"Utah's mission to reboot its offense started with adding a quarterback-coordinator combination from New Mexico, as Devon Dampier and Jason Beck made their way to Salt Lake City. But the Utes also needed playmakers to surround Dampier. Their search led them to the transfer portal, naturally, but also to their own roster and, ultimately, to the other side of the ball."
""Obviously Travis Hunter last year, the success he had, winning the Heisman [Trophy], that struck a chord with a lot of coaches, taking them through their roster: Who do we have that can contribute both ways?" Utah coach Kyle Whittingham told ESPN. "The bottom line is: What's going to help you win games? It's not the novelty of having a two-way guy. Who's going to give us the best chance to win?""
"Hunter's surge to the 2024 Heisman at Colorado, while playing full time on both offense and defense, might have nudged coaches to expand their view of what was possible for the right players. Although Hunter did things not thought possible in the modern era of college football -- he played 2,625 snaps in two seasons at Colorado, leading the FBS in both 2023 and 2024 -- his success is already increasing opportunities for others."
Utah revamped its offense by hiring Devon Dampier and Jason Beck from New Mexico and pursuing playmakers via the transfer portal and its own roster. The staff prioritized two-way contributors, converting defensive players Smith Snowden and Lander Barton for offensive roles. Snowden started at nickel in 2024 with 10 passes defended, while Barton led the team in tackles in fall 2024 and had six passes defended. Coaches cited Travis Hunter's two-way Heisman success as an influence. In Utah's opener, Snowden led the team in receiving and scored a rushing touchdown; Barton caught a touchdown pass.
Read at ESPN.com
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