Utah defensive end John Henry Daley is working towards a return to the field after suffering a leg injury during the Utes’ home finale against Kansas State. Amid various circulating rumors about his recovery timeline, Daley took to social media to clarify that he anticipates being back in action in six months, reaffirming that he will not miss the upcoming season.
In a post on X, Daley addressed misinformation regarding his injury, stating, “I’ve been hearing this everywhere… I will not be out for this next season… I’ll be back in 6 months.” His comments appeared in response to a now-deleted post from a Michigan fan account that highlighted Daley’s standout performances, suggesting that he would be a valuable addition to the Wolverines’ roster. This speculation links back to former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham, who recently accepted the head coaching position at Michigan after a successful 21-season tenure with the Utes.
While there is no official word on whether Daley will enter the transfer portal when it opens on January 2, many believe that several players and coaching staff may follow Whittingham to Michigan post the Utes’ upcoming Las Vegas Bowl against Nebraska.
Daley was a key figure in keeping Utah competitive in the Big 12 title race throughout the regular season. As a Chuck Bednarik Award semifinalist and quarterfinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, he led the nation in tackles for loss with 17.5 and ranked second in sacks with 11.5 before his injury. Additionally, he was third on the Utes in total tackles, with 48, and was notable for forcing multiple fumbles during the first eleven games of the season.
Under Daley’s leadership, Utah ranked among the top three Big 12 teams with 30 or more sacks through Week 13, trailing only Texas Tech and Arizona State. The Utes also boasted a strong scoring defense, allowing an average of 18.5 points per game and limiting opponents to just 31.2% success in third-down conversions heading into Week 14.
Daley’s potential return for his redshirt junior season would significantly strengthen Utah’s defensive line, especially considering that his defensive partner, Logan Fano, is set to graduate and enter the 2026 NFL Draft this season. As the Utes prepare for their bowl game, the anticipation around Daley’s return adds a hopeful dimension to their defensive prospects.