Elite quarterback play, explosive offensive weapons, and creative play-calling will make the 2025–26 season must-watch football from start to finish.
One word can completely describe Big 12 football: exciting. That energy will certainly carry over into the 2025–26 season. With offensive superstars like Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson and Baylor’s Bryson Washington, offensive prowess is almost certain to lead the headlines this year.
Returning production is crucial for any successful team, but new talent should also excite fans. Kansas State’s incoming freshman Linkon Cure and Texas Tech’s transfer linebacker David Bailey are expected to make an immediate impact on their new squads. The perfect mix of experienced returners and dynamic newcomers is exactly what can push a program to the top of the Big 12.
All-Big 12 Preseason First Team
OFFENSE
QB: Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
RB: Bryson Washington, Baylor
RB: Dylan Edwards, Kansas State
WR: Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
WR: Jordan Dwyer, TCU
TE: Joe Royer, Cincinnati
OL: Spencer Fano, Utah
OL: Bryce Foster, Kansas
OL: Sam Hecht, Kansas State
OL: Ben Coleman, Arizona State
OL: Omar Aigbedion, Baylor
DEFENSE
DL: Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati
DL: C.J. Fite, Arizona State
DL: Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
DL: Dean Miller, Kansas
LB: Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
LB: Keaton Thomas, Baylor
LB: Keyshaun Elliott, Arizona State
DB: Xavion Alford, Arizona State
DB: Caden Jenkins, Baylor
DB: Jontez Williams, Iowa State
DB: Bud Clark, TCU
SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Will Ferrin, BYU
P: Palmer Williams, Baylor
R/S: Josh Cameron, Baylor
Selections by Team: Baylor, 6; Arizona State, 5; Cincinnati, Kansas, Kansas State, TCU, and Texas Tech, 2; BYU, Iowa State, and Utah, 1.
Arizona, Colorado, Houston, Oklahoma State, UCF, West Virginia, 0.
2025 QB Rankings
Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
Avery Johnson, Kansas State
Jalon Daniels, Kansas
Conner Weigman, Houston
Rocco Becht, Iowa State
Noah Fifita, Arizona
Kaidon Salter, Colorado
Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati
Josh Hoover, TCU
Devon Dampier, Utah
Behren Morton, Texas Tech
Jake Retzlaff, BYU
Jaylen Henderson, West Virginia
Hauss Hejny, Oklahoma State
Tayven Jackson, UCF
Projected Final Standings
Baylor (12–0)
Arizona State (11–1)
Texas Tech (10–2)
TCU (9–3)
Iowa State (8–4)
Kansas (8–4)
Kansas State (8–4)
Cincinnati (7–5)
BYU (7–5)
Utah (7–5)
Houston (5–7)
UCF (5–7)
Colorado (3–9)
West Virginia (3–9)
Arizona (3–9)
Oklahoma State (2–10)
Final Thoughts
This year’s Big 12 is a noticeable improvement over last year’s.
Baylor has assembled one of the most complete rosters in the conference. Quarterback Sawyer Robertson is the best Baylor has had since Bryce Petty, and he’s surrounded by elite talent. Bryson Washington and tight end Michael Trigg are NFL-caliber players, and the offensive line is one of the best in the Big 12. If the defense can step up, the Bears will be virtually unstoppable.
Arizona State returns one of the nation’s most talented quarterbacks in Sam Leavitt. After reaching the CFP last season, the Sun Devils are looking to return to the playoff stage.
Texas Tech reloaded through the transfer portal and now boasts what could be the best defense in the Big 12.
Big 12 Championship Prediction: Baylor 31, Arizona State 30
