Initial Projection Of Utah Football’s 2025 Starting Units

Feb 3, 2025, 8:00 AM | Updated: 11:53 am

LOGAN, UT: Johnathan Hall, #3 linebacker for Utah Football. (Photo by Joel Davidson)

(Photo by Joel Davidson)

Utah Insider

SALT LAKE CITY—Utah football is looking to bounce back in 2025 after a difficult run this past season.

The Utes finished 5-7, including their first six-game losing streak under Kyle Whittingham. This led to drastic changes, mostly on the offensive side of the ball.

Some outlets still consider Utah a Big 12 favorite in 2025, while many will take more of a wait-and-see approach.

After changes in staff and personnel on offense, Utah aims for a much-improved performance next season. The defense returns several key pieces and will be the focal point of Utah’s outlook next year.

Way-Too-Early Utah Football Starting Lineup Projection for 2025

Utah opens the season against the UCLA Bruins in Pasadena on August 30. Here’s a way-too-early starting lineup projection for Utah football in 2025.

Quarterback

Devon Dampier

The big addition from the transfer portal was New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier. The dynamic dual-threat quarterback proved to be one of the most electric in the game last season.

He finished the 2024 campaign with 2,768 passing yards and 12 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. He also ran for another 1,166 yards and 19 more touchdowns.

He joined Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts, and Jayden Daniels as one of five quarterbacks since 2016 to throw for at least 2,500 yards and rush for 1,000 in a single season.

He only completed 57% of his passes and threw 12 interceptions, so improvement is needed. However, according to Pro Football Focus, Dampier still earned an 89.8 overall grade, the 12th-best among the 96 qualified quarterbacks. He also earned a 79.4 passing grade, which ranked 25th on the same list.

Dampier followed offensive coordinator Jason Beck to Utah, which will benefit him and Beck as he installs the new offense. Having experience in the same system will allow Dampier to hit the ground running.

If Dampier can maintain the dynamic ability while smoothing out some of the rough edges of his game, he’ll be a pretty impactful player for Utah.

Running back

Wayshawn Parker

Another significant transfer portal addition, Parker was considered a top-three running back by many outlets. He received offers from programs such as Arizona, Arkansas, California, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and USC.

As a true freshman at Washington State, Parker finished the 2024 season with 750 yards and four touchdowns on 137 carries. The 5-foot-10, 206-pounder seems primed for an increased workload at Utah. He should also make good strides in his game as he enters year two of his collegiate career.

Utah will work with NaQuari Rogers, Devin Green, and Daniel Bray behind Parker.

Wide receiver

Otto Tia, Zacharyus Williams, Daidren Zipperer

*Dorian Singer

Utah’s receiving corps will look drastically different in 2025. The Utes welcomed a new coach, Micah Simon, and six new players, with two more set to join in the summer.

The next few weeks and months will be vital for players to make an impression and establish themselves as reliable options. Spring ball will provide much clarity for the group, but the competition is wide open.

However, given his experience, production, and unique size compared to the rest of the group, Otto Tia makes sense to fill one starter role.

Other additions, such as Ryan Davis, Creed Whittemore, and Justin Stevenson, who bring experience—particularly Davis, who comes to Utah via New Mexico—could very well establish themselves as starting options.

However, given the time in the program and the promise they’ve both shown, Zacharyus Williams and Daidren Zipperer seem just as likely to earn starting roles.

The big caveat to this group is Dorian Singer’s potential return. He was Utah’s top pass catcher this past season and has made his desire to play a year with Devon Dampier clear. Singer has submitted a waiver to the NCAA, and there is optimism about his claim.

Tight end

Landen King

King was mostly quiet throughout the 2024 season as he backed up All-Conference tight end Brant Kuithe. He ended the season on a positive note by adding 54 yards and a touchdown over the final couple of weeks.

The 6-foot-5, 232-pounder appears primed to build upon his 17 career receptions, 220 yards, and four touchdowns. He is in his third year with the program and has already been named to the leadership council.

Dallen Bentley will also play a big role in the tight end room, especially since Beck often used six offensive linemen. Still, this one seems like King.

𝐒𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐋‼️#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/iCXOz5XxCr

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) January 28, 2025

Offensive line

LT Caleb Lomu, LG Tanoa Togiai, C Jaren Kump, RG Michael Mokofisi, RT Spencer Fano

The offensive line will be Utah’s unquestioned strength in the 2025 season. With two All-Americans on the edges and veterans along the interior, this group is primed to lead Utah.

Lomu and Fano provide Utah with two elite-level tackles. Although pass protection is always priority No. 1, given their athleticism, it will be interesting to see how Beck utilizes them in the run game.

Utah will need cleaner play from the line’s interior, but as the focus shifts back to the run game, the strengths of Togiai, Kump, and Mokofisi will become more apparent.

It’s rare to bring back an entire starting unit, and it’s even rarer to retain the depth behind those starters. That means there will still be competition this offseason, and guys like Isaiah Garcia, Keith Olson, and Solatoa Moea’i will certainly be pushing the starters in front of them. Garcia worked each spot on the left side and center last season, while both Olson and Moeai played guard. Utah will have Zereoue Williams, Kalolo Ta’aga, and Alma Taleni to provide good depth at tackle as well.

Defensive line

LE Logan Fano, LDT Dallas Vakalahi, RDT Aliki Vimahi, RE Paul Fitzgerald

After losing a few veterans and another to the portal, Utah will look for players to progress and emerge from this unit. However, there is certainly optimism about what Utah has within the defensive end and tackle rooms.

Logan Fano will aim to return to his form in early 2023 when he registered 12 pressures and 3.5 sacks in just five games. Paul Fitzgerald played more late in the year, and Utah wants to see him make a big leap this offseason. Remember, he notched 8.0 sacks at Utah State the year prior.

There’s been a positive buzz around Kash Dillon, who, along with John Henry Daley, hopes to make a big leap forward in year two at Utah. Getting a better feel for what Lance Holtzclaw and Jaxson Jones can provide the unit will also be a storyline to monitor this spring.

𝐆𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤❗ pic.twitter.com/1znLNMJyEi

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) January 16, 2025

Along the interior, Aliki Vimahi is back in 2025 and will be counted on to provide the veteran leadership in the room. Dallas Vakalahi showed significant promise this past season and will be counted on to play a bigger role for Utah next season.

Jonah Leaea has moved from the edge to tackle and has been working to gain weight. His goal is to reach 285 pounds and maintain his athleticism. Behind him, Karson Kaufusi and Sione Motuapuaka have an opportunity to impress as freshmen and potentially carve out a role in the group. Don’t be surprised to hear positive things about Mike Tauteoli or Jori Benson either.

Linebacker

STUD Lander Barton, ROVER Johnathan Hall, MAC Levani Damuni

Behind the offensive line, Utah’s next-best unit is the linebacker room. The team returns key veterans and has added significant talent behind them.

After ups and downs, Lander Barton hit his stride over the season’s final month. He turned into the playmaker many wanted him to be, thanks to a number of havoc plays over the final month, including the pick-six to extend Utah’s streak to 21 seasons. With another year in the program, the goal is for Barton to put it all together next season.

After moving to linebacker at the end of fall camp, Johnathan Hall played a big role for Utah this season. He filled in as injuries mounted and showed some exciting potential. With another year to develop physically and become more accustomed to the role, Hall seems poised to make a bigger impact in 2025.

What’s crazy is that Utah will also welcome back their top tackler in 2023, Levani Damuni. Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending injury in spring ball last year. However, he’s been cleared and will actively participate in the off-season work.

There is plenty of ability behind these three, with Trey Reynolds, Kanai Lopes, Hunter Andrews, Elijah Elliss, Mateaki Helu, Christian Thatcher, and Cyrus Polu.

Cornerback

NB/CB Smith Snowden, CB Scooby Davis, CB Donovon Saunders

Smith Snowden appears primed for CB1 duties. How exactly that will look between playing in the slot and outside is to be determined. However, he is the unquestioned top dog in the room. Snowden played a stingy brand of coverage while also displaying playmaking ability. He will play inside and out but, more importantly, should rarely leave the field next season.

Scooby Davis played a bigger role last season and showed some good potential throughout the year. Given his experience, it’s paramount that he parlays that into this offseason and takes a good step forward in his game.

Donovan Saunders, Blake Cotton, and Jeremiah Caldwell all joined the program last month. All three possess great size at 6’2+ and great length to go along with it. How things shake out amongst this trio will be a top storyline in the offseason.

Utah actually heavily pursued Saunders in the 2023 winter portal cycle before he ended up at Texas A&M. Given that fact, Saunders seems like the odds-on favorite to emerge from the group Utah brought in. However, Cotton has three years of good play at UC Davis, while Caldwell is a JUCO bounceback who played quite well this past season.

There are also several players in the group, and Quimari Shemwell will be the name to follow closest.

Safety

FS Tao Johnson, SS Rabbit Evans

These two safeties and Nate Ritchie will be counted on heavily at safety next year.

Johnson’s transition to free safety was fairly seamless, but there were still some growing pains in the new role. Now that he has a season of experience in the position, Johnson should be more comfortable and confident as Utah’s free safety.

Evans came on strong for Utah over the final month of the season. He ended the season with 34 tackles and two for loss, both of which came against UCF. With a good offseason, Evans appears ready to make a bigger impact next season.

Utah will need to figure out the depth of these two spots. Ritchie will be a key part of that, but if Jeilani Davis or Nathan Tilmon can emerge, that would solidify this unit.

Kicker

Dillon Curtis

An All-American from Murray, Curtis joins Utah, where the belief is that he can come in right away and help Utah’s kicking game.

Dillon Curtis All-American Bowl Highlights! (@dilloncurtis07 )

-Leading Scorer (7points)
-Hit a 48yd FG & 27yd FG
-3KO’s over 73Yards
-Beat team East by 6points (2FG’s)#roguekicking #TeamSailer #UtahFootball #kicking #Uteboyz @AABonNBC pic.twitter.com/wTYDl1vRqg

— Coach Clark / Rogue Kicking (@RogueKicking) January 13, 2025