Utah earned a commitment from former Auburn tight end Landen King on Wednesday.

A 6-foot-5 pass-catcher from Beaumont, Texas, King spent the first two years of his career with the Tigers before entering the transfer portal first in the fall of last year (before withdrawing) and then again on the final day of the spring window.

The Utes were among the first teams to express interest, and held off Colorado for his verbal pledge. King will have three years of eligibility remaining after taking a redshirt in 2022.

King was a 3-star recruit who signed with Auburn out of the 2021 class. He appeared in eight games as a true freshman, bringing in five receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown. Most of his snaps came on special teams.

Last season, King appeared in three of Auburn’s first four games before opting to sit out the rest of the year and preserve a redshirt. He had one catch for 24 yards on two targets.

King filled a hybrid role for the Tigers when on offense. He has yet to line up inline as a college tight end, and spent 90% of his offensive snaps in the slot. Auburn flexed him out wide on a few occasions early last season.

At Utah, he’ll join a talented room and look to provide depth. The Utes have developed a reputation as having one of the best tight end units in America. Brant Kuithe and Thomas Yassmin return from last year’s team — two players who figure to dominate snaps at the position.

But King gives position coach Freddie Whittingham another potential pass-catching tight end to deploy.