News is coming at a frenetic pace on the transfer portal front for Utah — the Utes already have commits from six transfers to date.
Another promising development surfaced Monday, as a coveted running back transfer has Utah as one of two finalists left in the running for his services.
247 Sports’ Brandon Huffman reported that former Washington State running back Wayshawn Parker has canceled visits to USC and UCLA this week and will decide between Utah and Arizona as a transfer destination.
Parker will visit Utah this week — he visited Arizona last weekend — and will make a decision by the end of the week, Huffman reported.
Who is Wayshawn Parker?
Parker is a 6-foot, 199-pound back who hails from Sacramento.
He is rated a four-star talent with a .9100 composite ranking and the No. 2 running back in the transfer portal by 247 Sports.
Parker was named the Pac-12 Top Freshman Performer this season, after rushing for 735 yards and four touchdowns as a true freshman at Washington State.
He also caught 11 passes for 108 yards and a touchdown.
Parker’s best game came in a 49-28 win over Utah State, when Parker rushed for a career-high 149 yards and two touchdowns, including a 75-yard score.
Parker has three years of eligibility remaining.
How would Wayshawn Parker fit in at Utah?
The Utes are rebuilding their running back room — both Micah Bernard and Charlie Vincent ran out of eligibility, and Jaylon Glover, Dijon Stanley and Anthony Woods have entered the transfer portal.
On Sunday, former New Mexico State running back Mike Washington announced he is transferring to Utah. He will be a senior in the 2025 season.
The Utes also return Mike Mitchell, who ran for 167 yards and a touchdown as a redshirt freshman during the 2024 season.
There’s a potential factor working in the Utes’ favor with the former Washington State star. Parker’s position coach at Washington State, Mark Atuaia, has already been hired to join new Utah offensive coordinator Jason Beck’s staff.
Thus far, six players have indicated they will transfer to Utah. In addition to Washington, that includes former New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier, Mississippi State wide receiver Creed Whittemore, Garden City cornerback Jeremiah Caldwell, Missouri punter Orion Phillips and Oregon linebacker Jaxson Jones.
