Former Pinnacle QB Devon Dampier on transfer to Saguaro: ‘I feel like I belong here’
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (BVM) – Saguaro High School was on the mind of Devon Dampier before he ever chose Pinnacle High School and played two seasons with the Pioneers.
“Even before choosing to go to Pinnacle, before even going to high school, Saguaro was always a spot that I was thinking about going to,” Dampier said. “With me feeling comfortable coming here, I think it was the best decision for me and I’m truly enjoying it here.”
Dampier officially transferred to Saguaro earlier this month and brings another layer of competition to a loaded quarterback room.
The 6-foot, 188-pound quarterback started all seven games for Pinnacle during the 2020 season, throwing for 1,249 yards and 12 touchdowns to just two interceptions. The sophomore completed 90 of 170 passes and added an additional three scores on the ground.
After an impressive sophomore campaign, Dampier picked up his first Power 5 offer from Arizona in March and began to draw comparisons to another former Pinnacle standout and “great role model” of his, Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler.
Dampier will presumably compete for the position with incumbent starter and junior quarterback Ridge Docekal, who recently earned Under Armour All-American Camp QB MVP honors in the Valley.
The competition is welcomed, but Dampier is more concerned with supporting his new teammates and a team-first mindset.
“We have great quarterbacks here and at the end of the day, we’re here supporting each other and giving each other competition,” Dampier said. “We leave it to (Coach Jason) Mohns for who starts and who does this, but overall, we just try to compete and make each other better.”
Saguaro has built a tradition of winning which includes a run of six consecutive state titles from 2013-18, and Dampier only wants to help add to that.
“Honestly, being here I just want to make sure everyone else is getting better and I am as well,” Dampier said. “I don’t want to cause any problems or anything, I just want to be here for the team and do what I can to help.”
Chapter 3 starts now 📘🖊@CoachMohns @azc_obert @OTBElites 💛🐯🖤 pic.twitter.com/51DlvYjR5C
— Devon Dampier (@Devonddampier) April 12, 2021
Dampier won’t be the only new face at Saguaro as the Sabercats have become a top destination for elite transfers.
Former Chavez standout linebacker John Butler (offered by Arizona), Glendale Mountain Ridge wide receiver Deric English (Class of 2023’s No. 5-ranked player in Arizona) and Phoenix Mountain Pointe running back Robert Moore III have all transferred to Saguaro.
The former Pinnacle quarterback’s first interactions with his new team have all been positive.
“[I’ve been impressed by] definitely how fast they brought me in and how fast they just bonded and made a brotherhood with me,” Dampier said. “I feel like I belong here.”
Despite the excitement of a new season and environment, Dampier will have to wait a bit longer than anticipated to make his Sabercats debut. The sophomore must sit out the first five games of the 2021 season due to the transfer rule.
But the opportunity to soak up the game from the sidelines early on next season won’t go to waste.
“Learning off the field is definitely huge in the game and just building knowledge on the sideline,” Dampier said. “Being able to cheer my team on even though I’m not playing is my plan going into it.”
