opening at the position because 2 guys, including a 4* guy in Wilmore, had transfered out due to playing time and then the guy they had lost playing time to died? Yep, you're right that it was a fantastic option and is undoubtedly why two of the best RBs in the portal decided to go there.
By the way, USC was going hard after Pledger and Georgia was going after Curry, and they decided that Utah was their best option, presumably for the reasons mentioned above.