In an appearance on SiriusXM’s College Sports Radio, Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham spoke about how recruiting has changed for his team since joining the Big 12.
Coach Whittingham highlighted how Utah finds itself in the midst of placing more recruiting manpower in Texas.
“Recruiting footprint has already changed,” said Whittingham in his interview with Nicole Auerbach, “The teams we’re competing with in the Big 12 are very different than what we were in the Pac-12, so we’ve put more manpower in Texas.”
An increased recruiting presence within Texas couldn't be a more positive development for Utah. The team has already seen many talented players come from the Lone Star State, including current Utes like Zemaiah Vaughn, Money Parks, Brant Kuithe, and CJ Blocker, to name a few.
It is a well-known fact that Texas football produces some of the most talented players in the country.
Within their 2024 recruiting class, the Utes have three incoming players from the state: Hunter Andrews, Latristan Thompson, and Maurice “Rabbit” Evans.
Based on Whittingham’s comments, this number will likely rise as the years’ progress.
After his comment on recruiting, Whittingham also divulged details regarding a different "Texas" player on the Utes; the University of Texas, that is.
Cam Rising, the Utes' quarterback who originally committed to Texas out of high school, seems primed and ready for his triumphant return to Salt Lake.
Rising missed the entire 2023 season after a gruesome knee injury but announced he would return in 2024 for a seventh, and final, season.
“We’re elated to have him back,” Whittingham said regarding Rising’s return. “He’s a tremendous leader, tremendous player, and a legitimate Heisman candidate, in our opinion. Having him back is huge for our football team. He’s doing very well; everything is as it should be… we expect him to participate fully in spring ball.”
Rising's reinstatement gives Utah all the confidence it needs to win the Big 12 conference in 2024. The Utes struggled in 2023 without their leader but have fully reloaded their roster with talent in expectation of Rising’s return.
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