ASU’s Dillingham Reflects on Missed Chance with Utah’s Dampier

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Ahead of the pivotal showdown Saturday against Utah, Arizona State football coach Kenny Dillingham reflected on his missed opportunity to recruit standout quarterback Devon Dampier. “I definitely should’ve recruited him harder, to be honest,” Dillingham said during a press conference this week. “He’s definitely proved me wrong.”

Dampier, who plays for Utah, was a highly regarded prospect out of Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Arizona, but ultimately committed to New Mexico. Dillingham acknowledged that he always thought Dampier was a good player, but he is now impressed by his productivity in college football. This season, Dampier boasts a remarkable 72.5% completion rate, having thrown for 1,027 yards and 11 touchdowns with just three interceptions in five games.

“Kudos to Utah for having him on their team,” Dillingham added. Dampier’s dual-threat capabilities have made him a significant player in the Big 12, contributing an additional 258 rushing yards.

Before transferring to Utah, Dampier spent two years at New Mexico where he achieved All-Mountain West First Team honors in 2024, recording 3,934 scrimmage yards. He led Saguaro to a state championship in 2021, showcasing his talent early on.

“He’s a tough guy to tackle, gets the ball out fast,” Dillingham said, emphasizing Dampier’s effectiveness and competitiveness. Meanwhile, ASU defensive coordinator Brian Ward highlighted how the entire Utah offense is tailored around Dampier’s skill set, noting that the Utes are difficult to defend due to their unique offensive schemes.

Dampier responded to Dillingham’s remarks, acknowledging the respect between them. “I’m happy to be at Utah. Everything happens for a reason,” he said. He emphasized the importance of the upcoming game, describing it as a chance to prove themselves against a strong ASU team.

“They’re a good team, obviously, and it’s a huge game for us to prove ourselves,” Dampier said. As the Utes prepare for their matchup against the Sun Devils, they aim to solidify their position in the conference standings.

Kickoff for the ASU-Utah game is set for Saturday at 7:15 p.m. MST, and it will be broadcast live on ESPN.