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Devon Dampier Currently Aiming for NFL After 2026
Utah quarterback Devon Dampier is entering his fourth season in college football and his second as the starting quarterback for the Utes. Under previous rules, Dampier would be ineligible to play college football after this season. With the new 5-for-5 ruling, he and many others will have the opportunity to play a fifth season of college ball. Despite this opportunity, Dampier told ESPN that he is hoping to enter the NFL Draft after the conclusion of this season. That being said, he did add, "but I guess it's a nice safety belt for me to know I do have another year now." Dampier, one of college football's most underrated signal callers, threw for 2,490 yards, 24 touchdowns, and five interceptions a year ago. Standing 5-foot-11, he lacks ideal NFL size, which could potentially lead him to return to college in 2027 despite his previous statement.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
High Hopes for Noah Fifita in 2026
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita will be entering his fourth season as the Wildcats' starting quarterback, making him one of the nation's most experienced signal callers. Head coach Brent Brennan recently stated: "I think Noah can be the conference player of the year and win the Heisman Trophy." Fifita did have a career-high 3,228 passing yards last season, throwing for 29 touchdowns and six interceptions. His season was one of the most underappreciated in college football last year, but he isn't flying under the radar for On3's Brett McMurphy. McMurphy ranked him as the top quarterback in the Big 12 for 2026, pointing out that he is due to become Arizona's all-time leading passer this season. Fifita and the Wildcats play an early Big 12 game on September 12, traveling to play projected conference champion BYU in Provo.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Brad Jackson Set for Sophomore Leap?
Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson broke out as a redshirt freshman last season, completing 71% of his passes for 3,224 yards, 21 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He was dynamic as a dual-threat, adding 744 rushing yards and 17 scores on the ground. Jackson has a tougher schedule ahead of him as the Bobcats graduate from the Sun Belt to the Pac-12. They will open the season with Texas, which will be the toughest defense Jackson has faced in his career. If he takes another step forward as a sophomore, Jackson could be firmly on the radar of P4 teams after this season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Arkansas has the Toughest Schedule in 2026
ESPN FPI released its toughest schedule rankings for the 2026 season, and the Arkansas Razorbacks led the way. In year one under Ryan Silverfield, the Razorbacks' marquee non-conference game is on the road against Utah. Their SEC schedule includes home games against Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri, South Carolina, and LSU, and road games at Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Auburn, and Texas. Silverfield will have his work cut out for him as he looks to turn around an Arkansas team that won just two games last season. Expectations are low against a tough schedule with an unproven roster.
Source: On3
Source: On3
True Freshman Cederian Morgan to Make Impact for Alabama?
Talented Alabama true freshman Cederian Morgan, who was the No. 5 wide receiver prospect in the 2026 recruiting cycle, has a real chance to make an immediate impact, according to Brad Crawford of CBS Sports. The Tide head into 2026 without its leading and third-leading receivers from last year, Germie Bernard (NFL) and Isaiah Horton (transferred). Ryan Coleman-Williams, Lotzeir Brooks, and NC State transfer Noah Rogers figure to open the season as the three starters out wide, but Morgan will have the opportunity to earn a role this fall. "One of the nation's most polished pass catchers in the 2026 class, Morgan arrives with the size, ball skills and route-running ability to contribute immediately," Crawford wrote. "He doesn't need a full season to develop physically, and his ability to win contested catches should make him an attractive option in the Crimson Tide's passing game. Fall camp development is key to Morgan cracking the two-deep." The Alabama native is one of the top true freshmen to watch in the SEC this year and has significant upside in the future.
Source: Brad Crawford - CBS Sports
Source: Brad Crawford - CBS Sports
Devon Dampier Overlooked Among Star Quarterbacks in 2026
Utah quarterback Devon Dampier had a fantastic showing in his first year with the program, racking up 2,490 passing yards, 835 rushing yards, and 34 total touchdowns. He threw just five interceptions and led the Utes to 11 wins. Despite this, there isn't a ton of buzz surrounding the senior signal-caller entering 2026. Utah has the 17th-most experienced wide receiver group in the country (total snaps) according to PuntandRally.com and should not experience significant growing pains transitioning from Kyle Whittingham to Morgan Scalley, who has been on staff at Utah since 2007. Dampier and Utah are likely being overlooked in 2026, but the Utes could remain Big 12 title contenders in Scalley's first season at the helm. In 33 career games with New Mexico and Utah, Dampier has totaled over 8,000 yards of total offense and 75 touchdowns.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Iowa State Has Zero Returning Starters in 2026
After the departure of longtime head coach Matt Campbell, Iowa State enters the 2026 campaign with zero returning offensive or defensive starters. Jimmy Rogers' first year at the helm is likely to feature significant growing pains, but the 39-year-old is not conceding to having a rough season. "There's a lot of curiosity about our roster, but I'm very confident in the players we've been able to bring in," Rogers said. "We'll be very competitive." Rogers takes over the Cyclones program after a 6-6 season at Washington State that followed a 27-3 run and an FCS National Championship in two seasons at South Dakota State. While the odds are stacked against his program in 2026, he is used to dealing with roster turnover at the FCS level.
Source: Brett McMurphy - On3
Source: Brett McMurphy - On3
Collin Klein Praises Avery Johnson at Big 12 Media Day
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.
Source: Brett McMurphy - On3
Source: Brett McMurphy - On3
Can Oklahoma Establish a Rushing Attack in 2026?
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.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Amare Thomas a Top National Receiver Entering 2026
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.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Wyatt Young Looking to Replicate Production in Big 12
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.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Drew Mestemaker Voted Preseason Big-12 Newcomer of the Year
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.
Source: Big12Sports.com
Source: Big12Sports.com
Isaiah Sategna III Due for Explosive Final Season at Oklahoma
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.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Noah Fifita Named to Preseason All-Big 12 Team
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.
Source: Big12Sports.com
Source: Big12Sports.com
Omarion Miller Steps into WR1 Role Vacated by Jordyn Tyson
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.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
