Utah CB Smith Snowden follows Kyle Whittingham to Michigan

Utah Utes safety Jackson Bennee (23) and cornerback Smith Snowden (2) react to a play against the Arizona State Sun Devils. Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Utah cornerback Smith Snowden follows Kyle Whittingham to Michigan

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Jan 14, 2026 8:21 AM ET

Kyle Whittingham has already brought a handful of very impactful players with him to join the Michigan Wolverines.

The transfer portal has made it so that when a coach leaves a school, whether voluntary or involuntary, the next place he ends up gets populated with his old players.

It makes sense, too. In many cases, these players committed to the coach years before as recruits, and they feel comfortable and have relationships with much of the coaching staff that ends up making the move as well.

That's certainly been the case after Whittingham left the Utah Utes and wound up in Ann Arbor.

On Tuesday, another player signed up to play Big Ten football with the Wolverines.

That would be cornerback Smith Snowden, who was named an All-Big 12 second-team player in 2025 for Whittingham and the Utes.

Former Utah CB Smith Snowden has committed to Michigan, per @Hayesfawcett3

Career 64.1 Passer Rating Allowed in Coverage pic.twitter.com/BRqYe0sPuv
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 13, 2026

Michigan Wolverines land another transfer from Utah Utes

Snowden was indeed one heck of a player for the Utes.

He's a former 4-star recruit from Lehi, Utah, ranked as the No. 21 cornerback in the 2023 class, according to 247Sports.

He's played every season at Utah since his freshman year. He was an 11-game starter at nickel back in his sophomore year and he started every game of this past season for Utah as a junior.

In 12 games, he notched 37 tackles (24 solo), two tackles for loss, two interceptions and 11 passes defended.

In total as Ute, he tallied 92 tackles (59 solo), 17 passes defended, four interceptions, one forced fumble and one defensive touchdown.

He's a legitimate playmaker, and the Wolverines have to be thrilled they'll have his services in 2026.

Snowden is the fourth player to transfer from Utah to Michigan in this transfer portal cycle.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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