Pac-12 Football: Every team’s most important newcomers for 2021
By Dante Pryor
![Dec 18, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oregon Ducks players pose with trophy after the Pac-12 Championship against the Southern California Trojans at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Oregon defeated USC 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Dec 18, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oregon Ducks players pose with trophy after the Pac-12 Championship against the Southern California Trojans at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Oregon defeated USC 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/b7d7d2fedd9e8c107be764d0e3a6667dfca2a1e35facefc72c36e7e14c6bb817.jpg)
Utah
The Utah Utes look to get back into contention in the Pac-12 South. Graduate transfer Jake Bentley is gone. Though three young quarterbacks on the roster, Texas transfers Cameron Rising and Ja’Quinden Jackson, and an incoming freshman, four-star Peter Costelli, look for veteran quarterback Baylor transfer Charlie Brewer to start this fall.
Offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig loves the running game as the foundation of his offensive scheme. The Utes have a talented running back room in Salt Lake City. Oklahoma transfer TJ Pledger should make a hard run at RB1. However, Micah Bernard, LSU transfer Chris Curry and incoming four-star Ricky Parks make for a crowded and talented backfield.
- Charlie Brewer (transfer), QB: Charlie Brewer is not flashy. The Baylor transfer does not possess an elite arm or elite athleticism. However, Brewer is a veteran with a lot of starts under his belt. Brewer will spend the summer competing with Cameron Rising for the starting quarterback job. Brewer has the edge in experience, especially big-game experience. Brewer is a winner as the most successful quarterback at Baylor since Rober Griffin III.
- TJ Pledger (transfer), RB: Like Brewer, Oklahoma transfer TJ Pledger comes into the summer competing with several running backs for snaps. Utah has too much talent to have one Zack Moss-like, bell-cow runner. Instead, expect more of a down, distance, and situation approach to who gets carries. However, Pledger can be the lead back because of his experience and pedigree coming from Oklahoma. Pledger is also a good blocker and the best receiver of the running backs.