The early signing period is officially underway, and Utah football is getting right down to business. One of the latest additions to the Utes’ 2026 class is tight end Bear Fisher out of Queen Creek High School in Arizona - a player who fits a clear positional need and brings a lot of upside to the table.
Who is Bear Fisher?
Let’s start with the basics. Fisher stands at 6-foot-5, 235 pounds - already a solid frame for a tight end entering the college game.
He’s rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports, ranked No. 129 among tight ends nationally and No. 35 overall in Arizona. The composite rankings have him slightly higher, at No. 107 among tight ends and No. 28 in the state, with a .8511 rating.
But rankings only tell part of the story. Fisher had 14 offers on the table, including from Power Five programs like North Carolina, Iowa State, Arizona, and Cal, along with in-state BYU.
That tells you there was plenty of interest in his potential. He took a visit to Utah back in June and committed during a flurry of pledges that month - a stretch that gave the Utes some serious momentum on the recruiting trail.
Throughout the process, Fisher kept things pretty quiet, which ultimately worked in Utah’s favor.
Why He Matters for Utah
Tight end is a priority position for the Utes in this cycle, and Fisher checks a lot of the boxes for what they’re looking for. He projects as a traditional in-line tight end - the kind Utah has developed and utilized so effectively over the years. While his high school stats might not jump off the page, Utah’s coaching staff has a strong track record of identifying and developing tight end talent, especially those who bring physicality and versatility to the position.
Fisher’s ability as a blocker stands out on tape. He’s aggressive in the trenches, shows good technique in pass protection, and is especially effective as a downfield blocker in the run game - something that should earn him early snaps in Utah’s offense.
His hands are reliable, and he’s shown he can go up and get the ball in contested situations. While he didn’t get a ton of receiving opportunities as a junior - largely due to playing in a run-heavy offense with a mobile quarterback - he was often split out wide, giving him experience in multiple alignments.
What Comes Next
With some turnover at tight end expected this offseason, Fisher could find himself in the mix sooner rather than later. Physically, he’s already in a good spot.
The key will be how quickly he can adjust to the speed and complexity of the college game. If he picks things up fast, don’t be surprised if he pushes for playing time early in his career.
The Utes have built a reputation for maximizing tight end talent, and Fisher looks like another strong piece in that tradition. He may not be the flashiest name in the class, but he brings the kind of toughness, size, and upside that fits perfectly in Utah’s system. Keep an eye on him - he’s got the tools to grow into a reliable, every-down player in Salt Lake City.