Utah freshman running back Mike Mitchell enters the transfer portal – Deseret News

The major transition in Utah’s running backs room is complete.

On the same day, the Utes signed coveted running back transfer Wayshawn Parker and received a commitment from another back, NaQuari Rogers. Mike Mitchell announced Friday that he is entering the transfer portal.

What was Mike Mitchell doing in 2024?

Mitchell was Utah’s second-leading rusher during Utah’s 5-7 2024 season – he finished the year with 167 rushing yards and a touchdown. He also had a catch for 5 yards.

Mitchell, a redshirt freshman from Orange Park, Florida, joins several other former Utah running backs in the portal, including Jaylon Glover, Dijon Stanley (who is committed to New Mexico State) and Anthony Woods.

While Micah Bernard was the clear RB1 for Utah last season – the senior finished the season with 1,009 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns – Mitchell had more than twice as many carries as any other running back on the Utes roster.

What will Utah’s running back room look like in 2025?

The Utes will look completely different at running back next season under first-year offensive coordinator Jason Beck.

Parker is an important addition — the former Washington State star is the No. 2 running back in the transfer portal this offseason after rushing for a team-high 735 yards and four touchdowns as a true freshman.

Utah is also picking up former New Mexico State running back Mike Washington from the transfer portal — he ran for 713 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior in 2024.

Rogers was New Mexico’s third-leading rusher last season when he ran for 382 yards and five touchdowns under a Beck-led offense.

Without Mitchell, Parker, Washington and Rogers are expected to get the bulk of the carries for Utah next season, along with Devon Dampier, the former dual-threat quarterback from New Mexico who also transferred to Salt Lake City.

The Utes will also add two freshmen from this year’s signing class in four-star prospect Raycine Guillory and three-star product Daniel Bray.