Inside The Candidates who should be considered for Utah’s Ring of Honor
A Ring of Honor is coming to Rice-Eccles Stadium. Here are eight candidates for the distinction that meet the school’s criteria and should be considered for inclusion.
A Ring of Honor will be established at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
The University of Utah typically does not retire football jersey numbers, with No. 22—worn by the late Ty Jordan and Aaron Lowe—being the only exception. Thus, the Ring of Honor is the highest honor for the program.
The inaugural honoree will be quarterback Alex Smith, who guided the Utes to a perfect 12-0 season and made history by leading them to the 2005 Fiesta Bowl, where they defeated Pittsburgh 35-7. In that same year, he became the program’s first and only No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft.
There’s no better choice for the first inductee, who will be recognized during halftime of Utah’s season opener against Southern Utah on August 29.
Following Smith’s induction, two additional honorees will be added each subsequent season.
To be considered for the Ring of Honor, players or coaches must meet at least one criterion, such as holding school records, being a consensus All-American, or having a significant NFL career, among other qualifications.
Additionally, every inductee must have been part of the Utah Athletics Hall of Fame and either graduated from a four-year institution or attended Utah for at least three years.
This sets a high standard.
For instance, one could argue that quarterback Brian Johnson, who led the Utes to an undefeated season and Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama in 2008, deserves a place in the Ring of Honor. However, he only holds a couple of school records that could easily be surpassed by Cam Rising this season.
Johnson didn’t play in the NFL and isn’t a consensus All-American, which could mean he might soon hold no career records at the school. Is it possible that the quarterback responsible for some of the most memorable moments in Utah football history could be overlooked? Only time will tell.
Here are eight candidates for Utah’s Ring of Honor who meet the criteria and deserve consideration.
For this list, I haven’t included Kyle Whittingham—who will definitely be honored in the Ring of Honor upon his retirement and deserves to have the field named after him—as well as any current Utah players or former Utes still active in the NFL.
Considering the school’s criteria, who would you add? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Ron McBride, Head Coach
Years at Utah: 1990-2002
Conference Championships Won: 2 (1995 and 1999)
Induction Year into Utah Athletics Hall of Fame: 2012
It would be ideal for the 84-year-old McBride to be recognized soon, allowing him to receive applause from fans at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
While Urban Meyer and Whittingham elevated the program, McBride was instrumental in laying the groundwork and led Utah to its first-ever 10-win season in 1994.
He also helped revitalize the rivalry against BYU, coaching the Utes to a 4-1 record from 1993-97 after the Cougars had dominated. Under his leadership, the Utes shared their first conference title since 1964 in 1995 and won a share of the first Mountain West Conference title in 1999. He was also known for focusing on recruiting Polynesian players, a practice continued by both Meyer and Whittingham.
During McBride’s tenure, the Utes sent 16 players to the NFL draft, including notable names like Steve Smith Sr. and Luther Elliss. His former recruit, Alex Smith, would later shine for the Utes and be selected first overall in the draft. McBride also brought in Whittingham as the defensive line coach in 1994.
That season marked Utah’s resurgence, as the Utes appeared in the AP poll for the first time since 1947. They finished the year ranked No. 10, concluding a 10-2 season with a 16-13 victory over No. 15 Arizona in the Freedom Bowl.
After experiencing two losing seasons in three years, then-athletic director Chris Hill decided to part ways with McBride and hire Meyer in 2003. While this decision paid off with Meyer leading the Utes to an undefeated season and a Fiesta Bowl win in 2004, McBride laid the foundation for Utah’s success over the following two decades.
“He played a key role in the University of Utah joining the Pac-12 through the groundwork he established,” Whittingham noted in 2011.
Steve Smith Sr., WR
Years at Utah: 1999-2000, graduated in 2001
Years in the NFL: 16
Inducted into Utah Athletics Hall of Fame: 2017
School Records: Career average yards per catch (20.55), punt return touchdowns in a season (3), punt return yards in a game (163), punt return touchdowns in a game (2).
Known for his loud trash-talking and long NFL career, Steve Smith is one of the most recognizable alumni of Utah.
He transferred to Utah from Santa Monica before the 1999 season and made an immediate impact, leading the Utes in receiving for both years (860 yards on 43 catches and eight touchdowns in 1999, along with 743 yards on 35 receptions in 2000). He also excelled as a punt returner, holding records for the most punt return touchdowns in a season (three) and in a game (two against New Mexico in 1999).
One of Smith’s highlight moments at Utah occurred during a punt return against the Lobos in 1999. After losing a cleat mid-return, he scored a stunning 70-yard touchdown, extending Utah’s lead to 21-7. On the following New Mexico drive, he returned another punt for 52 yards into the end zone, showcasing his remarkable abilities.
After his two years at Utah, Smith was selected by the Carolina Panthers with the 74th overall pick, launching a storied NFL career.
Standing at 5 feet 9 inches, he played 13 seasons for the Panthers, cementing his legacy as one of their all-time greats, before finishing his career with three seasons at the Baltimore Ravens.
Loved by fans for his grit, Smith amassed a total of 14,731 receiving yards, ranking eighth all-time in NFL history, and earned two All-Pro selections and five Pro Bowl nods during his 16-year career.
After leaving Utah, he established an athletic scholarship fund, often wore his old Utah sweatshirt during NFL warm-ups, and became a prominent ambassador for the university, even serving as a guest picker for “College GameDay” in 2023.
Luther Elliss, DT
Years at Utah: 1991-1994
Years in the NFL: 10
Consensus All-American: 1994
Inducted into Utah Athletics Hall of Fame: 2009
School Records: Career tackles for loss (47, tied with Filipo Mokofisi Sr.)
As the first consensus All-American in University of Utah history, Elliss was a dominant force on the defensive line, particularly in 1994. That year, he helped the Utes limit opponents to just 1,163 rushing yards over the entire season, which ranks as the sixth-best performance in school history.
His record of 47 career tackles for loss is still tied for the highest in Utah’s history, and he also set the Utes’ bowl record with five tackles for loss in the 1993 Freedom Bowl against USC.
A first-team All-WAC selection for three straight years, Elliss earned the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year honor in 1994 after racking up 78 tackles, four sacks, one forced fumble, and a pass breakup, while the Utes held their opponents to an average of just 17.5 points per game.
He was drafted as the 20th overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft and enjoyed a successful 10-year career, predominantly with the Detroit Lions, earning Pro Bowl selections in 1999 and 2000.
“Luther Elliss was the first key player here; he transformed the locker room, influencing daily operations, weightlifting, and how we handle losses. He may not have spoken much, but he was an exceptional player and a great presence in the locker room,” said Utah coach Ron McBride in 2020.
Eric Weddle, DB
Years at Utah: 2003-2006
Years in the NFL: 14
Consensus All-American: 2006
Inducted into Utah Athletics Hall of Fame: 2022
School Records: Career fumbles caused (9)
During his time at the University of Utah, Eric Weddle excelled in multiple roles, including running back, safety, cornerback, punt returner, and even as a punter and passer.
Weddle showcased his exceptional talent starting in 2003, his freshman year, when he began at cornerback and led the Utes with three interceptions while forcing four fumbles, the highest in the Mountain West.
In 2004, he was instrumental in Utah’s historic 12-0 season, which culminated in a BCS bowl appearance, where the Utes triumphed over Pittsburgh in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl.
After being named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year in 2005—culminating in an Emerald Bowl victory where he limited future NFL Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson to two catches for just 19 yards—Weddle elevated his performance in 2006.
That season, he shined on both sides of the ball, recording 65 tackles, seven interceptions (including two touchdowns), and one forced fumble. He also rushed for 203 yards and five touchdowns, returned seven punts for a total of 40 yards, completed two passes for 43 yards, and held for kicks, earning him consensus All-American recognition.
“He is the most instinctive player I think I’ve ever coached, with an incredible ability to react and anticipate plays before they unfold,” said Coach Whittingham in 2005. “He possesses a rare intuition.”
Weddle was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 2007, where he became a key safety. After spending three years with the Baltimore Ravens and one season with the Los Angeles Rams, he retired in 2019 with two All-Pro selections and six Pro Bowl appearances.
In a surprising twist, he unretired in 2021 and secured his first Super Bowl win with the Rams, wrapping up a remarkable career
Scott Mitchell, QB
Years at Utah: 1987-1989
Years in the NFL: 11
Inducted into Utah Athletics Hall of Fame: 2010
School Records Held: Single-game passing yards (620), season passing yards (4,322), career passing yards (8,981), passing touchdowns (69), season completions (323), total yards in a game (614), season (4,299), and career (8,836)
Scott Mitchell still holds numerous passing records at Utah, including the single-game record for passing yards (620 against Air Force) and the single-season mark for passing yards (4,322). His career passing yardage record of 8,981 is under threat, as Cam Rising is nearing it and needs 3,410 yards this season to surpass it.
During Mitchell’s three years at Utah, the team consistently ranked in the top 25 for points per game; however, they struggled to achieve team success, never winning more than six games due to a defense that frequently ranked among the weakest in college football.
“There are no glaring weaknesses in this kid. I don’t want to make him sound like Superman, but he’s really good. I once threw for 340 yards in college, and that wasn’t even close to Scott’s average. I thought I was amazing,” reflected Utah coach Jim Fassel in 1989.
Despite the team’s challenges, Mitchell emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in school history and was selected in the fourth round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. He started seven games for the Dolphins in 1993 before being traded to the Detroit Lions, where he became the starter for four years, setting single-season records for touchdown passes (32) and passing yards (4,338) in 1995.
From 1995-1997, when he was a full-time starter (he was injured in 1994 and played only nine games), Mitchell averaged 3,579 passing yards, 22.7 touchdown passes, and 14.3 interceptions with a completion rate of 58.3%.
After the 1997 season, he continued his career for four more years with the Lions, Baltimore Ravens, and Cincinnati Bengals, primarily serving as a backup.
Larry Wilson, RB/DB
Years at Utah: 1957-1958
Years in the NFL: 13 (Pro Football Hall of Fame)
Inducted into Utah Athletics Hall of Fame: 1985
School Records Held: Most points scored in a game (32), most touchdowns in a game (5)
Larry Wilson, the only player from Utah enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, excelled as a two-way player for the Utes during the late ’50s. In his two years at Utah, he recorded 230 carries for 1,220 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, along with 593 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He also contributed on defense as a secondary player and as a kick returner.
Drafted in the seventh round by the St. Louis Cardinals, Wilson was selected to eight Pro Bowls and earned All-Pro honors five times. He shone as a safety for the Cardinals, amassing 52 interceptions during his 13-year career, which still ranks him 26th all-time in the NFL.
Jordan Gross, OL
Years at Utah: 1999-2002
Years in the NFL: 11
Consensus All-American: 2002
Inducted into Utah Athletics Hall of Fame: 2017
Jordan Gross was a standout offensive lineman, starting for the Utes for three seasons. He received honorable mention in the All-Mountain West Conference in 2000 and 2001 and was a finalist for the Outland Trophy in 2002, awarded to the top interior lineman in college football.
That year, Gross didn’t allow any sacks in 2001 or 2002, helping his offensive line give up only five sacks throughout the entire season, a figure that tied for the best nationally. His senior year earned him consensus All-American recognition, making him the first Ute to achieve this since 1994.
In 2003, he was picked eighth overall by the Carolina Panthers, marking the second-highest selection for a Ute. Gross played 11 seasons with the Panthers, becoming a fundamental part of their offensive line.
He retired as one of the franchise’s top offensive linemen after earning one All-Pro honor and three Pro Bowl selections, including one in his final season.
Ike Armstrong, Head Coach
Years at Utah: 1925-1949
Conference Championships: 13
Inducted into Utah Athletics Hall of Fame: 1986
Ike Armstrong is a vital part of Utah football history, securing 13 conference titles during his 25-year tenure as head coach and leading the Utes to three undefeated seasons.
With an impressive record of 141–55–15, he held the record for the most wins in Utah’s history until Kyle Whittingham surpassed him with his 142nd victory against No. 3 Oregon in 2021, which qualified the team for the Pac-12 championship game.
Along with coaching the football team, Armstrong was the athletic director, track coach, and even served as basketball coach for two years. As athletic director, he played a key role in the construction of Ute Stadium in 1927, which underwent several renovations before being demolished in 1997 to make way for Rice-Eccles Stadium, located on the same site.
