After Struggles in 2024, Utah Offense Reloads for Big 12 Year Two

The Utah Utes offense was one of the worst in the Big 12 Conference during its debut season in the league in 2024.

Here was how the Utah offense ranked last season in FBS:

Points per game: 23.6 (No. 102)

Rushing yards per game: 130.4 (No. 98)

Passing yards per game: 199.4 (No. 98)

Total yards per game: 329.8 (No. 115).

With the skill positions largely turned over but the offensive line intact, the Utes hope to have a much better season in 2025.

Here are three offensive players to keep an eye on for the Utah Utes.

QB Devon Dampier

The former New Mexico star followed his offensive coordinator, Jason Beck, to Salt Lake City. That could benefit everyone involved.

He played two seasons with the Lobos and became the first UNM quarterback to be named All-Mountain West First Team, which he claimed last year. He did so after racking up 3,934 total yards (2,768 passing and 1,166 rushing).

In fact, as a runner, he ranked second in the MWC with 7.52 yards per carry and scored 19 touchdowns.

It would be trite to say he’ll add a new dimension to Utah’s offense. This is Beck’s offensive scheme. Head coach Kyle Whittingham made it clear that Beck will call the shots. He just hopes what Lobos fans saw last year is what Utes fans see this year.

RT Spencer Fano

Few offensive linemen are getting the kind of love that Fano is getting in the ramp-up to the regular season. It’s for good reason.

Even though the Utah offense was a mess last year, Fano was not. As the Utes’ right tackle, he started all 12 games and was named an all-American by PFF (first team), the Associated Press (second team), and Walter Camp (second team). The Big 12 coaches named him to the conference’s first team.

He’s a two-year starter who now has as much experience at left tackle as he does at right tackle. He’s a draft-eligible junior, so another great year might set him up to leave early.

Utah is set to return all five of its starters from a season ago. That’s a luxury that few teams in the Big 12 can claim, and a reason why Utah could be a stealthy team to watch this fall.

RB Wayshawn Parker

Utah struggled everywhere offensively last year. But one way to ensure that doesn’t happen again is to have a quality running game, and Parker gives the Utes a chance to have that in 2025.

The Utes imported him from Washington State, where he was named the league’s top performing freshman (remember — there were just two teams in the Pac-12 last year). But he rushed 137 times for 735 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged 5.4 yards per carry. Wazzu didn’t use him much as a pass-catcher, as he only roped in 11 passes.

That part of his game could improve in Beck’s system. But, with the amount they’ll want to run the ball, the Utes should be able to give Parker plenty of work.