Utah Utes Football Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!

Lander Barton, a versatile senior linebacker from the Utah Utes, is a standout prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft. Standing at 65 and weighing 240 lbs, Barton has played in 45 career games with 33 starts, lining up at various positions. He earned Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year honors and was named a College Football News Freshman All-American. Barton has a football family legacy and has posted impressive stats, including 51 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 2 passes defended, 1 interception, and 1 fumble recovery in the 2025 season. He has solid PFF grades in coverage and pass rush but struggles with missed tackles. Scouts praise his quarterback awareness, route recognition, and blitzing ability, but note he needs to improve tackling consistency. Overall, Barton is a smart, adaptable rotational piece who could thrive in the right defense.

Utah fans have reasons to celebrate as seven former Utah football players are part of the NFL conference championships. The Denver Broncos, with five Utah players, face the New England Patriots, while the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams compete. The Broncos Garrett Bolles leads the tackles with a high grade, and Jarrett Stidham starts for the injured Bo Nix. In Seattle, Connor OToole switched to defensive end, and Miles Battle has three tackles for New England. A potential reunion could occur if Denver and Seattle meet in the Super Bowl.

Dallen Bentley, Utahs tight end, is making waves in the NFL Draft scene. After a breakout season with 42 catches for 514 yards and 5 TDs, hes now ranked as a top tight end prospect. Once a backup with just 3 catches, Bentleys patience and hard work have paid off, earning him All-Big Twelve honors and a spot in the East-West Shrine Bowl. With strong performances at the NFL Combine, he could become the next Utah tight end drafted.

The Big Twelve Conferences 2026 football schedule has sparked controversy, as the BYU-Utah rivalry game is once again scheduled mid-season. The Cougars and Utes will face off in Salt Lake City on November 7th, following a trend of thrilling Cougar victories in previous mid-season matchups. Fans are disappointed, as the rivalry game traditionally concluded the season. Big Twelve commissioner Brett Yormark defends the decision, aiming to maintain interest throughout November. However, the move has drawn criticism, with viewership numbers showing a dip in interest despite top-fifteen rankings. The rivalry games traditional end-of-season spotlight is missed in Utah.

Utah football makes a splash in the class of 2027, offering a four-star defensive line prospect, Tevita Nonu, from ODea High School in Washington. Ranked as the number one player in his state and the number twenty-four defensive lineman nationally, Nonu has ties to Utahs defensive line coach, Inoke Breckterfield. Despite competition from schools like Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, Penn State, Washington, Notre Dame, and Oregon, Utah aims to secure Nonus commitment. Nonu, who earned first-team all-state honors and helped ODea win the three-A state championship, joins a growing list of recruits as Utah seeks to build its 2027 class.

Utah football is gearing up for the 2026 season, with coach Morgan Scalley already making moves to build his staff and secure key players. The Utes schedule for the upcoming season has been released, featuring matchups against Idaho, Arkansas, Utah State, Iowa State, Kansas, BYU, Colorado, and Arizona. Despite the transfer portal chaos, Utah is receiving early buzz, with many outlets ranking them between sixteen and nineteen in their way-too-early top twenty-five rankings. Retaining stars like Devon Dampier is a significant offseason win, and the Utes are poised for a run at the Big Twelve title and beyond.

Utah football secures a promising running back prospect, Jeremiah Tabor, from Melissa High School in Texas. The three-star recruit, ranked as the number three running back in Texas and eighteenth nationally, had a standout sophomore season. With interest from power conference programs and an invite to the Under Armour All-American camp, Utahs early offer indicates a strategic move to build for the future.