Ranking every projected Big 12 starting QB in 2026
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Fall camp is right around the corner, and the full college football season is roughly one month away. And with fans smelling football in the air, the Big 12 Conference is hopeful it can prove it belongs in the College Football Playoff.
The Big 12 is lucky to get more than one team in the playoff. But it wants to show it belongs with the Big Ten and SEC. And if that’s going to happen, the Big 12 needs its quarterbacks showing out.
MORE: Ranking every projected Big Ten starting QB in 2026
No. 13-16: Hopefully they keep their job all season
- No. 16 — Cole Ballard, Kansas
- No. 15 — Michael Hawkins, West Virginia
- No. 14 — JC French, Cincinnati
- No. 13 — Cutter Boley, Arizona State
Cole Ballard is the one quarterback who may not start. The Jayhawks are going into fall camp with three quarterbacks battling for the spot, but Ballard offers the most experience. However, a bad start to the season could result in him losing his job.
The other three signal-callers have all started games. JC French has been the most dynamic, starting two seasons at Georgia Southern. He has thrown for nearly 6,000 yards in three seasons, while adding a running dynamic, but will it translate to a Power Four conference?
Both Michael Hawkins and Cutter Boley have had turnover issues. Boley started for Kentucky last season, throwing for 2,160 yards, 15 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He will have to keep Michigan transfer Mikey Keene at bay.
And Hawkins comes to WVU after playing for Oklahoma. Hawkins is a dual-threat quarterback, but was never impressive during his stay with the Sooners. Head coach Rich Rodriguez hopes to open it up a little with Hawkins behind center.
No. 9-12: We need to see more in 2026
- No. 12 – Julian Lewis, Colorado
- No. 11 – Jaylen Raynor, Iowa State
- No. 10 – Alonza Barnett III, UCF
- No. 9 – Will Hammond, Texas Tech
Alonza Barnett is in a class of his own here, leading James Madison to the CFP last season, and throwing for over 2,800 yards. Barnett was impressive for the Dukes last season, but that doesn’t always translate to Power Four football. We need to see it in action.
Julian Lewis had a chance in his true freshman season in Boulder, Colo., and he threw for 589 yards and four scores, with zero interceptions. He enters the 2026 season as the starting quarterback and if the Buffaloes are to get back into contention for the Big 12 title, Lewis has to live up to the hype.
Both Jaylen Raynor and Will Hammond have started games. Raynor comes from Arkansas State, where he threw for 3,361 yards last season, along with 19 touchdowns and 11 picks. Raynor adds a dual-threat ability to the Cyclones’ offense.
Hammond wasn’t expected to start, but once Brendan Sorsby left Texas Tech, it’s going to be Hammond’s show. He threw for 680 yards last season in backup duty. The Red Raiders have an explosive offense, and it should suit Hammond well.
No. 5-8: Have been around, but need things to go in their favor
- No. 8 – Jaden Craig, TCU
- No. 7 – DJ Lagway, Baylor
- No. 6 – Avery Johnson, Kansas State
- No. 5 – Connor Weigman, Houston
Jaden Craig and DJ Lagway are the two transfers here and for two different reasons. Craig lit it up at Harvard the past two seasons and wants to show he is a Power Four-caliber quarterback. As for Lagway, his two-season stint at Florida is over as he heads back home to Baylor. Lagway led the SEC in interceptions (14) in 2025, and he hopes a fresh start can boost his 2026 season.
Avery Johnson took a bit of a decline this past season. He threw and rushed for fewer yards, but he cut back on the interceptions. KSU in turn took a step back, and if the ‘Cats are going to get back to competing, they will need to get Johnson back and performing.
Conner Weigman found his place after transferring to Houston from Texas A&M last season. He threw for 2,705 yards, 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Weigman is the man, but five-star freshman quarterback Keisean Henderson is right behind him.
No. 1-4: High-octane, Big 12 QBs
- No. 4 – Devon Dampier, Utah
- No. 3 – Bear Bachmeier, BYU
- No. 2 – Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State
- No. 1 – Noah Fifita, Arizona
When you think of the Big 12, you think of scoring. And that’s what all four of these quarterbacks bring to the table, along with stat-stuffing.
Devon Dampier threw for 2,490 yards and was also the top running quarterback in the league, rushing for 835 yards. Dampier can beat you in a variety of ways and entering his second season with the Utes, he has a chance to be even better in 2026.
Bear Bachmeier set the college football world on fire last season as a true freshman. He threw for over 3,000 yards and ran for over 500. BYU has a chance to get to the CFP this season, and Bachmeier will be the reason it does.
After a 1-11 season, Oklahoma State went out and landed phenom Drew Mestemaker from North Texas. He threw for 4,379 yards last season, the most in all of college football. Oh, and he is back under head coach Eric Morris, now the Cowboys’ head coach. Expect another monster year from Mestemaker.
And while all those quarterbacks are explosive in their own way, Arizona signal caller Noah Fifita has done more with less. Fifita has been a star with Arizona for three seasons now and he is coming off his career best. Last year, he threw for 3,228 yards, 29 touchdowns, with just six interceptions.
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