Utah football is entering a new era. After nearly two decades at the helm, Kyle Whittingham is stepping down, closing the book on one of the most consistent and respected coaching tenures in college football. Whittingham took over for Urban Meyer and helped guide the Utes from the Mountain West to the Pac-12, and now into the Big 12-a journey that reshaped the program’s identity on the national stage.
Now, with a leadership change on the horizon, Utah could see some roster movement once the transfer portal officially opens in January. That’s become the norm in today’s college football landscape-coaching changes often lead to player departures, especially for those who might be looking for a fresh start or a return closer to home.
Utah currently has five players on its roster who hail from Florida and still hold eligibility through the 2026 season. Whether any of them decide to test the portal waters remains to be seen, but these names are worth watching as the offseason unfolds-especially for programs in the Sunshine State looking to bolster their depth.
Creed Whittemore - WR - Gainesville, FL
Creed Whittemore’s football journey has already taken a few turns. A former Florida Gators commit and the younger brother of ex-Gator wideout Trent Whittemore, Creed started his college career at Mississippi State before transferring to Utah. Injuries hampered his 2025 campaign, but when he returned, he showed flashes of his playmaking ability-most notably with a six-catch, 51-yard performance against Kansas State to close out the year.
While the Whittemore family wasn’t exactly enamored with Florida’s previous coaching regime, the program is now under new leadership with Jon Sumrall. Whether that changes the calculus for Creed remains a question, but his ties to Gainesville and his talent make him a name to monitor.
Daidren Zipperer - WR - Lakeland, FL
Another Florida native with Gator ties, Daidren Zipperer is the younger brother of former Florida tight end Keon Zipperer. Coming out of Lakeland High as a three-star prospect, Daidren was gradually carving out a role in Utah’s offense during the 2024 season and looked poised for a breakout in 2025. Unfortunately, injuries sidelined him for the entire year.
Zipperer’s speed and versatility at wide receiver could be appealing to programs looking for depth and upside at the position. If he’s healthy and exploring options, he’ll draw attention.
Elijah Davis - DB - Winter Haven, FL
Elijah Davis has been one of the more productive Florida natives on Utah’s roster. A former three-star recruit from Auburndale High, Davis logged over 500 snaps in 2025 and became a regular in the Utes’ defensive rotation. However, after a tough outing against Baylor-where he gave up eight catches-his role was reduced in the final two games of the season.
Still, Davis has proven he can handle significant playing time at the Power Five level. That kind of experience is valuable, especially for programs looking to reinforce their secondary with players who’ve already seen the field.
Jason Stokes Jr. - DB - Cocoa Beach, FL (via Texas)
Stokes is listed as being from Cocoa Beach, but he played his high school ball in Texas. A three-star prospect, he saw limited action in 2025 and remains more of a developmental piece at this stage.
That said, his Florida ties and positional versatility in the secondary could make him an intriguing depth option for teams looking to build for the future.
Ryker Kemp - DE - Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Kemp arrived at Utah as a highly regarded in-state prospect, earning first-team All-State honors in Florida’s 5A classification in 2025. At 6’6” and 244 pounds, he’s already got the physical tools that coaches covet on the defensive line. However, he didn’t see the field during his true freshman season.
Kemp is still raw, but the upside is there. With the right development path, he could grow into a productive edge defender. And if he’s looking to get closer to home, Florida-based programs might see him as a long-term investment worth making.
With Whittingham stepping away and a new staff set to take over in Salt Lake City, Utah’s roster will naturally face some turnover. For these five Florida natives, the coming weeks could bring big decisions. Whether they stay put or enter the portal, their next moves will be worth watching-especially for programs back east looking to add talent with ties to the Sunshine State.