Honors keep coming in for Utah quarterback Devon Dampier
Nov 10, 2026, 11:01 AM | Updated: 11:41 am
SALT LAKE CITY — Devon Dampier’s role in Utah’s unbeaten season continues to earn national recognition.
The senior quarterback was named the Paul Hornung Award National Player of the Week. The award recognizes the most versatile player in major college football.
He was also named one of 18 semifinalists for the Maxwell Award on Tuesday, keeping him in contention for the honor presented annually to college football’s player of the year.
The announcement follows another accolade Monday, when Dampier shared Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors with Texas Tech quarterback Thomas Castellanos after accounting for all four Utah touchdowns in a 28-20 victory over BYU.
Versatility earns Devon Dampier another national honor
Dampier also was named the Paul Hornung Award National Player of the Week on Tuesday following his performance against BYU. The award recognizes versatility in major college football, making his contributions as a passer, runner and receiver a fitting showcase.
Beyond accounting for all four Utah touchdowns, Dampier caught a 29-yard pass from Creed Whittemore on fourth-and-1. According to Utah, he became just the second FBS player in the past 30 seasons to record multiple passing touchdowns, multiple rushing touchdowns and at least 25 receiving yards in the same game.
The recognition adds a national weekly honor to his Maxwell semifinalist selection and Big 12 co-Offensive Player of the Week award.
A rivalry performance worthy of Maxwell Award recognition
Dampier gave Utah several ways to move the football against the Cougars.
He completed 14 of 26 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, adding 87 rushing yards and two scores, according to Utah’s official release. He also caught a 29-yard pass from receiver Creed Whittemore on a fourth-down conversion.
The performance helped Utah improve to 9-0 and provided another example of how much the offense can ask of its quarterback. Dampier supplied production through the air, on designed runs and, when Utah reached into its bag of tricks, as a receiver.
His versatility has been a consistent part of the Utes’ success. Through nine games, Dampier has completed 172 of 253 passes for 2,053 yards and 20 touchdowns, while rushing for 482 yards and seven scores. He has accounted for at least two passing or rushing touchdowns in every game this season.
Three finalists will be announced Nov. 24, with the winner revealed Dec. 11 during the College Football Awards Show.
𝗠𝗮𝘅𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝑺𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕 🙌
@Devonddampier 🤝 @MaxwellFootball
#GoUtes | #RSNB https://t.co/YHXrl96Qtm
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 10, 2026
Related Utah football content
- Utah gains recruiting ground after the rivalry win over BYU
- Morgan Scalley is building belief in what Utah football can become KSL Sports
- Five Takeaways: Morgan Scalley’s culture delivers as Utah beats BYU, reaches 9-0 KSL Sports
- Social media reacts to Utah football’s rivalry win over BYU KSL Sports
- Five takeaways from Morgan Scalley’s Holy War week press conference KSL Sports
- Before Holy War week begins, appreciate what Morgan Scalley is building at Utah KSL Sports
Golden Arm recognition adds to the résumé
Tuesday’s Maxwell announcement also comes on the heels of Dampier advancing to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award’s Top 10 on Friday, Nov. 6.
That award recognizes quarterbacks for excellence on and off the field. The remaining candidates will be narrowed to five finalists before the winner is honored Dec. 9 in Baltimore.
Dampier’s next opponent features another quarterback receiving national attention. Arizona’s Noah Fifita joins him among both the Maxwell semifinalists and Golden Arm Top 10, adding another storyline to Saturday’s matchup in Tucson.
For Dampier, the recognition reflects a season in which his passing and running have helped keep Utah unbeaten. The next opportunity to strengthen that case comes against Arizona, with kickoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Mountain on FOX.
