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Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
During their first season as teammates a year ago, Utah quarterbacks Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin accounted for more than 4,000 yards of total offense combined.
The Utes found ways to not only get their starting quarterback, Dampier, opportunities to make impactful plays, but they also dialed up plenty of chances for the backup Ficklin as well.
With Dampier a fourth-year senior and Ficklin headed into his second college season, Utah in a favorable position at quarterback both for the present and for the future.
The nation is taking notice.
Earlier this week, CBS Sports’ Blake Brockermeyer released his list of the top 10 quarterback rooms in the country — one of those traditional mid-summer college football reads meant to placate fans as they count down the days until the next season arrives.
Utah was ranked high on his list, coming in at No. 3 behind only Oregon and Texas, which both have Heisman favorites at quarterback in Dante Moore and Arch Manning, respectively.
The Utes benefit from a pair of quarterbacks who are both dual threats — Dampier was second on the team last season with 835 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, while Ficklin was third at 513 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns of his own.
The duo’s dual-threat abilities factored into Brockermeyer’s decision to rate Utah’s QB room so highly.
“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.
In all, Dampier and Ficklin combined to account for 47 touchdowns in the 2025 campaign as Utah went 11-2 and finished as a top 15 program.
It all starts with Dampier, the New Mexico transfer who will have a new offensive coordinator in Kevin McGiven after Jason Beck, Dampier’s OC at New Mexico who he followed to Salt Lake City last year, joined former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham at Michigan this offseason.
Dampier earned Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year honors last season and is among the top returning talents at the position in the conference — earlier this offseason, he was rated the No. 1 quarterback in the league going into 2026 by this reporter.
“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, meanwhile, quickly made a name for himself as a freshman a year ago and earned the backup QB job. His speed and shiftiness, along with a strong arm, afforded him playing time, and he cashed in.
“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 isn’t the only Big 12 team on Brockermeyer’s list. Houston comes in at No. 9, with senior Conner Weigman pairing with five-star incoming 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.
These quarterback duos will have the chance to face each other on Oct. 24, when Houston travels to Salt Lake City to face the Utes.
