Utah took care of an afflicted Arizona State team in Week 4, but they suffered a major loss in the process. Do-it-all tight end Brant Kuithe went down with a right knee injury in the first quarter and did not return. How will his injury impact the Utes and the 2023 NFL Draft?
Brant Kuithe injury update
After hauling in a first-down catch, Kuithe staggered to the Utes’ medical tent. He was in obvious pain, and it was clear this wasn’t your run-of-the-mill injury. The next time Utah fans saw Kuithe, it was without shoulder pads and ice wrapped around his knee.
Third-year kicker Jordan Noyes walked over to Kuithe, chatted for a bit, and ultimately hugged him. That interaction doesn’t occur for a sprain or stinger.
Utah’s fears were realized Monday, as head coach Kyle Whittingham confirmed the knee injury would hold Kuithe out for the rest of the season.
“The big downer from Saturday’s game is the loss of Brant Kuithe,” Whittingham said. “He is officially lost for the season, which is a tough blow for us on offense. He’s a great leader, great teammate, and a great person.”
Based on the nature of the injury and it’s severity, it’s probable Kuithe tore ligaments in his knee. His season is over, and he will likely miss the entire pre-draft process as well. It’s a devasting blow for a player who has gone about his business the right way.
I strongly believe top NFL draft prospects shouldn’t return for their senior campaign (or, in Kuithe’s case, fifth year) for this exact reason.
However, Kuithe bet on himself and attempted to increase his draft stock from a mid-to-late-round pick. At the same time, he saw the talent this Utah roster has and wanted to help lead them to success. But now, with Kuithe done for the year, what will the Utes do next?
Impact on Utah’s 2022 season
Kuithe leads Utah with 19 receptions, going for 204 yards and three scores. But Kuithe is more than just a receiving tight end. He’s Utah’s most versatile offensive weapon, lining up inline, in the slot, out wide, and even in the backfield. Offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig hasn’t fully tapped into his playbook, but he’s also used Kuithe as a ball carrier from the backfield and on sweeps.
Yet, Kuithe’s loss won’t just hurt on the field. He’s a captain and leader in the locker room, providing a stabilizing voice for the offense. Fellow tight end Dalton Kincaid spoke on his teammate’s importance, saying, “He’s a huge leader on the team, so we’re still going to need to lean on him for his leadership. But that was definitely a brutal loss, and it hurts a lot.”
Kincaid was already the 1B to Kuithe’s 1A. But now, he’s the focal point of the offense.
“He’s gonna be the No. 1 guy inside, and then we’re gonna be looking for him to produce,” starting QB Cameron Rising said after the ASU game. “He’s gonna have a great amount of production because of it.”
The fifth-year TE has averaged 15 yards per catch, producing a team-leading 240 yards and four TDs. But defenses will now key on him more without the threat of Kuithe, so the Utes will need others to step up.
Junior TE Thomas Yassmin flashed with a 72-yard score on Saturday, but it was only the third catch of his career. Whittingham also mentioned Munir McClain’s name, expressing his role would increase. That’s something for Utah fans to keep an eye on, as McClain is a former USC transfer and wide receiver convert.
The Utes have the talent to account for some of Kuithe’s production. But they can’t replace his on-field leadership, the attention he received from defenses, and his sheer versatility.
Impact on the 2023 NFL Draft
Kuithe was a name to know in the 2023 NFL Draft, as he has been in the last two cycles. Will he declare this cycle? That’s a decision he, his loved ones, and the coaching staff will determine. For the purposes of this article, we’ll assume he does put his name in the proverbial hat.
With that said, Kuithe’s draft stock will likely plummet, possibly into the late-Day 3 range to a UDFA, because of the injury concern and lack of physical pre-draft testing.
The 2023 TE class is led by crown jewel Michael Mayer and a whole lot of talented but unsettled names. Kincaid, Cameron Latu, Darnell Washington, Benjamin Yurosek, Jaheim Bell, Tucker Kraft, Zack Kuntz, and Luke Musgrave make up the next tier or two of TEs who should come off the board at some point in April.
All of them benefit from Kuithe’s absence, especially Kincaid, who now has a chance to prove to scouts he can be the No. 1 receiving option on a top-25-ranked team in the nation.
For Kuithe, the focus is on his rehab and being there for his teammates in any way possible. It’s a demoralizing scenario for any competitor, especially one with possibly life-altering wealth on the line.
But if Kuithe’s proven anything over his career, it’s that he doesn’t back down from any challenge. And while the journey will be long and test his character, recovery is just another challenge he will dominate.
