The 2025 college football season will be kicking off before you know it.
Before action returns to the gridiron, here is a preseason look at the top players in the Big 12 Conference. A panel of sports writers who cover the Big 12 for the USA TODAY Sports Network assembled their own preseason All-Big 12 teams and individual award winners.
Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt was voted USA TODAY Sports Network’s preseason Big 12 player of the year. Leavitt helped the Sun Devils win the Big 12 title last season. He was also named the Big 12 Freshman and Newcomer of the Year, after completing 61.7% of passes for 2,885 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also ran for 443 yards and five touchdowns.
Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire was named USA TODAY Sports Network’s preseason Big 12 coach of the year. McGuire’s Red Raiders finished 8-5 last season, but expectations are higher this season after they assembled the No. 1-ranked transfer class according to On3.com.
Utah quarterback Devon Dampier was voted preseason Big 12 newcomer of the year. A dual-threat quarterback, Dampier threw for 2,768 yards and 12 touchdowns. On the ground, He also ran for 1,166 yards and 19 rushing touchdowns.
Here is the USA TODAY Sports Network preseason All-Big 12 team:
2025 USA TODAY Sports Network preseason Big 12 awards
Player of the year: Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
Coach of the year: Joey McGuire, Texas Tech
Newcomer of the year: Devon Dampier, Utah
2025 USA TODAY Sports Network preseason All-Big 12 offense
QB: Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
RB: Bryson Washington, Baylor
RB: Dylan Edwards, Kansas State
WR: Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
WR: Chase Roberts, BYU
TE: Joe Royer, Cincinnati
OL: Spencer Fano, Utah
OL: Ben Coleman, Arizona State
OL: Bryce Foster, Kansas
OL: Caleb Lomu, Utah
OL: Xavier Hill, Colorado
2025 USA TODAY Sports Network preseason All-Big 12 defense
DL: Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati
DL: Domonique Orange, Iowa State
DL: Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
DL: David Bailey, Texas Tech
LB: Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
LB: Keaton Thomas, Baylor
LB: Austin Romaine, Kansas State
DB: Jontez Williams, Iowa State
DB: Jeremiah Cooper, Iowa State
DB: Xavion Alford, Arizona State
2025 USA TODAY Sports Network preseason All-Big 12 special teams/other
Punter: Palmer Williams, Baylor
Kicker: Will Ferrin, BYU
All-purpose: Josh Cameron, Baylor, RS-Sr.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: USA TODAY Sports Network 2025 preseason All-Big 12 college football team, awards
Reporting by Eugene Rapay, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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