As the University of Utah football program continues to cope with the death of Ty Jordan, it received a commitment Monday from a player who is considered one of the top running backs available in the transfer portal.
Oklahoma’s T.J. Pledger announced his decision to join the Utes via Twitter about three weeks after indicating he would be looking to go elsewhere.
The addition of the 5-foot-9, 193-pound Pledger is a big one for the Utes not only as they look to fill a need, but because he was one of the nation’s top running back recruits in the country out of Florida’s IMG Academy in 2018 (He is a native of Pacoima, California).
He never became the Sooners’ lead back, although he did finish the 2020 season second on the team in rushing with 451 yards on 95 carries with five touchdowns.
Pledger joins Micah Bernard and recent signee Ricky Parks as primary running backs at Utah, following Jordan’s death and the decisions from Jordan Wilmore and Devin Brumfield during the 2020 season to enter the transfer portal.