‘I can be whatever they want me to be’: Can San Jose State transfer Steve Chavez-Soto be Utah’s RB2?

Utah running back Steve Chavez-Soto during spring practice in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 23, 2026. | Anna Fuder Sure, it was without pads and tackling, but in the first week of Utah’s spring camp, running back Steve Chavez-Soto stood out. The San Jose State transfer ran with power and agility during an offense-vs.

-defense period of Utah’s practice on Saturday, showing glimpses of why the Utes brought him in via the transfer portal this offseason. Wayshawn Parker, who rushed for 981 yards and six touchdowns on 149 carries last season, is Utah’s clear RB1, but Chavez-Soto could have the opportunity to play an important role in the running back room. Chavez-Soto can carve out a spot for himself as Utah’s RB2 with a good showing in spring and fall camp, and he could also see carries as a power running back in short-yardage situations, similar to NaQuari Rogers last season.

“Coach Scalley, he’s not like any other coach, in my opinion. He’s a faithful man first, but he puts us second. We’re basically his kids.

And from the jump, he instilled strong mental, relentless effort, and that’s just something that you don’t see in every coach that instills that hard work. He’s going to be on you, but he’s going to love you even harder. ” Utah running back Steve Chavez-Soto on Morgan Scalley In the throes of his first spring camp with the Utes, Chavez-Soto is simply trying to be whatever kind of running back Utah needs him to be.