Utah Utes' new junior quarterback Devon Dampier is on the radar for the Maxwell Award, joining the watchlist as a top contender for college football's player of the year, a recognition that's been on offer since 1937. Named after Robert "Tiny" Maxwell, a college football whiz and scribe, the accolade honors the game's most outstanding player, marking the start of what could be a buzzworthy inaugural season for Dampier at Utah.
Before becoming a Ute, Dampier proved his mettle at the University of New Mexico, and his stats speak for themselves, with him leading the pack in total offense in the Mountain West Conference during his last year and coming in hot with a whopping 3,934 yards under his belt. But it wasn't just through the air; the Phoenix native dazzled on the ground, too. He dashed for 1,166 yards, and not to mention, he sprinted past the 1,000-yard mark, a first for a UNM quarterback, according to At The U.
Given his enviable record, including 19 touchdowns and an average of 7.52 yards per carry, the best in the conference, it's no surprise he's snagged some preseason spotlight. Dampier's already scooped up accolades such as the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year on July 7, and this latest nod is just another feather in his cap.
The buzz is only bound to grow louder as the season progresses with semifinalists for the Maxwell Award being revealed come November 11, and the cream of the crop slated for a November 25 announcement, which, knowing how these things typically go, has fans and pundits alike keeping their eyes peeled; the winner will be revealed during the glitzy ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 11.
