final hours before the transfer portal closed, Utah has addressed that loss with Holmes. The junior college corner comes to Utah after his sophomore campaign, so he’ll have two seasons of eligibility remaining, and brings experience both out wide and as a safety, adding some versatility as well.
Utah football finalizes the 2026 class
Utah’s 2026 recruiting cycle wrapped up as one of the more intriguing classes in recent memory. The headliner stands out immediately: Kelvin Obot, the first-ever five-star recruit in program history, a massive offensive tackle haul that instantly bolsters long-term line potential, as well as four-star offensive tackle Mataalii Benjamin.
Beyond those marquee pieces, the class is balanced and multifaceted:
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Multiple offensive & defensive linemen solidify Utah’s foundation up front on both sides of the ball.
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Multiple defensive backs that provide promising potential and versatility.
- Utah landed key pieces at multiple other positions like linebacker, running back, and quarterback.
However, Utah’s 2026 recruiting cycle has been anything but smooth — a mix of flips, decommits, and an early enrollee portal loss left the fanbase wondering whether the Utes had lost their footing in the new era of roster building.
Yet beneath that turbulence, there’s a clear through-line of determination from Morgan Scalley, who officially took over as head coach in December. Scalley moved aggressively to stabilize the situation — assembling a new staff, retaining key contributors, and actively pursuing talent in both the transfer portal and traditional recruiting channels.
Rather than fold under pressure, Utah’s recruiting outlook appears rejuvenated, anchored by the effort Scalley and his staff have put into recruiting one month into the job. Scalley’s emphasized a revamped recruiting plan of attack, while signaling clearly that those who want to be Utes will be part of the vision.
