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Former Utah running back Devonta’e Henry-Cole leaves BYU for Utah State

Utah running back Devonta'e Henry-Cole (7) outruns UCLA defensive back Elijah Gates, rear, in the second half during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

If Devonta’e Henry-Cole’s initial transfer from Utah to BYU surprised people, his next move may stun some more.

The former Utah running back will instead take his talents to Logan to play for Utah State, as initially reported by Jake Hatch of The Zone Sports Network.

Had Henry-Cole stayed in Provo, he would have found himself fighting for the starting running back position against Lopini Katoa. Last season, Katoa provided a steady flow of production as the running back group suffered constant injuries.

Katoa is one of the top two returning rushers and led the team in carries for a second consecutive year in 2019. While the Cougars look to still have depth at running back, it seems they will have to readjust their rotation without Henry-Cole.

During his time at Utah, Henry-Cole rushed for 469 yards on 90 carries, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. Last season, he had 34 carries for 191 yards and two touchdowns.

Henry-Cole, from Boca Raton, Fla., is the second former Ute to transfer to Utah State over the past week.

Last Monday, Utah State announced the addition of Jason Shelley. The junior quarterback, who was immediately eligible, quickly stood out as the heir apparent to Jordan Love.

Shelley and Henry-Cole will have one season together as Aggies after playing as Utes the last three years.

Meanwhile Monday, Aggies quarterback Henry Colombi, who recently entered the transfer portal, posted on Twitter that he was joining Texas Tech University.

“Logan will always have a special place in my heart and I am thankful for my time here,” Colombi wrote in a note to fans.

Colombi joins former Utah State coach Matt Wells at Texas Tech. He played one season under Gary Andersen, and three total with the Aggies mainly as a backup for Jordan Love, who got drafted by the Green Bay Packers.

Andersen said he and Colombi had engaged in conversations about his transfer and he “whole-heartedly 100 percent” supports him.

“Henry is going to make it the right way and he’s a quality kid,” Andersen said. “That’s not easy, to have ties here [and leave].”

Colombi played in 13 games at USU and threw two touchdown passes while tallying 460 passing yards. He also added 139 rushing yards in his time there.