Following an impressive season at the University of Utah, standout defensive end John Henry Daley has announced his decision to enter the transfer portal. The move comes just as the transfer portal window is set to open on January 2, and Daley will have two years of eligibility remaining with his next team.
Daley’s season came to an abrupt end due to a lower-leg injury sustained during Utah’s thrilling 51-47 comeback victory over Kansas State on November 22. Before his injury, the redshirt sophomore was a dominant force in college football, recording 48 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and 11.5 sacks throughout the 2025 season. His remarkable performance earned him accolades, including a spot on the All-Big 12 first team and All-American honors.
With the potential interest from programs like Michigan, where Daley’s former head coach Kyle Whittingham has recently transitioned, speculation about his future is rife. Whittingham spent 21 successful seasons with Utah before taking the helm at Michigan.
Daley has expressed optimism about his recovery, stating that he expects to be “fully healthy by spring of 2026.” In a recent response on social media, he provided an estimated recovery timeline of six months, indicating he plans to participate in the 2026 season.
As the bowl season approached, Daley was ranked second nationally in sacks per game, averaging 1.05 per game, with his total of 11.5 sacks ranking fifth in the nation despite the time missed due to his injury. In Daley’s last game with Utah, prior to his injury, he made a noteworthy impact with four tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks.
The 6-foot-4, 255-pound defensive end hails from Alpine, Utah, and enjoyed a brief stint at BYU before transferring to Utah prior to the 2024 season. His upcoming move promises to be a significant development in the upcoming college football landscape as he seeks to continue building on his impressive career.