Football season in Utah kicked off with a bang last night, and some of the state's top high school basketball players are already making their presence felt on the gridiron. While fans may be used to seeing these athletes on the hardwood, they're proving that their athletic talents extend well beyond the basketball court.
Last night, Davis High School started its season strong with a decisive 56-21 victory. Among those contributing to the win were basketball players Tradon Bessinger, Bode Sparrow, and Connor Brown. Bessinger, a 2026 graduate and key contributor to the 2025 Davis basketball state championship, showcased why he’s one of the best QB’s in the state accounting for 6 TD’s and 428 yards of total offense, while his younger teammate Sparrow (2027) started his case for best WR in the state with 8 catches for 113 yards and a TD. Brown, a 2026 graduate, also expects to help push the Darts towards a deep run this year on the gridiron.
While the Davis players were busy securing a victory, other top basketball players are preparing for their own football season openers. Orem High School's Kai Wesley, Will Rasmussen, and Aisa Galeai are all players to watch. Wesley, a 2026 graduate and Baylor commit, is a key player on both the basketball and football teams. Rasmussen (2027), Timpview transfer QB Galeai (2026), and Davis transfer Juni Moala (class of 2026) round out the group of talented duel sport Orem athletes. Orem takes on Granger at home to start the season tonight.
Speaking of Timpview, expect big things on the field from Braxton Wilkerson. The lefty on the basketball court is offensive and defensive threat every time he steps on the field. Expect to hear Wilkerson’s name a lot this season as the senior as he looks to lead Timpview to their second state title during Wilkerson’s high school career.
Another team with multi-sport stars is Bingham High School, which features Denzel Peoples and Utah State commit, Lucas Neidig. Both 2026 graduates, Peoples and Neidig are known for their basketball skills but are expected to have a significant impact on the football field as well. They start the season against rival, Corner Canyon tonight in Draper.
Olympus High School's Adam Bywater, class of 2026, is another name to keep an eye on. Bywater's athleticism and competitive spirit are a great asset to both his basketball and football teams. The Titans kick off their home opener against Cedar Valley tonight.
As the football season gets into full swing, it will be exciting to see how these talented athletes balance their commitments and excel in both sports. With the basketball season still a few months away, it's clear that these players are ready to dominate the fall season first. You can check out today's full schedule of high school football games to see some of these athletes in action.
Was hoping you’d have Lucas Neidig in your write up and you didn’t disappoint! Great kid and athlete.