Morgan Scalley, the newly appointed head coach of the Utah football team, emphasized during his introductory press conference that player retention would be a top priority for him and his first-year coaching staff. While the transition from Kyle Whittingham’s leadership to Scalley’s was relatively smooth, some Utah players chose to explore their options on the open market, leading to a few departures.

Whittingham’s move to take the Michigan coaching job prompted several of his former players to follow him to Ann Arbor, which caused frustration among Utah fans. Despite these challenges, the Utes managed to retain a significant portion of their key players from last season’s 11-2 team.

Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin both announced their return to Salt Lake City, providing the Utes with quarterback options for the 2026 season and beyond. They will be joined in the backfield by Wayshawn Parker, who was Utah’s leading rusher in 2025.

On the defensive side, Jackson Bennee, Rabbit Evans, Elijah “Scooby” Davis, and Levani Damuni returned, along with other key members of the Utah defense. However, like many programs across the country, the Utes experienced significant roster turnover, prompting Scalley and his staff to look into the transfer portal to fill the gaps.

Here’s a look at the Utes’ biggest losses from the transfer portal:

1. JJ Buchanan (Michigan)
   
   
   
   JJ Buchanan was one of the most valuable players the Utes could have had. As a freshman in 2025, he showed great potential, initially listed as a tight end but operating more like a wide receiver. He finished the season with 427 receiving yards — third-most on the team — and five touchdowns on 26 receptions. His performance earned him a spot as one of Devon Dampier’s top targets.

With the departure of Ryan Davis and Dallen Bentley, it was expected that Buchanan would return to Utah. However, after the coaching change, he decided to test his value on the open market, becoming the biggest loss for the Utes in this transfer cycle.

1. Jonah Lea’ea (Michigan)
   
   
   
   While not always in the spotlight, Jonah Lea’ea made a noticeable jump as a redshirt sophomore. He started all 13 games in 2025, recording 34 tackles, including 2.5 for loss and one sack. His efforts earned praise from Scalley and a high rating from 247Sports as the No. 42 defensive lineman in the portal.

2. Dallas Vakalahi (Penn State)
   
   
   
   Dallas Vakalahi showed promise as a freshman in 2024, but his playing time was limited due to health issues. With Aliki Vimahi set to graduate, Vakalahi had the opportunity to compete for a starting role. Instead, his future with the Utes remains uncertain.

3. Smith Snowden (Michigan)
   
   
   
   Smith Snowden played a crucial role for Utah’s defense, finishing the season with 37 tackles, two for loss, and 11 passes defended. He earned All-Big 12 second-team honors and was an important player for the 2026 squad. His departure leaves a gap in the cornerback position.

4. John Henry Daley (Michigan)
   
   
   
   John Henry Daley had an All-America season in 2025, but concerns about his Achilles injury may affect his availability for the 2026 season. If he returns to full health, he could be a dominant force for Michigan. His departure is a significant loss for Utah, as he would have been a cornerstone of the defense if healthy.

These departures highlight the challenges Scalley faces in rebuilding the Utah program. While the Utes have retained many key players, they must now focus on filling the voids left by those who chose to transfer. The next step for Scalley and his staff will be to identify and recruit new talent to strengthen the team for the upcoming season.