The Utah Runnin' Utes have secured a significant backcourt addition for the upcoming season, landing a commitment from former Ohio State combo guard Taison Chatman. This move signals head coach Alex Jensen's intent to bolster his roster with proven, high-upside talent from a major conference.

Chatman, a 6-foot-4 guard from Minneapolis, arrives in Salt Lake City with a pedigree as a former top-40 national recruit. His journey at Ohio State was marked by adversity, including a torn ACL that cost him a full season, but he demonstrated clear growth and efficiency when on the court. Despite modest overall averages of 4.1 points per game last season, his shooting splits were elite: 46% from the field, an impressive 47.1% from three-point range, and 85% from the free-throw line.

Most telling was his late-season emergence during Big Ten play. All five of his double-figure scoring games came in conference action, highlighted by a three-game stretch in late January and early February where he consistently delivered. This ability to perform against high-level competition suggests Chatman is ready for a larger role, which he is poised to receive with the Utes.

For Coach Jensen, Chatman represents an ideal fit—a highly efficient, decision-making guard who can stretch the floor with his shooting and is expected to buy into the program's defensive identity. With two years of eligibility remaining, he has the potential to be a cornerstone piece as Utah rebuilds its backcourt.

Chatman is the second transfer portal addition this offseason, joining former Utah Valley wing Jackson Holcombe. They headline a group of seven newcomers tasked with replenishing a roster that saw significant turnover. As the Utes continue to shape their 2026-27 squad, the addition of a battle-tested, efficient scorer like Chatman is a major step in the right direction, offering immediate shooting and a player ready to seize an expanded opportunity in the Pac-12.