Utah quarterback Devon Dampier will play in the Las Vegas Bowl, talks about 2026 plans

Utah quarterback Devon Dampier will play in the Las Vegas Bowl, he said after practice on Thursday.

The Utes’ starting quarterback will be leading the team as it caps off the season in Sin City, and he’s not the only starter planning to play in coach Kyle Whitingham’s final game at Utah.

Aside from the transfer portal entrants, none of whom were on Utah’s two-deep, there are only three confirmed opt-outs for the Utes’ season finale vs. Nebraska — offensive tackle Spencer Fano, offensive tackle Caleb Lomu and defensive end Logan Fano, all of whom have declared for the 2026 NFL Draft.

“As far as not playing in the game, I think that what we have right now is what we’re going to the game with. I hope so,” Whittingham said.

The rest of Utah’s team is expected to play and try to send Whittingham out with a win.

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“It means a lot to me. … That’s a coach that believed in me to come in here after being at New Mexico and just had full trust in me and the offense to do what we do and that’s just huge respect from him and just what he’s done for this program,” Dampier said.

“I got to finish well for him.”

Linebacker Lander Barton confirmed that he will be playing in the Dec. 31 game.

“We’re just going to try to play our (butts) off and get one more for (Whittingham),” Barton said.

Dampier’s decision to play in the Las Vegas Bowl is a pretty clear signal of his future plans. All indications are that he will remain at Utah in 2026.

The junior quarterback helped turn around the Utes’ offense this season, throwing for 2,180 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushing for 687 yards and seven scores while playing through injury for much of the year.

Asked if he has officially decided to return to Utah, Dampier smiled.

“Y’all going to see, y’all going to see, but it is great. I’m very happy to be here. Seriously,” Dampier said.

Dampier’s backup and friend, Byrd Ficklin, officially re-signed with Utah last week.

Ficklin has thrown for 301 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions on 60% accuracy and added 503 yards and 10 scores on the ground in his freshman campaign.

When asked what it would mean for Dampier and Ficklin to return together in 2026, Dampier said, “Man, it is going to mean a lot. We’re trying to do something special, but it got a little leaked out before we can get to it, but it’s coming. It’s coming.”

The Utes will have a new head coach in Morgan Scalley in 2026, and Dampier is confident Scalley will continue Utah’s success.

“Man, I’m very confident in Scalley. When I came here on my visit, that was someone I talked to and he let me know the rundown when the time comes,” Dampier said.

“He had his full belief in me and in my talent, so I’m perfectly fine where I’m at.”

With Utah’s quarterback room just about finalized, Scalley‘s first year will feature a great situation at the most important position on the field.