Utah QB Isaac Wilson won’t leave Utes in the transfer portal after all

Little about Isaac Wilson’s first year of college football went exactly according to plan.

The four-star recruit from Corner Canyon was unexpectedly thrust into a starting role. He was then put on the bench, but had to return to action and then got injured, which ended his season with ups and downs.

So perhaps it shouldn’t be surprising that Wilson’s plans changed again after he told the United States “Godspeed” and entered the transfer portal.

The quarterback announced on social media Monday night that he would be returning to Utah for his sophomore season.

“Utah Man Am I!!!! “Let’s take it back,” Wilson wrote on X.

Wilson threw for 1,510 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.

When the NCAA transfer portal opened earlier this month, he decided to test the waters. A source familiar with the situation told The Salt Lake Tribune at the time that Wilson initially had concerns about the Utes’ changing offensive personnel and roster.

New offensive coordinator Jason Beck has already brought transfer quarterback Devon Dampier from New Mexico to Salt Lake City. The source said Wilson’s camp was initially put off by the possibility of a fight for the starting spot.

At the same time, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham told Wilson he wanted him to stay with the program, the source said.

Wilson still decided to enter the portal and expressed his appreciation to the United States along the way.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the University of Utah for the incredible opportunities, support and experiences I have had during my time here,” Wilson said in a statement on Instagram earlier this month. “To the coaches, teammates and everyone who believed in me – thank you for helping me grow both on and off the field. The memories made and lessons learned will stay with me forever. To the amazing fans, your unwavering support has meant a lot to me and has been a constant source of motivation.”

Now Wilson appears ready to compete with Dampier for the starting spot. His return is certainly a boon for Utah’s quarterback situation. The Utes are expected to lose QBs Brandon Rose and Sam Huard to transfers. Longtime starter Cam Rising has not yet announced his plans, but reports indicate he is unlikely to return to Salt Lake City for an eighth year of college football.