Inside the Unbreakable Bond Between Byrd Ficklin and Devon Dampier That’s Transforming Utah’s QB Future

What a night in Waco for Utah’s Byrd Ficklin — the freshman lit up the scoreboard in a way that made everyone take notice. With electrifying runs of 67 and 74 yards, including a jaw-dropping stiff-arm that floored his final defender, Ficklin didn’t just contribute; he carried the momentum for the Utes as they dismantled Baylor 55-28. This game wasn’t just another win; it was a statement, with Ficklin stepping up big while starter Devon Dampier battled through an injury that clearly limited his usual impact. Watching these two quarterbacks, bonded not just by team spirit but by genuine friendship, share the field and feed off each other’s energy offers a glimpse into a rare kind of team chemistry — a luxury that’s become invaluable in today’s high-stakes college football landscape. It’s clear Utah’s future is bright, and Ficklin might just be the spark that continues to ignite it. LEARN MORE

WACO, Texas — Byrd Ficklin stole the show in Utah’s 55-28 win at Baylor.

In a freshman season full of memorable moments, Ficklin delivered a few more on Saturday.

He had touchdown runs of 67 and 74 yards, the latter of which featured a stiff arm that moved the last man Ficklin had to beat out of the way.

The 74-yard touchdown run, which came with Utah up just eight points early in the third quarter, broke the game open. It was the start of a 21-0 Utah scoring run as the Utes blew out Baylor 55-28 to improve to 8-2 on the year.

“It was just more of, take care of the ball, don’t give them more momentum,” Ficklin said of his mindset on the touchdown drive. “Come out here and be a vibe killer and when we broke that long run, that’s pretty much what it did. It killed their whole entire vibe for the rest of the game.”

Prior to that key touchdown in the third quarter, Ficklin had already been in the end zone. Starting quarterback Devon Dampier went to the locker room ahead of Utah’s fourth drive of the game, with Wayshawn Parker taking the wildcat snap of the first play of the series.

Dampier was back in to hand the ball off to Parker on the next play, then lined up wide on the third play of the drive as Ficklin took the snap, faked the handoff and then took off down the sideline for a 67-yard touchdown run to put Utah up 21-7.

“It can be nothing but fun … We talk about this especially all the time in our hotel room. What are we going to do whenever we’re both in and we score? It is just something that we both love, we both have fun with and it’s a really loving relationship between me and my best friend,” Ficklin said.

Dampier was one of the first players down to the end zone to celebrate with Ficklin.

Utah’s usual starting quarterback was playing through injury and was not at 100%. Ute coach Kyle Whittingham said if the game was last week, that Dampier wouldn’t have been able to play.

Without Dampier’s usual dynamic play — he finished with 80 yards and two touchdowns on 46% completion and just 23 yards rushing — Whittingham and the Utes turned to Ficklin to provide their offense a spark.

The freshman quarterback finished the game with 166 rushing yards and two scores and even completed two of three passes for 23 yards.

“A lot of confidence during practice (and) again, he’s gone in there and he’s been perfect when he goes in. So not a far drop off at all. It’s pretty similar,” Dampier said.

It was telling of Dampier’s leadership that while he was no doubt frustrated that he could not play at his full potential in the win in Waco, he was genuinely happy and supportive of Ficklin.

“Dev has been the most help out of anybody that’s been here,” Ficklin said on an ESPN 700 coaches’ show. “… He’s been really pushing me on and off the field to not just be a better player, but also be a better person. And that’s what I mainly love about Dev.”

Throughout spring and fall camp, Dampier took Ficklin under his wing, helping show the freshman the ropes as he went from starring at Muskogee High to becoming the backup quarterback at Utah. That wasn’t something Dampier had to do, and it speaks to his willingness to lead.

“Yeah, well that’s who he is. He’s an absolute team guy as well. We got a bunch of guys that are just, I can’t pick out a selfish player in this football team and say this guy needs to come to the party a little bit as far as being a team guy,” Whittingham said. “It’s a bunch of guys all pulling in the same direction, caring more about the team than they do about themselves.”

After the win, Dampier spoke glowingly about Ficklin and seemed genuinely happy for his success.

“We got a very loving relationship. There’s no hate involved in anything, so anytime we get to see each other shine, we’re all for it. So Byrd stepped up as a freshman, he’s earned those rights today to get in the game. I mean he proved it tonight why he’s in,” Dampier said.

After the blowout win where each contributed a pair of touchdowns, the two teammates walked off the field and into the locker room side by side. That’s a common sight around Utah’s football facility, in the locker room, and in the pair’s day to day life.

When they’re not together in person, they’re FaceTiming each other — Dampier says they talk probably five times a day on the phone.

“It is literally almost like if Dev’s going to be there, Byrd’s going to be there. It’s almost literally like that,” Ficklin said. “… We just happen to hang out together almost all the time, almost every day.”

Utah has one of the better quarterback situations in the Big 12 Conference due to having complete confidence in its backup quarterback. The previous two seasons showed the Utes just how vital having a good backup is. In the transfer portal era, it’s become a luxury to have two good quarterbacks on their roster, and having Ficklin waiting in the wings has already been key in at least two Utah wins.

While Dampier should continue to be the starter as long as he can play on Saturday — Whittingham seemed sure of that during the postgame press conference — the Utes may need to call on Ficklin again at some point in the next two games, starting with Saturday afternoon’s game vs. Kansas State (2 p.m. MST, ESPN2).

He’ll be ready.

“Byrd Ficklin was probably the biggest catalyst for us when we needed it. He provided two huge runs for us and the guy’s just a really good football player,” Whittingham said “… He’s got a bright future as I’ve said several times before he’s just really provides a spark for us.”