NIL Has To Be Right Number For Tight End Brant Kuithe To Return To Utah For Seventh Season

Utah has been without Brant Kutihe for the entire season due to a knee injury

The Utah Utes have been making things work this season, as the injury bug has been locked in on this squad that has somehow managed a 6-1 record.

They have lost nearly 10 players in the month of October alone who will be out for the season, and while two of those players, quarterback Cam Rising and tight end Brant Kuithe, had yet to play this season, they were officially declared out for the year. Although 2024 would mark their seventh year of school, they are able to return via a medical hardship waiver, but based on a recent interview it appears that the decision isn't a slam dunk for Kuithe to return. 

When making an appearance on ESPN 700 and written about by Desert News, Kuithe who will be turning 25 next December revealed that he feels as if he is “getting old".  Something that is weighing on his decision to return as well as the risk for injury again, but a risk that he may consider taking if he is able to secure a substantial amount of NIL money.

Utah Tight End Brant Kuithe  / Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

“Obviously NIL does help because if I want to come back for another year and I turn 25 next year in December, so I’ll be 25 by the end of the season if I do come back. Kind of taking another year and maybe risking something just in general, NIL, but it just kind of has to be for the right number,” Kuithe said.

He did say that he'd be fine with declaring for the draft because he is confident in his skillset when he is healthy. 

“I’m okay with declaring (for the NFL draft) just because I know if I’m 100% healthy, I’m confident in my abilities and me making a team and making plays outside of that,' said Kuithe. "I haven’t made my decision yet. I’m just trying to focus on my body and not really worry about any outside stuff and just trying to take it one day at a time.”

Despite being injured earlier last season, Kuithe's issue with his knee stems from lasting pain that prevented him from completing practices. 

Utah would certainly love to have the stud tight end who has over 1,800 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 148 catches run it back for their first year in the Big 12.