For postseason teams not competing in the College Football Playoff, there’s often a chance that some players on the roster for the final weekend of the regular season won’t be available for their scheduled bowl game. This gap in availability typically occurs because the period between the last week of November and Christmas unofficially serves as draft declaration season for many of the top NFL prospects in the country. Additionally, some players use this time to make their transfer portal intentions known, even though the official two-week window to transfer schools doesn’t open until January 2.
Needless to say, this period is hectic for college football. Added to the mix are numerous coaching changes happening across programs. Utah’s roster situation heading into its matchup against Nebraska in the Las Vegas Bowl (1:30 p.m. MT, Dec. 31) is no exception.
### Opt-Outs: NFL Draft Preparations Begin Early
A few NFL-bound Utes have already started their draft preparation, meaning they will not be suiting up for head coach Kyle Whittingham’s final game with Utah on New Year’s Eve. Here’s a look at the key players opting out:
– **RT Spencer Fano** (NFL Draft)
– **LT Caleb Lomu** (NFL Draft)
– **DE Logan Fano** (NFL Draft)
Utah’s personnel for the bowl game won’t look the same as it did during its 12-game regular season. The offensive line, in particular, will have some different faces with both Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu sitting out to prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Utes averaged the second-most rushing yards per game in the Football Bowl Subdivision during the regular season (269.8 yards), so it will be intriguing to see how the team adjusts without its two best offensive linemen anchoring the tackles. Utah will face a Cornhuskers defense that allowed the third-highest yards-per-carry average in the Big Ten (4.8), adding another layer of anticipation.
### Who Will Fill the Void on the Offensive Line?
Likely candidates to step into the tackle spots include Keith Olson, a 6-foot-6 junior. Olson started at right tackle during the Kansas game and has performed well in pass protection, allowing just one pressure and one hurry in 64 pass-blocking opportunities this season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Olson, an Arizona native standing 6-foot-8, played in all 12 regular season games, primarily at left tackle, and recorded 79 total snaps, 59 of which were on run plays.
### Defensive Edge Rushers Also Missing
On the defensive side, Utah will be without its key edge rushers John Henry Daley and Logan Fano. Daley has been out since suffering a season-ending injury against Kansas State in November. Logan Fano, despite missing just one game all season, has stepped up significantly in Daley’s absence. He recorded a season-high 10 tackles—including 1.5 for loss and 0.5 sacks—in Utah’s 31-21 win over Kansas in the regular season finale.
With their top edge rushers out, the Utes are expected to turn to Kash Dillon and Lance Holtzclaw to fill the gap on the defensive line.
– **Kash Dillon**, a 6-foot-5 redshirt freshman, has made a significant impact in his first season with 31 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks across 12 games.
– **Lance Holtzclaw** saw less action than Dillon but was productive nonetheless, tallying 24 total tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, and 0.5 sacks.
### Notable Opt-Ins: Key Players Confirm Availability
Despite the opt-outs, some key players have confirmed they will play in the Las Vegas Bowl, including:
– **Quarterback Devon Dampier**
– **Linebacker Lander Barton**
Devon Dampier ended the regular season with historic numbers, becoming the first Utes quarterback since Alex Smith in 2004 to throw for over 2,000 yards and rush for over 600 yards in a single season. Dampier finished with 2,180 passing yards, a career-high 22 passing touchdowns, and just five interceptions (down significantly from 12 the previous season). He also rushed for 687 yards and seven touchdowns heading into the postseason.
“I chose to finish out this season with my team,” Dampier said during a media session. “I’m gonna play in the game. But some people, it’s a lot higher stakes; got a couple first-rounders and things like that.”
Similarly, linebacker Lander Barton has made it clear he will play in Whittingham’s final game. The 6-foot-5 senior and East-West Shrine Bowl invitee will have appeared in 46 games for Utah dating back to his freshman season in 2022. Barton ranks third on the team in total tackles (51) and has 3.5 tackles for loss this season.
### Whittingham Confident Roster Is Set
Dampier and Barton are just two of several players who have confirmed their availability for the Las Vegas Bowl. Head coach Kyle Whittingham does not expect any further opt-outs ahead of the December 31 matchup at Allegiant Stadium.
“I would assume you never know for sure but I assume that we’re in place now,” Whittingham said during a media availability session. “And going forward, those will be [the only players opting out].”
While Utah’s bowl game roster may look different from the one that powered through the regular season, the Utes remain poised to give a memorable send-off to Coach Whittingham in his final game at the helm.
—
**MORE UTAH NEWS & ANALYSIS**
Stay tuned for further updates and insights on Utah football as the team prepares for the Las Vegas Bowl.
https://www.si.com/college/utah/football/which-utah-players-have-opted-out-of-las-vegas-bowl-vs-nebraska
