Utah’s offense has a simple priority heading into 2026: keep Devon Dampier clean.
That was the formula last fall, when the Big 12 newcomer of the year put together a highlight reel built on explosive runs and sharp throws. A huge reason those moments kept coming was the work of Utah’s offensive line.
Dampier had time to operate, and the run game stayed strong enough to keep defenses honest. But the entire starting five is gone now, which means the Utes have to rebuild fast in the trenches if they want to protect their most important player.
The biggest spot to fill is on the blind side. Caleb Lomu handled that job well a year ago, but he is now off to New England. The most likely answer there is Zereoue Williams.
Williams arrived in the class of 2021 as a three-star recruit from Phoenix, Arizona, and he was very much a long-term project when he got to Utah. He stood 6'8 and brought obvious athletic upside, but he came in with very little football experience.
His only year of high school football came as a senior. Before that, he made his name on the basketball court, where he earned second-team all-state honors as a senior.
Jim Harding still saw enough in the size and movement skills to take a shot on him.
His path since then has been gradual. As a freshman, Williams appeared in just two games.
The next season he got into all 14, though most of that work came on special teams. He didn’t play in his third year with the program, then returned to action in eight games the following season before that year ended with a season-ending injury.
Last year, he was back in all 13 games, again mostly as Lomu’s backup and a steady presence on special teams.
Then came the moment that changed the conversation. With Lomu opting out in the Las Vegas Bowl after securing his draft stock, Williams got the start at left tackle.
He looked the part immediately. Utah’s line held firm, and Williams delivered a strong performance against Nebraska.
He opened lanes in the run game and gave Dampier time in pass protection, helping the Utes move the ball without missing a beat.
That showing didn’t look like a fluke. It looked like Utah had found its next left tackle.
There were still questions about whether Williams would be eligible for a sixth year, but the Spring roster settled that. Now he’s set to take over the job for real, starting with a home opener against Idaho. Week two brings a tougher test with Arkansas coming to town, but Williams will have a chance to settle in before that challenge arrives.
He doesn’t need to be Lomu. He just needs to be good enough to keep Dampier upright. And if that Bowl performance was any indication, Utah may already have its answer on the blind side.
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