UTAH UTES

Devon Dampier Provides Big Advantage For Jason Beck, Utah Football

Jan 14, 2025, 1:33 PM | Updated: Jan 15, 2025, 2:59 pm

SALT LAKE CITY—After hiring offensive coordinator Jason Beck, the focus swiftly turned to Utah’s quarterback situation. Given the connection, all eyes were on Devon Dampier.

It didn’t take long for Dampier to make the move, as he committed to Utah on December 11, just six days after Beck was officially hired.

However, his commitment was not guaranteed, but given his production and chemistry with Beck, the addition of Dampier is a significant one.

Recruiting Devon Dampier to Utah

Utah landing Dampier was a big win for the program and not something to be taken for granted. Dampier received interest from other Power Conference programs and they were genuine threats to landing him. The obvious connections benefitted the Utes but Whittingham, Beck, and his staff had to genuinely recruit Dampier to Utah.

“It was not guaranteed, I knew him and his family appreciated what we did and how we used him and that relationship, but in this world (transfer portal, NIL, etc), you never know,” Beck said of recruiting Dampier to Utah. “So it was obviously great that it worked out the way that it did, and we feel good about that.”

Devon Dampier provides a big advantage for Jason Beck

With Dampier following him to Utah, the quarterback will provide a valuable presence in the offseason’s installation of the new offense.

“It is very positive, just in terms of he knows the offense -we’ll tweak some things and adapt some things- but he’s already up and running in the offense,” Beck described. “He’s been in it for a year, and his example will help other guys; he’ll show what it’s supposed to look like at a high level for the other guys.”

Not only will Dampier provide a reliable presence in the installation process, but Beck is coming to Utah with a quarterback he knows quite well. That’s a significant advantage, given that Beck already knows his quarterback’s strengths and weaknesses.

“I’m going to really need to get to know the other quarterbacks and what their strengths are and how to help them,” Beck said. “With him (Dampier), I have that already, I know him at a really high level, so we’re already starting from that point. I’m starting from a year in with him, which is a huge advantage.”

What is Utah getting in Devon Dampier?

Dampier finished the 2024 campaign with 2,768 passing yards and 12 touchdowns to 12 interceptions and rushed for another 1,166 yards and 19 more touchdowns. He was easily one of the most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks of the season and one of the best in recent years.

As a passer, Dampier is a little rough around the edges, but the talent is there. His completion percentage is just 57.5%, so there is work to be done. However, there are good indicators of his potential. And coach Beck knows that Dampier has to improve.

“Yeah, definitely, those numbers need to improve, and with a young guy, they should, as he continues to grow and improve, they should improve,” he shared.

More importantly, Beck also knows where, specifically, he can improve moving into 2025.

“There are certain reads and throws that we’ll look to complete and do at a higher level,” Beck said. “That’s not just Devon, that’s every quarterback in the room, it’s my job to get improvement from every quarterback.”

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.

Take us with you, wherever you go.

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.

  • Utah Utes Scoreboard

  • Utah Utes Team Leaders

  • Utah Utes Standings

Utah Utes

Utah basketball's Keanu Dawes throws down dunk vs West Virginia...

Steve Bartle

Takeaways From Utah Basketball’s 72-61 Loss To West Virignia

Utah Basketball was on the road in Morgantown but fell 72-61 to the West Virginia Mountaineers, here are the takeaways from the game.

1 day ago

Utah basketball's Lawson Lovering dunk-attempt blocked by West Virginia...

Steve Bartle

Scoreless Final Minutes Doom Utah Basketball In 72-61 Loss To West Virginia

Unlike their previous game, Utah's final minutes were mostly scoreless as they watched West Virginia rebuilt a double-digit lead and win.

1 day ago

Utah's big men prepare for matchup against West Virginia...

Steve Bartle

How To Watch, Listen To Utah Basketball Vs. West Virginia

Utah basketball hits the road and will travel to Morgantown to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers in a Saturday tilt, here's how to watch or listen.

3 days ago

kyle kuzma...

Tanner Tripp

Former Ute Kyle Kuzma Has New Chance To Thrive In Milwaukee Alongside Lillard, Giannis

Mixed in with some of the blockbuster trades was a transaction has a player with local ties on the move as former Utah Ute Kyle Kuzma was traded from the Washington Wizards to the Milwaukee Bucks.

4 days ago

Utah's Gabe Madsen knocks down a buzzer-beating 3-pointer against Colorado....

Steve Bartle

Takeaways From Utah’s 72-59 Win Over Colorado

Utah Basketball was back at home against the Colorado Buffs in a must-win game. Here are the takeaways from tonight's action.

4 days ago

The Madsen twins, Gabe and Mason, vs Colorado...

Steve Bartle

Late Scoring Surge Leads To Utah Basketball’s 72-59 Win Over Colorado

Utah basketball secured a comfortable 72-59 win over Colorado thanks to a late 14-2 run in the final minutes to build a comfortable margin.

4 days ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Northern Utah High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 2

SALT LAKE CITY – The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Northern Utah. Presented by John Watson Chevrolet in Ogden, each week we honor athletes for their exceptional performance on the gridiron. Our winners for week two of the season were Jackson Maw from […]

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 2

SALT LAKE CITY – The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County. Presented by Hercules First Federal Credit Union, each week we honor athletes for their exceptional performance on the gridiron. Our winners for week two were Faythe Stauffer from Riverton High […]

...

Utah County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 2

SALT LAKE CITY – The Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week is awarded each week to the top prep boy’s and girl’s basketball players in Utah County. Sponsored by Mr. Mac, it honors athletes for their performances on the court and exceptional play. Our winners for week two were Easton Hawkins from Lehi […]

...

Northern Utah High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 1

SALT LAKE CITY – The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Northern Utah. Presented by John Watson Chevrolet in Ogden, each week we honor athletes for their exceptional performance on the gridiron. Our winners for week one of the season were Sam Romer from […]

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 1

SALT LAKE CITY – The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County. Presented by Hercules First Federal Credit Union, each week we honor athletes for their exceptional performance on the gridiron. Our winners for week one were Beckham Bayles from Cyprus High […]

...

Utah County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 1

SALT LAKE CITY – The Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week is awarded each week to the top prep boy’s and girl’s basketball players in Utah County. Sponsored by Mr. Mac, it honors athletes for their performances on the court and exceptional play. Our winners for week one were Jaxon McCuistion from Timpanogos […]

Devon Dampier Provides Big Advantage For Jason Beck, Utah Football