Trey Reynolds has spent four years waiting for this moment at Utah, and now he’s finally getting the chance to be an every-down linebacker for the Utes.
For Reynolds, the payoff is bigger than just more snaps. He said the program has been a huge part of his life from the start, and he’s grateful to finally get something back from all the time he’s invested.
“I've been here for all four years, and this program means a lot to me. I've given my heart and soul to this program. So it means a lot to get some out of it, get some playing time, and lead this defense for the offense.”
That patience could have gone a different direction. In today’s college game, plenty of players would have looked for a new home after spending years behind others on the depth chart. Reynolds admitted that possibility was real.
“Absolutely. Absolutely.
But, you know, it's just not me. It's not my personality.
I don't give up. It felt like I was giving up if I did that.
And yeah, as I said, I just loved it here, and I didn't want to leave.”
What kept him in Salt Lake City was the fit. Reynolds pointed to the atmosphere around the program, the coaches, and the way he felt once he finally arrived after being recruited during COVID.
“I love the culture here. That's why I came here.
I love the RSNB culture. I love the coaches.
I was recruited during COVID. I didn't have a chance to come to the university and go check out all these places.
When I got here, I loved it. The culture was truly RSNB culture.
And that's the reason why I stayed. Just loved it, loved the coaches, and loved being around people that work hard.”
Now that he’s seeing the field the way he always hoped, Reynolds said the feeling is simple: it’s rewarding.
“It's awesome, of course. Yeah, it's cool.
It takes a lot of believing in yourself, you know, when you sit for three years, and it's cool for me to see those things come true finally. Like all the hard work put in actually means something.”
He also said hearing praise from his coach matters, even though he’s long believed he could play at this level.
“Well, I've always had that confidence in myself, and that's something I knew I could play. I knew I had the ability, and it means a lot to hear from him because he knows what he's talking about. But it boosts my confidence.”
Utah’s linebacker room has been one of the team’s strengths, and Reynolds said the group’s success comes from the way they work together. The competition, he said, is healthy rather than cutthroat.
“It's awesome. It's cool because we're not like a super, like, against each other group.
We're always pushing each other and helping each other, and we're trying to help each other succeed. Ultimately, we win as a team, we lose as a team, and we need all four of us to win.”
Reynolds also singled out Cyrus, calling him a hard worker who fit right in from the moment he arrived.
“Cyrus is just a ballplayer, and he works hard. He's bought into the culture as soon as he's been here. And it means a lot to me to see someone like, kind of like me, work, just work his tail off and get better each day.”
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Defensive tackle Karson Kaufusi, receiver Mana Carvalho and offensive lineman Isaiah Garcia are all listed as questionable, while safety Marcus Wimberly and tight end Kanai Lopes have been ruled out. Iowa State has its own share of names on the report, setting up a game where the final lineup could still shift as the week moves along. [Read more 🡒]
BYUs Strong Start Just Got A Transfer Story Fans Will Love
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Utah also has a player on that list in defensive tackle Jireh Moe, whose early work has given the Utes a meaningful boost up front. Moe has already turned in a standout showing against Arkansas, a reminder that transfer additions can reshape a defense quickly when they settle in right away, and Utah will be watching closely to see how far that momentum can carry. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa State Offense Faces A Brutal Big 12 Test Against Utah
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Now the challenge changes. Iowa State comes in at 2-1 and brings the kind of early conference test that can expose whether Utahs fast start is built for the long haul or still needs a hardening dose of league play. For the Utes, it is less about protecting a record than proving the same sharp play can travel into a Big 12 opener against a team with enough balance to make this one feel like a real measuring stick. [Read more 🡒]