FRISCO, Texas — New Utah quarterback Devon Dampier didn’t waste time making an impression at Big 12 Media Days. In a fast-paced interview on Brice and Bianucci live from the event, Dampier spoke confidently about his transition from New Mexico to Salt Lake City and his expectations for the Utes’ offense in 2025.
“It’s been great and easy,” Dampier said of joining the program. “Coaches, teammates, fans — they’re making me feel very loved and wanted here, so it’s easy on my part.”
Dampier transferred to Utah after playing at New Mexico, where he worked under offensive coordinator Jason Beck — who made the move with him.
“Coach believes in my talents and everything I can do, so I feel like I was able to open up his playbook a little bit more,” he said.
“He trusts me in a lot of situations … he calls some really creative things. I feel like it fits me at the end of the day.”
Known for his dual-threat ability, Dampier emphasized that winning takes priority over proving critics wrong.
“A lot of people, they’re like, ‘Oh, Devon can’t throw,’ ‘Devon runs too much,’” he said.
“But I always play to win the game. Whatever the team needs — to get that next first down, to put points on the board — I’m gonna do it.”
Dampier credited former New Mexico head coach Bronco Mendenhall with shaping his approach to preparation.
“He gets everything out of you for sure,” Dampier said. “He’s real big on earning things … my work mentality has definitely gone up since I’ve been with him.”
Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Dampier highlighted his confidence in Utah’s offensive line.
“I’ve played behind some good linemen,” he noted, “but to have all five as good as they are here — that’s a real special group that I have blocking for me.”
Of course, the looming Holy War matchup against BYU also came up — and Dampier is already buying into the intensity of the rivalry.
“I know it’s a big game to the state in general. The bragging rights are serious,” he said.
“It sounds like everything you would want out of a football game … I’m excited for it.”
With confidence in his coaches, teammates, and playmaking ability, Devon Dampier is stepping into a leadership role — and he’s ready to lead the Utes into the Big 12 spotlight.
