The 2026 Big 12 preseason all-conference team has been unveiled, assembling a roster that spotlights the conference’s most electrifying talent as the new season looms.
Key Offensive Threats
Quarterback Noah Fifita of Arizona, who rebound from a challenging 2024 campaign, earned first-team All-Big 12 honors and is projected to be the conference’s most productive quarterback under center.
Running back LJ Martin of BYU surged to the top of the league with 1,305 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, anchoring a high-octane offense that looks to exploit the ground game.
Wide receiver Amare Thomas from Houston posted 966 receiving yards and 12 scores, while Caleb Hawkins of Oklahoma State led the Football Bowl Subdivision with 29 total touchdowns, including 1,434 rushing yards, cementing his status as a dual-threat playmaker.
Kansas State’s tight end Garrett Oakley, who holds the school record for touchdowns by a tight end with 13, continues to be a focal point in the red zone, complemented by Colorado’s Danny Scudero, who topped the nation with 1,291 receiving yards last season.
Defensive Player of the Year Outlook
Analysts forecast Cade Uluave of BYU, who amassed 100 tackles and 12 tackles for loss en route to first-team All-ACC honors, as the likely Defensive Player of the Year, underscoring his disruptive presence on the edge.
Award Predictions
The Offensive Player of the Year award is expected to go to Hawkins, whose 29 total touchdowns and record-setting performance have placed him at the forefront of the conversation, while the Newcomer of the Year honor is projected to be awarded to Drew Mestemaker from Oklahoma State, who impressed with a 14-of-18 field-goal conversion rate despite injury setbacks.
Beyond individual accolades, the depth of talent across programs such as Texas Tech, Arizona State, and Cincinnati suggests a competitive landscape where each school brings multiple first-team All-Big 12 selections, including Evan Tengesdahl, Sheridan Wilson, and Brice Pollock, all of whom are poised to influence the conference’s outcome.