Spring football is coming, which means it’s time to take a look at what you should know for every Big 12 Conference team.
Texas Tech achieved its first Big 12 title and College Football Playoff appearance after finishing 12-2 in 2025. Though key playmakers Behren Morton, Jacob Rodriguez and David Bailey are off to the NFL, the Red Raiders retained many of their starters and reloaded through the transfer portal. Could we see Texas Tech make another playoff appearance in the 2026 season? BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier is back for his sophomore season after eclipsing 3,033 passing yards and 15 touchdowns in 2025. After going 12-2 in 2025 and coach Kalani Sitake reaffirming his commitment to the program, what can we expect from BYU next season?
Here’s a look at the top storyline, a position of intrigue and player to watch for each Big 12 team heading into the spring.
2025 record: 9-4
Spring storyline: After a rough 2024 season in coach Brent Brennan’s debut, the Wildcats roared back last season to finish 9-4 — a five-win year-over-year improvement. Now, with quarterback Noah Fifita back to begin his fourth season as the starter, few programs are in better hands at the position. It all adds up to a belief that Arizona can compete for the Big 12 title — a rare offseason position in Tucson.
Position of intrigue: Running back. After Ismail Mahdi ran out of eligibility, the Wildcats have a solid trio to handle running back duties in 2026. It starts with Kedrick Reescano and Quincy Craig, both of whom ran for over 300 yards for Arizona last season. Then, there’s Antwan Roberts, a transfer from Marshall, where he was the Thundering Herd’s featured back, rushing for 512 yards. If one of them can have a breakout season, this could be a position of strength, but there is still a lot to prove from the group.
Player to watch: DE Prince Williams. At famed Bishop Gorman High in Nevada, Williams was one of the most dominant defensive players in high school football in 2025. He was MaxPreps’ Nevada Player of the Year after making 91 tackles, including an incredible 44 for loss. At 6-foot-3, 264 pounds, he has the size to compete for playing time right away and will use the spring to see if he can work his way into the rotation. — Kyle Bonagura
2025 record: 8-5
Spring storyline: Coach Kenny Dillingham is one of the best young coaches in college football and was heavily linked to the Michigan opening after the 2025 season, which turned into a stressful couple of weeks for Sun Devils fans. In the end, Dillingham reaffirmed his commitment to his alma mater, raising expectations for what can be accomplished in Tempe. After ASU’s College Football Playoff appearance in 2024, the team took a step back last season and now comes the hard part: sustained success at a conference-championship level.
Position of intrigue: Quarterback. With Sam Leavitt off to LSU, the door is open for a new starter. The expectation is for Cutter Boley — Kentucky’s starter last season — to win the job, but he’ll have to earn it, starting this spring. Boley is talented, if inconsistent, and will benefit from Dillingham’s tutelage. But don’t count out Mikey Keene. He has been the starter at UCF and Fresno State before a detour to Michigan last year, where he did not play. Given the experience between those two, the Sun Devils are in good shape.
Player to watch: RB Cardae Mack. At Atascocita High in Texas, Mack played quarterback and was one of the state’s most prolific runners. How quickly he’s able to transition to running back is an interesting question, because he’s talented enough to make an immediate impact. He arrives as a four-star recruit, was the No. 23-ranked running back in the country and chose ASU over offers from most of the Big 12. — Bonagura
2025 record: 5-7
Spring storyline: The Bears took a gamble in retaining coach Dave Aranda following the program’s third sub-.500 season in four years. And after losing nearly all of the leading contributors from a team that finished 5-7 a season ago, Baylor was forced to place another bet on rebuilding via the transfer portal. Will either wager pay off in 2026? At the heart of the roster retool is Florida transfer quarterback DJ Lagway, who joins coordinator Jake Spavital’s offense alongside a new-look wide receiver unit led by transfers Gavin Freeman (Oklahoma State), Hardley Gilmore IV (Kentucky) and Dre’Lon Miller (Colorado). First-year defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman takes over playcalling duties and a similarly overhauled Bears defense that ranked 122nd nationally against the run a season ago. Aranda’s future at Baylor hinges heavily on the acclimation of transfers such as Lagway and defenders Hosea Wheeler (Indiana) and Garrick Ponder (Southern Miss) in 2026, and that process begins this spring.
Position of intrigue: Secondary. For a unit that finished 31st nationally in passing yards per game, Baylor’s secondary was a decidedly trick-or-treat experience last fall. The departures of starters DJ Coleman (Florida transfer) and Devyn Bobby (graduation) leave cornerback LeVar Thornton Jr. and safety Jacob Redding as the top returners to that unit in 2026. Potential upside lies within the group of transfer defensive backs the Bears signed this offseason. Safety Daniel Cobbs, Kansas State’s 2025 interceptions leader, is one of three former K-State defensive backs who followed Klanderman to Baylor. Oklahoma transfer Devon Jordan joins the Bears after emerging as a versatile player in Brent Venables’ Sooners defense a year ago, and New Mexico State transfer Stilton McKelvey brings valuable experience to an intriguing position group.
Player to watch: Lagway. It was only last August that the former five-star passer held the 10th-best Heisman Trophy odds of any player across football. Lagway’s debut season as a starting quarterback subsequently fell short of expectations, complete with a 4-8 finish and more interceptions — 14 — than any other SEC passer. But Lagway’s overwhelming talent, presumably, is still there to be unlocked by Spavital and a retooled Baylor offense. And while it’s reductive to suggest the trajectory of the Bears’ 2026 season relies solely on his shoulders, the version of Lagway Baylor gets in the fall could swing everything, one way or another. — Eli Lederman
2025 record: 12-2
Spring storyline: Is this the year BYU breaks through? The Cougars were so close to reaching the College Football Playoff the past two seasons, going undefeated over the season’s first two months each year. After losing to Texas Tech twice last season, the Cougars don’t have the Red Raiders on the schedule in 2026, but they still have a difficult slate to navigate, which includes Notre Dame in a nonconference game.
Position of intrigue: Linebacker. With Isaiah Glasker and Siale Esera returning, plus the arrival of Cade Uluave from Cal, the Cougars will again have one of the better linebacking corps in the country. But they will have to deal with the departure of coordinator Jay Hill, who left for Michigan after engineering a remarkable turnaround in his two seasons in Provo.
Player to watch: QB Bear Bachmeier. Despite transferring to Provo as a true freshman last year after spring practice, Bachmeier still won the starting job and helped guide the Cougars to one of their best seasons in school history, winning Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year. Now, with a full offseason to prepare, he’s in line for a major step forward. The Cougars relied on Bachmeier’s physical running perhaps more than they would have preferred last season, and he should be more equipped to handle the intricacies of the offense in 2026. — Bonagura
2025 record: 3-9
Spring storyline: Deion Sanders brought a spotlight to Boulder in a way that has rarely been seen in college football, but now — three years in — it’s fair to start questioning how long he’ll be around. This never felt like a long-term solution for Colorado and after the Buffaloes went just 1-8 in the Big 12 last season — their second one-win conference season in Sanders’ three years — there isn’t much to indicate a major turnaround is on tap. Brennan Marion’s arrival as the offensive coordinator is an interesting addition that could spark some improvement.
Position of intrigue: Offensive line. This unit has been the Achilles’ heel for the Colorado for years and with the departure of standout left tackle Jordan Seaton, it will be another rebuilt group. Bo Hughley (Georgia), Demetrius Hunter (Houston) and Jose Soto (Sacramento State) arrived via the portal. Hughley never emerged as a starter.
Player to watch: QB Julian Lewis. If Colorado is going to have the type of bounce-back season it had in 2024, it will have Lewis to thank. The former five-star prospect got his feet wet last season and showed flashes of what might be possible, but he has a long way to go before there should be an expectation for him to play at an all-conference level. The revolving door at quarterback last season was a problem, so having an entrenched starter is a significant development. — Bonagura
2025 record: 7-6
Spring storyline: The Bearcats are working through quite a bit of change this spring with newly hired defensive coordinator Nate Woody coming in from Army and Nic Cardwell and Pete Thomas being promoted to co-offensive coordinator duties. Woody did an impressive job with the Black Knights, building top-five scoring defenses in 2020 and 2024, and coach Scott Satterfield is plenty familiar with him from their time together at App State. After fading late in the season with another five-game losing streak to close out the season, Satterfield is looking for new answers and shook things up a bit with his staff this offseason.
Position of intrigue: Who takes over for Brendan Sorsby as quarterback? The Bearcats brought in Georgia Southern transfer JC French IV, a two-year starter who ranked fifth in the Sun Belt in total offense last season with 3,244 total yards, 26 TDs and eight interceptions. Then they doubled down in the portal with Penn transfer Liam O’Brien, who earned first-team All-Ivy honors in 2025. Both have one more year of eligibility and will compete with third-year backup Samaj Jones, a former ESPN 300 recruit, for the job.
Player to watch: Satterfield has big expectations for running back Zion Johnson this offseason. The 5-foot-8 redshirt freshman from Georgia rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries in his first year in the program. The Bearcats must replace their top four rushers from 2025, and added a trio of transfers in Gi’Bran Payne (Notre Dame), Cole Tabb (Stanford) and Zylan Perry (Louisiana), but they’re hoping Johnson proves he’s ready to play a featured role. — Max Olson
2025 record: 10-3
Spring storyline: The Cougars stormed to their second double-digit win season since 2016 in coach Willie Fritz’s second year in charge, and Houston appears poised to keep building in 2026. Quarterback Conner Weigman returns after the most productive season of his college career, as does leading wide receiver Amare Thomas, who hauled in 67 passes for 966 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Cougars do have to account for the departure of top pass catcher Tanner Koziol. But former Oregon and Tulane running back Makhi Hughes fills a hole in the backfield, and Houston has a potential wild card in five-star quarterback Keisean Henderson — the highest-ranked signee in program history. The Cougars will have to find replacements for several notable starters on defense, including star defensive linemen Carlos Allen Jr. and Eddie Walls III. But on the basis of experience, returning talent and the foundation that Houston laid a season ago, Fritz and the Cougars can be legit Big 12 challengers in 2026.
Position of intrigue: Secondary. This category is often reserved for positions of concern. But that’s not the case here for what projects to be an exceptionally talented and deep Houston defensive back group in 2026. Cornerback Latrell McCutchin Sr. marks the lone departure from the program’s primary starting secondary unit in 2025, handing defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong continuity in the back end of the defense between junior cornerback Will James and veteran safeties Kentrell Webb and Jordan Allen. The arrival of Tulane safety transfer Javion White, a 14-game starter and a third-team conference selection with the Green Wave last fall, brings another talented veteran presence to the safeties room. Meanwhile, Houston appears to have secured its replacement for McCutchin with the addition of Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks transfer cornerback Jalen Mayo, an FCS All-American a year ago.
Player to watch: Hughes. After posting 2,779 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns across his first two seasons at Tulane in 2023 and 2024, Hughes never fully acclimated at Oregon last fall. In 2026, he’ll reunite with Fritz and offensive coordinator Slade Nagle — the duo that recruited Hughes to Tulane — not only with a shot at a rebound season, but to fill the void left by Dean Connors and to add another dimension to the Cougars’ offense. — Lederman
2025 record: 8-4
Spring storyline: For the first time since 2016, someone other than Matt Campbell is leading the Cyclones into a new season in 2026. The early weeks of coach Jimmy Rogers’ tenure were a time of widespread turnover in Ames as more than 50 members of Iowa State’s team departed the program — including roughly 24 who followed Campbell to Penn State — and another 45-plus portal additions that landed on campus to be part of Rogers’ rebuild. Fourteen of those newcomers were players who followed Rogers from Washington State, and Iowa State made some intriguing additions elsewhere, such as playmaking quarterback Jaylen Raynor from Arkansas State. But missing 15 starters from a year ago, Rogers and the Cyclones are undoubtedly facing an uphill climb in 2026 within a program that posted only two losing seasons in 10 under Campbell.
Position of intrigue: Wide receiver. Of Iowa State’s top 10 pass catchers from a season ago, only redshirt sophomore Dominic Overby remains. That’s a gut punch for a program that recently boasted star receivers such as Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins. As for reinforcements around Raynor in 2026? Tulane wide receiver Omari Hayes projects as one of the program’s most impactful skill position additions after hauling in 78 passes for 1,105 and four touchdowns across his past two seasons. Elsewhere, former Oklahoma, Houston and Tarleton State pass catcher Cody Jackson joins after the most productive season of his winding career in 2025, and Washington State transfer Carter Pabst follows Rogers as a promising young talent. The rosiest outlook on the Cyclones season probably hinges on Raynor replicating a 2025 effort in which he finished with 3,361 yards, 20th most among FBS quarterbacks. To do it, he’ll need a proper receiving corps.
Player to watch: Defensive end Isaac Terrell. Edge rushers Tamatoa McDonough and Ikenna Ezeogu are two of the 15 starters Iowa State is working to replace in 2026. But Terrell’s portal arrival from Washington State represents one of the few spots on the depth chart in which the Cyclones will be improved, on paper at least, in the fall. Terrell tore up opposing backfields for seven sacks, 12 tackles for loss and a forced fumble in a breakout junior season under Rogers a year ago and projects to be one of the leaders of Iowa State’s new-look defense. — Lederman
2025 record: 5-7
Spring storyline: What does life look like after Jalon Daniels? The quarterback is gone after playing at least three games for six straight seasons, and he finished his career with 9,282 career passing yards. But the Jayhawks stagnated a bit in his last two seasons, going 5-7 each year. Andy Kotelnicki is back on the staff after two years at Penn State, and the starting job might end up going to longtime backup Cole Ballard. Regardless, the quarterback of choice will preside over an offense featuring a massively renovated skill corps and at least three new line starters. This should be quite the shakeup on offense. (Lance Leipold shook up the defensive personnel, too, but there’s nothing particularly new about that. When KU has been winning, it typically has been because of the offense.)
Position of intrigue: Ballard has certainly waited his turn in Lawrence, throwing for 445 yards and rushing for 209 over three years as the backup QB. But there’s no time to play favorites after back-to-back losing seasons, so he’ll have to fend off Rice transfer Chase Jenkins and, potentially, sophomore Isaiah Marshall to win the job. Jenkins had some exciting moments in Rice’s run-heavy offense, and it’s not hard to see Kotelnicki attempting to build packages for multiple QBs. But nothing might boost the program more than a QB, any QB, taking control of the job in the spring.
Player to watch: After his 2025 season was derailed almost immediately by injury, running back Dylan Edwards chose to transfer from K-State to KU. When Edwards is rolling, he’s a scary big-play threat in both the backfield and special teams, and if he or perhaps Buffalo receiver transfer Nik McMillan are able to deliver an explosiveness boost, that alone could flip a couple of the close games KU has been losing over the past couple of seasons. — Bill Connelly
2025 record: 6-6
Spring storyline: The prodigal son is back. Collin Klein, quarterback for K-State’s 2012 Big 12 title run and a human third-and-3 conversion, takes over as head coach following Chris Klieman’s retirement; he spent two seasons as Klieman’s offensive coordinator before helping lead Texas A&M to the CFP in the same role, and he takes over a squad that lost control of the little things and went 2-5 in one-score finishes on the way to a disappointing 6-6 finish. Klein doesn’t have to make huge changes, especially with quarterback Avery Johnson returning, but can he deliver the shot-in-the-arm that brings K-State back near the top of the Big 12?
Position of intrigue: Klein lost edge rushers Chiddi Obiazor and Tobi Osunsanmi to Indiana but might have somehow pulled off an upgrade in bringing Wendell Gregory (Oklahoma State) and Elijah Hill (Kennesaw State) aboard. The edge duo combined for 29.5 tackles for loss and 13 sacks last season, and though Hill is a bit undersized and might need creative deployment, these two and veterans Travis Bates and Jordan Allen (and maybe Coastal Carolina transfer Jayden Bryant) give new defensive coordinator Jordan Peterson quite a bit to work with.
Player to watch: It has to be Johnson, doesn’t it? He was tentative early last season and seemed to be playing like the pro-style future NFL player he wants to be instead of playing to his strengths. K-State’s fortunes improved a bit when he began running more, and one assumes that he’ll need to be prepared for a solid number of designed runs with Klein in charge, but if he plays to his capabilities, K-State’s a Big 12 contender, plain and simple. — Connelly
2025 record: 1-11
Spring storyline: It was time for a reset in Stillwater, and the Cowboys have gotten that in coach Eric Morris’ debut offseason with the program. More than 60 players from the Oklahoma State team that finished 1-11 a year ago entered the transfer portal this offseason, and Morris replenished his roster with an impressive portal class anchored by 17 North Texas transfers, including FBS passing yards leader Drew Mestemaker, FBS rushing touchdowns leader Caleb Hawkins and star pass catcher Wyatt Young. How high (and quickly) can that revamped group of players lift the Cowboys in 2026? It’s the question Morris, who carries a reputation for quick turnaround and high-scoring offenses, will begin to answer this spring as a new era begins.
Position of intrigue: Offensive line. The Cowboys ranked 13th among Big 12 programs in pressures allowed last fall. After hitting the portal hard for offensive line talent, they could start an entirely new offensive line unit in 2026. Left tackle Braydon Nelson started 24 games across his first two seasons at North Texas, and Oklahoma State has experienced hands to turn at right tackle between transfer Ashton Lepo (Michigan State) and Joseph Hanson (Coastal Carolina). Guards Jacob Sexton (Oklahoma) and Johnny Dickson III (North Texas) bring similar veteran experience on the interior, while center Tyler Mercer (Kansas) reunites with Morris and the coaching staff he blossomed under as a true freshman at North Texas in 2024. Protecting Mestemaker is imperative, so the Cowboys’ offensive line competition will be worth following.
Player to watch: Linebacker Ethan Wesloski. So much of the focus around North Texas’ 2025 season lies with the offense, and for good reason. But that shouldn’t obscure the dominant season Wesloski unleashed a season ago, either. His 113 total tackles ranked tied for 22nd among FBS defenders, and Wesloski added 1.5 sacks with an interception and two forced fumbles as a junior. Oklahoma State’s best defenses in recent years have been anchored by elite linebackers — see: Malcolm Rodriguez and Nick Martin — and Wesloski could be that for the Pokes in 2026. — Lederman
2025 record: 9-4
Spring storyline: TCU is going through a major reset on offense with three-year starting quarterback Josh Hoover transferring to Indiana and offensive coordinator Kendal Briles moving on to South Carolina. Coach Sonny Dykes was eager to move in a new direction on offense and wants to run the ball. He hired UConn’s Gordon Sammis to install a more pro-style offense around Harvard transfer QB Jaden Craig and running backs Jeremy Payne and Jon Denman. Sammis built a top-15 scoring offense last season (35.3 points per game) with the Huskies and is inheriting good returning talent from a nine-win squad. There’s plenty of teaching to do with this new-look offense between now and the end of August when the Frogs kick off against North Carolina in Ireland.
Position of intrigue: The big question beyond quarterback exiting 2025 was at linebacker and how the Horned Frogs would replace first-team All-Big 12 performer Kaleb Elarms-Orr and three-year starter Namdi Obiazor as they move on to the NFL. They’re counting on Max Carroll to take a big step as a redshirt junior after logging 34 tackles and four TFLs last season and brought in another veteran in Virginia Tech transfer Michael Short. Michael Teason, a former Missouri State transfer who played in 12 games last season, will also get an opportunity for a more substantial role. This trio lacks starting experience, but TCU coaches like the athleticism and upside.
Player to watch: TCU signing only one transfer receiver this offseason to help replace All-Big 12 star Eric McAlister tells you there’s plenty of internal confidence about what Terry Shelton can provide for this offense. The former ESPN 300 recruit caught three passes for 29 yards during his redshirt season with the Frogs and brings impressive size at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds. Shelton and third-year receiver Dozie Ezukanma need to keep developing into difference-makers for this passing attack alongside returning starter Jordan Dwyer. — Olson
2025 record: 12-2
Spring storyline: After achieving the school’s first Big 12 title and College Football Playoff appearance, Texas Tech has no interest in taking a step back in 2026. This team reloaded with another prolific transfer portal haul, led by top-ranked transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby and highly touted defensive linemen Mateen Ibirogba, Trey White and Adam Trick, to complement a strong core of 14 returning starters. Joey McGuire and his coaches are again working with the most talented roster in the conference. If McGuire can pull off the culture component, the way he did in 2025 with exceptional player leadership, the Red Raiders should be right back in the national title hunt.
Position of intrigue: The competition in Texas Tech’s wide receiver room should be fun to watch. Which players will step up and shine alongside returning starter Coy Eakin? The Red Raiders inked four transfer wideouts in Malcolm Simmons (Auburn), Donte Lee Jr. (Liberty), Kenny Johnson (Pitt) and Jalen Jones (Alabama State) who produced a combined 2,908 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns last season at their previous schools. Micah Hudson played the second-most snaps among Texas Tech’s returning options last season, and it’s time for the former five-star recruit to earn a major role in his third year. Tech coaches are also high on the potential of rising sophomores Tristian Gentry, Leyton Stone and Bryson Jones.
Player to watch: Texas Tech coaches had extremely high expectations for running back Quinten Joyner last offseason, but the USC transfer went down because of a knee injury in an August scrimmage and sat out the season. Young backs Cameron Dickey and J’Koby Williams did an impressive job of leading Tech’s rushing attack in his absence, and now all three are back for 2026. That’s a great problem to have if you’re second-year offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich. Joyner gives this offense another home run threat and averaged 7.4 yards per carry at USC. Don’t be surprised if he puts together a breakout season. — Olson
2025 record: 5-7
Spring storyline: Where did the points go (and will they come back)? UCF averaged just 24.3 points last season, the Knights’ worst since the 0-12 disaster of 2015. They averaged just 15.9 in seven losses. As is customary for this era, Scott Frost brought in a new batch of contributors, from quarterbacks Alonza Barnett III (James Madison) and Keyone Jenkins (Florida International), to running back Duke Watson (Louisville), to receivers Josh Derry (Monmouth) and Jonathan Bibbs (UL Monroe), to four offensive linemen who started at least once elsewhere in FBS last season. While slot receiver Duane Thomas Jr. and tight end Dylan Wade return after decent seasons, the Knights could have as many as eight new offensive starters. Spring will be a time to get all of the new options sorted out.
Position of intrigue: Alex Grinch’s defense was solid in 2025, but the dynamite defensive end duo of Nyjalik Kelly and Malachi Lawrence is gone after combining for 26.5 TFLs and 10 sacks. Frost focused a lot of his portal effort on making sure he had the right players there, adding a couple of successful Group of 5 ends (Akron’s Bruno Dall, Old Dominion’s Jahleel Culbreath) and a couple of unproven former blue-chippers (Arkansas’ Ken Talley, Florida State’s Jesse Harrold). They have a high bar to clear, but Dall and Culbreath were each exciting last fall.
Player to watch: Last we saw Barnett, he was throwing for 273 yards and engineering a 34-point effort against Oregon in the CFP. He threw for 5,404 yards and 49 touchdowns, and rushed for 1,031 yards and 22 more scores in two seasons as JMU’s starter. The hope has to be that he can immediately come in and provide both a lift and an identity for a UCF attack that needed both a season ago. The Knights weren’t efficient enough to generate any sort of sustained tempo, and they didn’t make enough big plays to make up the difference. Barnett has certainly been a difference-maker in the big plays department. Will that carry over in Orlando? — Connelly
2025 record: 11-2
Spring storyline: The Morgan Scalley era is underway in Salt Lake City, and his first offseason in charge has already been a fascinating one. Scalley closed out Utah’s 11-win season with a bowl win over Nebraska in his head coaching debut. Then he had to hire seven new assistant coaches and ink 16 incoming transfers to help make up for what the Utes lost after Kyle Whittingham took over at Michigan. Quarterback Devon Dampier and running back Wayshawn Parker return to power a new-look offense, but this spring is about developing new starters, depth and leadership throughout the roster to sustain its success through this transition and remain a serious Big 12 title contender in 2026.
Position of intrigue: Utah has enjoyed a run of highly productive tight ends in recent years with Dallen Bentley, Brant Kuithe and Dalton Kincaid. Bentley going pro and JJ Buchanan transferring to Michigan creates a bit of a question at that spot for new offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven. The Utes return reserve Hunter Andrews, who’s coming back from a season-ending injury, and added transfers Noah Bennee (Weber State) and Will Monney (Oklahoma State), as well as incoming freshman Bear Fisher. Bennee caught 23 passes for 264 yards last season to earn All-Big Sky recognition and might be the best bet to start.
Player to watch: Is true freshman tackle Kelvin Obot ready to be a day one starter for the Utes? Obot, the No. 42 overall recruit in the 2026 ESPN 300 out of Fruitland, Idaho, comes in as one of the highest-rated signees in program history with a clear opportunity to make an immediate impact. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound early enrollee sure looks as if he has the talent and traits to play right away for a unit that must replace All-America right tackle Spencer Fano and All-Big 12 left tackle Caleb Lomu. — Olson
2025 record: 4-8
Spring storyline: It has been yet another offseason of mass roster turnover for the Mountaineers under Rich Rodriquez with 50 players entering the portal. West Virginia won’t return much experience from last season’s 4-8 finish, but it substantially boosted its offensive potential with the additions of FBS rushing leader Cam Cook (Jacksonville State) and DJ Epps (Troy), and there might be significant upside with Oklahoma quarterback transfer Michael Hawkins Jr. Those newcomers should deliver a jolt of excitement, it’s fair to wonder how consistently successful the Mountaineers can be considering the substantial churn of onboarding 69 newcomers to a roster with only a handful of returning starters in 2026.
Position of intrigue: Quarterback. West Virginia’s ceiling this fall might ultimately be determined by the outcome of its quarterback battle and just how far Hawkins, Scotty Fox Jr. or Max Brown can take the Mountaineers. Hawkins joins the program after making four starts and appearing in nine games in two seasons at Oklahoma, flashing arm talent and legitimate rushing ability that could spark an offense that averaged just 21.8 points last fall (14th in the Big 12). But Fox is likely to get a chance to claim the starting job he filled over the back half of the season in 2025 when he finished his freshman year with 1,276 yards and seven touchdowns to six interceptions on 59% passing, while Brown — a former Florida and Charlotte passer — offers a more experienced option. The Mountaineers need stability and a jolt of energy in 2026, and that could start with the winner of the program’s position battle under center.
Player to watch: Running back Cam Cook. The nation’s reigning rushing yards leader should give West Virginia quite a bit more than it had on the ground a season ago. In fact, Cook’s 1,659 rushing yards in 2025 finished only 268 shy of the program’s team rushing total. Cook has already competed against Big 12 defenses — he spent two years at TCU before transferring to Jacksonville State — and if he can replicate the running style that made him one of college football’s most dominant rushers last fall, the Mountaineers will have a game-changing backfield talent. — Lederman
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