Utah's Morgan Scalley excited to 'find depth' with new additions to roster

The linebacker room, in contrast, remains stable, with starters Lander Barton, Levani Damuni, and Johnathan Hall all returning. Scalley expressed confidence in the group’s depth and potential, singling out Hall as a future star in the Big 12. Barton, who had been recovering from a 2023 injury, is now back to full strength, which adds another layer of reliability to the linebacker corps. Scalley’s assessment of the position was straightforward: "Zero issues with the linebacker depth."

Scalley also addressed the broader dynamics of roster management in the era of the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. While Utah lost two key contributors, Keanu Tanavasa to BYU and Cameron Calhoun to Alabama, Scalley emphasized focusing on the players who remain in the program. "My job is to develop the guys that we have in this program," Scalley said. He noted that while player departures are inevitable, Utah has consistently demonstrated the ability to reload and remain competitive.

Head coach Kyle Whittingham previously noted that both Tanavasa and Calhoun were lured away by superior NIL offers, reflecting the challenges of retaining talent in today’s college football landscape. However, the defensive staff sees these departures as opportunities for younger players to step up. Scalley’s comments reflected a forward-looking mindset, underscoring the program’s commitment to developing the next wave of talent.

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The incoming freshman class also drew praise from Scalley, who highlighted their readiness to contribute. He emphasized that many of the newcomers are already physically prepared to compete, minimizing the need for extensive physical development before they can see the field. "Usually, if you're going to play as a freshman, physically you have to be ready, mentally, you have to be ready," he explained. Scalley expressed confidence that this group of freshmen meets those criteria, positioning them for early success.

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Overall, Scalley conveyed a sense of optimism about the Utah defense heading into 2025. With strong returning leadership, promising newcomers, and a clear focus on development, the Utes appear poised to maintain their reputation as a defensive powerhouse, even as they transition to the Big 12.