FRISCO, Texas – The Big 12 Conference chose to avoid doing a preseason football media poll because of the unpredictable nature of college football in the present day. Considering how last season ended, Utah football is probably pleased with that decision.
A year after being pegged as the conference’s top team heading into its first year in the league, the Utah Utes stumbled to a 5-7 finish, going 2-7 in league play. Another Cam Rising injury led to season-long QB turmoil and the first under-.500 finish for a Utah team since 2013.
While the Utes look to turn the page on the disappointing campaign, some national writers believe head coach Kyle Whittingham has the tools for Utah to rise again.
“People that don’t closely follow college football won’t know what they have at quarterback this year,” college football expert Ari Wasserman told U of U expert Steve Bartle at Big 12 Media Days. “Those that do, know that this is going to be an exciting team. It’s going to be appointment television for me.”
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“People that don’t closely follow college football won’t know what they have at quarterback this year… those that do, know that this is going to be an exciting team. It’s going to be appointment television for me.” – @AriWasserman on Utah quarterback @Devonddampier.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) July 9, 2025
Those tools begin with former New Mexico Lobo quarterback Devon Dampier. Dampier entered the transfer portal and settled on Salt Lake City and the University of Utah to continue his college career.
The dual-threat QB was a nightmare for opposing defenses in 2024. He rolled up 3,934 yards of offense and 31 touchdowns. Dampier threw for 2,768 yards and 12 scores against 12 interceptions, completing 57.9 percent of his passes.
He added 1,166 rushing yards and 19 TDs. Dampier averaged 97.2 yards per game on the ground.
He enters the season with high expectations after being named the Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year.
🕸️🕸️🕸️ @Big12Conference pic.twitter.com/Nq9s90uRUk
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) July 9, 2025
A stacked offensive line in front of Dampier is nothing new for a consistently strong-in-the-trenches Utah program—every starter from last season returns, a rarity in the college football world.
RELATED: Kyle Whittingham Says Last Year Was “Most Frustrating” In His Career
Preseason All-Big 12 selections and projected first-round draft pick Caleb Lomu and Spencer Fano man the tackle positions. Three redshirt seniors, Jaren Kump, Michael Mokofisi, and Tonoa Togiai, are slotted into the guards and center spots, giving the Utes one of the most experienced units in college football.
“With Spencer Fano, Utah is very strong on the offensive line, which historically has been a good position, and Coach Whittingham thinks it might be their best ever,” ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg told Bartle. “So, that’s a good situation to have when you’re bringing in a quarterback like Devon Dampier and a coordinator like Jason Beck.”
“With Spencer Fano, Utah is very strong on the offensive line, which historically has been a good position, and Coach Whittingham thinks it might be their best ever. So, that’s a good situation to have when you’re bringing in a quarterback like Devon Dampier and a coordinator…
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) July 9, 2025
It might be a lot to ask of an offensive coordinator to build an offense around a dynamic threat like Dampier, but Whittingham’s staff also has an advantage there.
Whittingham hired former New Mexico offensive coordinator Jason Beck for the same position at Utah. The move reunites Beck with his former QB, giving both a soft landing spot.
The Lobos led the Mountain West in offense and were fourth in the FBS with 484.3 yards per game.
“I’m always bullish on Utah, especially in a year when no one’s really thinking about them, and that seems like this year. I think that they’re going to be better at quarterback, they should be healthier, and they’re always great at the line of scrimmage,” @joelklatt on Utah.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) July 9, 2025
Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt echoes a familiar refrain.
“I’m always bullish on Utah, especially in a year when no one’s really thinking about them, and that seems like this year,” Klatt expressed to Bartle. “I think that they’re going to be better at quarterback, they should be healthier, and they’re always great at the line of scrimmage.”
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Steve Bartle is the Utah insider for KSL Sports. He hosts The Utah Blockcast (SUBSCRIBE) and appears on KSL Sports Zone to break down the Utes. You can follow him on X for the latest Utah updates and game analysis.
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Brian Preece is a KSLSports.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
