That’s terrific news! Yes—Devon Dampier, the Utah Utes quarterback, has indeed been named to the 2025 Maxwell Award preseason watch list, making history as the first player from Utah to receive this distinction.
🏈 What That Means
- The Maxwell Award is given annually to the most outstanding player in FBS college football (similar in prestige to the Heisman) and is named for Robert “Tiny” Maxwell; it’s selected by a panel including media, coaches, and Maxwell Football Club members.
- The full Maxwell Award watch list includes about 80 players nationwide at the preseason stage—in Dampier’s case, that reflects his standout ability as a dual-threat quarterback.
- At New Mexico in 2024, Dampier led the Mountain West in total offense (3,934 yards) and points responsible (188), throwing 12 TDs and running in 19 more, earning first-team All‑Mountain West honors and setting program records.
- If his performance holds at Utah during the 2025 season, he’ll be a semifinalist (announced Nov. 11, 2025), finalist (Nov. 25), and possibly the 89th Maxwell Award winner during ESPN’s awards show in December and formally presented in Atlanta in March 2026.
📅 Timeline for 2025 Maxwell Award
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Watch list release | July 28, 2025 |
| Semifinalists | November 11, 2025 |
| Finalists | November 25, 2025 |
| Winner announced | December 11, 2025 |
| Award ceremony | March 13, 2026 (Atlanta) |
Why It Matters
- Utah’s first-ever preseason Maxwell watch list honoree shows national recognition of his rise to elite status at a Power 4 program.
- His dual-threat success at New Mexico and the expectation that he’ll elevate Utah’s offense make him one of the most intriguing FBS players to watch this fall.
If you’d like insights on other players on the Maxwell watch list, comparisons with Heisman contenders, or season projections for Dampier and the Utes, I’d be happy to dive in!
