The 2026 Utah high school football regular season was one of the few around the country that got underway this weekend. The West Panthers entered the year as the No. 11 team in the state, per the Rivals Composite Rankings.
Facing a stout test in their season-opener, the Panthers outlasted Arbor View, the No. 3 team in Nevada, winning 20-14. Leading the way for West, to no surprise, was senior four-star quarterback and Michigan commit Kamden Lopati.
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The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder threw for 265 yards and a touchdown, completing 14 of 23 passes. He also added 80 yards on the ground to help his team begin the season 1-0. Lopati is eyeing his third standout season in a row.
As a junior, he finished with 2,671 passing yards and 34 touchdowns to eight interceptions. That followed a breakout sophomore campaign that witnessed 3,050 passing yards and 25 TDs. He’s become a dual-threat weapon as of late, rushing for 10 scores in 2025 after scoring three on the feet in 2024.
Michigan QB commit Kamden Lopati led Salt Lake City (Utah) West to a 20-14 win over Las Vegas (Nev.) Arbor View this weekend.
— Ethan McDowell (@ethanmmcdowell) August 16, 2026
– 265 passing yards
– 14/23
– 1 touchdown
– 80 rushing yards
On why we could see him climbing the rankings this fall: https://t.co/In9qJ1nF2Mpic.twitter.com/5ZZVeDUjSA
The Beehive State has brought up a slew of high-profile quarterback prospects over the years. Lopati is the No. 118 overall prospect, No. 9 QB and No. 2 recruit in Utah in the 2027 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies.
There will be no shortage of eyes on the Michigan commit. Originally pledged to Illinois, he backed off that commitment and quickly landed with the Wolverines in April. He’s been rock-solid with the Big Ten program in Ann Arbor since.
Lopati will look to keep it rolling for West, which now gets ready to host Salt Lake City East on Friday, Aug. 21. Another out-of-state matchup against Archbishop Riordan, a top-25 program in California, awaits on Aug. 28. The Panthers’ first road game is set for Sept. 4 at Hunter.
Scouting Kamden Lopati
Lopati reminds Rivals’ Scouting and Rankings Team of former Clemson star and New York Jets draft pick Tajh Boyd. Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power wrote this about the blue-chip passer back in May after watching him compete at the Elite 11 Finals:
“Kamden Lopati was solid from start to finish at the Elite 11 Finals. The Michigan commit showed good velocity to the intermediate area of the field on day one. He also had a productive 7-on-7 session on Sunday, going 15 of 21 for five touchdowns. Lopati did a good job putting his throws in position for wide receivers to make plays and pick up optimal yards after the catch. He also quickly diagnosed coverage busts. The Utah native looks to have tightened up his mechanics a bit over the past few months. It should also be noted that this setting doesn’t fully accentuate Lopati’s skills, as he is a creative improviser on Friday nights.”
How to Follow Utah High School Football
For Utah high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the Beehive State, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the state, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the Utah high school football excitement across the state.