Former Washington, Cal Poly QB Sam Huard commits to Utah

Former Washington and Cal Poly quarterback Sam Huard committed to Utah, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett.

In 2023, Huard threw for 2,247 passing yards and was Cal Poly’s starting quarterback for nine games. Prior to that move, Huard played at Washington for two seasons, posting some production in 2021 before largely sitting the bench in 2022.

Even in 2021, Huard wasn’t the primary starter for the Huskies but did complete 22 of 42 total pass attempts for 241 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. Most of those numbers, including all of the TD/INTs occurred on one unfortunate evening, a late-season loss against Washington State back in November of 2021.

2022 wasn’t as kind to Huard as he struggled to find the field. Head coach Kalen DeBoer reasonably stuck with Indiana transfer Michael Penix at QB1, which provided an unimaginably successful two-year stint for Washington. With Penix back in the fold in 2023, Huard hit the portal looking for a starting gig elsewhere.

He found it with Cal Poly at the FCS level. Huard ultimately appeared in five games during his time in Seattle, making one start during that ’21 season. He only played in one game this past year, completing two passes for a total of 22 yards.

As a member of the Class of 2021, Huard was a five-star recruit out of Bellevue (Wash.) Kennedy Catholic, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 3 overall prospect in the state, the No. 3 quarterback in the class and the No. 16 overall prospect in the class.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. 

Huard will serve as a backup to Cam Rising, who returned for his seventh year of eligibility. Going into the Big 12, Utah is on the shortlist to win the conference in its first year.

On3’s Andy Staples explained why the Utes in particular have the best shot of any team — incoming or not — to win the 2024 Big 12 Championship.

“Utah was one of the best programs in the Pac 12 last year,” Staples said in January. “Utah was a very strange situation with Cam Rising coming off a knee injury in the Rose Bowl that was very serious. And I think they knew before the season started, that they weren’t gonna have Cam Rising all year. … So they move into the Big 12, which is a much easier league than the version of the Pac-12 they left. The Pac-12, last year, was so deep that this will be an easier road for Utah.

“If you look at their schedule, every game is winnable. … There is no game that you look at on this schedule for Utah, where you think that’s a loss.”