The Utah Blockcast

Utah football is officially back.

In this episode, hear all four interviews from Day 2 of fall camp as Johnathan Hall, Ethan Day, Lucas Samsula, and Jackson Bennee share their thoughts on the Utes.

Utah football is officially back.

In this episode, hear all five interviews from Day 1 of fall camp as Morgan Scalley, Devon Dampier, Wayshawn Parker, Alex Harrison and Braden Pegan discuss the important storylines surrounding the Utes.

Utah football fall camp is officially here. Steve Bartle and Josh Bennett break down the biggest questions facing Morgan Scalley and the Utes as they begin preparing for a potential Big 12 championship run.

What would make Scalley’s first season a genuine success? How much control will Devon Dampier receive in Kevin McGiven’s offense? And can Utah rebuild both lines of scrimmage without lowering its championship ceiling?

The guys discuss:

• McGiven’s unconventional definition of offensive balance

• Dampier taking greater ownership at the line of scrimmage

• How Utah can creatively involve Byrd Ficklin

• Braden Pegan, Kyri Shoels and the receiver room’s vertical potential

• Replacing Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu along the offensive line

• Karson Kaufusi and Utah’s young defensive-tackle rotation

• Whether Colton Swan can generate pressure without a dominant edge rusher

The episode closes with rapid-fire fall camp predictions covering position battles, breakout freshmen, impact transfers, Utah’s strongest defensive unit and the players most likely to become fan and media favorites. Subscribe to the Utah Blockcast for fall camp reports, player and coach interviews, Utah football analysis and complete coverage of the Utes throughout the 2026 season. #UtahFootball #GoUtes #Big12Football

Fall camp is here, and former Utah linebacker Stevenson Sylvester joins Steve Bartle to preview the first preseason under head coach Morgan Scalley.

Sly explains what coaches are truly evaluating during camp, why accountability and confidence determine whether young players earn meaningful roles, and how communication reveals the maturity of a defense. The conversation examines Johnathan Hall’s transition into Utah’s leading voice at linebacker, the rebuilt defensive front, Colton Swan’s opportunity to shape the defense and the relationship between Utah’s personnel and its scheme.

They also turn to an offense featuring Devon Dampier, Wayshawn Parker, Braden Pegan, Kyri Shoels and Byrd Ficklin—and why its versatility could force opposing defenses to simplify their approach.

Topics include:

Subscribe to the Utah Blockcast for Utah football analysis, fall camp updates and complete coverage of the Utes throughout the 2026 season.

Utah football enters Morgan Scalley’s first fall camp with Big 12 championship expectations—and major questions across both sides of the line of scrimmage. Steve Bartle and Josh Bennett break down the five storylines that will define camp: • Rebuilding all five offensive-line positions and four defensive-front roles • Devon Dampier’s command of Kevin McGiven’s new offense • Potential breakout players generating early camp buzz • How Scalley will operate his first fall camp as Utah’s head coach • Freshmen who could earn immediate roles, led by five-star tackle Kelvin Obot Which position battle will have the greatest impact on Utah’s 2026 season? Drop your answer in the comments. Subscribe to Utah Blockcast for analysis and complete coverage throughout fall camp. #UtahFootball #GoUtes #Big12Football #UtahUtes #CollegeFootball

Pick Six Previews founder Brett Ciancia joins the Utah Blockcast to explain why he has Utah third in the Big 12 and inside his national top 25. Brett breaks down the Utes’ potential path to an 8–0 start, where Utah fits alongside Texas Tech and BYU, and whether Devon Dampier, Wayshawn Parker and a favorable schedule can overcome complete offensive-line turnover, significant defensive losses and the transition from Kyle Whittingham to Morgan Scalley.

Steve Bartle and Josh Bennett rank the 10 most important players to Utah’s 2026 season—not simply the best players, but the Utes whose roles may be the hardest to replace. They debate Devon Dampier’s command of an offense built around him, Karson Kaufusi’s ownership of Utah’s defensive-tackle tradition, Braden Pegan’s impact and whether Wayshawn Parker is ranked too low. Plus, “6–7” gets its moment, and Eric Weddle receives proper recognition with his Ring of Honor induction.

Morgan Scalley has impressed throughout his opening months as Utah’s head coach, from his introductory press conference and spring practices to Big 12 Media Days and his work building relationships with program supporters. Steve Bartle and Josh Bennett examine the personality, preparation and institutional understanding that give Scalley a strong foundation—along with potential blind spots that could define his first season. Can he turn Utah’s culture into a complete teaching system, empower his assistants and remain decisive when adversity arrives?

Steve Bartle and Josh Bennett draft their five most interesting Utah football players entering fall camp, allowing to break down position battles, breakout candidates and unresolved roles that could determine whether the Utes are ready to contend for a Big 12 championship.

What Is Utah Football Trying To Become?

Steve Bartle and Josh Bennett ask the defining question surrounding Morgan Scalley’s first Utah team. They project the Utes’ offensive and defensive identities, set statistical expectations for Devon Dampier and both units, and examine how Utah can preserve its traditional physicality while becoming more adaptable, explosive and complete.