We’re rolling out our Big 12 preseason quarterback rankings for the 2025 college football season, and as you might expect with 16 teams and four voters, things got interesting in a hurry. Our system is simple: each of us — Caleb, Craig, Matt, and Zack — ranks the quarterbacks from 1 through 16, with first place earning 16 points, second earning 15, and so on until the final team collects one point. Once the tallies are in, the total points determine our composite ranking. It’s a straightforward process, but as always, the conversations (and debates) behind the numbers make for some of the best parts of these rankings.
Once again, we didn’t have a single unanimous ranking from top to bottom — though we came very close on Arizona State, Baylor, and Oklahoma State. The diversity of thought continues to shine through, though, with each of us planting our flags on different quarterbacks and teams. This year, Cincinnati and Utah finished in a tie for the No. 8 spot, a reflection of how split the group is on their potential. On the other end of the spectrum, there are programs like Kansas State and Iowa State where our ballots lined up more closely, while schools such as Colorado, UCF, and BYU sparked far more disagreement. That mix of near-unanimity in some places and wide gaps in others is part of what makes these preseason rankings so fun to put together.
Be sure to check out the full breakdown below to see where every team landed, and stick around — our next preseason preview moves to the wide receiver units, where, if history is any indicator, things will only get even more unpredictable.
Heartland Sports Consensus Big 12 Quarteback Rankings
| RANKING | POINTS |
|---|---|
| 1. Arizona State | 60 |
| 2. Baylor | 57 |
| 3. Iowa State | 55 |
| 4. Kansas State | 51 |
| 5. TCU | 49 |
| 6. Texas Tech | 45 |
| 7. Kansas | 40 |
| 8. Cincinnati | 33 |
| 8. Utah | 33 |
| 10. Houston | 24 |
| 11. Arizona | 19 |
| 12. UCF | 17 |
| 13. Colorado | 16 |
| 14. West Virginia | 14 |
| 15. BYU | 12 |
| 16. Oklahoma State | 7 |
Individual Rankings
Caleb
1. Arizona State | Sam Leavitt is the Big 12’s best QB to start the 2025. The Michigan State transfer finished with 2,885 yards passing, 24 touchdowns, leading the Sun Devils to a conference title and playoff appearance
2. Iowa State | Rocco Becht threw for 3,505 yards last year with 25 touchdowns thanks to a scheme that played to his strengths and allowed for various deep shots downfield. He looks take ISU back the the Big 12 championship and a trip to the CFP.
3. Baylor | Sawyer Robertson not only looks the part, he might’ve been one of college football’s best quarterbacks during the second half of last season. He helped the Bears end the regular season on a six-game winning streak and looks to carry that momentum into this season.
4. TCU
5. Kansas State
6. Kansas
7. Texas Tech
8. Utah
9. Arizona
10. Cincinnati
11. Houston
12. UCF
13. Colorado
14. WVU
15. BYU | Cougars’ QB room got rocked when Jake Retzlaff was dismissed from the team. Now having to have a QB battle coming into the season BYU has a lot of unanswered questions.
16. Oklahoma State | OSU’s quarterback room features four players with just 18 career snaps. With a lot of unproven talent in the QB room with an offense who lost of lot from last season its hard to see how successful this room can be.
Craig
1. Arizona State | The Sun Devils are an obvious choice for number one with Sam Leavitt at the helm. In 2024 he threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also led his team to the college football playoff. Leavitt did lose some weapons on offense, but regardless he should be primed for another solid season.
2. Baylor | The Bears will have senior Sawyer Robertson behind center once again. He had over 3,000 yards through the air in 2024 and 28 passing touchdowns. He also finished with the 7th best QBR in FBS.
3. Iowa State | Rocco Becht has one of the best arms in the conference. His deep ball ability makes him a threat against any defense. After throwing for over 3,500 yards last year he is ready for another breakout season.
4.Kansas State
5. TCU
6. Utah
7. Texas Tech
8. Cincinnati
9. Kansas
10. Houston
11. Arizona
12. Colorado
13. UCF
14. West Virginia
15. BYU | The Cougars lost Jake Retzlaff to the portal after he contributed to 66% of the teams offense in 2024. It looks like the Cougars will turn to freshman QB Bear Bachmeier.
16. Oklahoma State | The Pokes were an easy choice for the last spot due to the inexperience in their QB room. Between the four quarterbacks they have a combined 18 snaps in college football. Zane Flores will likely start the season, but don’t be surprised to see TCU transfer Hauss Hejny eventually get some snaps.
Matt
1. Texas Tech | The Red Raiders enters 2025 with the most complete quarterback group in the Big 12, led by Behren Morton’s steady experience and the high-upside depth of Will Hammond. Morton finally settled into the starting role last season, nearly eclipsing 3,000 passing yards while proving he can efficiently manage the offense without being forced to carry the entire load. With more talent around him and a defense capable of keeping games from turning into shootouts, Morton is positioned to thrive as a reliable leader rather than a desperate playmaker. Behind him, Hammond gives the Red Raiders a rare luxury—a backup with starting experience and proven production as a freshman. That blend of veteran stability and future star power makes Texas Tech’s quarterback room both dependable and dangerous, giving them a clear edge over their Big 12 rivals heading into 2025.
2. Kansas State | The Wildcats head into the 2025 season boasting one of the top quarterback units in the Big 12, anchored by rising star Avery Johnson. Entering his second full season as the Wildcats’ starter, Johnson has already shown the traits of a difference-maker, blending dynamic athleticism with an evolving passing game. Last fall, he proved he could win with his legs but also learned to win with his arm when injuries limited his mobility, a development that accelerated his growth as a complete quarterback. With 14 career starts under his belt, a stronger frame, and full command of the offense, Johnson is primed to lead Kansas State into the Big 12 title hunt and beyond. Surrounded by a talented roster and tested early with a marquee opener in Dublin against Iowa State, Johnson’s continued development positions the Wildcats as a serious contender — not just for the conference crown, but potentially for a College Football Playoff berth.
3. Baylor | The Bears enter 2025 with one of the premier quarterback situations in the Big 12, thanks to the steady rise of Sawyer Robertson. After a breakout junior campaign where he surpassed 3,000 passing yards with 28 touchdowns against just eight interceptions, Robertson proved he can operate at an elite level in both efficiency and production. Now a senior, his blend of experience, accuracy, and poise gives the Bears a true difference-maker at the most important position on the field. With Baylor already loaded at the skill spots, Robertson’s presence elevates the offense into one of the most dangerous units in the league, and it’s no surprise his name is surfacing in Heisman conversations. Simply put, as Robertson goes, Baylor goes — and that’s a good thing for a program ready to push for a Big 12 crown.
4. Iowa State
5. Arizona State
6. Kansas
7. Arizona
8. TCU
9. Cincinnati
10. BYU
11. UCF
12. Utah
13. Houston
14. West Virginia
15. Oklahoma State | OSU’s quarterback situation is one of the biggest concerns in the Big 12 heading into 2025, and it’s a major reason the Cowboys rank near the bottom of the league at the position. Unlike last year, when veteran Alan Bowman provided a steady hand, this season begins with complete uncertainty. The race between Zane Flores and Hoss Haney remains unsettled just weeks before kickoff, and neither has meaningful collegiate starting experience. In fact, every quarterback on the roster is a freshman in terms of eligibility, with Haney being the only one to take a snap in college. While Hejny’s mobility and ties to new offensive coordinator Doug Meacham give him intrigue, and Flores’ familiarity with the program offers some stability, the reality is that OSU will be leaning on untested players to lead the offense. That lack of proven production makes the Cowboys’ quarterback room a glaring question mark, and until someone steps up, it will remain one of the weaker units in the conference.
16. Colorado | The Buffs find themselves at the bottom of the Big 12 quarterback rankings heading into 2025 largely because its situation is built more on uncertainty than proven stability. Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter brings a strong résumé with nearly 8,000 career yards, 77 total touchdowns, and an impressive 20-4 record as a starter, but questions about his accuracy—just a 56.3% completion rate last season—raise concerns about whether his success can translate to Power Five competition. On the other side of the battle, five-star freshman Julian Lewis is undeniably talented and viewed as the program’s future, but he’s still just 17 years old after reclassifying and has never faced the speed and physicality of college defenses. While Deion Sanders is confident in both and has hinted at using a dual-QB system, the lack of a clear, proven answer under center makes Colorado’s quarterback room the least reliable in the league right now. Until either Salter adapts or Lewis matures into the role, the Buffs’ quarterback situation will remain more of a question mark than a strength.
Zack
1. Arizona State | Sam Leavitt is pegged as the top quarterback in the conference entering the season after a solid year last season in which he displayed poise and efficiency in leading the Sun Devils to a Big 12 Championship. As a result, he is on a number of preseason watch lists for national awards.
2. TCU | If the Horned Frogs had even a decent run game last season, Josh Hoover would have had perhaps an even better season than he already had. The offensive line wasn’t great, but Hoover still managed to be one of the top passers in the conference, and he is likely to do the same again this season.
3. Baylor | Sawyer Robertson had a great season last year, leading the Bears to an 8-5 record after they were picked to finish at the bottom of the conference. Now Baylor is considered a dark horse to win the Big 12, and he’s a big reason for it.
4. Iowa State
5. Texas Tech
6. Kansas State
7. Kansas
8. Cincinnati
9. Utah
10. Houston
11. Colorado
12. Arizona
13. West Virginia
14. Oklahoma State
15. UCF | The Knights have yet to name a quarterback, and while they have plenty of experience to choose from, there’s not a lot of great options when it comes to taking care of the ball. I have a hard time expecting much out of this group regardless of who is chosen.
16. BYU | Jake Retzlaff left BYU this summer after being accused of sexual assault in a civil suit that was eventually dismissed, and now the Cougars will start true freshman Bear Bachmeier. He could turn out being just fine, but after BYU had such a great season last year, he’s got plenty of pressure on his shoulders.
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