What Is The Strategy Behind Utah Football’s Use Of The Transfer Portal?

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah Football has adapted and evolved by utilizing the transfer portal better than most programs around this country.

This year alone, Utah has added multiple players from power five teams that will likely have an immediate impact on the 2021 season.

TJ Pledger and Chris Curry bolster the backfield, Theo Howard is an addition to the outside and Brandon McKinney will likely start at safety.

This Fall, @Rice_Eccles will be 51,444 strong.

We can’t wait to welcome you all home on September 2nd. #GoUtes

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— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) May 27, 2021

But what is their process? How do they decipher who will fit and who will not?

Director of Player Personnel Robert Blechen joined Tom Hackett on the It’s Utah’s World podcast to further explain the method behind the madness.

It is a two-part strategy for sure,” Blechen said. “Any player that goes into the portal if they are good enough whether or not its a need or not we will be interested and then addressing needs.”

The method is rather self-explanatory. Utah Football is looking to first and foremost fill positional needs. Following the tragic passing of Ty Jordan on Christmas Eve last year and the outgoing transfers of Devin Brumfield and Jordan Wilmore, Utah Football knew that it needed to replenish its backfield stock.

So it did. Pledger and Curry joined and Tavion Thomas has added a few weeks ago.

But that isn’t where Utah Football stops. Like any good team, they are always looking to grow and better themselves.

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— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) May 26, 2021

So, Utah Football also looks to add the best available talent. If they see a player they like, regardless if they need to fill positional needs or not, they will try to lure him to Salt Lake City.

Why? You may ask yourself.

Well, the premise to any good sporting team is healthy competition. Competition brings out the most in an individual and forces them to focus on the task at hand with more precision and detail.

Healthy competition is the cornerstone of Kyle Whittingham’s program. He wants and needs to see his players compete every day for starting roles.

Utah Football has adapted to the transfer portal and welcomed the transfer portal with open arms.

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