Utah QB Devon Dampier named to Davey O' Brien Award watch list

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Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier has been selected to the Davey O'Brien Award watch list, per an announcement last week.

The Davey O'Brien Award is presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious for passers in the nation. Dampier is one of 30 quarterbacks to make the preseason list for the award.

The Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year is looking to make an impact for the Utes this season. Dampier wasn't fully healthy in 2025 and dealt with a sports hernia and an ankle injury. Two of the worst injuries for a dual-threat quarterback to deal with. But Dampier played through the pain, getting to the point of everything being manageable.

He earned Third Team All-Conference recognition and was a Manning Award Finalist in 2025 after throwing for 2,180 yards and 22 touchdowns, while rushing for 687 yards and seven scores during the regular season.

Dampier led the Utes to an 11-2 record, capped off by earning Las Vegas Bowl MVP honors after 458 total yards and five total touchdowns over Nebraska. Morgan Scalley's first game as head coach was a preview of what Dampier is ready to show NFL scouts he can do. His second game of the season with at least five scores.

What comes next in the process? The official Davey O'Brien mid-season watch list will be released on Tuesday, Nov. 3 and will contain active starting quarterbacks from the Preseason Watch List, players honored as weekly Great 8 recipients through the season's first eight weeks, and any additional quarterbacks approved by the selection subcommittee.

The Davey O'Brien QB Class of 2026 will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 10. For the sixth straight year, fan voting on social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) will earn players bonus selection committee votes during the semifinalist, finalist and winner voting rounds. First-round fan voting will begin Nov. 10 following the QB Class announcement. Semifinalists selected from the QB Class will be named on Tuesday, Nov. 17.

Dampier would be the first Utah player to win the award. Alex Smith was a finalist in 2004, but came in third to Oklahoma's Jason White and USC's Matt Leinart.

The Foundation will announce the three finalists one week later (Tuesday, Nov. 24). The 2026 Davey O'Brien Award winner will be unveiled live on ESPN on Friday, Dec. 11, during The Home Depot College Football Awards.

No. 21 Utah opens the season on Thursday, Sept. 3 against Idaho.