Devon Dampier hasn’t played a down for the University of Utah, but he’s already picking up some Big 12 accolades.
The transfer quarterback has been selected as the conference’s preseason Newcomer of the Year.
The Big 12 also released its preseason all-conference team this week.
Utah and BYU each had two players voted onto the team on the offensive side of the ball.
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.
How to watch Big 12 Media Days
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah football head coach Kyle Whittingham answers questions during a news conference at the University of Utah on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.
The Utes and the Cougars will be represented at Big 12 Media Days in Texas this week.
If you want to follow along on TV, here’s what you need to know.
When: Tuesday, July 8 and Wednesday, July 9
Where: The Dallas Cowboys’ global headquarters in Frisco, Texas
TV/streaming: Both days will air live on ESPNU and ESPN+, with portions of the event also shown on ESPN2. Additionally, you can watch on Big 12 Studios from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. MT.
The Cougars will do interviews on Tuesday.
In addition to head coach Kalani Sitake, the Cougars are sending:
The Utes hold their interviews on Wednesday.
Head coach Kyle Whittingham will be joined by four players:
The Big Thing: Here’s what you think about Devon Dampier
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah quarterback Devon Dampier (4) at the Utah Utes spring football game in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
Last week, I asked you what kind of season you think new Utah starting quarterback Devon Dampier will have in 2025 in the TribUte’s latest poll.
The results were … impressive.
Here’s what you said:
Q: Do you think Dampier will be a star in 2025?
Q: What do you think his ceiling is?
There were a lot of replies in this section, so here are some of the best answers we received.
One fan said, “2K passing, 2K running … 25 touchdowns — 18 passing and seven running — and five interceptions.”
Another added, “I think a very good player! He’ll be a great catalyst for other players. Could possibly be great, time will tell!!!”
“No ceiling,” one person said.
Q: Will he finish as one of the best Utah QBs of all-time?
Fourth down: Recruiting wins
The Utes earned the commitment of twin wide receiver prospects Jaron and Kennan Pula last week.
Jaron, a four-star, and Kennan, a three-star recruit, hail from Lone Peak High School. The pair pledged to Utah over BYU, Alabama, UCLA, Auburn, and several other Power Four programs.
According to 247Sports Composite Rankings, Jaron ranks as the seventh-best player in the state and the 35th-ranked wide receiver in the country. Kennan is clocked as the ninth-best player in the state and 64th-best wide receiver in the nation
Their commitments follow four-star offensive tackle Kelvin Obot’s pledge. He is the highest-rated recruit in the Utes’ 2026 recruiting class.
With the Pulas’ commitments, Utah’s class currently ranks in the Top 50 of the 247Sports’ Overall Football Team Rankings, coming in at No. 47. The Utes are eighth in the Big 12 recruiting rankings behind BYU, Kansas, Arizona State, Texas Tech, TCU, Arizona and West Virginia.