The Utah Blockcast

Utah play-by-play voice Bill Riley joins the Utah Blockcast to explain why the program already feels different under new head coach Morgan Scalley—and why the 2026 Utes have the ingredients to contend in the Big 12.

Bill discusses Scalley’s leadership, Kevin McGiven’s offensive vision, Devon Dampier’s continued development, Wayshawn Parker’s pursuit of a bigger season and the questions Utah must answer before opening against Idaho.

The conversation also explores Utah’s championship ceiling, its challenging November schedule and what Bill has learned during nearly two decades as the voice of the Utes. 

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#UtahFootball #GoUtes #Big12Football

Utah football’s defensive coaches take stock of the young front, emerging secondary depth and position battles shaping Morgan Scalley’s first defense. Defensive coordinator Colton Swan explains how Utah will preserve the foundation of Scalley’s system while introducing his own ideas—and why “players over scheme” will guide the final personnel decisions. Inoke Breckterfield identifies four defensive ends the Utes already trust, Luther Elliss discusses a wide-open competition at defensive tackle and the staff evaluates the continued development of Trey Reynolds and Cyrus Polu at linebacker. The conversation also covers Jackson Bennee’s growth, Utah’s five- or six-player safety rotation, improved depth at cornerback and the remaining questions that padded practices must answer. Subscribe to the Utah Blockcast for complete Utah football fall camp coverage, analysis and reaction.

Utah football’s offensive coaches break down the Utes’ progress through the opening days of fall camp—and the offense is beginning to look like Devon Dampier’s. Kevin McGiven and Ryan Gunderson explain how Utah is giving Dampier greater control of protections and coverage checks while continuing to develop Byrd Ficklin’s processing without restraining his playmaking instincts. Jordan Gross discusses a rebuilt offensive line with as many as 10 playable options, while Chad Bumphis details a versatile receiver rotation featuring Tobias Merriweather, Nate Johnson and Creed Whittemore. The coaches also examine Utah’s plans for Wayshawn Parker and Daniel Bray, the competition involving LaMarcus Bell and the different ways the running backs and tight ends could be featured in McGiven’s offense. Subscribe to the Utah Blockcast for complete Utah football fall camp coverage, analysis and reaction.

Utah football is two days into fall camp, and the early storylines under first-year head coach Morgan Scalley are beginning to take shape.

Steve Bartle and Josh Bennett discuss Scalley’s shorter-but-more-demanding practices, the player-led summer and why Steve Saunders’ strength program has become one of camp’s biggest talking points. They also break down Devon Dampier’s growing command of the offense, Utah’s five-man offensive-line rebuild, the defensive front’s push to restore its physical identity and the early buzz surrounding Ethan Day, Karson Kaufusi, Creed Whittemore, Cyrus Polu and others.

The pads have yet to come on, so which developments feel legitimate, which are still August optimism and which position battles deserve the most attention moving forward?

Share your biggest takeaway in the comments, and subscribe to the Utah Blockcast for more coverage throughout fall camp.

#UtahFootball #GoUtes #Big12Football

Utah football is officially back.

In this episode, hear all four interviews from Day 2 of fall camp as Johnathan Hall, Ethan Day, Lucas Samsula, and Jackson Bennee share their thoughts on the Utes.

Utah football is officially back.

In this episode, hear all five interviews from Day 1 of fall camp as Morgan Scalley, Devon Dampier, Wayshawn Parker, Alex Harrison and Braden Pegan discuss the important storylines surrounding the Utes.

Utah football fall camp is officially here. Steve Bartle and Josh Bennett break down the biggest questions facing Morgan Scalley and the Utes as they begin preparing for a potential Big 12 championship run.

What would make Scalley’s first season a genuine success? How much control will Devon Dampier receive in Kevin McGiven’s offense? And can Utah rebuild both lines of scrimmage without lowering its championship ceiling?

The guys discuss:

• McGiven’s unconventional definition of offensive balance

• Dampier taking greater ownership at the line of scrimmage

• How Utah can creatively involve Byrd Ficklin

• Braden Pegan, Kyri Shoels and the receiver room’s vertical potential

• Replacing Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu along the offensive line

• Karson Kaufusi and Utah’s young defensive-tackle rotation

• Whether Colton Swan can generate pressure without a dominant edge rusher

The episode closes with rapid-fire fall camp predictions covering position battles, breakout freshmen, impact transfers, Utah’s strongest defensive unit and the players most likely to become fan and media favorites. Subscribe to the Utah Blockcast for fall camp reports, player and coach interviews, Utah football analysis and complete coverage of the Utes throughout the 2026 season. #UtahFootball #GoUtes #Big12Football

Fall camp is here, and former Utah linebacker Stevenson Sylvester joins Steve Bartle to preview the first preseason under head coach Morgan Scalley.

Sly explains what coaches are truly evaluating during camp, why accountability and confidence determine whether young players earn meaningful roles, and how communication reveals the maturity of a defense. The conversation examines Johnathan Hall’s transition into Utah’s leading voice at linebacker, the rebuilt defensive front, Colton Swan’s opportunity to shape the defense and the relationship between Utah’s personnel and its scheme.

They also turn to an offense featuring Devon Dampier, Wayshawn Parker, Braden Pegan, Kyri Shoels and Byrd Ficklin—and why its versatility could force opposing defenses to simplify their approach.

Topics include:

• What young players must prove during fall camp
• How Scalley could operate differently as head coach
• Hall’s next step as a leader
• What Utah needs from Karson Kaufusi and the defensive line
• How Swan could put his stamp on the defense
• Why Utah’s offense could be so difficult to prepare for
• Whether the Utes have the pieces to contend for the Big 12 championship 

Subscribe to the Utah Blockcast for Utah football analysis, fall camp updates and complete coverage of the Utes throughout the 2026 season.

Utah football enters Morgan Scalley’s first fall camp with Big 12 championship expectations—and major questions across both sides of the line of scrimmage. Steve Bartle and Josh Bennett break down the five storylines that will define camp: • Rebuilding all five offensive-line positions and four defensive-front roles • Devon Dampier’s command of Kevin McGiven’s new offense • Potential breakout players generating early camp buzz • How Scalley will operate his first fall camp as Utah’s head coach • Freshmen who could earn immediate roles, led by five-star tackle Kelvin Obot Which position battle will have the greatest impact on Utah’s 2026 season? Drop your answer in the comments. Subscribe to Utah Blockcast for analysis and complete coverage throughout fall camp. #UtahFootball #GoUtes #Big12Football #UtahUtes #CollegeFootball

Pick Six Previews founder Brett Ciancia joins the Utah Blockcast to explain why he has Utah third in the Big 12 and inside his national top 25. Brett breaks down the Utes’ potential path to an 8–0 start, where Utah fits alongside Texas Tech and BYU, and whether Devon Dampier, Wayshawn Parker and a favorable schedule can overcome complete offensive-line turnover, significant defensive losses and the transition from Kyle Whittingham to Morgan Scalley.

Steve Bartle and Josh Bennett rank the 10 most important players to Utah’s 2026 season—not simply the best players, but the Utes whose roles may be the hardest to replace. They debate Devon Dampier’s command of an offense built around him, Karson Kaufusi’s ownership of Utah’s defensive-tackle tradition, Braden Pegan’s impact and whether Wayshawn Parker is ranked too low. Plus, “6–7” gets its moment, and Eric Weddle receives proper recognition with his Ring of Honor induction.

Morgan Scalley has impressed throughout his opening months as Utah’s head coach, from his introductory press conference and spring practices to Big 12 Media Days and his work building relationships with program supporters. Steve Bartle and Josh Bennett examine the personality, preparation and institutional understanding that give Scalley a strong foundation—along with potential blind spots that could define his first season. Can he turn Utah’s culture into a complete teaching system, empower his assistants and remain decisive when adversity arrives?

Steve Bartle and Josh Bennett draft their five most interesting Utah football players entering fall camp, allowing to break down position battles, breakout candidates and unresolved roles that could determine whether the Utes are ready to contend for a Big 12 championship.

What Is Utah Football Trying To Become?

Steve Bartle and Josh Bennett ask the defining question surrounding Morgan Scalley’s first Utah team. They project the Utes’ offensive and defensive identities, set statistical expectations for Devon Dampier and both units, and examine how Utah can preserve its traditional physicality while becoming more adaptable, explosive and complete.

Utah must replace all five offensive line starters after losing Spencer Fano, Caleb Lomu and a unit that powered one of college football’s most productive rushing attacks. Steve examines what happened to Washington, Michigan and Oklahoma after similar resets—and why history suggests Utah should expect a decline in protection and rushing efficiency. But those teams also replaced their quarterbacks. With Devon Dampier returning after an impressive offseason, could Utah’s biggest offensive star also be the X-factor that keeps its biggest concern from becoming a fatal flaw?

Steve Bartle and Josh Bennett recap Big 12 Media Days with a Utah-focused notebook from Frisco, covering Morgan Scalley’s first impression, Devon Dampier’s standing among Big 12 quarterbacks, Utah’s offensive line questions and key breakout candidates entering fall camp. The episode ends with interviews with Devon Dampier and Johnathan Hall. 

Sorting through two of the loudest Utah football conversations of the summer: recruiting panic and Big Ten speculation. First, explaining why Utah’s current recruiting class looks more like a continuation of the program’s traditional developmental model than a reason to panic. Then, they break down why Utah keeps getting mentioned in future Big Ten conversations, how the Protect College Sports Act has reignited realignment buzz nationally, and why the Big 12 remains Utah’s present platform. The big takeaway: Utah fans can be ambitious without being unrealistic — and the answer is still to win, build and grow where you are.

Utah football picked up three commitments in one day, landing Texas speedster Darnell Jackson Jr. along with Timpview standouts Ian Aloisio and Fui Vakapuna. Steve breaks down what each addition brings to Morgan Scalley’s 2027 class and why the recent recruiting run matters. Then, a closer look at Utah’s official announcement that it is exploring modernization options for the Jon M. Huntsman Center, what the feasibility study means, and what the university should prioritize as it considers the future of one of campus’ most iconic venues. Plus, an interview with receiver commit Dillon Sykes.

Hitting on two proof-of-concept questions for Utah’s major programs. First, breaking down whether Utah football is recruiting at a Big 12 contender level, how to balance Morgan Scalley’s first full recruiting cycle with the program’s established winning standards. Where the class stands after the commitments of Kaleb Hall and Jaden Bibbs, and what could be on the horizon. 

Then, the conversation shifts to Utah basketball and what Alex Jensen’s identity should look like moving forward. Diving into what the blueprint will be as the Runnin’ Utes hope to climb in the Big 12 and bring real energy back to the Huntsman Center.

Reacting to the news of Utah's & adidas new apparel partnership. 

Which position group has to exceed expectations for the Utes to contend in the Big 12, and what Morgan Scalley must prove in Year 1 as head coach, those are the topics today. 

The discussion starts up front with Utah’s defensive line, where run defense, interior toughness and X-factors who could determine whether the Utes have a championship-level defense. Then, Scalley’s biggest Year 1 assignment: providing proof of concept for his version of Utah football.

Utah football keeps stacking in-state momentum as quarterback commit Jonah Lubno joins the show to discuss his decision, his fit in the offense, and what he wants to bring to the program. Plus, a breakdown of Diesel Dart’s commitment, why Utah’s local recruiting push matters under Morgan Scalley, and what the Huntsman Center seating changes say about Alex Jensen’s effort to reconnect Utah basketball with its winning past.

Former Utah quarterback Travis Wilson and receiver Kenneth Scott join the podcast to discuss their upcoming football camp on the Ute Reservation, why giving back through the game matters, and what they hope young athletes take away from the experience. The former Ute tandem also reflect on their playing careers, the bond they built at Utah, lessons learned under Kyle Whittingham, and what life looks like now after football. Plus, Noam Yaacov is in Salt Lake City, and Utah football hosting another big group of official visitors this weekend.

Josh Furlong joins the Utah Blockcast to react to the Brendan Sorsby news and help explain Utah’s finalized Otro Capital partnership and the launch of Crimson Brand Partners in plain English. We break down what the deal actually is, why Utah pursued it, how it could impact football and men’s basketball, and what questions still remain as college athletics continues moving toward a more professional business model.

Ben Portnoy of Sports Business Journal joins the show to break down the business side of college athletics’ new era, from Utah’s private capital partnership with Otro to the Big 12’s revenue race, House settlement fallout, and the Brendan Sorsby injunction. Plus, a look at what these changes mean for Utah’s future positioning in a rapidly changing college sports landscape.