Big 12 QB rankings loaded with transfers but led by loyal Wildcat
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There are plenty of gunslingers in the Big 12.
Even though several quarterbacks departed the conference, the talent is still rich heading into the 2026 college football season with some big time playmakers that could make a case for some awards by the end of the campaign.
Whether it's homegrown talent or bringing in transfers, the Big 12 has proven there is no one way to have one of the top quarterbacks in the conference, as the top half of the rankings feature a wide mix of journeys to become established signal-callers. Then there are teams that either have guys with too small of a sample size, or battles still playing out that might not get decided until the season begins — possibly longer.
1. Noah Fifita, Arizona
The most experienced quarterback in the Big 12 is at the top. Fifita is a rarity, sticking with one program all the way through with immense loyalty to the Wildcats. He has started 34 of his 40 contests at Arizona and bounced back from a rough 2024 in a big way last season. He threw for a career-high 3,228 yards and 29 touchdowns, all while limiting the turnovers with just six interceptions. Adding a running ability to his repertoire was a big plus, finally forcing defenses to pay attention to his legs. It's no secret as Fifita goes, Arizona goes. He enters the 2026 season as the nation's active career passing touchdown leader with 73, setting him up for a big finish with the Wildcats.
2. Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State
Yet to officially take a snap for Oklahoma State, Mestemaker is already among the best after what he did at North Texas. He went from walk-on to undeniable star for the Mean Green in 2025, leading the country in passing yards (4,379), yards per game (312.8) and yards per pass attempt (9.46). He was a big reason North Texas had the best scoring offense in the country and follows coach Eric Morris to Stillwater with the tools to turn the Cowboys into an offensive juggernaut, even as the competition gets tougher.
3. Devon Dampier, Utah
Utah an offensive team? The Utes had one of the most lethal attacks, leading the Big 12 with 41.3 points per game (fourth nationally) thanks to the dynamic playmaking of Dampier. He arrived from New Mexico and delivered, winning the conference offensive newcomer of the year. It's a pick-your-poison with him, able to sling it while breaking down defenses with his legs as the most efficient running quarterback in the league; he was the only Big 12 signal-caller to have at least 2,400-plus passing yards and 800-plus rushing yards in 2025. The Utes are under a new regime but are at ease with Dampier still running the offense.
4. Bear Bachmeier, BYU
Not just an elite name, but a proven quarterback. You wouldn't have guessed Bachmeier was thrust as BYU's starter as a true freshman. The Big 12 offensive freshman of the year did it all for the Cougars, throwing for 3,033 yards and rushing for 527 yard with 26 total touchdowns in nearly getting his team to the playoff. He is one of the toughest quarterbacks in the league, not afraid of contact and can run over defenders. His arm is already solid, and if continues to build on his throwing, he has the chance to be among the best quarterbacks in the country.
5. Conner Weigman, Houston
Weigman took over the worst passing offense in 2024 and instantly turned Houston into a conference contender. He was extremely efficient, the Big 12's leading returner in completion percentage (65.2%). What really separates him is his instincts, trusting his arm while knowing when to use his legs. His 36 total touchdowns — 25 passing and 11 running — were top 10 in the country. Staying healthy and playing a full season was rewarding, and he still has room to get better if he can cut down the interceptions.
6. Avery Johnson, Kansas State
It was an odd year for Kansas State, and it affected Johnson with dips in his overall production, far from the expectation he'd take another step in his development. However, he found his footing after a rough start and started to resemble what the Wildcats got used to seeing out of him. Now, can he sustain it? Johnson is on the cusp of breaking several Kansas State records, and will want to do it with a strong finish in Manhattan with a new start under former Wildcat star QB Collin Klein.
7. DJ Lagway, Baylor
One of the most intriguing quarterbacks in the country, Lagway arrives from Baylor hoping to restart his career. There's no doubt Lagway possesses the physical traits to be one of the best players in the country, but the results weren't there at Florida. He threw for 2,264 yards with 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, second most in the country. It was an up-and-down tenure with the Gators, and a fresh start with a Bears program that loves to air it out could help Lagway blossom into becoming an elite arm.
8. Alonza Barnett III, UCF
The Knights get the 2025 Sun Belt Player of the Year after Barnett led James Madison to the playoff last season. He is a true dual threat after throwing for 2,806 yards with 23 touchdowns and running for a team-best 15 scores. He knows how to find the end zone with 71 total touchdowns in the past two seasons, and now takes on a heavier role in Orlando. He did well against Power conference opponents, proving the move to UCF could be a successful one if he gets the pieces around him click.
9. Jaden Craig, TCU
Arriving from Harvard, Craig tore up the Ivy League for the Crimson. He is coming off a year where he set the school record in passing yards (2,869) and touchdown passes (25), all while setting the Harvard career mark with 6,074 passing yards and 52 touchdowns. He is gifted and doesn't turn the ball over much, and there will be questions if it translates to the FBS level, but Craig has all of the tools to succeed in Sonny Dykes' offense.
10. Will Hammond, Texas Tech
So… anything interesting out of Texas Tech? The Brendan Sorsby drama results in Hammond getting the nod for the Red Raiders. Not what they wanted, but not a bad position. Hammond has made sporadic appearances in two seasons, but stepped up when he came in for relief, notably against Utah. He showed great flashes with his arm and speedy legs before an injury cut his season short, but at full strength, he is an intriguing quarterback with a high ceiling. After being a reliable backup, Hammond finally gets the keys to drive a high-powered offense, and try to return Texas Tech back in the playoff.
11. Jaylen Raynor, Iowa State
The new-look Cyclones turn to an experienced player in Raynor. He started 36 games for Arkansas State in three seasons with 67 total touchdowns, proof he was a consistent quarterback able to produce results and get the Red Wolves back to competing in the Sun Belt. Raynor will have to tighten his game considering he threw at least 10 interceptions in back-to-back seasons, and he took plenty of sacks in that timeframe.
12. JC French IV, Cincinnati
Replacing Sorsby in Cincinnati will be French after some productive seasons at Georgia Southern. Even though the team kind of took a step back, French took a nice step forward in his game. Now comes the test of whether he can do it against better competition, out to improve from the small sample size. French has had some trouble with interceptions and was sacked a bunch with the Eagles and will need to focus on avoiding huge tackles for loss.
13. Mike Hawkins Jr., West Virginia
Hawkins has the edge over incumbent Scotty Fox Jr., hoping a restart in West Virginia helps him live up to his potential. As a freshman with Oklahoma in 2024, he won the starting role midway through the season, but the results weren't eye-popping. He had a strong showing in the 2024 Armed Forces Bowl, but John Mateer joining the Sooners killed any chance of Hawkins continuing in 2025. It's been some time since he's played meaningful competition, and he's proven he can perform against lesser competition. Now it's time to show he can play with the big boys.
14. Julian Lewis, Colorado
Arguably Colorado's best quarterback prospect ever arrived with hype to take over Shedeur Sanders' spot, but he didn't get much of a shot; Lewis played in just four games, starting two contests. There were some positives, like throwing for 589 yards and four touchdowns without an interception, but he also did look like a freshmen at times, especially when getting pressured. The sample size is too small to judge on Lewis, but if he can play close to the hype, he can easily become a household name in the conference.
15. Cutter Boley, Jake Fette or Mikey Keene, Arizona State
Decisions, decisions, decisions in Tempe. Arizona State has three guys competing to be behind center, and all present a good case. Boley arrives from Kentucky, where he had mixed results with 17 touchdowns and 16 interceptions while he went 4-7 as a starter. Keene is a journeyman with 34 starts in his career, but hasn't played in over a year. Fette is a highly touted prospect that is undoubtedly the future, but is the time now for him to take the reins? Kenny Dillingham has options to give the nod to, and there's pressure considering the decision could easily decide if the Sun Devils are playoff contenders or not.
16. Cole Ballard or Isaiah Marshall, Kansas
There's a big hole to fill in Kansas, and plenty of questions that make it the toughest quarterback situation in the Big 12. Marshall started one game in 2025, but spent the majority of his playing time running. Ballard has appeared in 15 games in three seasons, but mostly in mop-up duty with just 64 total pass attempts. Lance Leipold has quite the predicament on his team trying to figure out who can handle the job without much to show for it.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Big 12 QB rankings loaded with transfers but led by loyal Wildcat
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