Utes’ latest transfer portal additions include a pair of receiving talents and a lineman from Big Ten country

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Utes’ latest transfer portal additions include a pair of receiving talents and a lineman from Big Ten country
Utah State wide receiver Braden Pegan (11) runs down the field for a 54-yard touchdown against Air Force in the first half Saturday Sept. 13, 2025, in Logan, Utah.
Utah State wide receiver Braden Pegan (11) runs down the field for a 54-yard touchdown against Air Force in the first half Saturday Sept. 13, 2025, in Logan, Utah.
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Eli Lucero/Herald Journal

In the span of just a few minutes, the University of Utah gained a trio of offensive players from the NCAA transfer portal.

That came one day after the first three transfer additions this cycle, all on the defensive side, were announced.

First, On3 Sports’ Pete Nakos reported that former Ohio State offensive lineman Isaiah Kema would transfer to Utah. Then, eight minutes later on X, Rivals/On3’s Greg Biggins reported that Utah State wide receiver Braden Pegan would also be headed to Salt Lake City.

Within the hour, former San Jose State wide receiver Kyri Shoels announced his commitment to Morgan Scalley’s program.

Braden Pegan, WR, Utah State

Pegan is a major addition for the Utah wide receiving group, after he enjoyed a breakout season in Logan following three years at UCLA.

In the 2025 campaign, Pegan caught 60 passes for 926 yards and five touchdowns, as he earned All-Mountain West first-team honors.

The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Pegan told Biggins that he has a good relationship with Utah’s new wide receiver coach, Chad Bumphis. Pegan’s offensive coordinator at Utah State, Kevin McGiven, has also taken over as Utah’s OC after Jason Beck left for the same role at Michigan.

On3, which rates Pegan as a four-star transfer prospect and the No. 74 overall transfer in the portal right now, reported he chose Utah over Rutgers and Wisconsin, two other schools he visited.

“There were a lot of reasons why I chose Utah but development and being around great people played a big role. That was the most important thing for me when it comes to choosing a program and Utah has that,” Pegan told Biggins.

“At Utah, I feel that both of those things are very present. It’s a great school and can’t wait to get to work.”

Kyri Shoels, WR, San Jose State

Shoels, like Pegan, had his best collegiate season in 2025. It was enough for the San Jose State talent to earn honorable-mention All-MWC honors.

After previously playing at the junior college level, Shoels had 59 receptions for 768 yards and two touchdowns as a redshirt junior for San Jose State this season.

That included a career-best 147 yards on 10 catches with a touchdown in a 30-29 loss against the ACC’s Stanford.

Shoels’ addition helps bolster the receiving group and gives McGiven another important weapon in the passing game.

Isaiah Kema, OL, Ohio State

The Utes will have a lot to do rebuilding the depth at offensive line this offseason, with tackles Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu declaring for the NFL draft and the team’s other three starters exhausting their eligibility.

That’s where someone like Kema could be valuable.

Kema, following a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ended up as a late addition at Ohio State last season after originally signing with Oklahoma State prior to his mission.

He played in four games for the defending national champion Buckeyes in 2025 as a freshman.

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