While several high-profile starters return to the conference for the 2025 college football season, multiple Big 12 teams will have a new quarterback running their offense this fall. Who is set to be the starting QB at all 16 programs when the season kicks off in August?
Arizona State Sun Devils: Sam Leavitt
Ranked No. 100 on CSN’s top college football returning players, Sam Leavitt thrived in his first year with the Arizona State Sun Devils in 2024, leading them to the Big 12 Championship. The redshirt sophomore won’t have Cam Skattebo to rely on in 2025, but he flashed the ability to make plays happen through the air and on the ground and is primed to take another step forward under Kenny Dillingham.
Arizona Wildcats: Noah Fifita
Noah Fifita was one of the electric quarterbacks in the sport in 2023, but his play took a step back in 2024. The Arizona Wildcats’ passer led the Big 12 with 12 interceptions, and his completion percentage dropped 12 points down to 60.5. However, a new OC in Seth Doege could be the change Fifita needs as he prepares for life without Tetairoa McMillan.
Baylor Bears: Sawyer Robinson
Sawyer Robinson emerged as an exhilarating dual-threat talent in 2024, ranking 25th in the country with 3,071 passing yards and 14th with 28 touchdowns through the air.
Additionally, the Baylor Bears quarterback had 230 yards and four touchdowns on the ground, and Dave Aranda’s side is primed to improve on their 8-5 record from last season.
BYU Cougars: Jake Retzlaff
In his first full year as a starter with the BYU Cougars, Jake Retzlaff passed for 2,947 yards and 20 touchdowns while adding 417 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. Coming off an 11-win season, the 20th-ranked team on CSN’s early top 25 college football power rankings also returns RB Chase Roberts to help them go one step further toward a Big 12 Championship Game in 2025.
Cincinnati Bearcats: Brendan Sorsby
Brendan Sorsby ranked ninth among Big 12 quarterbacks in 2024, throwing for 2,813 passing yards. The Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback had his team positioned to compete in the highly competitive conference by starting the season with a 5-2 record. However, a disappointing finish to the season led to a decline in the former Indiana Hoosiers quarterback’s performance, as he threw six interceptions in the last five games.
Colorado Buffaloes: Kaidon Salter
Deion Sanders will finally get to experience his life as a coach without his son under center. Kaidon Salter transfers to Boulder to be Shedeur Sanders’ replacement, but experiences hot competition for five-star recruit Julian Lewis.
Salter has passed for 5,889 yards and 56 touchdowns, and he has rushed for an additional 2,006 yards and 21 touchdowns across his four-year career with the Liberty Flames. He brings a wealth of experience to Colorado.
Houston Cougars: Conner Weigman
There was much expected of Conner Weigman with the Texas A&M Aggies in 2024, but the realization of his talent never materialized. Now, he heads back home looking to rebuild the Houston Cougars’ offense, which ranked 130th in the country in 2024, averaging just 14 points per game.
Iowa State Cyclones: Rocco Becht
Rocco Becht ranks fifth among returning starters in passing yards (3,505), which also ranked third among Big 12 competition, but he will be without his two favorite receivers in 2025. Nevertheless, the Iowa State Cylcones’ quarterback is a real leader for Matt Campbell’s team who are trying to finally get over the hump and win a Big 12 championship.
Kansas Jayhawks: Jalon Daniels
When healthy, Jalon Daniels is one of the top quarterbacks in the Big 12, but his 2,454 passing yards in 2024 ranked 71st among college passers. The loss of OC Andy Kotelnicki hit hard as the Kansas Jayhawks’ passer had the lowest completion percentage of his career. However, as he returns for his sixth college season, he still possesses the tools to be a game-changer.
JD6 to Grimm is SO back pic.twitter.com/VnQOEsS0Cz
— Kansas Football (@KU_Football) August 30, 2024
Kansas State Wildcats: Avery Johnson
Avery Johnson ranked 20th in the nation in 2024 with 25 passing touchdowns, and the Kansas State Wildcats ranked 41st in the nation, averaging 30 points per game. The quarterback continues to flash dual-threat abilities under Chris Klieman. The Wildcats’ QB passed for 2,712 yards and rushed for an additional 605 yards and seven touchdowns, but will need to show more consistency in 2025.
Oklahoma State Cowboys: Hauss Hejny
Hauss Hejny brings his dual-threat ability to Stillwater and is the favorite to land the Oklahoma State Cowboys’ starting job despite a reported battle. The TCU transfer attempted only 15 passes in four games as a backup in 2024 but possesses a unique rushing ability in a crowded quarterback room.
TCU Horned Frogs: Josh Hoover
Josh Hoover ranked seventh in the nation and second among Big 12 quarterbacks, throwing for 3,949 yards in 2024, setting a new program record. He returns to the TCU Horned Frogs who are looking to improve on a 9-4 record, including winning 6 of 7 down the stretch under Sonny Dykes.
Texas Tech Red Raiders: Behren Morton
Behren Morton is scheduled to be the starting quarterback for the Texas Tech Red Raiders again in 2025, having played through injuries over the last two seasons. He averaged 277.9 yards per game in 2024, throwing for 3,335 yards and 27 touchdowns, showcasing toughness and fortitude.
UCF Knights: Tayven Jackson
Scott Frost has been active adding players to the Quarterback room, as UCF and Indiana transfer Tayven Jackson is the current favorite to land the starting job. After spending one year in Tennessee and two in Indiana, Jackson is scheduled for his first starting role in 2025 after showcasing flashy moments when Kurtis Rourke was injured in 2024.
Utah Utes: Devin Dampier
A true dual-threat, Devin Dampier rushed for 19 touchdowns at New Mexico in 2024 while throwing for 3,934 yards. The Lobos transfer can unlock defense with his legs, as displayed by his 1,166 rushing yards, which ranked fourth among all quarterbacks, while averaging 7.5 yards per carry.
KEEP READING: Top 100 Players for the 2026 NFL Draft
Utah sits 25th on CSN’s early college football top 25 power rankings with a rock-solid offensive line for Dampier to thrive behind.
West Virginia Mountaineers: Nicco Marchiol
Nicco Marchiol will finally get his chance to start in 2025. And he deserves it. The West Virginia Mountaineers’ passer is 4-0 as a starter when stepping in to replace the injured Garrett Green and has totaled 1,000+ yards and 11 touchdowns across his three-year career.
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