With spring ball about to get underway across the country, it’s the perfect time to take a shot at ranking each Power Four conference in College Football.
Next is the Big 12. Here’s how I view the conference from a top‑ten power‑ranking perspective as we head into spring practices.
All recruiting and transfer portal rankings are via 247sports.com
Table of Contents
#1 Texas Tech Red Raiders
Coming off an 11–1 regular season and a conference title, the Texas Tech Red Raiders have quickly climbed the college football ladder. Under Joey McGuire’s leadership, Lubbock is becoming a hotbed not just for oil, but for Big 12 football as well. With their offseason additions and 2026 schedule, Texas Tech appears poised to make another run at the conference crown.
Key Returners: Cameron Dickey (RB), Hunter Zambrano (OL), Cash Cleveland (OL), Micah Hudson (WR), Coy Eakin (WR), A.J. Holmes Jr. (DT), Ben Roberts (LB), Brice Pollock (DB)
Incoming Recruits (18th nationally): Felix Ojo (OL), LaDamion Guyton (EDGE), Chase Campbell (WR), Bryce Gilmore (OL), S’Vioarean Martin (CB)
Portal Additions (10th nationally): Brendan Sorsby (QB, Cincinnati), Mateen Ibirogba (DL, Wake Forest), Jordan Church (OL, Louisville), Adam Trick (EDGE, Miami (OH)), Malcolm Simmons (WR, Auburn), Austin Romaine (LB, Kansas State), Trey White (EDGE, San Diego State), Corey Platt Jr. (LB, Houston)
Key Staff Notes: No notable new hires for Joey McGuire’s staff, but both coordinators, Mack Leftwich and Shiel Wood, as well as GM James Blanchard, received extensions through the 2028 season.
#2 BYU Cougars
Head coach Kalani Sitake has BYU near the top of the Big 12 after a 12–2 season and a conference runner-up finish. Now, as the Cougars retool for 2026, they’re focused on clearing that final hurdle and capturing a Big 12 title.
Key Returners: Bear Bachmeier (QB), LJ Martin (RB), Andrew Gentry (OL), Kyle Sfarcioc (OL), Anisi Purcell (DT), Evan Johnson (CB), Isaiah Glasker (LB)
Incoming Recruits (21st nationally): Ryder Lyons (QB), Adam Bywater (LB), Bott Mulitalo (OL), Brock Harris (TE), Ty Goettsche (TE)
Portal Additions (41st nationally): Cade Uluave (LB, California), Walker Lyons (TE, USC), Roger Saleapaga II (TE, Oregon), Paki Finau (OL, Washington), Kyler Kasper (WR, Oregon), Zak Yamauchi (OL, Stanford)
Key Staff Notes: Following the departure of defensive coordinator Jay Hill to Michigan, Sitake elevated Kelly Poppinga to lead the defensive play-calling. Sione Puha was also named associate head coach and defensive line coach.
#3 Houston Cougars
Coming off a highly impressive and unexpected 10–3 season in 2025, Willie Fritz has retooled his roster to make a serious push in the Big 12 and on the national stage in 2026. The Cougars enter next season as a potential dark-horse contender.
Key Returners: Conner Weigman (QB), Amare Thomas (WR), Koby Young (WR), Alvin Ebosele (OL), McKenzie Agnello (OL), Khalil Laufau (DT), Brandon Mack II (LB), Sione Fotu (LB), Kentrell Webb (DB), CJ Douglas (DB)
Incoming Recruits (37th nationally): Keisean Henderson (QB), Paris Melvin Jr. (DB), Jeremiah Bushnell (WR), Jaivion Martin (TE), Keavon Roberts (WR)
Portal Additions (50th nationally): Makhi Hughes (RB, Oregon), Javion White (S, Tulane), Anthony Boswell (OL, Toledo), Trent Walker (WR, Oregon State), Shadre Hurst (OL, Tulane), Ashton Porter (DL, Oregon), Ejirogehene Egodogbare (DL, Yale)
Key Staff Notes: Shawn Bell was promoted to assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach in December, while Brian Bell was elevated to wide receivers coach after previously serving as an offensive assistant. A lot of momentum for Willie Fritz heading into year three at Houston.
#4 Utah Utes
A new era of Utah football is underway as Morgan Scalley takes over for longtime Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham, who departed for Michigan. Whittingham’s successor has been lined up for years, and now it’s time to see how life in Salt Lake City looks without their veteran coach at the helm.
Key Returners: Devon Dampier (QB), Wayshawn Parker (RB), Larry Simmons (WR), Solatoa Moea’i (OL), Trey Reynolds (LB), Johnathan Hall (LB), Jackson Bennee (DB)
Incoming Recruits (27th nationally): Kelvin Obot (OL), Mataalii Benjamin (OL), PJ Takitaki (EDGE), LaMarcus Bell (RB), Moses Sparks Jr. (OL)
Portal Additions (46th nationally): Braden Pegan (WR, Utah State), Ethan Day (DL, North Texas), Kyri Shoels (WR, San Jose State), Steve Chavez-Soto (RB, San Jose State), James Chenault (CB, USF)
Key Staff Notes: Beyond Scalley taking over as head coach, Joe D’Orazio arrives from USC as the new GM of the program, and Kevin McGiven was hired as offensive coordinator, replacing Jason Beck, who joined Whittingham at Michigan. Colton Swan is listed as the new defensive coordinator, though Scalley is also expected to have significant input on the unit.
#5 Arizona State Sun Devils
Coming off the best season in Sun Devils history in 2024, the 2025 campaign brought its fair share of obstacles. However, Kenny Dillingham is determined to get his squad back to the top of the Big 12. Even with significant turnover within the program, I believe Arizona State can be a contender once again.
Key Returners: Kyson Brown (RB), Jalen Moss (WR), Derek Eusebio (WR), Jalen Klemm (OL), CJ Fite (DL), Blazen Lono-Wong (DL), Martell Hughes (LB), Xavion Alford (DB), Adrian “Boogie” Wilson (DB), Montana Warren (DB)
Incoming Recruits (40th nationally): Jake Fette (QB), Julian Hugo (EDGE), Cardae Mack (RB), Cortavious Tisaby (OL), Jarmaine Mitchell (OL), Landen Anderson (DL)
Portal Additions (15th nationally): Omarion Miller (WR, Colorado), Reed Harris (WR, Boston College), Owen Long (LB, Colorado State), Cutter Boley (QB, Kentucky), Raiden Vines-Bright (WR, Washington), Mikey Keene (QB, Michigan), Jalen Thompson (EDGE, Michigan State)
Key Staff Notes: The Sun Devils retain both coordinators heading into 2026, with the most noticeable change being Jack Nudo’s promotion to special teams coordinator.
#6 Arizona Wildcats
Coming off a very impressive 9–4 campaign in 2025, Brent Brennan looks to take the next step as he enters his third season. The question now is whether the additions to the roster and staff will be enough to push Arizona back into the upper half of the conference standings.
Key Returners: Noah Fifita (QB), Kedrick Reescano (RB), Tre Spivey (WR), Chris Hunter (WR), Alex Doost (OL), Leroy Palu (DL), Tre Smith (DL), Taye Brown (LB), Chase Kennedy (LB), Jay’Vion Cole (DB)
Incoming Recruits (42nd nationally): RJ Mosley (WR), Xaier Hiler (DB), Justin Morales (OL), Malachi Joyner (OL), Henry Gabalis (TE)
Portal Additions (51st nationally): Cole Rusk (TE, Illinois), Daylen Austin (DB, Oregon), Cam Chapa (S, Northern Colorado), DJ Jordan (WR, USC), Tyrese Boss (DB, Wyoming), Malcolm Hartzog (S, Nebraska)
Key Staff Notes: Brent Brennan signed an extension through 2030 and made several internal promotions. Lyle Moevao becomes the running backs coach, and Ronnie Palmer moves into the defensive ends coach role. Mike Williams was also hired as Arizona’s wide receivers coach.
#7 TCU Horned Frogs
Finishing 9–4 with a dominant bowl victory over USC, TCU and head coach Sonny Dykes will look to replicate their strong 2025 finish as they head into 2026. However, with the production lost from last season, that will be easier said than done.
Key Returners: Jeremy Payne (RB), Jordan Dwyer (WR), Ben Taylor-Whitfield (OL), Cade Bennett (OL), Markis Deal (DL), Zach Chapman (DL), Max Carroll (LB), Jamel Johnson (DB), Vernon Glover (DB)
Incoming Recruits (46th nationally): Carter Buck (EDGE), Zachary Taylor (DB), Vincent Johnson Jr. (OL), Jesse Ford (DL), Ayson Theus (WR)
Portal Additions (58th nationally): Noah McKinney (OL, Oklahoma State), Jaden Craig (QB, Harvard), Teon Parks (CB, Colorado), Michael Short (LB, Virginia Tech), Cheta Ofili (EDGE, Texas Tech)
Key Staff Notes: TCU had to replace former offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, who took the same position at South Carolina. The Horned Frogs tapped UConn offensive coordinator Gordon Sammis as his replacement; Sammis led a record-breaking offense for the Huskies in 2025.
#8 Kansas State Wildcats
Following a below-average season and the retirement of Chris Klieman, the Wildcats enter a new era of football. Former Kansas State star and Texas A&M offensive coordinator Collin Klein takes over at his alma mater, looking to restore the program to the top of the college football world. So, how will they fare in this first season?
Key Returners: Avery Johnson (QB), Joe Jackson (RB), Jaron Tibbs (WR), Garrett Oakley (TE), John Pastore (OL), Jordan Allen (DL), Asa Newsom (LB), Rex Van Wyhe (LB), Zashon Rich (DB), Donovan McIntosh (DB)
Incoming Recruits (51st nationally): Lawson McGraw (LB), Oliver Miller (OL), Josiah Vilmael (DB), Bennett Fraser (OL), Max Lovett (WR)
Portal Additions (39th nationally): Wendell Gregory (EDGE, Oklahoma State), Jay Harris (RB, Oregon), Joshua Manning (WR, Missouri), Kaleb Patterson (DB, Illinois), Ja’Son Prevard (DB, Virginia), Mekhi Mason (LB, Louisiana Tech)
Key Staff Notes: Collin Klein made significant changes to the staff upon arriving in Manhattan. He brought over Jordan Peterson, previously the co-defensive coordinator at Texas A&M, and hired Sean Gleeson as offensive coordinator after his stint as Missouri’s quarterbacks coach.
#9 Oklahoma State Cowboys
Following a horrendous 1–11 season in Stillwater, the Cowboys have aggressively retooled their roster and staff with the hire of North Texas head coach Eric Morris. Morris brings a track record of production and success, but the question remains: will it translate to first-year success in the Big 12?
Key Returners: Jakobe Sanders (OL), De’Marion Thomas (DL), Jaleel Johnson (DL), LaDainian Fields (DB)
Incoming Recruits (69th nationally): KD Jones (RB), Braeden Presley (S), Kole Seaton (OL), Landon Bland (EDGE), Maliek Bracy (DB)
Portal Additions (7th nationally): Drew Mestemaker (QB, North Texas), Caleb Hawkins (RB, North Texas), Wyatt Young (WR, North Texas), Justin Bowick (WR, Illinois), Chris Barnes (WR, Wake Forest), Jerry Lawson (DL, Louisville), James Williams (EDGE, Florida State), Israel Polk (WR, Akron) plus 44 other transfers
Key Staff Notes: Joining Eric Morris as new additions to the staff, Sean Brophy steps in as offensive coordinator, and Skyler Cassity takes over as defensive coordinator for the Pokes in 2026.
#10 Cincinnati Bearcats
After tailing off and losing their final five games last season, Scott Satterfield saw a significant amount of production depart through the transfer portal. However, the Bearcats also added several key players via the portal, so there is still potential for them to be competitive in 2026.
Key Returners: Isaiah Johnson (WR), Joe Cotton (OL), Evan Tengesdahl (OL), Taran Tyo (OL), Marquaze Parker (DL), Johnathan Thompson (LB), Simeon Colaman (LB), Trevon Gola-Callard (DB), Antwan Peek Jr (DB)
Incoming Recruits (57th nationally): Lance Dawson (OL), Markell Taylor (DB), Johnathan Rulo (DL)
Portal Additions (45th nationally): Cade Wolford (WR, Kent State), JV Gibson (WR, Oklahoma), MJ Cannon (DB, Bowling Green), Larenzo Fenner (WR, South Dakota), Chidera Otutu (DL, UTSA)
Key Staff Notes: Nate Woody takes over as the new defensive coordinator for the Bearcats.
