The Big 12 Conference is buzzing as the 2026 college football season creeps closer. With the transfer portal shuffling rosters and new coaches stepping in, we’re in for a wild ride—both on the field and in fantasy leagues.
Standout quarterbacks and fresh offensive schemes are popping up everywhere. The league feels primed for an explosive season. So, what’s really happening with each team as spring practices kick off?
Texas Tech’s Fantasy Ceiling Soars with Brendan Sorsby
Texas Tech just wrapped a stellar 2025, snagging a conference championship and a College Football Playoff spot. Instead of rebuilding, the Red Raiders have reloaded by landing top quarterback transfer Brendan Sorsby from Cincinnati.
Sorsby brings dual-threat firepower—he racked up 2,800 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and nine rushing scores last season. That kind of production could make Texas Tech a fantasy goldmine.
Key Players to Watch
Big names at receiver left for the NFL, so there’s a wide-open battle for targets. Watch for:
- Kenny Johnson (Pittsburgh transfer)
- Malcolm Simmons (Auburn transfer)
- Coy Eakin
Running backs Cameron Dickey and J’Koby Williams are back and both could break out.
Arizona’s Darkhorse Potential with Noah Fifita
Noah Fifita’s time at Arizona has had its ups and downs, but there’s real optimism for 2026. He tallied 32 total touchdowns last year and gets all eight top pass-catchers back—how often do you see that?
With so much returning talent, Arizona might just sneak into the Big 12 title conversation.
Fifita’s Growth and Stability
Fifita’s legs add another layer—he ran for 222 yards and three scores. If he keeps improving, Arizona’s got a shot.
Sun Devils’ New Passing Game
Arizona State’s passing attack is getting a full reset after losing Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson. Head coach Kenny Dillingham dipped into the portal, pulling in Mikey Keene from Michigan and Cutter Boley from Kentucky to fight for the starting gig.
Key Additions
Whoever wins the job gets a big-time weapon: Colorado transfer Omarion Miller, who caught 45 balls for 808 yards and eight touchdowns last season.
BYU’s Sophomore Slump or Title Contenders?
BYU finished 12-2 last year, but for the Cougars to chase a title, quarterback Bear Bachmeier needs to keep growing. He threw for over 3,000 yards and 15 touchdowns as a freshman, though he struggled in big games against Texas Tech.
Focus on Development
With running back LJ Martin returning, all eyes are on Bachmeier’s progress this spring. BYU’s ceiling hinges on his development.
Baylor’s DJ Lagway Looks for a Fresh Start
DJ Lagway’s transfer from Florida to Baylor comes with plenty of hype. The ex-five-star recruit had a rough go with the Gators, but he’s hoping for a Big 12 reset.
With several key departures, Lagway has to build chemistry with his new crew—fast.
Challenges Ahead
Lagway’s got to pick up the offense and adapt to Big 12 defenses. Honestly, the opportunities here might suit him better than the SEC grind.
Houston’s Makhi Hughes Reunites with Willie Fritz
Makhi Hughes didn’t find his stride at Oregon, but he’s hoping to get back on track with Houston. He’s reuniting with head coach Willie Fritz, who originally recruited him to Tulane.
Hughes is stepping in to replace Dean Connors, and that’s no small task.
Proven Talent
When Hughes gets touches, he produces. He could be the spark Houston’s offense needs.
Iowa State’s Roster Reboot
Iowa State is a bit of a mystery right now. New head coach Jimmy Rogers and a wave of transfers have totally reshaped the Cyclones.
Dual-threat quarterback Jaylen Raynor leads the charge, and the plan is to lean on a strong running game.
Key Transfers
The backfield is crowded, featuring:
- Cameron Pettaway (Bowling Green transfer)
- Salahadin Allah (Oregon State transfer)
- Aiden Flora
At receiver, Omari Hayes (Tulane transfer) and Carter Pabst (Washington State transfer) look like early favorites.
Kansas’ Offensive Focus with Dylan Edwards
Kansas has kept things steady with head coach Lance Leipold and OC Andy Kotelnicki. The Jayhawks brought in nearly 30 transfers, including running back Dylan Edwards from Kansas State.
Quarterback Battle
Quarterback is up for grabs between Chase Jenkins (Rice transfer), Cole Ballard, and Isaiah Marshall. That’s a race to watch.
Kansas State’s Homecoming with Collin Klein
Collin Klein is back at Kansas State, this time as head coach. He’s promising a balanced, high-powered scheme.
The Wildcats have mixed in key transfers and return quarterback Avery Johnson. The offense could be sneaky good.
Potential Starters
Keep an eye on these names:
- RB Joe Jackson
- RB Rodney Fields (Oklahoma State transfer)
- WR Jaron Tibbs
- WR Josh Manning (Missouri transfer)
Oklahoma State’s Reboot Under Eric Morris
Oklahoma State is starting fresh with head coach Eric Morris. The Cowboys brought in over 80 new players—yes, really—so it’s a whole new vibe in Stillwater.
North Texas transfer Drew Mestemaker steps in at quarterback, hoping to steady things.
Key Additions
Running back Caleb Hawkins and receiver Wyatt Young also followed from North Texas. They’ll be key to jumpstarting the offense.
TCU’s New Signal-Caller
TCU moves on from Josh Hoover and hands the offense to Harvard transfer Jaden Craig. New offensive coordinator Gordon Sammis joins him, so there’s a lot of change in Fort Worth.
Key Players
Receiver Jordan Dwyer returns, and South Alabama transfer Jeremy Scott adds firepower. Running backs Jeremy Payne and Landon Walker (Colorado School of Mines transfer) round out the attack.
Utah’s Transition with New Coaching Staff
Utah is rolling into 2026 with a new head coach, Morgan Scalley, and OC Kevin McGiven. Even with all the changes, quarterback Devon Dampier is still the centerpiece of the Utes’ run-heavy offense.
Supporting Cast
Running back Wayshawn Parker leads the ground game. New receivers Kyri Shoels (San Jose transfer) and Braden Pegan (Utah State transfer) join veterans Ryan Davis and Larry Simmons.
West Virginia’s Ground Game Identity
West Virginia’s offense, now under Rich Rodriguez, is all about running the ball. Oklahoma transfer quarterback Michael Hawkins and running back Cam Cook (last year’s FBS rushing leader at Jax State) headline the attack.
Key Freshman
Freshman Amari Latimer comes in with a lot of hype. He’ll be fighting for backfield touches right away.
If you want more details about Big 12 spring storylines or just want to keep an eye on offseason changes, check out Rotowire’s comprehensive coverage.
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