Predicting every Big 12 starting quarterback for the 2026 season

The 2025 college football season is now officially behind us after the Indiana Hoosiers did the impossible and captured their first-ever national championship on Monday night. A wild, hectic and emotional year is officially in the books, and programs across the country are already turning their attention to 2026, hoping to follow the blueprint Indiana laid out this season.

The Big 12 sent Texas Tech to the College Football Playoff, but inconsistent quarterback play ultimately held the Red Raiders back from making a deeper run. That narrative could flip quickly, though, as the conference is shaping up to feature some of the best quarterback talent in the country in 2026. Here's a prediction of who each Big 12 team's starting quarterback will be next season.

Colorado Buffaloes - Julian Lewis

Lewis appeared in just four games during the 2025 season, starting two, but the talent was evident even in a small sample. The five-star recruit threw for 589 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions. The sack numbers need to come down, but with a new offensive system under Brennan Marion, improved weapons on the outside, and hopefully better offensive line play, Colorado has a chance to turn heads in 2026.

West Virginia Mountaineers - Michael Hawkins Jr.

Hawkins Jr. played in nine games over two seasons at Oklahoma, accounting for eight total touchdowns and throwing for 950 yards. The former three-star transfer now lands in Rich Rodriguez's system, where he will look to take the next step in his development. Hawkins Jr. has three years of eligibility remaining and a real opportunity to lock down the job in Morgantown.

Houston Cougars - Keisean Henderson

Even with Conner Weigman likely returning in 2026, it won't be easy to keep Henderson off the field. He is the No. 1 quarterback and No. 1 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class, and the fact that Houston landed his commitment is massive. Starting him from day one makes sense. Even if he is raw early on, the upside is sky high. Henderson was a multi-sport athlete in high school and has traits that scream potential first-round NFL pick.

Utah Utes - Devon Dampier

Dampier returns for 2026 after an electric junior season in Salt Lake City. He threw for nearly 2,500 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just five interceptions while adding 835 rushing yards and 10 scores on the ground. Dampier earned Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year honors and will look to lead another explosive Utah offense next season, even with Kyle Whittingham no longer in the fold.

Arizona Wildcats - Noah Fifita

Following Arizona's bowl loss to SMU, Fifita made his intentions clear, saying, "We got unfinished business, and I’m coming back." The Wildcats were one of the biggest surprises of 2025, finishing 9-4 as Fifita threw for 3,228 yards and 29 touchdowns. He returns for his senior season looking to keep Arizona rolling in 2026.

BYU Cougars - Bear Bachmeier

After losing Jake Retzlaff to the transfer portal and eventually Tulane, BYU turned to freshman Bear Bachmeier, and the results were encouraging. The Cougars lost just two games in 2025, both to Texas Tech. Bachmeier threw for 3,033 yards and 15 touchdowns while adding 527 rushing yards and 11 rushing scores. The moment was a bit big for him against an elite Texas Tech defense, but this was a strong freshman season to build on.

Texas Tech Red Raiders - Brendan Sorsby

Sorsby entered the portal as the No. 2 overall quarterback and No. 2 overall player in the 2026 transfer class, and Texas Tech landed him. He was electric at Cincinnati in 2025, throwing for 2,800 yards, 27 touchdowns, and just five interceptions while adding 580 rushing yards and nine scores. Even with limited weapons and an inconsistent run game, Sorsby carried the Bearcats' offense. Tech reportedly paid around $5 million in NIL to bring him to Lubbock, and the expectation is that he elevates this offense to another level.

Baylor Bears - DJ Lagway

The talent has always been there with Lagway, the No. 1 quarterback in the 2024 class, but his time at Florida was uneven. The Gators struggled in both 2024 and 2025 under Billy Napier, and Lagway faced immense pressure early in his career. While the overall stats do not jump off the page, some flashes reminded everyone why he was so highly rated, including a 300-yard, two-touchdown performance in a win over Texas this season. A fresh start at Baylor with less pressure and a system that previously produced nearly 3,700 passing yards from Sawyer Robertson could lead to a career turnaround.

Oklahoma State Cowboys - Drew Mestemaker

Mestemaker was one of the top three players in the transfer portal cycle, and for good reason. The former zero-star recruit exploded at North Texas, throwing for 4,379 yards and 34 touchdowns while adding five more scores on the ground. He led the most explosive passing and scoring offense in college football and now follows his former head coach to Stillwater. The expectation is that the fireworks continue in 2026 and beyond.

Kansas State Wildcats - Avery Johnson

Johnson quietly put together a solid 2025 season despite Kansas State's inconsistency. He threw for 2,385 yards, 18 touchdowns, and six interceptions while adding 477 rushing yards and eight scores. The supporting cast was thin at times, but the Wildcats brought in 25 transfer commits and a near-top-50 recruiting class. Johnson has the tools, and if things come together in Manhattan, Kansas State could be one of the more underrated teams heading into 2026.

Kansas Jayhawks - Isaiah Marshall

With Jalon Daniels declaring for the NFL, Kansas will turn the page at quarterback, and Isaiah Marshall appears to be next in line. The former three-star recruit out of Michigan is the favorite to start in 2026, though Rice transfer Chase Jenkins could push him during camp. For now, Marshall enters the offseason as the likely QB1 in Lawrence.

Iowa State Cyclones - Jaylen Raynor

Raynor makes the most sense as the starter heading into 2026, though transfer Zane Flores and freshman Hudson Kurland will have a say during camp. Iowa State is in a difficult spot after losing its head coach, quarterback, and several key players to Penn State. Raynor, an Arkansas State transfer, brings experience and production after totaling 26 touchdowns in 2025, along with a connection to the new quarterbacks coach.

Arizona State Sun Devils - Cutter Boley

Arizona State lost Sam Leavitt to LSU and Lane Kiffin, but responded by adding Kentucky transfer Cutter Boley. As a redshirt freshman, Boley started 10 games, throwing for 2,160 yards and 15 touchdowns, though he also tossed 12 interceptions and took 26 sacks. Kentucky struggled overall, but Boley still flashed upside. Under Kenny Dillingham, who has a track record of maximizing quarterback play, his development in Tempe will be one to watch.

Cincinnati Bearcats - JC French IV

Cincinnati's quarterback room does not have a clear-cut answer yet, but French IV feels like the most logical option. The Georgia Southern transfer threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2025 while adding six scores on the ground. Incoming freshman Brooks Goodman could compete, but it would be surprising if he overtakes French IV right away.

UCF Knights - Keyone Jenkins or Alonza Barnett III

UCF enters the offseason without a clear quarterback leader after struggling for consistency in 2025. The Knights added James Madison transfer Alonza Barnett III and former FIU quarterback Keyone Jenkins. Barnett III recently appeared in the College Football Playoff and played well against Oregon, while Jenkins brings three years of production with 6,721 passing yards and 55 total touchdowns. This should be a true camp battle as Scott Frost looks for stability at the position.

TCU Horned Frogs - Jaden Craig

After Josh Hoover departed for Indiana to succeed Fernando Mendoza, TCU pivoted and landed Harvard transfer Jaden Craig. Craig is a decorated FCS quarterback who threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns this past season. Losing Hoover stings, but Craig brings experience and back-to-back seasons with over 23 passing touchdowns, making him a capable option to run the Horned Frogs' offense in 2026.

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Big 12 football starting quarterback predictions 2026