Utah football position preview: Wide receiver and tight ends entering 2026 fall camp

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The Utah Utes enter fall camp with plenty of reasons to believe they can make a run at the Big 12 championship.

The Utes are coming off an 11-win season in which the offense averaged 41.2 points and 482.9 yards per game. They return their starting quarterback, their leading rusher and several important defensive pieces.

But this is not the same team.

Morgan Scalley is entering his first full season as Utah’s head coach. Kevin McGiven has taken over the offense. Utah officially lists more than 100 players on its 2026 roster, but plenty of roles will still be decided over the next month.

Here's the second of a six-part look at Utah's roster.

Wide receiver: A-

This is probably the deepest receiver room Utah has had in recent years.

Now they have to prove it.

Braden Pegan, the 4-star transfer, enters fall camp as the player most likely to become Dampier’s top target. Pegan followed McGiven from Utah State after catching 60 passes for 926 yards and five touchdowns last season. He already understands the offense and brings size at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds.

Pegan gives Utah a proven receiver who can win at multiple levels.

Kyri Shoels adds another 4-star wideout transfer, an established option after producing 768 receiving yards at San Jose State. His speed gives Utah someone who can stretch the field and create after the catch.

Larry Simmons is another player who should have a major role.

Simmons only caught 15 passes last season, but those receptions went for 280 yards and six touchdowns. Seven of his catches, 151 of his yards and three touchdowns came over Utah’s final two regular-season games.

Utah needs that late-season version of Simmons to carry into 2026.

But there are more than three players capable of contributing.

Creed Whittemore has the athleticism and versatility to play inside or outside. Ricky Johnson has elite speed and has made progress during spring camp after transferring from Mississippi State. Daidren Zipperer has continued to develop. Tobias Merriweather still brings size and experience.

Nate Johnson may be the most interesting player in the room.

The former 4-star dual-threat quarterback made the move to receiver and immediately showed how dangerous he can be with the ball. Utah does not need him to become a polished every-down receiver immediately. It needs to find ways to use his speed.

Mana Carvalho and several of the younger receivers will also be competing for touches.

Utah has talked about receiver depth before without the production following.

This group feels different because Pegan and Shoels have already been productive elsewhere, Simmons finished last season playing at his best, and the Utes have legitimate options behind them.

There should be no excuse for Utah to go through another season without a consistent passing game.

Tight end: B

Utah does not have a proven star at tight end.

That does not mean the room lacks options.

Hunter Andrews is back after suffering a season-ending injury last year. Andrews is one of the most athletic players in the room and can be used as a runner, blocker or receiving option.

Noah Bennee returned to Utah after catching 23 passes for 264 yards at Weber State last season. He gives the Utes a more traditional tight end who can work underneath and contribute as a blocker.

Those two should lead the room, but McGiven and Luke Wells have several different body types to work with.

Will Monney transferred in from Oklahoma State. Kana’i Lopes moved from linebacker to tight end during the spring. Bear Fisher is a 6-foot-5 freshman with long-term upside.

Then there are Semi Taulanga and Sione Motuapuaka.

Taulanga is listed at 317 pounds, while Motuapuaka is listed at 276. They allow Utah to create heavy formations without bringing an additional offensive lineman onto the field.

This may not be a room built around one featured pass catcher.

It may be a room where Utah uses several players depending on the situation.