Utah has enjoyed roaring success thanks in no small part to its current class of offensive stars. Cameron Rising, Brant Kuithe, and Co. have helped lead the Utes to back-to-back Pac-12 championships.

Rising could return for another season in Salt Lake City. So could Kuithe after an injury ended his season four games in. Top wideout Devaughn Vele seems to be leaning toward a return. Another crucial piece of the operation? Running back Micah Bernard, who has been one of coach Kyle Whittingham’s most trusted offensive weapons over the last two seasons.

Bernard has been at Utah for four seasons but because of the COVID waiver from 2020, he could still play another two. He was asked earlier this week about a possible return, and The Salt Lake Tribune’s Josh Newman shared his response.

“I’m still thinking about it,” he said. “I love being around these guys. I enjoy it a lot. I don’t know when it’s going to be time to say goodbye, or if I’m leaving yet, I don’t know. I just enjoy being around here, being with these guys. If that’s three more weeks from now, if that’s all I’ve got, let me enjoy that. If I come back next year, I’m going to enjoy that, too. We’ll see what happens.”

The 6-foot Bernard finished second on the team in carries this season with 95. He also caught the third-most passes of any player (31). With the Rose Bowl still to play, Bernard has 780 yards of offense and five touchdowns, averaging 6.2 yards per touch.

Reading between the lines, one could construe Bernard’s message to be in keeping with Vele’s earlier this week. The talented wideout said he would take the decisions of his teammates into account when assessing whether or not it was time to jump to the NFL.

This is a group that has been through quite a lot together. It’s a group, particularly on the offensive side of the football, that grew closer together than you’d expect from football teams as they navigated the loss of teammates Aaron Lowe and Ty Jordan last year. The draw to stay together and try to run three straight titles might be strong.