Utah has been working while joining the Pac-12 to bolster their roster with as much talent as possible. A lot of the major additions the last couple of years have been by transfers. Two of those additions have been highlighted by our friend Steven Lassan over at Athlon Sports, as the top transfers to watch in college football.
The first Utes player to be named is Kendal Thompson, the quarterback transfer from Oklahoma. Here is what Lassan had to say about Thompson in his article:
Kendal Thompson, Utah (from Oklahoma)
Thompson transferred to Utah after three years at Oklahoma. After redshirting in his first season, Thompson did not play in 2012 and only attempted 13 passes with the Sooners in 2013. If healthy, Travis Wilson is Utah's starter, but Thompson adds more depth to a position that has been hit hard by injuries in recent years.
It is interesting to note that even outside the state of Utah that it's been established that Travis Wilson is the starter if healthy. Lassan also raises the most important part of adding Thompson to the roster, he is much needed quality depth. When you watch Thompson in practice he's just a playmaker with the ball in his hands. He's inconsistent in the pass game, which is what keeps him from surpassing Wilson as starter, but when he starts to improvise and runs the read-option, exciting things happen.
The other name Lassan drops is a name that a lot of people aren't talking about right now, because he's recovering from a foot injury. Once Paul returns to the field, he will be a major impact player. Here's what Lassan had to say:
LB Gionni Paul, Utah (from Miami)
Paul transferred after two years at Miami and was expected to be a key piece of Utah's linebacking corps in 2014 until a foot injury sidelined him in the spring. Paul recorded 61 stops for the Hurricanes in 2012.
Paul is what I consider a program defining player, if he stays healthy. He was a major force in the spring, and brings some swag and attitude to the team, not just defensively but offensively. He has even gotten in the face of Travis Wilson and has lit a fire under the junior quarterback.
Both players have added a new level of competition in camp, and have been pushing not only their respective positions, but others on both sides of the ball. No doubt both players will play a factor in some capacity in Utah's success in both 2014 and 2015.