The Big 12 is nothing but entertaining. Fans couldn’t take their eyes off the expanded conference in 2024, producing some of the most exciting wide receiver-cornerback matchups anywhere in the country.
With some of the most exciting receivers in the Big 12, defensive backs will have their hands full, but which WR/CB battles are we most looking forward to in 2025?
Best WR/CB Matchups in the Big 12 in 2025
10) Malik McClain, Arizona State vs. Brice Pollock, Texas Tech
Malik McClain is slated to be a starter in Tempe in 2025 after redshirting in 2024. Despite his redshirt status, he still flashed in the postseason and showcased what he can do opposite Jordyn Tyson this season.
After attacking the transfer portal in 2025, the Texas Tech Red Raiders are out to shake up the college football landscape, and one addition is Brice Pollock from the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Pollock had nine passes defended and one interception in 2024 and was a bright spark on an otherwise disappointing season for the SEC side.
9) Eric McAllister, TCU vs. Keith Abney, Arizona State
Eric McAllister will feature more heavily in 2025 with Jack Bech’s departure, but his play in 2024 showcased his ability to take the next step. The TCU Horned Frogs receivers’ 19.5 yards per reception was the second best in the Big 12 last season, as he accumulated 557 yards and five touchdowns, while 92% of his receptions went for a first down or touchdown.
On the other hand, Keith Abney ranked fourth in the conference in 2024 with eight passes deflected while also recording three interceptions. His passes defended led the team, and he made a significant contribution to the Sun Devils, who ranked second in the Big 12 with 16 total takeaways.
8) Micah Hudson, Texas Tech vs. Cam Smith, Oklahoma State
Cam Smith is an underrated cornerback prospect. His 2024 play has gone under the radar, mainly due to the Oklahoma State Cowboys’ underwhelming performance with a 3-9 record. However, the senior finished the season as a team captain and had seven pass defenders while totalling 293 coverage snaps.
He will have his hands full on Oct. 25 as the Cowboys face the up-and-coming Red Raiders. Micah Hudson is one of several high-profile offseason moves in Lubbock.
Having originally entered the transfer portal and transferred to Texas A&M, Hudson opted to reenter in the spring and rejoin the Red Raiders. This means the former five-star recruit has it all to prove as Texas Tech looks to make a splash under Joey McGuire.
7) Chase Sowell, Iowa State vs. Matthew McDoom, Cincinnati
Another matchup of two transfer portal additions, Chase Sowell will go up against Matthew McDoom on Oct. 4. Sowell, a former East Carolina Pirate, had 678 yards and three touchdowns in 2024, averaging 19.9 yards per catch. With Jatyden Higgins and Jaylin Noel now in the NFL, the 6’4” and 195-pound receiver figures to be Rocco Becht’s go-to weapon.
Conversely, McDoom was voted to the 2025 First-Team All-Sun Belt and had the 12th-most pass deflections in the country with the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, which should prove a distinct matchup for the former Pirate.
6) Caleb Douglas, Texas Tech vs. Kyndrich Breedlove, Arizona State
Caleb Douglas ranked second among returning Big 12 receivers with 877 receiving yards in 2024 and will be looking to increase those numbers as the focal point of a resurgent Red Raiders program looking to win a conference championship in 2024.
If he is to do so, Douglas will have to overcome some of the best secondary play in the conference, and one such matchup will be against Kyndrich Breedlove. Playing the reigning conference champions on Oct. 18 will be a measuring stick game for Texas Tech. Breedlove moved to Tempe after starting every game of the 2024 season for the Purdue Boilermakers, registering four passes defended and three interceptions.
5) Joseph Williams, Colorado vs. Mory Bamba, BYU
Big things are expected of Tulsa Golden Hurricanes transfer Joseph Williams in Boulder as Deion Sanders retools his passing offense that lost so much talent to the NFL. As a freshman, the transfer portal addition racked up 588 yards and five touchdowns while also averaging 19.6 yards per catch.
Standing in his way on Sept. 27 will be Mory Bamba, who should be the BYU Cougars’ top guy after impressing in spring practice. The redshirt senior is a former track and field star and will look to use his speed to prevent the exceptional deep threat that Williams is.
4) Josh Cameron, Baylor vs. JC Hart, Utah
Josh Cameron has the joint-most touchdowns of any returning Big 12 receiver (10) as he registered 52 catches for 754 yards in 2024. The Baylor Bears receiver is a part of a dynamic offense that also boasts Sawyer Robinson and Bryson Washington as Dave Aranda’s offense looks to be box office this season.
Cameron will come up against Auburn transfer JC Hart when the Bears travel to the Utah Utes on Nov. 15. Kenny Dillingham’s side ranked third in the conference, allowing just 329.7 yards per game in 2024, as they look to improve in conference play after missing a bowl game last season.
3) Jayce Brown, Kansas State vs. Jontez Williams, Iowa State
Jayce Brown ranked 12th in the Big 12 in receiving yards in 2024 (823) despite Avery Johnson not meeting expectations. Brown’s numbers are expected to take a jump in 2025 if his quarterback can return to the hype of his freshman season.
He will come up against one of the top cornerbacks in the nation in the Kansas State Wildcats rivalry game against Iowa State, with Framageddon taking place in Dublin to open up the 2025 college football season. Jontez Williams generated four takeaways in 2024, leading the Cyclones, and should take on a broader leadership role in 2025.
2) Chase Roberts, BYU vs. Smith Snowden, Utah
Chase Roberts caught 52 passes for 854 yards and four touchdowns in 2024, and his synergy with QB Jake Retzlaff should repeat in 2025. Holy War in 2025 is shaping up to be a classic, and Utah at BYU is ranked fifth on CSN’s top 50 college games to watch in 2025.
For Utah, they are shaping up to be one of the top passing defenses in the conference again in 2025, and return Smith Snowden. The Utes’ cornerback is ranked 77th on CSN’s early 2026 NFL Draft watchlist after recording six pass deflections and two interceptions in 2024.
1) Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State vs. D.J. McKinney, Colorado
Jordyn Tyson vs. D.J. McKinney on Nov. 22 is a matchup between two of the top players in the conference. Tyson is one of the top wide receivers in the nation, and his 1,101 yards are the most of any returning Big 12 receiver.
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Meanwhile, McKinney will step in as CB1 in Colorado with Travis Hunter now in the NFL. He recorded 454 coverage snaps in 2024, recording seven pass deflections and three interceptions.
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