What Kyle Whittingham said about the future of NIL at Utah

Utes coach says changes are coming to get more talent from the portal

Utah Football

Kyle Whittingham is adapting to the realities of college athletics in the Name, Image, and Likeness era, where financial resources and the transfer portal play increasingly critical roles in building a competitive team. After a humbling loss to No. 18 Colorado, in which the Utes surrendered the most points in a decade, Whittingham acknowledged the success of programs leveraging the transfer portal and NIL opportunities to reshape their rosters quickly.

Speaking at his Monday press conference, Whittingham stated, "It's going to be a heavy shopping season for us in the portal." This remark reflects Utah's commitment to remaining competitive by embracing the new model of roster management. Whittingham also revealed that the program has already established a budget specifically for NIL allocations to players, signaling a significant shift in how Utah approaches player recruitment and retention. "It will be a big bump in how much Utah will be paying to players," Whittingham noted, emphasizing the importance of keeping up with the demands of modern college football.

These changes come at a pivotal moment for the Utes, who find themselves at 4-6 and on the brink of their first losing season since 2013. With two games remaining, Utah faces an uphill battle to salvage the season, starting with a matchup against No. 22 Iowa State on Senior Day this Saturday. The game, set for 7:30 p.m. MT on FOX, also serves as an opportunity to honor the team’s seniors, who have contributed significantly to the program’s success in recent years.

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As Whittingham prepares for the offseason, his focus on NIL and the transfer portal underscores his determination to position Utah for future success. By increasing investments in players and leveraging the portal strategically, Whittingham aims to rebuild a roster capable of competing at the highest level, ensuring the Utes remain a force in an increasingly competitive college football landscape.