SALT LAKE CITY – The 2025 season is fast approaching, and next week is a significant checkpoint for the Big 12 Conference as member programs will converge on Dallas, TX, for media days. Utah football just announced which players will represent the program.
Quarterback Devon Dampier, offensive tackle Spencer Fano, linebacker Lander Barton, and cornerback Smith Snowden will join head coach Kyle Whittingham at the two-day media event held at Ford Center at The Star, otherwise known as the Dallas Cowboys headquarters.
These #UBOYZ are headed to The Star on July 9 for @Big12Conference Media Days‼️ Catch y’all in Frisco, TX🤠#GoUtes | @Good2GoBar pic.twitter.com/rCZ10qCEFW
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) June 30, 2025
Utah football’s Dampier, Fano, Snowden, Barton to represent at Big 12 Media Days
Those four players will represent the Utes next week. These four represent a significant moment for the program, as they usher in the next chapter of Utah football.
For the last four years, Utah has had familiar faces in place with guys like Cameron Rising, Brant Kuithe, Junior Tafuna, and Karene Reid. All four have moved on from the program, and Utah has pivoted to new leadership to lead them into the 2025 season.
This has provided an opportunity for others to step up and provide the leadership the program needed. Fano, Barton, and Snowden have been with the program for a few years now and have played key roles in its success. Meanwhile, Dampier has taken control of the offense and shown the qualities needed to lead that side of the ball.
Change can be challenging, but it can also be exciting and provide significant benefits, and will ultimately be a key factor for an improved Utah in 2025.
Big 12 Football Media Days will be held at The Star in 2025
The Star is the 91-acre headquarters of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.
Last year, the Big 12 had its two-day Media Days in Las Vegas, Nevada, at Allegiant Stadium. The move to have the event in Las Vegas was to help the “Four Corner” schools (Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah) transition from the Pac-12 to Big 12.
“Texas is the backyard of the Big 12 Conference, and we are looking forward to having our Football Media Days here again,” said Big 12 Chief Football & Competition Officer Scott Draper. “We are grateful for the partnership and continued support from the Dallas Cowboys, and we’re thrilled to host our Media Days at a world-class facility like The Star.”
The Big 12 last held football media days at The Star in 2018. From 2019 to 2023, the event occurred at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Big 12 Scraps Preseason Media Poll
Big 12 athletic directors and head coaches have quietly axed the conference’s preseason media poll, Action Network’s Brett McMurphy reports. This abrupt move comes on the heels of a wildly unpredictable 2024 campaign.
Preseason all-conference teams will still be issued, but the familiar poll—once unveiled at Big 12 Media Days—has been scrapped. It’s hard to forget how Arizona State, pegged to finish 16th in last year’s media rankings, stormed to a Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff spot.
Although the poll is no longer available, preseason all-conference teams will still be announced, keeping the spotlight on individual talent.
Steve Bartle is the Utah insider for KSL Sports. He hosts The Utah Blockcast (SUBSCRIBE) and appears on KSL Sports Zone to break down the Utes. You can follow him on X for the latest Utah updates and game analysis.
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