Hereโs the latest on Devon Dampier and whether he can translate his success to Utah and the Power Four (Big 12) level:
๐ Background & Early Impressions
- Dampier transferred from New Mexico to Utah in December 2024, following offensive coordinator Jasonย Beck with whom he’d previously built strong chemistry .
- At New Mexico in 2024, he produced an elite dual-threat season: 2,768 passing yards (12 TD, 12 INT) and 1,166 rushing yards with 19 rushing touchdowns.
Billboards vs. Power-Four Competition
KSLโs June 10, 2025 profile examined his performances against Power Four teams:
- vs. Arizona, at Auburn, vs. Washington State, Dampier totaled 725 passing yards (5 TD, 4 INT) and 354 rushing yards (5 TD).
- His adjusted completion rates ranged from ~65% down to ~50% based on drops and pressure, but he rushed explosively (up to 193 yards and 3 TD), with zero sacks in those games and only two turnover-worthy plays total.
- Pro Football Focus rated his offensive grade at 89.9, placing him among the best returning QBs in the Big 12 behind Sam Leavitt of Arizona State.
๐ฌ Leadership & Team Trust
- In Utahโs spring camp (Marchโฏ2025), Dampier quickly earned teammatesโ trust, made the Leadership Council in just 2โ3 weeks, and was praised by OL Spencer Fano as โspecialโ and โa dogโ on the field.
- He actively built chemistry off-fieldโbrunch meetups, gaming nights, and team bondingโearning respect as both a leader and teammate.
๐ฎ Can He Win Games at PowerโFour Level?
Optimistic case:
- His rushing explosiveness, ability to avoid pressure/sacks, and low turnover profile give him a strong foundation against stronger competition.
- Utah returns top-tier coaching continuity in Beck and has bolstered its offensive line with NFL-caliber talent and experienced running backs.
Challenges ahead:
- His passing accuracy (~58%) and touchdown-to-interception ratio (1:1) must improve to avoid liabilities against higher-level defenses.
- Transitioning to Bigโฏ12 play means more complex defenses, faster pressure, and fewer mistakes tolerated.
โ Final Take
Yes, Devon Dampier can win games at the Power-Four (Big 12) levelโbut his success hinges on improvement in his passing game, adaptation to increased defensive speed, and maintaining his elite rushing and leadership strengths.
Key factors working in his favor:
- Continuity with OC Jason Beck and pre-installed system familiarity.
- Elite offensive line support with projected NFL talent.
- Strong locker-room leadership and teammate trust from day one.
Key risks:
- Passing inconsistency and interceptions.
- Balancing rushing usage without committing turnovers.
- Stepping up in high-pressure games early in the schedule (starting with August 30, 2025 at UCLA.
In short: the tools are there. If Dampier sharpens his decisionโmaking and passing mechanics, he has a strong shot to be a gameโwinning QB in the Bigโฏ12. Are there specific matchups or games youโd like breakdowns for?
