Canadian receiver Damien Alford transfers to Utah following messy departure from Syracuse

Photo courtesy: AP Photo/Adrian Kraus

Canadian receiver Damien Alford has announced his commitment to the University of Utah following his departure from Syracuse University earlier this offseason.

The six-foot-six, 210-pound target was dismissed from the Orange football team in February, later entering the transfer portal. Although no official reason was given for the decision, Alford alleged in a since-deleted tweet that he was only informed of his dismissal on social media and that it came after he revealed to new head coach Fran Brown that he was weighing a potential transfer following spring graduation. The receiver remained in good academic standing and was allowed to finish the semester, with Brown later vouching for his character on Twitter.

The Montreal native was Syracuse’s leading pass catcher and a team captain in 2023, hauling in 33 receptions for 610 yards and three touchdowns. He originally committed to the program in 2020 as a three-star recruit out of McArthur High School in Florida and has appeared in 42 games, catching 67 passes for 1291 yards and seven majors. He has thrived as a deep threat, averaging 19.3 yards over the course of his career.

Utah finished with an 8-5 record in 2023 and are gearing up for their first season as a member of the Big 12. Head coach Kyle Whittingham expressed a desire to add a starting calibre receiver following spring camp and Alford is expected to fill that role, becoming one of the top weapons for senior quarterback Cameron Rising.

Alford is entering his final season of collegiate eligibility and will be available in the 2025 CFL and NFL Drafts.

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