Texas Tech Stars Lead Big 12 Preseason Hype

The Big 12 conference is buzzing this offseason after a chaotic saga involving Brendan Sorsby at Texas Tech. The league’s threat to take legal action against its own member school sparked heated remarks from presidents and athletic directors in Lubbock. Even without Sorsby, the Red Raiders are being hailed as the favorites to win the Big 12 and return to the College Football Playoff.

Texas Tech’s dominance is evident on the preseason All‑Big 12 roster. The school placed nine players on the list, a conference‑high total that includes six defensive standouts. That depth, paired with a strong offensive lineup, has analysts penciling the Red Raiders near the top of the predicted order.

Big 12 Preseason Order of Finish

• Texas Tech – top seed, favored to claim the league crown
• BYU – riding a strong returning roster and a stable coaching staff
• Houston, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, and others competing for the remaining playoff spots

Big 12 All‑Big 12 Teams

Offensive selections highlight a balanced spread across the conference.

• RB: Caleb Hawkins, Oklahoma State
• WR: Amare Thomas, Houston* (unanimous)
• WR: Omarion Miller, Arizona State
• WR: Wyatt Young, Oklahoma State
• TE: Terrance Carter Jr., Texas Tech* (unanimous)
• OL: Evan Tengesdahl, Cincinnati* (unanimous)
• OL: Shadre Hurst, Houston
• OL: John Pastore, Kansas State
• OL: Howard Sampson, Texas Tech

Defensive units also showcase depth, with Texas Tech furnishing a majority of the standout names.

• DL: AJ Holmes, Texas Tech* (unanimous)
• DL: Wendell Gregory, Kansas State
• DL: Adam Trick, Texas Tech
• DL: Mateen Ibirogba, Texas Tech
• LB: Ben Roberts, Texas Tech
• LB: Austin Romaine, Texas Tech
• DB: Brice Pollock, Texas Tech

Special teams contributors round out the conference‑wide recognition.

• K: Stone Harrington, Texas Tech
• P: Palmer Williams, Baylor
• KR/PR: J’Koby Williams, Texas Tech

Preseason Award Winners

The offensive crown goes to BYU’s RB LJ Martin, the reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. Martin rushed for a conference‑best 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns while also adding 36 receptions for 255 yards. He edged out quarterbacks Drew Mestemaker and Noah Fifita for the honor.

Defensive Player of the Year honors land with Texas Tech’s LB Ben Roberts, who recorded two interceptions and five tackles in the Big 12 Championship game. Roberts’ performance earned him the game’s most outstanding player award. He finished just ahead of teammates AJ Holmes, Brice Pollock and Austin Romaine.

Newcomer of the Year is Oklahoma State’s QB Drew Mestemaker, a former backup who exploded onto the scene as the nation’s leading passer as a freshman at North Texas. After following coach Eric Morris to Stillwater, Mestemaker amassed 4,379 passing yards and claimed American Conference Player of the Year honors last season.

Who Shaped the Vote?

The preseason poll gathered input from a network of writers covering the Big 12. Contributors included Scott Springer (Cincinnati Enquirer), Blake Toppmeyer (USA TODAY), John Brice (USA TODAY), Brent Schrotenboer (USA TODAY), Austin Curtright (USA TODAY), Wyatt Wheeler (Topeka Capital Journal), Nathan Giese (Lubbock Avalanche‑Journal), Michelle Gardner (Arizona Republic), Christopher Boyle (Daytona Beach News‑Journal), Jordan Guskey (Topeka Capital Journal), Don Williams (Lubbock Avalanche‑Journal) and Paul Myerberg (USA TODAY). Their collective insight helps shape the predictions that will guide fans through the upcoming season.