Utah has secured a commitment from former 5-star quarterback Sam Huard, as confirmed by 247Sports. Huard, who began his college career at Washington before a short stint at Cal Poly, is now set to join Utah and potentially be a game-changer for the team's quarterback room.

The Utah Utes faced significant challenges with their quarterback depth in the 2023 season, with Cam Rising's unexpected injury sidelining him for the entire year. The departures of Bryson Barnes and Nate Johnson also left the team with relatively unproven options at the position. Recognizing the need for reinforcement, Coach Kyle Whittingham and his staff have successfully recruited Huard to address the depth issues and bring valuable experience to the team.

Huard will serve as backup to Rising, who is returning after recovering from a torn ACL. With two years left to play two seasons, Huard has the opportunity to make his mark on the field and potentially start in the 2025 season following Rising's graduation. Huard expressed his excitement about joining Utah's program, highlighting the chance to learn from one of the best quarterbacks in college football while being part of a great system.

Coming from Bellevue, Washington, Huard brings with him a reputation as a talented passer with Division I starting experience. In case Rising's recovery is delayed, Huard will compete with Luke Bottari, Brandon Rose, and Isaac Wilson for backup snaps under the watchful eye of offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig. To avoid finding themselves without reliable options at quarterback again, Ludwig and the coaching staff understand the importance of building depth in this crucial position.

Huard was highly touted as the No. 3 quarterback and No. 23 overall player in the Class of 2021 Top247 rankings, making him one of the top recruits in Huskies history. However, his time at Washington was limited, with a disappointing performance in his freshman year followed by backing up Michael Penix Jr. in 2022. Seeking more playing time, Huard transferred to Cal Poly, where he impressed with his skills, starting nine games and ranking second in the Big Sky Conference with 249.7 passing yards per game and 18 touchdowns.

Notably, Huard comes from a football family rooted in the Pacific Northwest. His father, Damon Huard, played as a starting quarterback at Washington and had a long NFL career, spanning from 1996 to 2009. His uncle, Brock Huard, also had a five-year NFL career following his time at Washington, while another uncle, Luke Huard, played at North Carolina.

Utah's addition of Huard arrives at an opportune moment as they enter the 2024 season as a potential preseason favorite in the Big 12, their new conference. With the expansion of the 12-team College Football Playoff, securing key positional depth becomes even more crucial. The Utes, despite battling injuries throughout the 2023 season, managed an 8-4 record in their final year in the Pac-12. Recognizing the significance of offensive depth, the team has been actively bolstering their ranks with multiple wide receivers and tight ends.

Coach Whittingham remains optimistic that the added depth, including the signing of Huard, will provide the team with enough talent to navigate any unforeseen circumstances and continue their pursuit of success in the upcoming season and beyond.