Devon Dampier is expected to do big things as Utah’s QB1.
Those expectations were reflected when the 2025 preseason All-Big 12 team was released Monday, as Dampier was named the league’s preseason newcomer of the year.
Dampier is one of three Utes to earn all-conference honors — offensive tackles Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu were named to the preseason all-conference team.
So, too, were a pair of BYU players in wide receiver Chase Roberts and kicker Will Ferrin.
Dampier, a junior who transferred from New Mexico, takes over a Utah offense that struggled mightily last season, in large part due to injuries surrounding quarterback Cam Rising.
Dampier led the Mountain West Conference in total offense last year with 3,934 yards. That included 2,768 passing yards (to go with 12 passing touchdowns and 12 interceptions), while the dual-threat QB also ran for 1,166 yards and 19 rushing touchdowns.
He earned first team All-Mountain West honors in 2024.
Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt, who led the Sun Devils to a Big 12 championship last season, was named the league’s preseason offensive player of the year. Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez earned preseason defensive player-of-the-year honors.
Fano, who has started 24 games for Utah on the offensive line over the past two seasons, was a first-team All-Big 12 selection last season from his right tackle position, while earning a handful of All-America citations.
Lomu, the Utes’ starting left tackle, was a 2024 Midseason Freshman All-American according to The Athletic and is one of five returning offensive line starters for Utah in 2025.
Ferrin was the Big 12’s co-special teams player of the year last season after leading the Big 12 in field goals — he made 24 in 2024, including 16 straight at one point.
Roberts led BYU in receiving last season, with 52 receptions for 854 yards and four touchdowns. He’s third among Big 12 returning receiving leaders heading into the 2025 season.
2025 Preseason All-Big 12 Team
- Offensive player of the year: Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona State, RS-So.
- Defensive player of the year: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech, Sr.
- Newcomer of the year: Devon Dampier, QB, Utah, Jr.
Preseason all-conference team offense
- QB: Sam Leavitt, Arizona State, RS-So.
- RB: Bryson Washington, Baylor, RS-So.
- RB: Jahiem White, West Virginia, Jr.
- FB/H-Back: Will Swanson, Kansas State, Sr.
- WR: Eric McAlister, TCU, Sr.
- WR: Chase Roberts, BYU, RS-Sr.
- WR: Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State, RS-Jr.
- TE: Joe Royer, Cincinnati, RS-Sr.
- OL: Ben Coleman, Arizona State, Gr.
- OL: Spencer Fano, Utah, Jr.
- OL: Bryce Foster, Kansas, RS-Jr.
- OL: Caleb Lomu, Utah, RS-So.
- OL: Jordan Seaton, Colorado, So.
- PK: Will Ferrin, BYU, RS-Sr.
- PR/KR: Josh Cameron, Baylor, RS-Sr.
Preseason all-conference team defense
- DL: David Bailey, Texas Tech, Sr.
- DL: Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati, RS-Sr.
- DL: C.J. Fite, Arizona State, Jr.
- DL: Lee Hunter, Texas Tech, Sr.
- DL: Domonique Orange, Iowa State, Sr.
- LB: Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech, Sr.
- LB: Austin Romaine, Kansas State, Jr.
- LB: Keaton Thomas, Baylor, RS-Jr.
- DB: Xavion Alford, Arizona State, RS-Sr.
- DB: Bud Clark, TCU, Sr.
- DB: Jeremiah Cooper, Iowa State, Sr.
- DB: DJ McKinney, Colorado, Jr.
- DB: Jontez Williams, Iowa State, RS-Jr.
- P: Palmer Williams, Baylor, Jr.