Photo by: Davis Kuhn/Utah Athletics
Newcomer Notebook: Braden Pegan
8/4/2026 8:30 AM | Football
Veteran wide receiver joined Utes this past spring
SALT LAKE CITY — The Newcomer Notebook returns for 2026 as UtahUtes.com will visit with various additions to the Utah Football roster leading up to the Utes' season opener on September 3 vs. Idaho.
Utah began its first Fall camp of the Morgan Scalley era this week as the Utes held their first full team practice on Monday. Among the new faces is the wide receiver room is Braden Pegan, who joined the Utes after spending 2025 up the road at Utah State and 2022-24 at UCLA.
It was a standout year for Pegan with the Aggies, becoming just the third receiver in program history to earn first-team All-Mountain West honors. The native of San Juan Capistrano, California, led the team with 60 receptions and 926 yards, also contributing five touchdown receptions.
Pegan was a three-star high school recruit out of San Juan Hills High School. The all-league receiver also spent time at defensive back in high school.
How does it feel to be back on the field and finally have the season in sight?
"It feels amazing. It feels good to be back with the guys. It was a long Summer and we worked hard. It feels good to come out here and see the work we put in."
How does your familiarity with OC Kevin McGiven fuel your excitement for this season?
"We have a lot of familiarity. Coming into a new place, you might worry about that being around new players and a new coaching staff. But I was lucky enough to have my offensive coordinator, Coach McGiven, here with me. It has made things easier and has made me feel at home."
Describe the wide receiver room and what the group can contribute this year.
"I would say that the wide receiver room is deep and explosive. Everybody in the room is making plays and doing great. We're all balling and having a great time out there. It's been fun."
What does your experience in college football give you in terms of leadership?
"There's a lot of details that you start to see when you've been in college football, especially being in Coach McGiven's offense for the second year. So, I can try to give the other guys some pointers—we can all help each other get better and raise the bar in the room."
You were at UCLA when the Bruins played Utah a few seasons ago—what were your impressions of Utah getting ready for that game?
"I have a very distinct memory of coming to Utah in 2023 when I was at UCLA. And I just remember Rice-Eccles Stadium absolutely jumping. So much energy. I'm excited to be a part of that energy now."
What is one thing outside of football you'd like Utah fans to know about you?
"I have two main hobbies. When I'm at home in California, I love to surf. During the Summer, I play a lot of golf too."
FOLLOW THE UTES
Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here.
Utah began its first Fall camp of the Morgan Scalley era this week as the Utes held their first full team practice on Monday. Among the new faces is the wide receiver room is Braden Pegan, who joined the Utes after spending 2025 up the road at Utah State and 2022-24 at UCLA.
It was a standout year for Pegan with the Aggies, becoming just the third receiver in program history to earn first-team All-Mountain West honors. The native of San Juan Capistrano, California, led the team with 60 receptions and 926 yards, also contributing five touchdown receptions.
Pegan was a three-star high school recruit out of San Juan Hills High School. The all-league receiver also spent time at defensive back in high school.
How does it feel to be back on the field and finally have the season in sight?
"It feels amazing. It feels good to be back with the guys. It was a long Summer and we worked hard. It feels good to come out here and see the work we put in."
How does your familiarity with OC Kevin McGiven fuel your excitement for this season?
"We have a lot of familiarity. Coming into a new place, you might worry about that being around new players and a new coaching staff. But I was lucky enough to have my offensive coordinator, Coach McGiven, here with me. It has made things easier and has made me feel at home."
Describe the wide receiver room and what the group can contribute this year.
"I would say that the wide receiver room is deep and explosive. Everybody in the room is making plays and doing great. We're all balling and having a great time out there. It's been fun."
What does your experience in college football give you in terms of leadership?
"There's a lot of details that you start to see when you've been in college football, especially being in Coach McGiven's offense for the second year. So, I can try to give the other guys some pointers—we can all help each other get better and raise the bar in the room."
You were at UCLA when the Bruins played Utah a few seasons ago—what were your impressions of Utah getting ready for that game?
"I have a very distinct memory of coming to Utah in 2023 when I was at UCLA. And I just remember Rice-Eccles Stadium absolutely jumping. So much energy. I'm excited to be a part of that energy now."
What is one thing outside of football you'd like Utah fans to know about you?
"I have two main hobbies. When I'm at home in California, I love to surf. During the Summer, I play a lot of golf too."
FOLLOW THE UTES
Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here.
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