Utah cornerback Smith Snowden plans to enter his name into the transfer portal, according to a report from 247Sports’ Blair Angulo.
Snowden’s planned entry is one of the first major ones for the Utes after the transfer portal officially opened on Friday, with the other being defensive end John Henry Daley.
The 2022 Deseret News Mr. Football winner played three seasons at Utah, becoming the team’s starting nickelback in 2024.
Snowden played both ways during the start of this year, totaling 57 receiving yards and 40 yards rushing with a touchdown before focusing on defense for the rest of the season.
Snowden totaled 37 tackles, two interceptions and nine breakups for the Utes in 2025, earning a Pro Football Focus grade of 65.9 for the season.
Should Snowden leave Utah after entering the transfer portal, the Utes will have to replace two of their three starting cornerbacks, with Blake Cotton graduating this spring.
Tao Johnson, safety
Tao Johnson became the third starter from Utah’s defense to enter the portal, according to a report from CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz.
The redshirt junior started at free safety for the second year in a row, contributing 51 tackles, two interceptions and four pass breakups. PFF gave him a 68.4 grade this season.
Over his career at Utah, Johnson went from wide receiver to nickelback to starting safety, where he was mentored at the position by new Ute head coach Morgan Scalley.
After four seasons at Utah, including a redshirt year, he’ll test his options in the transfer portal.
