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The University of Utah Athletics
Dampier, Parker Named to Maxwell Award Watchlist
8/3/2026 9:58 AM | Football
Maxwell Award given annually to the outstanding player in college football
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah senior quarterback Devon Dampier and junior running back Wayshawn Parker have been named to the Maxwell Award watch list, the Maxwell Football Club announced on Monday.
Utah is one of just 16 schools in the country to have multiple players represented and the duo are part of 81 total players on the watch list. It's the second straight season Dampier has been on the preseason watch list.
The Maxwell Award has been presented to the College Player of the Year since 1937 and is named in honor of Robert "Tiny" Maxwell who was a former standout at Swarthmore College and a renowned sportswriter and football official.
Dampier earned Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year honors, Third Team All-Conference recognition and was a Manning Award Finalist in 2025 after throwing for 2,180 yards and 22 touchdowns, while rushing for 687 yards and seven scores during the regular season.
The Phoenix, Ariz., native earned Las Vegas Bowl MVP honors, rushing for 148 yards and three touchdowns along with completing 19-of-31 passes for 310 yards and two more scores as No. 15 Utah defeated Nebraska, 44-22. It marked Dampier's second game of the season with five total touchdowns as well as his second game with 200-plus passing yards and 100-plus rushing yards.
Parker also earned Third Team All-Conference for the Utes in 2025, playing in all 13 games on the way to rushing for 981 yards and six touchdowns on 149 carries. He led Utah with 88.6 all-purpose yards per game and his 7.0 yards per carry ranked 20th nationally and fourth in the Big 12.
A native of Richmond, Calif., Parker was sixth in the conference at 75.5 rushing yards per game, including an average of 103.8 yards per game over the last six contests. He ran for 100+ yards in four straight outings during the second half of the slate.
Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced on Nov. 10, while the three finalists will be unveiled on Nov. 24. The winner of the 90th Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 10.
FOLLOW THE UTES
Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here.
Utah is one of just 16 schools in the country to have multiple players represented and the duo are part of 81 total players on the watch list. It's the second straight season Dampier has been on the preseason watch list.
The Maxwell Award has been presented to the College Player of the Year since 1937 and is named in honor of Robert "Tiny" Maxwell who was a former standout at Swarthmore College and a renowned sportswriter and football official.
Dampier earned Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year honors, Third Team All-Conference recognition and was a Manning Award Finalist in 2025 after throwing for 2,180 yards and 22 touchdowns, while rushing for 687 yards and seven scores during the regular season.
The Phoenix, Ariz., native earned Las Vegas Bowl MVP honors, rushing for 148 yards and three touchdowns along with completing 19-of-31 passes for 310 yards and two more scores as No. 15 Utah defeated Nebraska, 44-22. It marked Dampier's second game of the season with five total touchdowns as well as his second game with 200-plus passing yards and 100-plus rushing yards.
Parker also earned Third Team All-Conference for the Utes in 2025, playing in all 13 games on the way to rushing for 981 yards and six touchdowns on 149 carries. He led Utah with 88.6 all-purpose yards per game and his 7.0 yards per carry ranked 20th nationally and fourth in the Big 12.
A native of Richmond, Calif., Parker was sixth in the conference at 75.5 rushing yards per game, including an average of 103.8 yards per game over the last six contests. He ran for 100+ yards in four straight outings during the second half of the slate.
Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced on Nov. 10, while the three finalists will be unveiled on Nov. 24. The winner of the 90th Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 10.
FOLLOW THE UTES
Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here.
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