With kickoff closing in, Utah’s secondary looks loaded enough that the Utes may be able to rotate bodies without losing much. The top end is strong, the depth is real, and there are enough interchangeable pieces here to give this group a chance to be one of the program’s best units in 2026.
At cornerback, Davis stands out as the established name. He was excellent for Utah a year ago and, as the source notes, should rank among the Big 12’s top corners this fall. He was barely thrown at in 2025, and the expectation is that opposing quarterbacks will treat him the same way in 2026.
Caldwell is the other corner drawing real buzz. Sharrieff Shah said early in camp that Caldwell is the player he’s most excited about, and the reasons are obvious from the reporting: length and versatility. That combination is why the expectation is for a big season.
The final starting corner spot comes down to a tight call, and the lean here is James Chenault over Elijah Reed. Reed should still log plenty of snaps on the outside, but Chenault is projected to open as the team’s starting slot corner.
Shah described Chenault as savvy, and his speed is expected to help him stay connected to slot receivers. Jackson Bennee is also comfortable at nickelback, so he could factor there often too.
There are more names behind the top three as well. JC Hart is one to watch now that he’s more settled in Utah’s defense, and he has already made plays in camp. Earl Parker, the Hutchinson Community College transfer, could also get involved if the Utes need more from the room.
Safety might be the deepest part of the whole defense. Utah has four players who all look like starters, and the versatility across that group gives the Utes a chance to put three safeties on the field at different points this season.
Bennee was the breakout star in the secondary last year and appears headed for another big year. He’s added strength, which should help him finish more tackles, while keeping the ball-hawking skill that made him Utah’s interception leader. Rabbit was lined up for a big 2025 before injuries wiped out that momentum, but he’s back healthy now and should be a major lift for a secondary that had trouble finishing plays in key moments last season.
Bennee is expected to spend more time at free safety this year, with Tao Johnson gone and Evans working in the box often. Ritchie had been playing the best football of his career before his injury, and his return gives Utah another valuable piece. Tilmon impressed as a freshman, and a sophomore jump could earn him a steady weekly role.
Evans put it plainly during fall camp: "We got six to eight guys that can play." That depth could show up early, with Marcus Wimberly, Manny Fuller, Tommy Nelson, and Davis Andrews all candidates to get run against Idaho once the game is in hand.
By the time the 2026 season is over, Utah’s secondary might be the group people point to first when they talk about the defense.
In Other News...
Utah's First Rout Under Morgan Scalley Still Left One Big Concern
Utah opened the 2026 season in style at Rice-Eccles Stadium, rolling past Idaho 66-14 in Morgan Scalleys first rout as head coach. The Utes were efficient enough to put the game away quickly, with both quarterbacks Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin seeing action and the offense producing big plays throughout the afternoon.
Wayshawn Parker gave the start an immediate jolt, finding the end zone three times early as Utah built a cushion that never really came under threat. Even so, the clean final score masked some early unevenness up front, where both lines had moments theyll want back before settling in and improving as the game went along. [Read more 🡒]
Utahs Backfield Suddenly Looks More Dangerous Than Anyone Expected
Utahs offense left no doubt in a 66-14 win over Idaho, and the most encouraging part for the Utes may have been how many ways they were able to run the ball. The victory set school records for rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, with the backfield piling up production well beyond the usual lead option. Wayshawn Parker was at the center of it, finishing with 71 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while several other Utah runners chipped in meaningful yardage.
Morgan Scalley had plenty to like afterward, especially the way Parker handled the moment and the overall depth in the running back room. For a team that wants its ground game to travel week after week, Utah suddenly looks as if it has more answers than expected, and this performance only raised the stakes for figuring out how the workload will be split moving forward. [Read more 🡒]
Utah Just Unveiled Another Dangerous Weapon On Offense
Utah spent its season opener against Idaho showing just how many ways it can stress a defense, and Wayshawn Parker quickly became one of the nights most dangerous answers. The running back finished with 94 all-purpose yards in the 66-14 win, and he was part of an offense that looked anything but one-dimensional, with the Utes leaning on both the ground game and the passing attack to keep Idaho from settling in.
The broader picture was even more encouraging for Utah: the Utes rolled up big yardage in both phases and had multiple players involved in the scoring, while the defense helped tilt the game early with Trey Reynolds interception setting up the first points. For an offense still showing its full shape, Parkers breakout was the kind of opening statement that suggests there may already be another reliable threat waiting to emerge as the schedule gets tougher. [Read more 🡒]