Utah’s quarterback room is getting national attention, and for good reason. With Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin both back, the Utes have a setup that gives them production now and upside later - a combination that landed them at No. 3 in CBS Sports analyst Blake Brockermeyer’s ranking of the top 10 quarterback rooms in the country.
Brockermeyer slotted Utah behind only Oregon and Texas, two programs with Heisman favorites in Dante Moore and Arch Manning. Utah’s case is built on more than just name value. Dampier and Ficklin are both dual threats, and that was a major part of the appeal.
“ Utah has one of the more intriguing quarterback rooms in the country because both of its top options have experience, and both can beat defenses with their legs,” Brockermeyer wrote.
That dual-threat punch showed up all season. Dampier finished second on the team with 835 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, while Ficklin added 513 rushing yards and 10 scores of his own. Together, the pair accounted for 47 touchdowns in Utah’s 11-2 season, one that ended with the Utes ranked among the top 15 programs.
Dampier is the headliner. The New Mexico transfer arrives as a fourth-year senior and will be working with a new offensive coordinator in Kevin McGiven after Jason Beck, the OC he followed to Salt Lake City last year, left to join former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham at Michigan this offseason.
Dampier already has hardware to his name, earning Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year honors last season, and he remains one of the conference’s top returning quarterbacks. Earlier this offseason, this reporter ranked him the No. 1 quarterback in the league entering 2026.
“ Devon Dampier is an exciting dual-threat quarterback with proven production as both a passer and runner. He has accounted for more than 7,250 total yards and 65 touchdowns over the last two seasons, and he made clear improvement as a passer last year. If that growth continues, the ceiling is extremely high,” Brockermeyer wrote.
Ficklin gave Utah a different kind of spark. The sophomore quickly carved out the backup job as a freshman, then turned his speed, elusiveness and arm strength into real production. He didn’t just spell Dampier - he made defenses pay.
“ Byrd Ficklin also raised eyebrows as a change-up option last season, accounting for 13 touchdowns while averaging an explosive 8.4 yards per carry. The southpaw looked comfortable throwing the football, too, and he will be a name to watch in 2027 - if not sooner - as a potential future star,” Brockermeyer wrote.
Utah wasn’t the only Big 12 team to make the cut. Houston checked in at No. 9, with senior Conner Weigman joined by five-star freshman Keisean Henderson.
“There is no doubt Henderson will get some playing time this year, and the Cougars are positioned well to be a factor in the Big 12 for the next few seasons,” Brockermeyer wrote.