Alex Jensen and his coaching staff didn’t have to look far to find their first transfer portal addition this cycle.
Former Utah Valley guard Jackson Holcombe, who was an All-WAC first team and all-defensive team honoree during the 2025-26 season, announced his commitment to the University of Utah on social media Tuesday.
Who is Jackson Holcombe?
Holcombe is a 6-foot-7 guard who has two years of eligibility remaining.
He spent the past three seasons at Utah Valley and became an every-game starter during the 2025-26 campaign.
Holcombe averaged a team-high 16.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game while helping the Wolverines go 25-9, earn their second straight WAC regular-season championship and advance to the NIT.
He was also a disruptive force on the defensive side, averaging 2.2 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.
Holcombe, who prepped at Timpanogos High and is the nephew of Utah Jazz majority owners Ryan and Ashley Smith, shot 53% from the floor and 68.2% from the free-throw line, while shooting just 16.7% from 3-point range.
Holcombe is currently rated a four-star transfer with a 93 grad and the No. 51 transfer in the spring window by On3 Sports.
How does Jackson Holcombe fit into Utah’s 2026-27 plans?
Holcombe is the first transfer to commit to the Utes this cycle.
Utah has numerous holes to fill, after eight players who finished the season on Utah’s roster — and two others who left the program midseason — entered the transfer portal.
The Utes will have a brand-new starting lineup next season, and Holcombe, as a junior, should push for a starting spot along the wing.
He fits the mold well for what Jensen is trying to build in Salt Lake City as a tough rebounder and defender.
Holcombe was third in the WAC in turnover-to-assist ratio at 1.5:1. That is a welcome sign for Utah after it finished last season worst in the Big 12 in turnover margin at minus-2.34.