New Utah offensive coordinator Jason Beck has again used his connections to his previous school to add a skill player.
A little over an hour-and-a-half before Washington State’s Wayshawn Parker announced he is transferring to Utah, former New Mexico running back NaQuari Rogers pledged his commitment to the Utes early Friday, On3’s Pete Nakos reported.
Who is NaQuari Rogers?
The 5-foot-11, 209-pound Rogers had the third-most rushing yards for the Lobos this past season, behind dual-threat quarterback Devon Dampier, who’s also on his way to Utah, and fellow running back Eli Sanders, who is transferring to USC.
Rogers finished 2024 with 382 rushing yards and five touchdowns for New Mexico, while he also had three catches for 14 yards and a touchdown.
Rogers started his collegiate career by playing two seasons at Campbell, which competes at the Football Championship Subdivision level. Over 17 games for the Fighting Camels, Rogers ran for 829 yards and 10 touchdowns, while adding 224 receiving yards and another score.
How does NaQuari Rogers fit into Utah’s plans?
Rogers is one of three running backs who have already committed to transferring to Utah.
Parker is rated the No. 2 running back in the transfer portal by 247 Sports and is expected to challenge for RB1 status at Utah after running for 735 yards and four touchdowns as a true freshman at Washington State this season, while adding 11 receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown.
Former New Mexico State running back Mike Washington is also joining Utah as a transfer — in 2024, he led the Aggies with 713 yards and eight touchdowns while adding nine receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown.
Rogers joins a running back room that will include Parker, Washington, returner Mike Mitchell, as well as 2024 signees Raycine Guillory, rated a four-star talent, and Daniel Bray (three stars).
Dampier, who led New Mexico with 1,166 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns in 2024, should be expected to be a heavy contributor in Utah’s running plans as well.
Rogers, who was a junior during the 2024 season, has proven he’s a capable running back and could be in line for valuable reps, though guys like Parker, Washington and Mitchell are likely the leading RB1 candidates heading into 2025.