In conjunction with College Sports Network’s top 100 returning players for the 2025 college football season, it’s time to take a look at the talent returning to the Big 12. The new era of Big 12 football kicked off with a bang a season ago and the rising talents in the conference look to continue that stretch in 2025.
12) Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona State
National Rank: 100
Sam Leavitt’s transition from Michigan State Spartans backup to winning the hearts and minds of Arizona State Sun Devils fans as a Big 12 champion at the first attempt is the stuff of fairy tales.
So is some of the returning quarterback’s tape, showcasing some extraordinary throws and the capability to get the job done on the ground too (443 yards, four yards per carry, five touchdowns).
While some have been quick to anoint him the college football QB1, he’ll need to demonstrate he can operate consistently without Cam Skattebo before skyrocketing up our quarterback rankings.
11) Fred Perry, S, West Virginia
National Rank: 90
Rich Rodriguez took one of his most talented players from the 2024 Jacksonville State Gamecocks squad to Morgantown as safety Fred Perry looks to make the West Virginia Mountaineers secondary great again.
Perry is no stranger to the Group of Five level, having previously played at Clemson, but he made his money last fall as a defensive playmaker who was everywhere at all times. He tallied 110 tackles, 10 of which were for loss, with three sacks as he routinely speared into the backfield like a laser.
10) Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
National Rank: 89
A CSN Freshman All-American at left tackle in 2023, Spencer Fano was the full-time starter at right tackle for the Utah Utes in 2024 and continued to demonstrate why he’s one of the top offensive linemen in the country.
Despite having to protect several different quarterbacks with differing play styles, Fano only allowed one sack and pressure on 3.44% of his pass protection snaps, according to TruMedia. Fano is an incredibly smooth mover with exceptional footwork who finishes with a nasty streak.
9) Rocco Becht, QB, Iowa State
National Rank: 87
Are there some elements of Rocco Becht’s game that you’d like to see cleaned up? Of course. You’ll have a hard time selling casual fans on a quarterback who completed just 59.4% of his pass attempts in 2024.
However, the Iowa State Cyclones quarterback has hours of film showcasing his potential to be elite with some of the prettiest throws you will see from any quarterback in the sport. He’s a leader who you’d bet your house on with the game on the line in the fourth quarter and should have the Cyclones in position to compete in 2025, starting with a trip to Dublin, Ireland.
8) Sincere Edwards, EDGE, UCF
National Rank: 77
After earning CSN Freshman All-American recognition with the Pittsburgh Panthers, Sincere Edwards entered the transfer portal and will suit up for the UCF Knights as one of the top 100 returning players in college football this fall.
Edwards’ relentless, missile-esque pursuit of quarterbacks resulted in 17 tackles, six tackles for loss, and three sacks while he also broke up two passes. The 6’1”, 245-pound defensive end should terrorize offenses in the Big 12 this fall.
7) Jack Kelly, LB, BYU
National Rank: 75
Jake Retzlaff commanded a lot of attention last fall as the BYU Cougars embarked on a nine-game winning run that carried them as high as seventh in the AP Poll. Yet, in reality, the program’s success was built on defense, a unit led by do-it-all linebacker Jack Kelly.
A ferocious force coming downhill who deconstructs blocks for fun, Kelly racked up 10 tackles for loss and five sacks while leading the Cougars with two forced fumbles. He’s physical but smart and brings coverage chops, too. His return is huge for BYU in 2025.
6) Skyler Gill-Howard, DT, Texas Tech
National Rank: 69
The Texas Tech Red Raiders looted the transfer portal this winter, putting together one of the most impressive classes of that window. Skyler Gill-Howard might not make the headlines among some bigger names, but the former Northern Illinois Huskie should be considered one of the top defensive tackles in the country this fall.
His eight tackles for loss and five sacks are impressive from the interior, but he also put up a staggering pressure rate up there with the best. His first step and quickness to the ball at 6’1”, 285 is eye-catching, but he’s relentless and powerful too.
5) Kyran Duhon, EDGE, Oklahoma State
National Rank: 65
After impressing for the UTEP Miners as a true freshman in CUSA, Kyran Duhon is moving on up with a transfer to an Oklahoma State Cowboys defense that has produced its fair share of impactful edge rushers. Duhon earned CSN Freshman All-American honors after finishing with seven sacks last fall (tied for second among first-year players).
The 6’2”, 250-pound pass rusher is relentless in getting after the quarterback, already has some eye-opening pass rush tools, and flashes some power to push the pocket. He’s a name that should appear on the national radar this fall.
4) Kanye Udoh, RB, Arizona State
National Rank: 53
You don’t simply replace an impact player like Cam Skattebo, but the Arizona State Sun Devils dipped into the transfer portal and pulled out a rare commodity in Kanye Udoh. The former Army Black Knight back is a 6’0”, 215-pound ball of fury who is coming off the first 1,000+ yard season of his career.
He’s a bruiser with the speed and contact balance to rip off big plays, and half of his 2024 production came after contact. He will also prove valuable as a blocker for quarterback Sam Leavitt. Don’t sleep on his impact.
3) Jordan Seaton, OT, Colorado
National Rank: 44
A good chunk of the top offensive tackle talent in college football decided to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, paving the way for the rise of a new bunch of impact makers.
MORE: 2025 Way-Too-Early College Football Top 25 Power Rankings
Jordan Seaton was a big-time get for the Colorado Buffaloes in the 2024 recruiting class and heads into his sophomore season as one of the best in the country after earning CSN Freshman All-American honors for his performances protecting Shedeur Sanders.
2) John Walker, DT, UCF
National Rank: 34
You might want to call off your search if you’re looking for a Defensive Comeback Player of the Year contender in mid-February. John Walker was a highly sought-after high school prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, choosing the UCF Knights over a bunch of high-power Five offers.
He earned CSN Freshman All-American honors with a dynamic five-tackle-for-loss campaign but missed all of 2024 with an injury. He’ll be one of the top defensive tackles in the country if he returns to form.
1) Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
National Rank: 13
A collarbone injury sustained in the regular season finale deprived the Arizona State Sun Devils of one of their greatest playmakers to end the 2024 season. Still, it appears like Jordyn Tyson will be fully healthy by the spring and ready to dominate as one of the best receivers in the country by the start of the 2025 campaign.
He finished the year with three consecutive 100+ yard games, showcasing his reliable hands and unbelievable body control throughout the year.
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