Devon Dampier will be back in red in 2026.
The Utah quarterback announced Tuesday that he has signed with the Utes for next season.
In his first season with Utah after transferring from New Mexico, Dampier threw for 2,490 yards and 24 touchdowns with five interceptions on 63.75% accuracy in 2025.
He also rushed for 835 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The junior quarterback improved both his turnover and accuracy numbers from a season ago and helped turn Utah’s offense around while fighting through injury throughout much of the season.
With a month off from games in the lead-up to the Las Vegas Bowl, Dampier had time to heal, and it showed in a 44-22 win over Nebraska.
Dampier threw for 310 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 148 yards and three scores in his best performance of the season.
Dampier helped guide the Utes’ offense from the basement in 2024 to the No. 4 scoring offense in all of college football (41.2 points per game) and contributed to one of the best rushing attacks in the country, which averaged 266.3 rushing yards per game.
He was named the Big 12’s Offensive Newcomer of the Year and landed on the All-Big 12 third team after his efforts in 2025.
The New Mexico transfer already had a season starting in Jason Beck’s offense, and that expertise was evident throughout the 2025 season.
While Dampier was not able to perform to his full ability physically for most of the season, the knowledge of the offense and trust from Beck kept the Utes performing positively on that side of the ball.
“My favorite part personally is just the trust level. He gives me every play out there,” Dampier said of Beck. “There’s multiple options of what I can do with the ball and he makes the plays where I get to make that best decision every play.”
Now, Dampier will play under new offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven after Beck left to join Kyle Whittingham’s staff at Michigan.
Dampier’s signature moment as a Ute came in the 51-47 comeback win over Kansas State.
Dampier connected with receiver Larry Simmons for a 20-yard touchdown to pull the Utes within three. Then on the ensuing drive, Dampier ran for 59 yards on fourth and 1, setting himself up for a game-winning touchdown run.
Aside from his performance on the field, Dampier’s leadership ability stood out throughout the season.
Byrd Ficklin, who had an impactful season himself, credited Dampier for helping him during his freshman year.
“Dev has been the most help out of anybody that’s been here,” Ficklin said in an interview on ESPN 700. “... He’s been really pushing me on and off the field to not just be a better player, but also be a better person, and that’s what I mainly love about Dev.”
Two of the most important pieces of Utah’s offense — Dampier and Ficklin — are officially back, giving the Utes a boost heading into a pivotal 2026 season, the first under new head coach Morgan Scalley.
