As the curtain falls on the 2025 college football season-with Indiana hoisting its first national title after a 27-21 win over Miami-the focus now shifts to 2026. And in Salt Lake City, that means turning the page to a new era of Utah football.
With longtime head coach Kyle Whittingham stepping away and Morgan Scalley taking the reins, the Utes have undergone one of the busiest offseasons in recent memory. The transition brought a tidal wave of roster movement: 26 players out, 18 new faces in. And while the transfer portal is officially closed to new entries, schools can still pick up players already in the portal-and Utah has done just that, adding depth in key spots over the past few days.
Let’s take a closer look at five newcomers who could make an immediate impact for Utah in 2026.
Braden Pegan, WR (Utah State)
If there was one position group Utah absolutely had to address this offseason, it was wide receiver. The Utes lost their top two pass catchers-Ryan Davis graduated, and breakout star JJ Buchanan followed Whittingham to Michigan. That left a void in the offense, especially with only one returning wideout (Larry Simmons) who had more than 15 catches last year.
Enter Braden Pegan.
The Utah State transfer is coming to Salt Lake City with some serious production and familiarity-he’s following offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven, who helped engineer his breakout season in Logan. Pegan caught 60 passes for 926 yards and five touchdowns last year, and he went over 90 yards in five different games. That’s not just consistency-it’s big-play capability.
At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, Pegan brings size, experience, and a proven connection to the offensive system. He’s got all the tools to become quarterback Devon Dampier’s go-to target in 2026. And with winter workouts underway, the two will have plenty of time to build chemistry before spring ball.
Jireh Moe, DT (San Jose State)
Utah’s defensive tackle rotation is getting a full makeover. With Aliki Vimahi, Jonah Lea’ea, and Dallas Vakalahi all moving on, the Utes are looking for new anchors in the middle of the defensive line.
Freshmen Karson Kaufusi and Pupu Sepulona showed promise last year, each logging over 130 snaps and recording 13 tackles apiece. But they’re still young, and Utah needed experience and depth.
That’s where Jireh Moe comes in.
The San Jose State freshman stood out in his debut season, tallying 28 tackles and 1.5 sacks. More importantly, he posted an impressive 83.1 PFF grade-making him the highest-rated player on the Spartans’ defense. Moe’s combination of strength and technique gives him a real shot to crack the starting lineup in 2026.
Scalley made defensive tackle a priority in the portal, bringing in four players at the position. Moe may be young, but he’s already shown he can play at a high level. Don’t be surprised if he’s a key piece in Utah’s defensive front this fall.
Ethan Day, DE (North Texas)
Utah’s defensive line overhaul doesn’t stop at tackle. Both starting defensive ends-Logan Fano and John Henry Daley-are gone, meaning the Utes will be breaking in a brand-new edge rotation.
The good news? There’s talent waiting in the wings.
Kash Dillon and Lance Holtzclaw each logged over 340 snaps last year, and both flashed potential. Holtzclaw, a Washington transfer, really came on late in the season, finishing with 26 tackles, four tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. Dillon, a redshirt freshman, posted 35 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks-solid numbers for a young player still finding his rhythm.
But this group just got even deeper with the arrival of Ethan Day from North Texas.
Day started all 13 games for the Mean Green last season, racking up 53 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. At 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, he brings size, experience, and production to a position group that’s still taking shape. Whether he’s starting or rotating in, Day is going to play a lot of snaps for Utah in 2026.
James Chenault, CB (USF)
Utah’s cornerback room is in flux. Outside of Scooby Davis, no returning player logged significant reps last year. That means the Utes are essentially starting from scratch on the outside-and possibly at nickel as well.
To address the need, Utah went heavy in the transfer portal, adding four cornerbacks: Nicholas Brown (Lamar), Elijah Reed (Akron), Earl Parker (Hutchinson CC), and James Chenault (USF). Of that group, Chenault stands out as a player who could step into a major role right away.
Chenault brings experience and versatility. The 6-foot, 180-pound sophomore played outside corner for USF last season, finishing with 32 tackles, two interceptions, and two pass breakups. He also showed up in big moments-his best game came in USF’s upset of Florida, where he picked off DJ Lagway.
With a 66.2 PFF grade and the ability to play either outside or in the slot, Chenault gives Utah flexibility in a position group that’s still under construction. Depending on how new defensive coordinator Colton Swan wants to deploy him, Chenault could be a starter on Day 1.
Cedric Jefferson, OL (Montana State)
Utah’s offensive line is getting a full reset in 2026. Every starter from last year-including standout tackles Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu-is gone. That leaves new offensive line coach Jordan Gross with a massive rebuilding job.
Fortunately, there’s talent in the pipeline.
Five-star recruit Kelvin Obot, the highest-rated prospect in program history, is expected to step in immediately. He’ll be coached by Gross, his former high school coach, which should help ease the transition. Other key returners include Solatoa Moea’i (331 snaps), Keith Olson (295), Roger Alderman (134), and four-star redshirt freshman Isaiah Garcia, who missed last year due to injury.
Still, Utah needed to add experience-and they found some in Montana State’s Cedric Jefferson.
Jefferson was a starter at tackle for the FCS national champions and earned All-Big Sky honorable mention honors. At 6-foot-5 with a strong frame and solid technique, he’s a prime candidate to lock down one of Utah’s tackle spots as the Utes rebuild their offensive front.
The Bottom Line
With a new head coach, a revamped staff, and a wave of roster changes, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for Utah football. The Utes didn’t just plug holes in the transfer portal-they brought in players who can elevate the program right away. From Pegan’s playmaking at receiver to Moe’s potential on the interior defensive line, these five newcomers could be the difference between a transition year and a breakthrough season.
One thing’s for sure: the Utes won’t be easing into the Morgan Scalley era-they’re coming out swinging.