The Big 12 Conference released its 2026 preseason awards and All-Big 12 team on July 6, highlighting BYU running back LJ Martin as the preseason offensive standout. Martin, who served as the league's Player of the Year for the 2025 season, was selected as the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year by media members covering the 16 member institutions.
Preseason Award Winners
The preseason selections revealed significant dominance by Texas Tech and BYU. According to the Big 12 Conference, Texas Tech's A.J. Holmes Jr. was named the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, marking the second consecutive year a Red Raider has received the honor following Jacob Rodriguez's previous win. Texas Tech also led all programs with seven players recognized on the preseason honors, including five defensive players.
BYU secured the second-highest number of recognitions with six players named to the preseason team. Following the Cougars, Houston received three selections. The preseason awards were determined by media members who cover the conference's various member schools across the league.
All-Big 12 Offensive Selections
Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker was voted the Preseason Newcomer of the Year. Mestemaker, a redshirt sophomore, arrived in Stillwater after serving as the nation's leading passer as a freshman at North Texas. He joined the Cowboys' offense following coach Eric Morris.
In the preseason All-Big 12 team selections, the offensive roster features several standout performers. Noah Fifita of Arizona was named the preseason quarterback, while BYU's LJ Martin and West Virginia's Cam Cook were selected as running backs. Other running backs named to the team include fullback Kayden Luke of West Virginia. The wide receiver positions were filled by Omarion Miller of Arizona State, Amare Thomas of Houston, and Wyatt Young of Oklahoma State.
All-Big 12 Defensive Selections
The defensive side of the ball saw heavy representation from Texas Tech and BYU. The defensive line selections include A.J. Holmes Jr. of Texas Tech, Wendell Gregory of Kansas State, Adam Trick of Texas Tech, and Keanu Tanuvasa of BYU. Other defensive linemen named include C.J. Fite of Arizona State.
Linebacker selections include Ben Roberts of Texas Tech, Austin Romaine of Texas Tech, and Cade Uluave of BYU. The defensive backfield features Will James of Houston, Evan Johnson of BYU, Jamel Johnson of TCU, Brice Pollock of Texas Tech, and Faletau Satuala of BYU. The special teams selections include Stone Harrington of Texas Tech as kicker and Mana Carvalho of Utah as the punt and kick returner, while Baylor's Palmer Williams was named punter.
Conference Turmoil and Rankings
The preseason announcements come amid a period of significant transition for the Big 12. According to USA TODAY, the conference has experienced substantial offseason turmoil, including a dispute involving Texas Tech and the Brendan Sorsby matter that saw the league threatening legal action against one of its own member schools.
Despite this instability, Texas Tech remains a prominent force in the preseason rankings. USA TODAY's preseason predicted order of finish placed the Red Raiders as the favorite to win the Big 12 and return to the College Football Playoff. The Red Raiders' preseason strength is reflected in their nine players placed on the USA TODAY Network preseason All-Big 12 team, which included six defensive players.
BYU Outlook
BYU enters the season with high expectations following a narrow miss of the College Football Playoff last year. The Cougars avoided the coaching carousel as quarterback Bear Bachmeier returned to Provo after Kalani Sitake declined an opportunity with Penn State.
In addition to Bachmeier, BYU's preseason strength is bolstered by LJ Martin, who rushed for a conference-best 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns during the 2025 season. Martin also contributed 36 receptions for 255 yards last year. BYU's preseason impact is further highlighted by several honorable mentions from USA TODAY, including quarterback Bear Bachmeier, defensive lineman Keanu Tanuvasa, linebacker Isaiah Glasker, and defensive back Evan Johnson.
Media Day Context
The preseason awards and team selections were released ahead of the Big 12 media days, which were scheduled to take place July 7-8 in Irving, Texas. The preseason rosters and awards serve as a baseline for the upcoming conference campaign involving the 16 member institutions.
