Fittingly, the first incoming transfer in the Morgan Scalley era is a safety.
On Tuesday morning, Oklahoma safety Marcus Wimberly announced that he is transferring to Utah, getting the Utes on the board in the transfer portal.
The former four-star prospect originally chose Oklahoma over Utah, Michigan, Ole Miss, Oregon and Tennessee out of high school. This time around, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound safety is going with Utah.
Wimberly redshirted in his freshman season in Norman and did not play after having shoulder surgery, but should compete for playing time in Salt Lake City.
The addition of Wimberly bolsters Utah’s safety room depth after starter Tao Johnson’s decision to transfer.
Rabbit Evans, who suffered a season-ending injury at Wyoming, and Nate Ritchie, who suffered a season-ending injury at West Virginia, are both back in 2026, along with Jackson Bennee.
Lucas Samsula, DT, Wyoming
Utah got an up-close look at Lucas Samsula when the Utes played Wyoming this year, and Scalley liked his play enough to offer him a spot on Utah’s 2026 roster.
This season, the 6-foot-4, 305-pound sophomore totaled 15 tackles and 1.5 sacks while starting in seven games for the Cowboys.
Samsula will add depth to Utah’s defensive tackles room, which is losing starters Aliki Vimahi (to graduation) and Dallas Vakalahi (reportedly in the transfer portal).
Ethan Day, DE, North Texas
Defensive end is a priority for Utah in the transfer portal after the Utes lost starters Logan Fano (NFL draft) and John Henry Daley (transfer portal) this offseason.
The Utes made the first step towards addressing that need by signing North Texas defensive end Ethan Day.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound junior started all 13 games for North Texas and totaled 53 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
Day should come in and immediately compete for a spot in the defensive ends rotation.