Healthy and hungry, Devon Dampier looking to take Utah football to new heights

SALT LAKE CITY — As Devon Dampier approached game days late in the season, it was difficult to even get out of bed.

The dual-threat quarterback suffered through several injuries over the course of his first season with Utah, but it was a sports hernia that made everything even more challenging as the season progressed. Every twist or turn as Dampier attempted to throw was another reminder of the hernia — and the associated discomfort.

The pain was too much to bear at times, and he questioned if he could even play. But Dampier continued to push through it for his team as Utah held on to a slim chance of a potential Big 12 title game appearance.

At times — notably the Las Vegas Bowl where he threw for 310 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 148 yards and three touchdowns — Dampier looked unstoppable, even while injured. But he never fully felt like himself or what he felt his true potential could be as a quarterback.

"That was like the first time — I've never had an injury like that — so that was the first time where I felt like I was going into games in my head, like I can't play how I normally play," Dampier said. "So last year was definitely like a humbling experience in a way. We still played pretty well for what we did, but me, personally, it was a very humbling experience."

Now healthy after offseason surgery and refreshed from the 2025 season, Dampier is on a mission to prove he's a top quarterback in the country. He understands there are many who may doubt him, but he believes there's plenty more he can do as a healthy QB — and with more weapons around him.

"I think a lot of what makes Devon special in terms of his mobility was limited last year solely because he was not fully healthy," head coach Morgan Scalley said. "He played more than half the season injured, but that just goes to show how competitive he is and what a leader he is. So I'm excited to see a fully healthy Devon Dampier — one of the best I've seen at throwing on the run, how accurate he is at throwing on the run.

"I'm excited, as well, for him to have the threats that he has," Scalley added. "This wide receiver group is one of the best, if not the best, we've had at the University of Utah since I've been there, which is a long time. And to have those threats is a big deal for him."

For Dampier, it's a season in which he can make a name for himself as he looks to approach an NFL career. But he understands there's more he needs to do to put Utah in a better spot and for him to be worthy of an NFL roster.

If he's not No. 1, then he feels like he's got even more to prove. And even with all his prior success, he's got plenty to prove.

"For sure, because I've got a high expectation for myself; I always have growing up," Dampier said. "If I'm not No. 1 on every single thing, then I'm not where I think I'm at yet. So, obviously, that means I've still got work to do. I've got things to still prove, and that's the chip on my shoulder that I feel like I haven't done enough yet, so let me continue to show it."

And part of getting better at QB has been his effort to make the team around him better. Though a natural leader, Dampier has elevated his approach and has used the offseason to bring the team together and improve through various workouts.

Whether it's spending his own money to bring the receivers down to Arizona to train with him, or organizing player-run practices, Dampier has been the central figure to leading out Scalley's call for a team-wide connection for what they hope is a special season.

"I'm pretty involved — got to be," Dampier said. "If I want success out of our team, I need to make sure I'm there at every single thing, and I also want that for my teammates, as well. I don't ever want to make anyone feel like they're obligated to get better. I want to give the vibe to my team that you see the way I work, you see that I want success for everybody. Why not come follow."

It's the same approach he's had with off-the-field situations, too. Dampier sees Utah football as a community team, and one in which he should be accessible to others. It's why he doesn't shy away from signing autographs or taking pictures with fans, or showing up to support other Utah teams in his offseason.

Anything less is not acceptable as a public figure, he believes.

"I feel like in college football, there's always two type of quarterbacks: There's the ones that truly love being in the community and things like that, and there's others that get the glory, they get the fame, and it's about them," Dampier said. "Just growing up, just seeing that I never wanted to be that quarterback that people look up, they start taking autographs, and then I'm being selfish, and I think it's all about me.

"I never want that," he added. "I want our fan base to be involved. I want them to feel like they can speak to me. I want the other Utes, the other sports, to know I support them. There's no bigger stage than between all of us."

That support and access has been an example to his teammates, too, who see the most visible member of the football team putting himself out there. If he can do it, certainly they can as well.

"Seeing what he's saying, and then seeing what he's doing, it brings it to everybody's attention — like it catches everybody's eyes," running back Wayshawn Parker said. "He's sitting there showing support to everybody on the University of Utah, why can't we? He's a leader on the football field, he's also a leader off the football field. Everything he's doing, it's positive, we should be able to do it, too."

Dampier is far from a finished product, but he's putting his all into the 2026 season in a "new era" of Utah football. Though he has the "safety net" of another season after the NCAA recently just adopted new eligibility rules, Dampier is hoping to make the upcoming season his best yet.

And with him leading the charge, Utah has as much of a chance as anyone in the Big 12.

"We do a lot in terms of schooling our guys up on what actual leadership looks like. It can be uncomfortable to lead, and leadership is not a popularity thing, it is an influence thing — to be able to influence others and bring others along to buy into your vision. So that can be a very difficult thing," Scalley said. "Some guys step away from it, don't don't want that role, don't want to be a leader, because it takes getting uncomfortable at times and calling guys out and holding guys accountable.

"But he has embraced it, and it's showing up in a big way."

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