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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham announced Friday that junior quarterback Brandon Cox is transferring from the program.
“Brandon is no longer with us,” Whittingham said Friday after practice. “He has decided to take his game elsewhere. We really appreciate everything he did for us here. He was a great teammate."
Cox, who has been with Utah for the last three seasons, has already graduated from Utah and would be eligible to play two seasons at his next school. Whittingham said Cox left on good terms and that the university wishes him to be “successful wherever he ends up.”
With Cox transferring, Utah is left with only two quarterbacks on scholarship, including starter Troy Williams and freshman Tyler Huntley. At the conclusion of Thursday’s practice, Whittingham gave his first indication that Cox would be at the bottom of the depth chart after Huntley had spent the last couple of days working with the second team.
Although lacking depth at the position now, Whittingham said he’s not worried by it and has former quarterback Chase Hansen that is capable of switching over to that role if there is an “emergency” situation. However, Whittingham asserted that Hansen would remain as a safety full time.
“There’s teams in the country that have two scholarship quarterbacks. It’s not that uncommon,” Whittingham said. “It’s not ideal and it does create a depth issue, but quarterback is a unique position. Only one guy plays it and the guy that sees that the future isn’t exactly what he hopes for oftentimes looks for another place to play.”
Cox came into spring camp as the most experienced on the team, in terms of understanding the playbook and schemes the team runs, but Williams and Huntley quickly picked up the playbook and passed Cox in the depth chart, with Williams separating himself as the team's starter moving forward.
Cox played in one game in 2014, going 3-for-3 for 17 yards against Idaho State. For much of Cox's time with the program, he hasn't been able to stay healthy, battling a foot injury.
Cox is just one of many quarterbacks that has transferred from the program in recent years, including Conner Manning, Adam Schultz and Donovan Isom.
There is no indication as to where Cox will look to transfer at this point.
