Dalton Kincaid will be able to play for the University of Utah this fall.
That news was confirmed by Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham during his Friday press conference, and it means Utah will be even more loaded at the tight end position.
Kincaid, a transfer from the University of San Diego who arrived in Salt Lake City in August, received clearance from the NCAA to play this season for the Utes.
“That was a huge positive. I believe it was Wednesday afternoon that we found out the NCAA has granted him eligibility,” Whittingham said. “That was big because he’s a fine player and is going to be in our plans right away.”
Kincaid brings further depth to a tight end group already brimming with experience — junior Cole Fotheringham has the most career starts among the group (23) and has played in every game over the past two seasons, while fellow junior Brant Kuithe earned third-team All-America honors in 2019 while leading the Utes in receptions (34), receiving yards (602) and receiving touchdowns (6). He added three more touchdowns and 102 yards on the ground.
The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Kincaid showcased his receiving abilities the past two seasons while playing for the Toreros, catching 68 passes for 1,209 yards and 19 touchdowns. Last year, he earned FCS All-America honors while racking up 44 receptions for 835 yards and eight touchdowns. He also led all FCS tight ends in yards per catch (18.98) and ranked second in receiving yards and receiving yards per game (69.6).
Kincaid, who hails from Las Vegas, will be a junior in 2020.
Whittingham has confidence that offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig will get the best out of a tight end group that is expected to be consistent playmakers for whoever the Utes’ starting quarterback is.
“Andy will do a great job managing that and already has, as far as personnel groups and making sure we get the playmakers on the field and get the ball to the right guys,” Whittingham said. “There’ll be enough balls to go around for all involved.”
Whittingham also singled out the play of two other tight ends — sophomore Thomas Yassmin and senior Ali’i Niumatalolo.
“We feel we’ve got a great stable of tight ends and we’re going to maximize what each of them brings,” Whittingham said.