Jul 8, 2026, 2:01 PM ET

Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson is entering his third full season as the program's starter in 2026, and the addition of former Texas A&M offensive coordinator and Kansas State star QB Collin Klein could help him take his game to the next level. Speaking at Big 12 Media Days, Klein spoke highly of the veteran dual-threat signal-caller. "I would argue some of his best attributes are not physical," Klein said. "I know everyone sees how fast he is, everybody sees the arm talent. He's one of the best competitors I've been around." Needless to say, that's high praise, and K-State could exceed expectations if Johnson reaches his ceiling in Klein's offense. Overall, Johnson has played in 33 career games and has totaled 5,576 passing yards, 48 passing touchdowns, 1,378 rushing yards, 22 rushing touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. He led the Wildcats to a 9-4 record in 2024 before a 6-6 season last year.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: Brett McMurphy - On3

Jul 8, 2026, 1:45 PM ET

The 2025 Oklahoma Sooners posted a 10-2 regular-season record and qualified for the College Football Playoff behind their dominant defense, but the Sooners have lacked a legitimate rushing attack through their first two seasons in the SEC. Last year, Oklahoma ranked 13th in the conference in rushing yards per game (118.5), and its leading rusher, Tory Blaylock, tallied just 480 yards on 120 carries. Quarterback John Mateer finished second on the team with 431 yards. For Brent Venables' squad to take the next step in 2026, it must find a way to run the ball effectively, which will open up the passing game. Blaylock and Xavier Robinson figure to lead the backfield again this year, and Oklahoma ranks 17th nationally in total offensive line snaps returning in 2026, including transfer portal additions. --Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: ESPN

Jul 8, 2026, 1:31 PM ET

Houston wide receiver Amare Thomas broke out during his first season with the program in 2025, snagging 67 passes for 966 yards and 12 touchdowns. He arrived at Houston after two seasons at UAB, and for his career, he's tallied 182 receptions for 2,073 yards and 23 touchdowns. He's one of the top playmakers in the Big 12 and was named a preseason All-Conference performer by Big 12 media this week. With Oregon State wideout transfer Trent Young on the other side of the field, Thomas should continue to produce heading into his senior campaign. Quarterback Conner Weigman could also be due for the best season of his career after his first full campaign as a starter. All signs point toward a big-time year of production for Thomas.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: ESPN

Jul 8, 2026, 1:22 PM ET

Oklahoma State wide receiver Wyatt Young was named a preseason All-Big 12 selection this week heading into his first campaign with the Cowboys. Young had a monster sophomore season at North Texas last season, collecting 70 receptions for 1,264 yards and 11 total touchdowns. Young followed his head coach, Eric Morris, and quarterback, Drew Mestemaker, to Oklahoma State this offseason, so he already knows the offense and has had big-time success with his signal-caller. OSU's offense could immediately be one of the best units in the conference, and Young posting another 1,000-yard season is well within the range of outcomes.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: ESPN

Jul 7, 2026, 11:56 AM ET

Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker was voted the preseason Big-12 Newcomer of the Year, the league announced on Monday. Mestemaker was one of the nation's best freshmen last season at North Texas, exploding for 4,379 passing yards, 39 total touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He followed head coach Eric Morris to Stillwater and is expected to be one of the conference's most productive quarterbacks right away. To help his cause, his top receiver from last year, Wyatt Young (1,264 yards), came with him to the Cowboys' program, along with several other key pieces from last year's offense. It could take a few games for Mestemaker to settle in against elevated competition, but the Oklahoma State offense should be strong immediately under Morris.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: Big12Sports.com

Jul 7, 2026, 11:46 AM ET

Oklahoma wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III enjoyed the most productive season of his career in 2025, setting career highs in receptions (67), receiving yards (965), receiving touchdowns (eight), and yards per reception (14.4). He never surpassed 37 receptions, 500 yards, or two touchdowns in three years at Arkansas. He broke out despite Oklahoma ranking 12th in the SEC in passing yards per game (235.8). With another full offseason to work with veteran quarterback John Mateer and the departure of wide receiver Deion Burks and tight end Jaren Kanak, Sategna is a threat to put up big-time numbers in his fifth collegiate campaign. His ceiling in 2026 could depend on how Mateer progresses as a passer after dealing with an injury to his throwing hand in 2025, which required mid-season surgery.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: ESPN

Jul 7, 2026, 11:33 AM ET

Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita was the program's only selection on the preseason All Big-12 team. The rising redshirt senior is entering his fourth season as a starter after a bounce-back year in 2025. Overall, Fifita has appeared in 40 games, tallying 9,183 passing yards, 73 passing touchdowns, 24 interceptions, 218 rushing yards, and four rushing touchdowns. Despite the departure of Tetairoa McMillan, he set career highs in passing yards (3,228) and touchdowns (29) a season ago. He is the most seasoned quarterback in the conference, which gives the Wildcats an outside chance of competing for the Big 12 Championship and College Football Playoff spot in 2026. Fifita needs just under 1,000 passing yards to pass Nick Foles (10,011) as the program's all-time leading passer. He already ranks first in career passing touchdowns.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: Big12Sports.com

Jul 7, 2026, 11:15 AM ET

Arizona State wide receiver Omarion Miller, who transferred from Colorado this offseason, was named to the preseason All-Big-12 team on Monday. Miller has big shoes to fill in Tempe following the departure of first-round NFL Draft pick Jordyn Tyson, but he has all the makings of a true No. 1 wideout in Kenny Dillingham and Marcus Arroyo's offense. Despite Colorado's struggles last season, Miller enjoyed a breakout campaign, catching 45 passes for 808 yards and eight touchdowns. Building chemistry with Kentucky transfer quarterback Cutter Boley will be key, but the Sun Devils' passing offense could run through Miller from Day 1. A big season out of the 6'2", 210-pound Louisiana native could put him in first-round contention in the 2027 NFL Draft.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: ESPN

Jul 7, 2026, 11:01 AM ET

After a strong 2025 performance, BYU running back LJ Martin decided to return for another year of college football, and the preseason first-team All-Big 12 selection is a prime contender to lead the country in rushing yards. Martin finished 11th nationally in rushing yards last season, tallying 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns on 236 attempts. The Cougars are without their two leading receivers from last season (Parker Kingston, Chase Roberts), meaning their offense should continue to run through the 220-pound ball carrier. Additionally, BYU sets up to be favored in at least nine of their 12 games. Behind a strong defense and an attacking rushing offense, Martin should enjoy plenty of run-heavy game scripts. The Texas native has all the makings of a productive workhorse running back in his final campaign in Provo.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: ESPN

Jul 7, 2026, 10:48 AM ET

Texas Tech quarterback Will Hammond (knee), who tore his ACL in late October, is expected to be the team's primary starting quarterback after the departure of transfer Brendan Sorsby. For most of the offseason, it has been expected that Hammond would return to action in Week 3 against Houston. But recently, Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire said he might be ahead of schedule and is eyeing a Week 1 return against Abilene Christian. While the Red Raiders are unlikely to need his services against the FCS foe, a tune-up game would benefit the rising sophomore coming back from a major injury. In limited action a season ago, Hammond completed 69 of his 109 passing attempts for 680 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also rushed for 299 yards and five scores. Even with Sorsby out and Hammond in, Texas Tech remains the favorite to win the Big 12 in 2026.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: Pete Thamel - ESPN

Jul 6, 2026, 1:31 PM ET

Houston head coach Willie Fritz is not putting a cap on the ceiling of the program, citing that his reason for leaving Tulane was for a chance to win a national championship. "I loved New Orleans and Tulane," Fritz said. "I wanted to have an opportunity to win a national championship. There's just a little bit more of a divide happening every year between Power Four and Group of Six, and that was part of it." The 66-year-old is entering his third season with the Cougars after a 10-3 campaign in 2025. Houston won just four games in each of its two first years in the Big 12, but the program has acquired depth and more high-end talent, making it a conference title contender in 2026. Veteran quarterback Conner Weigman is poised for a big year after the best season of his career, and the team added several impact transfers, including running back Makhi Hughes (Oregon) and wide receiver Trent Walker (Oregon State). Houston also just signed an elite quarterback prospect in Keisean Henderson, so its immediate and long-term future is bright in the new-look NIL era. "We're in the epicenter of football, in my opinion, in the world -- Houston, Texas," Fritz said. "I haven't been on a plane yet to recruit. We've got great facilities. We've got some work to do on the NIL front; we're working on that, but we've got over a quarter-million Houston alumni in the greater Houston area. We can get it done here."--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: On3

Jul 6, 2026, 10:12 AM ET

Five-star running back prospect David Gabriel Georges is set to announce his collegiate commitment on July 22. Although Ole Miss is in the mix, the race appears to be between Ohio State and Tennessee. Georges is the No. 1 recruit out of Tennessee in the Class of 2027 and plays under two hours away from Knoxville at Baylor School in Chattanooga. Experts are split on where he will end up, but he's viewed as a potential Day 1 contributor for either program. Georges is heading into his senior season after a monster junior campaign in which he rushed for 1,749 yards (10.8 yards per carry) and 27 touchdowns. The 205-pound explosive ball carrier could be the first high school running back recruit with a seven-figure price tag.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: Rivals

Jul 2, 2026, 1:48 PM ET

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer began his Sooners career with a bang, tallying 1,221 passing yards, 190 rushing yards, and 11 total touchdowns through his first four games. However, he suffered a broken thumb on his throwing hand in the fourth game of the season against Auburn, which required surgery. Over his next six games, he averaged just 174.2 passing yards per game and threw just six touchdowns. His thumb injury seemed to impact Oklahoma's offense significantly, but the team also saw a step up in competition during Mateer's cold streak. Despite this, Brent Venables' defense led Oklahoma to the College Football Playoff. Expectations remain high for that unit in 2026, but can a healthy Mateer engineer an offense worthy of competing for a CFP National Championship, or was his start to last season the outlier? Mateer's performance is one of the biggest storylines in this year's SEC and CFP race.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: ESPN

Jul 2, 2026, 1:38 PM ET

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt is entering his first season in Lane Kiffin's offense after two strong years at Arizona State. The rising junior started 20 games for the Sun Devils, totaling 4,513 passing yards, 749 rushing yards, and 44 touchdowns. He led the program to a Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff appearance as a freshman in 2024. Given those credentials, expectations are sky-high for him in Baton Rouge. Kiffin's quarterbacks have often been prolific, especially since his tenure at Alabama under Nick Saban. If Leavitt can pick up his system quickly, he has the dual-threat skills and talent around him to make a real run at the Heisman Trophy in 2026. The Tigers will likely have to win at least 10 games for him to be considered, but that is in the range of outcomes given LSU's talent profile and coaching upgrades this offseason.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: Sports Reference CFB

Jul 2, 2026, 1:24 PM ET

Indiana wide receiver Charlie Becker flashed in the second half of his sophomore season and into the College Football Playoff, collecting 27 receptions for 522 yards and three touchdowns over his final seven games. He averaged 20 yards per reception on 34 catches over the full season. With Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Surratt off to the NFL, Becker could command more volume in 2026 next to Michigan State transfer Nick Marsh. Becker is a 6'4" big-play threat, and new Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover is a down-field gunslinger. The pairing is potentially perfect for Becker to make a big junior leap and rise on 2027 NFL Draft boards. The Nashville native is one of the top wideouts in the Big Ten to watch this season as the Hoosiers look to defend their 2025-26 College Football Playoff National Championship.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: ESPN