2028 WR Aiden-Caleb Rodriguez eyeing November return to Utah

The Utah Utes continue to make an early impression on 2028 three-star wide receiver Aiden-Caleb Rodriguez.

The 6-foot-3, 175-pound receiver out of Mountain Pointe High School in Phoenix has seen his recruitment continue to grow, with programs including Texas A&M, Washington, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Kansas State getting involved.

But Utah has been in the picture for a while.

Wide receivers coach Chad Bumphis was one of the first Power Four coaches to believe in Rodriguez, offering him after getting an in-person look during a summer practice.

“Coach Bump liked my game. He believed I could play at Utah,” Rodriguez told me. “He came to my first summer practice and watched me run routes. It was my second P4 offer and I really appreciated his words.”

Rodriguez made his way to Salt Lake City for an unofficial visit over the summer and came away impressed with both the people inside the program and what Utah had to offer.

“All the coaches were really cool and the facilities definitely stood out,” Rodriguez said.

At the time, Utah and Cal were the two programs Rodriguez had been able to visit. Utah has continued to stay involved since then.

“They have shown love and stayed in touch,” Rodriguez said. “Cal and Utah were the only schools at the time I was able to visit.”

As his recruitment continues to expand, Rodriguez already has a good idea of what will matter most when he eventually starts narrowing things down.

“Coaching philosophy and how I fit into the short and long-term success of an organization,” Rodriguez said. “I want to earn the opportunity to play early and have an impact on offense.”

Utah should get another opportunity to impress him soon.

Rodriguez is currently working on plans to return to Salt Lake City in November, this time to experience a game inside Rice-Eccles Stadium.

“Planning with my team right now to get out there in November,” Rodriguez said. “Excited to see the game day atmosphere. It has been cool watching the team put up a lot of points each week.”

Rodriguez has also made a noticeable jump on the field.

After adding around 15 pounds during the offseason, he believes the biggest improvement in his game has been his strength and how it has carried over into multiple areas.

“Strength,” Rodriguez said. “I added about 15 pounds in the offseason and seeing that translate in my routes, blocking and at the catch point has been rewarding.”

With his recruitment continuing to grow, Utah remains firmly involved early on. His expected November return will give the Utes another chance to build on the relationship they have established with Rodriguez since becoming one of his first Power Four offers.

American Fork QB Jake Matsen Impressed by Utah offense after visit

Five takeaways from Utah football's shutout win over Iowa State

Joel Klatt names Utah football as Playoff sleeper outside the Top 10