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Utah football is down to two scholarship quarterbacks after junior Brandon Cox has decided to transfer from the program.

Withhttp://bit.ly/2aYJVof";> junior Troy Williams in line to start this season andhttp://bit.ly/2bh373Y";> freshman Tyler Huntley homing in on the back-up job, Cox was slated to be the third quarterback on the depth chart — meaning a limited role and limited reps. After starting fall camp as one of three candidates to start, Cox decided he could get on the field elsewhere, coach Kyle Whittingham said.

"We really appreciate everything he did for us here," he said. "He was a great teammate. He's graduated, he's got two years left, and he wants an opportunity to get someplace where he can get on the field. So we wish him all the best. He's leaving on very good terms with us."

The Pasadena, Calif., native's career at Utah was beset by injury. He ended up playing time in one game for the the Utes against Idaho State in 2014.

While http://bit.ly/1S9GEED";>he began the spring with the most experience in Utah's offense, Cox was unsuccessful in fending off newcomers Williams and Huntley, who both surpassed him on the depth chart. He's the fourth quarterback http://bit.ly/1ICm0ok";>to transfer out of Utah since January 2015, joining Adam Schulz, Donovan Isom and Conner Manning.

Whittingham acknowledged that the transfer leaves the Utes with depth that is "not ideal."

Beyond Williams and Huntley, the Utes have two walk-on quarterbacks listed on their roster: Drew Lisk and Logan Bateman. Whittingham said sophomore safety Chase Hansen, a former all-state quarterback http://bit.ly/1D9w0qf";>who took reps at the position last year, could be used in an emergency, but added that Hansen is unlikely to divert much from his current position (he's expected to start).

"It does create a depth issue," Whittingham said. "But quarterback is a unique position: Only one guy plays. And maybe the guy who sees the future isn't exactly what he hopes for will find another place to play."

kgoon@sltrib.com
Twitter: kylegoon