Landen King, Tight Ends Are Going To Be A Big Factor For Utah Football In 2025
Apr 1, 2025, 8:21 PM | Updated: Apr 2, 2025, 1:15 pm
Utah football's Landen King, photo courtesy by Utah Athletics.
SALT LAKE CITY—As Utah football approaches the midway point of spring ball, progress is being made, and key components of each side of the ball are becoming clearer.
One thing that is abundantly clear is Utah’s tight end room is going away anytime soon in Jason Beck’s new offense.
“We got tight ends over here. I don’t know what they had over in New Mexico, but we got ’em over here,” Landen King said of the tight end’s usage in this scheme.
👑🏈🕺🏾@Isaac_kawika ➡️@Landen_King3 pic.twitter.com/FjMNscwPCs
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) April 2, 2025
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Landen King’s emergence is a major positive for the program
After two seasons with the program, the talented tight end seems primed for a breakout year. King has always possessed the talent, but Whittingham sees the work he’s put in and the development of his game.
“Landen’s done a nice job, he’s put some weight on, he’s about 10 pounds heavier than last year, so that’s helped him,” Whittingham said. “He’s kind of a hybrid, he’s not really a true hand-in-dirt tight end, he’s not really a true H-back, he’s a tweener, but I think we’re using him in a lot of good ways.”
Beyond the additional weight that King is carrying, the responsibility of being on the leadership council is another dynamic he’s proudly wearing.
“Coming in as a transfer two years ago that was one of my goals,” King said. “You see the leadership council every day, and to see my face on that wall, it means a lot. It motivates me to set the best example for all the new guys and transfers who are just like me.”
King has had to bide his time and work for his opportunities over his two years. Even after a difficult 2024 campaign, King never gave leaving the program much thought.
Now, it seems he’s set up to have his role significantly increase in this offense. But King’s not at all worried about his own success, even with this being his final season.
“Everybody wants to catch the ball and all that, but honestly, I’m just trying to get that Big 12 Championship,” King said of his goals this season. “Get a chance at the playoffs, this is my last year, and I really just want to take advantage of this last year from the team perspective.”
King’s inclusion on the leadership council is a really positive development for him and Utah. Last season was a difficult one, but his willingness to stay committed to the process seems to have paid off.
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The tight end room is still a big factor for Utah
“I feel good, you know, with me, Dallen, and Hunter that a good core, we all bring something different to the table,” King said of the guys in the room with him.
Given Utah’s recent success with players like Cole Fotheringham, Dalton Kincaid, and Brant Kuithe among many others, there have been a lot of questions about the tight ends in this new offense.
“We feel like the tight end spot, although not as much 12-personnel, they’re still going to be a big factor for us,” Whittingham said. “Dallan Bentley is really have a good spring camp, through six days, he’s been playing his best football since he’s got here.”
Despite transitioning to more of a spread offense, the tight ends will remain a big factor in Utah’s success. King, Bentley, and all the others will continue to be prominent pieces to Utah’s success.
Chemistry with Devon Dampier has been a bright spot
Establishing the chemistry with Devon Dampier has been an important process. King gave the new quarterback a ton of credit for how he’s gone about building that chemistry between him and all his teammates.
“Dev is probably doing one of the best jobs I’ve seen, getting everybody to go out to eat, over to his house, and just chill, easy stuff like that has really gone a long way,” King said of Utah’s new signal caller.
The 2024 season was a difficult one for all involved. However, the vibes around the program right now are quite the opposite. When asked about the difference from last season to now, King provide a simple but insightful response.
“Honestly, we’re just having fun,” King said. “We’ve had that bad taste in our mouth from last season, so we’re really just having fun getting right with the new teammates and really just resetting this new culture at Utah.”
