One of Utah’s more important playmakers from the 2025 season is running it back with the Utes.
On Wednesday, running back Wayshawn Parker announced on social media he had re-signed with the school.
After splitting the workload with other running backs during the first half of the year, Parker took on more carries in the back half of the season and ended up finishing the 2025 campaign with a team-high 981 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.
He also had 13 receptions for 185 yards and three touchdowns. Parker earned All-Big 12 third-team honors during his sophomore season.
During a four-game stretch beginning the final weekend in October, Parker ran for over 100 yards in four straight games.
That was headlined by a 145-yard, one-touchdown effort in a 53-7 win over Colorado, where Parker averaged 14.5 yards per carry.
Getting Parker back is a huge coup for the Utah offense as it heads into a new era with Morgan Scalley taking over as head coach and Kevin McGiven being handed the reins to the Utes offense, with Kyle Whittingham and Jason Beck leaving for Michigan.
Parker’s position coach, Mark Atuaia, was retained on the new coaching staff — Parker followed Atuaia from Washington State to Utah last offseason.