All-Big 12 Preseason Team Highlights Arizona State’s Rising Talent
The Big 12 unveiled its preseason All-Conference team on Monday, July 6, spotlighting a handful of standout players from across the league. Among the honorees were Arizona State Sun Devils’ defensive lineman C.J. Fite and wide receiver Omarion Miller, both recognized for their impact heading into the upcoming season.
Fite’s inclusion reflects a deep connection with head coach Kenny Dillingham, under whom he has thrived since the coach’s arrival at ASU. Dillingham praised Fite’s relentless work ethic, noting that the player has been a constant presence from the program’s rebuilding phase. Miller, who transferred from Colorado, is expected to step into the offensive role vacated by first‑round draft pick Jordyn Tyson, giving the Sun Devils a dynamic playmaker in the slot.
The preseason accolades also featured senior quarterback Noah Fifita, the lone Sun Devils representative on the team, underscoring the quarterback’s growing influence in the conference. Notably, the Big 12 did not issue a formal preseason poll, leaving fan expectations to be shaped by the individual recognitions announced.
Beyond Arizona State, the conference celebrated other standout performers, with BYU’s LJ Martin earning Offensive Player of the Year, Texas Tech’s A.J. Holmes Jr. named Defensive Player of the Year, and Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker taking Newcomer of the Year. These honors set a competitive tone as teams gear up for the first games of the season.
The announcements were made during the Big 12 Football Media Days held in Frisco, Texas, a venue that has become a focal point for the league’s preseason activities. Arizona State’s presence at the event highlighted the university’s re‑emergence as a contender in the newly expanded conference.