Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
- Kyle Whittingham attributes Utah losing two defensive starters to NIL deals.
- Cam Calhoun transferred to Alabama, and Keanu Tanuvasa moved to BYU.
- Tanuvasa cites spiritual and personal growth reasons for his decision.
SALT LAKE CITY — In his usual, direct style, Kyle Whittingham didn't mince words when asked about Utah football losing two projected starters off next season's defense.
"The absolute overriding factor was NIL, there's no doubt about it in my opinion," the head football coach said Tuesday during a wide-ranging press conference that included defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley and new offensive coordinator Jason Beck.
Typical of the new world of college football, cornerback Cam Calhoun and defensive lineman Keanu Tanuvasa were among the upwards of 2,000 college football players to enter the transfer portal after the 2024 season. Calhoun transferred to Alabama, while Tanuvasa went south to BYU.
As much as it may irritate coaches to lose players, rosters have become a revolving door every year. Although technically against NCAA rules, programs poach players from other teams to fill needs.
Three years ago, Utah coaches spoke of a program in the SEC offering in the range of $1 million to lure tight end Dalton Kincaid away from Utah. Kincaid stayed home and parlayed an outstanding season into being a first-round draft choice of the Buffalo Bills.
Coming off a miserable 5-7 season, Utah has brought in more than a dozen transfers over the last month to bolster the roster. More transfers are likely coming when the next window opens in April.
"We're pleased with we got out of the portal," Whittingham said. "Thought we had a net positive portal experience during the time it was open."
His strong assertion that losing the two starters to NIL implies Alabama and BYU essentially outbid Utah for the two players. No doubt both got paid, as all good players do, but motives for leaving are debatable.
Whittingham's sentiment points to a cash grab. Tanuvasa and his father offered more spiritual reasons.
Shawn Tanuvasa posted on social media two weeks ago: "Just to clarify all the speculation Utah offered enough NIL to keep Nu. I know it's difficult to get but when the heavens speak our family strives to follow quickly."
His son went deeper during an interview on BYU-TV shortly after signing with the Cougars. Apparently, it was lifestyle.
"I wanted a place that I could be really unapologetically me, a place that for me felt like I could joke the way that I joke, smile the way that I smile, talk about what I feel passionate about," he said. "I felt like BYU reflected me in a lot of ways in the sense of God and family being huge, in the sense of the pursuit of becoming your best version of yourself.
"And more than just an athlete — that' s one thing that I value here that BYU has. It's not just about who you are on the field. I think I'm a decent football player and I try to be an even better man. I think they value that here, and that's one thing that I love."
Tanuvasa did not make his decision lightly, saying Utah was a place he "valued and loved." In turn, the Utes valued Tanuvasa, who made signification contributions during his two seasons.
Coming out of Southern California, Tanuvasa signed with Utah in 2019 before serving a church mission. Sione Po'uha, who coached Utah's defensive tackles at the time and helped recruit Tanuvasa, now holds a similar position on Kalani Sitake's staff at BYU.
Relationships run deep with Tanuvasa, who is close to both the BYU coaches. To listen to him, they matter more than NIL.
"What set me on this course definitely was those key relationships that are founded in love and not just in performance," he said. "It was a blessing to know that coach Po'uha and coach Sitake, they cared more about who I was as an individual and less about my performance on the field. I knew that their love for me wasn't dictated upon what I could do for them."
