In 2024, Brandon Rose made his first start at quarterback for the Utah Utes on one of the biggest stages possible: Against the BYU Cougars.
Seldom-used up to that point, Rose sparked the Utes to a 21-10 halftime lead, completing eight of 10 passes for 87 yards with two touchdowns.
The Temecula, California, native struggled in the second half as the Cougars came back and won 22-21 on a Will Ferrin field goal with four seconds left in a controversial finish, and Rose didn’t play again for the Utes because of an injury before transferring to UMass for the 2025 season.
Rose then started the 2025 season opener for UMass before being replaced by AJ Hairston, and in January he announced his intention to transfer again with one season of eligibility remaining.
Rose hasn’t announced anything further, but on Sunday, the official Utah Football Instagram account posted some video clips and photos of players working out, and the 6-foot-2, 212 pounder appeared in the post.
KSL Sports’ Steve Bartle reported Sunday that the expectation was that there would be a more formal announcement of Rose’s return last week, but it never came.
In total during his college career, Rose has completed 71 of 124 passes for 581 yards with three touchdowns against five interceptions, and he has also rushed 38 times for 70 yards.
Rose rejoins a quarterback unit at Utah that now includes starter Devon Dampier, top backup Byrd Ficklin and true freshmen Kane Archer and Michael Johnson.