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Senior safety Jordan Fogal is transferring from Utah football, he announced Sunday afternoon via Twitter, but seemingly on good terms.

Fogal, 22, will be available as a graduate transfer.

"I've experienced things that most dream of, I've met life long friends, and I was able to finish my Bachelors and being my Masters program," he wrote. "With that said, after many prayers and long discussions, I found it in my best interest to leave Utah and look to transfer to another university."

The 5-foot-10 safety made two spot starts last season while all-conference performer Marcus Williams was injured, and he had 20 tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble. http://bit.ly/2evQe6J";>Both picks came in the win over UCLA at the Rose Bowl.

Making Fogal's contributions all the more meaningful — he fought back from back-to-back knee injuries he suffered first at College of San Mateo, then in his first year at Utah. But Fogal's place on the depth chart looked unclear for the upcoming season, behind junior college Corrion Ballard and potentially behind more of Utah's incoming signing class, which features four more four-star defensive backs.

But Fogal thanked Utah's coaching staff for their investment in him.

"I want to personally thank Coach [Morgan] Scalley, Coach [Lewis] Powell, Coach [Sharrieff] Shah and Coach [Kyle Whititngham] and the rest of the coaches for taking a chance on me when nobody else did. You honestly changed my life for the better and I will be forever grateful for that."

The praise went both ways. Tweeted Scalley: "Going to miss you, bro! You are the ultimate team player, a leader, & a prime example of what SafetyPride is all about!!"

The move takes away experience in the secondary — already a trait the Utes have little of — http://bit.ly/2n5pJHR";>but with Ballard's strong spring, the team hopes for a smooth transition.

kgoon@sltrib.com
Twitter: @kylegoon