Three starters will sit out as they begin to prepare for the NFL draft.

Three University of Utah starters have decided not to play in the Las Vegas Bowl, head coach Kyle Whittingham says.

Offensive tackles Caleb Lomu and Spencer Fano and defensive end Logan Fano have all declared for the NFL draft.

Lomu, a 6-foot-6, 300-pound sophomore, and Spencer Fano, a unanimous All-America selection this year, are both expected to be first-round picks in April.

“Some people, it’s a lot higher stakes. We’ve got a couple of first-rounders and things like that,” Utah quarterback Devon Dampier said of the opt-outs. “We know those guys love us. … We still support those guys.”

Dampier and senior linebacker Lander Barton both said this week that they intend to play in the game.

“There are definitely conversations that you have to have with agents and people that are around you in your circle,” Barton said of his choice.” But ultimately it’s up to each player.”

Whittingham said a few walk-ons and scout team players have also opted out of the game as they prepare to enter the transfer portal.

“And we also have a handful of guys that are going to go in the portal at that are still practicing with us,” he said. “I think that what we have right now is what we’re going to have.”

The No. 15 Utes take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers on New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas (1:30 p.m. MT, ESPN). It will be Whittingham’s final game as the Utes’ head coach.

“This team has been one of my favorite years,” Whittingham said. “The team’s attitude. The leadership. The work ethic. Just the personality on the field, the vibe of the team is outstanding. Having the chance to be around these guys one more month and go to battle one more time with them was something I wanted to do.”

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – President Donald Trump’s executive order to reclassify marijuana at the federal level is reigniting debate in Nebraska, where voters approved medical marijuana in 2024.

Trump signed the executive order on Thursday, directing federal agencies to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I drug to Schedule III. The move does not legalize marijuana nationwide but opens the door for more medical research.

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers joined attorneys general from seven other states in releasing a statement saying they are “concerned” with the order. Hilgers said the science shows marijuana should remain a Schedule I drug.

Sen. Pete Ricketts also opposes the move. He signed a letter with 14 other Republican senators urging Trump not to reschedule marijuana. The letter argues marijuana is linked to mental health issues, impaired driving and workplace accidents.

Local medical marijuana advocate Lia Post disagreed with state leaders’ opposition.

“It just comes to the point, when is enough enough?” Post said.

Post said the argument from state leaders ignores what Nebraska voters decided in November 2024 when they overwhelmingly approved medical marijuana.

“It does open up the door for research, which really makes me happy, and the ability to speak to my doctor. It’s hard to be excited when you know you’re just a part of the big, giant grift that is going on,” Post said.

The federal change would allow the FDA to study marijuana’s medical uses. That could potentially help veterans, seniors, and people with chronic pain. Advocates said it also removes excuses for state leaders to delay implementation.

“I feel like we are in the exact same place we always are with the people wanting medical cannabis, the current law supporting medical cannabis, but the elected officials stopping medical cannabis,” Post said.

The federal rescheduling process could take several more months to finalize. The executive order does not legalize recreational marijuana. Trump made that clear Thursday, saying he is not open to that.

“It is a big deal, it is change, and change is always a big deal. Anything to do with medical cannabis and politics, I have to find the joy in whatever small wins there are, because there are so few,” Post said.

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LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Nebraska football is bolstering its staff with the addition of a run game coordinator and a defensive edge coach.

On Friday, head coach Matt Rhule announced the hiring of run game coordinator Lonnie Teasley and defensive edge coach Roy Manning.

Teasley spent the last five seasons with South Carolina, serving as the Gamecocks’ offensive line coach for the last three years.

He was also an assistant offensive line coach on Rhule’s Temple staff in 2014.  Teasley also had stints with the Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Tech.

“Lonnie Teasley brings a wealth of offensive line coaching experience to our staff,” Rhule said in a press release. “Lonnie has had great success throughout his career and specifically has been one of the elite offensive tackle coaches in the country. He also has a proven track record as an excellent recruiter. Lonnie will make a positive impact on our coaching staff and the Nebraska Football program.”

Manning worked with new defensive coordinator Rob Aurich as a defensive edge coach at San Diego State in 2025.  He helped the Aztecs rank among the nation’s top defenses.

Manning has also spent time coaching at USC, Michigan and Cincinnati.

“We are excited to add Roy Manning to our defensive staff,” Rhule said. “Along with Coach Aurich, he was a key part of the defensive transformation at San Diego State this past season. Roy has experience coaching defense from front to back and has coached at high-level programs throughout his career.”

Nebraska fired three assistant coaches following a lopsided loss to Iowa in November: defensive coordinator John Butler, offensive line coach Donovan Raiola and defensive line coach Terry Bradden.

Aurich has been hired to lead the defense and Geep Wade is Nebraska’s new offensive line coach.

SEE ALSO: Report: Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola to enter the transfer portal