Utah football position preview: Quarterbacks and running backs entering 2026 fall camp
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The Utah Utes enter fall camp with plenty of reasons to believe they can make a run at the Big 12 championship.
The Utes are coming off an 11-win season in which the offense averaged 41.2 points and 482.9 yards per game. They return their starting quarterback, their leading rusher and several important defensive pieces.
But this is not the same team.
Morgan Scalley is entering his first full season as Utah’s head coach. Kevin McGiven has taken over the offense. Utah officially lists more than 100 players on its 2026 roster, but plenty of roles will still be decided over the next month.
There is talent all over the roster.
There is also a lot that still has to come together.
Here's the first of a six-part look at every position group heading into fall camp.
Quarterback: A+
Utah knows exactly who its quarterback is.
Devon Dampier returns after throwing for 2,490 yards, 24 touchdowns and five interceptions last season. He also rushed for 835 yards and 10 touchdowns, giving Utah one of the most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in the country.
Dampier proved last season that Utah can win with him.
He still has room to improve as a deep-ball passer and when working through full-field progressions, but the overall package is already there. He is experienced, tough, and explosive, with complete control of the offense.
There should also be more opportunities for Utah to throw this year.
McGiven is expected to keep many of the quarterback-run and RPO concepts that made Utah successful last season. Still, the Utes added enough talent at receiver to become more balanced.
Byrd Ficklin gives Utah something that has not always been available behind its starter: a backup who has already shown he can win games.
Ficklin threw for 301 yards and three touchdowns last season. In his first career start against Colorado, he threw for 140 yards and two touchdowns while adding 151 rushing yards and another score.
Utah can also use Ficklin without taking Dampier off the field for long stretches. His speed and athleticism give McGiven options with packages, formations and designed touches.
Behind those two are veteran Brandon Rose and freshmen Kane Archer and Michael Johnson.
The season still runs through Dampier, but Utah should feel better about its quarterback room than nearly anyone else in the conference.
Running back: B+
Wayshawn Parker enters fall camp as the clear starter.
Parker rushed for 981 yards and six touchdowns on only 149 carries last season. His seven yards per carry ranked fourth in the Big 12, and he also caught 13 passes for 185 yards and three touchdowns.
He became Utah’s featured back during the second half of the season and finished with four 100-yard rushing performances.
Parker has the speed to create explosive plays, but he has also shown he can handle a heavier workload. With an entirely new offensive line, having an experienced back who can create yards is huge.
The more interesting competition is behind him.
Daniel Bray brings a completely different type of speed to the room. He rushed for 272 yards while averaging 6.8 yards per carry as a freshman, including a 121-yard performance against BYU. He has added weight since last season but should still be one of the fastest players on the offense.
San Jose State transfer Steve Chavez-Soto gives Utah a bigger option. He rushed for 448 yards and seven touchdowns last season and could handle some of the short-yardage work that previously went to NaQuari Rogers.
Freshman LaMarcus Bell gives the room additional depth.
Parker will receive most of the carries, but Bray and Chavez-Soto should both have roles. Utah does not necessarily need to identify one true No. 2 if their skill sets complement each other.
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