Joe Coles

Salt Lake City

Writer at Deseret News

Utah football beat writer for the Deseret News. Email: [email protected].

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Articles

What positions do Utes need to address in spring transfer portal?

1 week ago | deseret.com | Joe Coles

As Utah wraps up spring football this week - the Utes still have two more practices and the "22 Forever" spring game left - coaches' attention will be on more than just developing their current roster. The spring NCAA transfer portal opens on Wednesday, providing players the opportunity to find a new school and programs the final opportunity to add to their roster before the 2025 season begins this fall.
5 players that have stood out during Utah's spring practice

1 week ago | deseret.com | Joe Coles

It's gone by fast. Utah enters its fifth and final week of spring practice on Tuesday and will hit the field three times ahead of Saturday's "22 Forever" spring game at Rice-Eccles Stadium. With nine practices and two scrimmages under their belt, Utah's coaches have been able to take stock and evaluate their roster, especially the newcomers. Here are five players who have stood out for Utah this spring.
Cornerback Don Saunders knew he couldn't rebuff Utah a second time

1 week ago | deseret.com | Joe Coles

It's been a winding road for cornerback Don Saunders to get to Utah, but he feels like he ended up in the right place. Saunders, who transferred to Utah from Texas A&M this offseason, didn't begin to play football until his senior year of high school, but was quick to pick up the sport, both mentally and physically, helping Cathedral Catholic High to a state championship in his lone high school season.
Top 10 British Fighter Aircraft of World War 2

1 week ago | msn.com | Joe Coles

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Why Utah is forging ahead with its spring game as other programs cancel

2 weeks ago | deseret.com | Joe Coles

Across the country, some college football teams have canceled spring games, citing reasons from injury risk to concerns over the transfer portal and other teams picking off talent that performs well in the spring game. Nebraska kicked off the trend, canceling its spring game in February. More programs like Michigan State, NC State, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas and USC followed. In Utah, BYU won't have a spring game and Utah State will forgo the tradition this season.
Observations from Utah's spring scrimmage

2 weeks ago | deseret.com | Joe Coles

To close out the third of five weeks of spring practice, Utah moved from the confines of its practice facility over to Rice-Eccles Stadium for a scrimmage. After 20-minute practice viewing windows once per week, Saturday was the first chance for the media to get an extended look at the team as they prepare for the 2025 season with a new cast of players. Here are some observations from Utah's scrimmage:Dampier has impressed early on in spring practice, and Saturday's scrimmage was no exception.
Are Utah's defensive tackles ready to step up?

2 weeks ago | deseret.com | Joe Coles

At Utah, the defensive line has often been the strength of Morgan Scalley's defense, frequently producing NFL draft picks and then reloading. Rarely has the defensive line - the defensive tackle position, specifically - been of this much interest during spring camp, but after Utah lost two starters and a rotation piece at the position this offseason, all eyes have been on how group will step up.
Utah WR Ryan Davis on his relationship with Devon Dampier, growing at New Mexico and the aspect of Jason Beck's offense he's most excited about

3 weeks ago | deseret.com | Joe Coles

This article was first published in the Ute Insiders newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox each Wednesday night. The ball from quarterback Devon Dampier spiraled through the air and landed in the hands of senior wide receiver Ryan Davis, something that was routine last season at New Mexico. The only difference this spring is that the duo is now connecting in Salt Lake City instead of Albuquerque.
Byrd Ficklin emerges in backup quarterback competition and other observations from Utah's Tuesday spring practice

3 weeks ago | deseret.com | Joe Coles

As Utah rolls into its third week of spring practice, a new quarterback has emerged in the battle to back up projected starter Devon Dampier. During Tuesday's 20-minute practice media viewing session, Isaac Wilson continued to be Utah's second-string quarterback and looked improved from last week, showing better decisiveness and completing a few passes to Hunter Andrews, who shined in a hybrid running back/tight end/receiver role.
‘He could do anything he wants to on the field’: What Devon Dampier’s teammates and offensive coordinator are saying about Utah’s new QB

3 weeks ago | sports.yahoo.com | Joe Coles

Two of the most important pieces to the success of Utah’s 2025 season are brand new. But to them, it doesn’t feel that way. Even though offensive coordinator Jason Beck and quarterback Devon Dampier are both at a new school and under a new head coach, for Beck, the familiarity of Dampier at quarterback is making the transition much easier. AdvertisementA year ago, the two combined for one of the nation’s most productive offenses, skyrocketing New Mexico to No. 4 in FBS at 484.2 yards per game.