Updated Big 12 football starting quarterback rankings entering camp

The Big 12 might not have the elite, Heisman Trophy-contending quarterbacks that the Big Ten and SEC have, but there is plenty of talent to go around the 16 programs.

Led by Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker, the conference's top Heisman contender, has several quarterbacks that can air it out. Arizona's Noah Fifita, Colorado's Julian Lewis, TCU's Jaden Craig, Arizona State's Cutter Boley and especially Baylor's DJ Lagway are all signal callers that can air it out. Other quarterbacks like Utah's Devon Dampier, UCF's Alonza Barnett III, West Virginia's Michael Hawkins Jr. and K-State's Avery Johnson are elite runners.

Whatever your quarterback de jour is, the Big 12 Conference has it.

The Big 12 also has several veterans who have started before, but also plenty of new faces on new teams. With the change in the conference's quarterback landscape, here is a fresh look at the Big 12 projected starting quarterbacks ranked from worst to best.

16. Cole Ballard, Kansas Jayhawks

2025 Stats: Eight games, 10 of 22 passing, 108 yards, 4.9 yards per attempt, one touchdown, one interception, 15 carries, 92 rushing yards, zero rushing touchdowns

Ballard knows the Kansas offense, but he is no lock for the starting gig. He has to beat out Isaiah Marshall and Rice transfer Chase Jenkins.

15. JC French IV, Cincinnati Bearcats

2025 State (at Georgia Southern): 13 games, 248 of 389 passing, 2,929 yards, 7.5 yards per attempt, 20 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 17 carries, 74 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns

Cincinnati found a highly productive and experienced player to replace Brendan Sorsby. He has a good arm, but won't elevate the play around him.

14. Michael Hawkins Jr., West Virginia Mountaineers

2025 Stats (at Oklahoma): Two games, 15 of 27 passing, 167 yards, 6.2 yards per attempt, three touchdowns, zero interceptions, 15 carries, 58 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown

Hawkins is competing with Scotty Fox Jr., who started six games last year and looked solid. But Hawkins' athletic profile is elite and seems like the right type of player for the Mountaineers this year.

13. Jaylen Raynor, Iowa State Cyclones

2025 Stats (at Arkansas State): 13 games, 333 of 501 passing, 3,361 yards, 6.7 yards per attempt, 19 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 154 carries, 423 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns

Raynor is a talented player and has his former Arkansas State OC at Iowa State. He will need to cut back on his turnovers, but he is a dynamic athlete with the ball in his hands.

12. Alonza Barnett III, UCF Knights

2025 Stats (at JMU): 14 games, 216 of 370 passing, 2806 yards, 7.6 yards per attempt, 23 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 14 carries, 127 rushing yards, 15 rushing touchdowns

Barnett was fantastic in 2025, specifically on the ground with 15 rushing scores. He is not an accurate passer, and that lands him outside the top 10.

11. Julian Lewis, Colorado Buffaloes

2025 Stats: Four games, 52 of 94 passing, 589 yards, 6.3 yards per attempt, four touchdowns, zero interceptions, 24 carries, -35 rushing yards, zero rushing touchdowns

Lewis has a lot to work on, but has the talent to shoot past this projection if he has a solid season.

10. DJ Lagway, Baylor Bears

2025 Stats (at Florida): 12 games, 213 of 337 passing, 2,264 yards, 6.7 yards per attempt, 16 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 71 carries, 136 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown

DJ Lagway was the future star in Gainesville until he wasn't. His elite traits are still with him in Waco, but he has to get better at making the correct decisions. If he improves the mental part of his game, he can be one of the stars in the Big 12.

9. Cutter Boley, Arizona State Sun Devils

2025 Stats (at Kentucky): 11 games, 198 of 301 passing, 2,160 yards, 7.2 yards per attempt, 15 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 66 carries, 85 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns

Boley is a solid quarterback with an extremely high ceiling, but also a low floor. He turns the ball over a lot, but also is 6-foot-5, 213 pounds and has a big arm. Which version of him shows up for the Sun Devils likely decides how good they can be.

8. Will Hammond, Texas Tech Red Raiders

2025 Stats: Eight games, 69 of 109 passing, 680 yards, 6.2 yards per attempt, seven touchdowns, three interceptions, 43 carries, 299 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns

Hammond is the guy now with Sorsby's departure, but he is coming off a major knee injury, and we don't really know what he will look like. His strength and ability to run were what made him stand out last season, but can he be that same player after an injury is the big question mark.

7. Avery Johnson, Kansas State Wildcats

2025 Stats: 12 games, 204 of 341 passing, 2,385 yards, 7 yards per attempt, 18 touchdowns, six interceptions, 109 carries, 477 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns

Johnson has yet to put it all together as he enters his fourth season at Kansas State. He is immensely talented, which is why he is ranked No. 7. Having Collin Klein, who recruited Johnson to the Wildcats, calling the plays should make life a lot easier this year.

6. Jaden Craig, TCU Horned Frogs

2025 Stats: 11 games, 208 of 338 passing, 2,869 yards, 8.5 yards per attempt, 25 touchdowns, seven interceptions, 48 carries, 78 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns

Considering Craig is making the jump from the FCS to FBs, this might be too high of a projection, but I am a huge believer in his game. He has size, arm strength and limits his turnovers. He is not a runner, but he can throw it with the best of them and should show that in 2026.

5. Bear Bachmeier, BYU Cougars

2025 Stats: 14 games, 251 of 387 passing, 3,033 yards, 7.8 yards per attempt, 15 touchdowns, seven interceptions, 14 carries, 527 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns

Bachmeier surpassed my expectations last season, and I don't see any reason why that changes this year. He is not a "wow" player, but he makes the right decisions and is as tough as they come.

4. Conner Weigman, Houston Cougars

2025 Stats: 13 games, 232 of 356 passing, 2,705 yards, 7.6 yards per attempt, 25 touchdowns, nine interceptions, 171 carries, 700 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns

Weigman is the complete package at quarterback, which is the reason he was a five-star recruit. He has an injury history and does not have first-round potential, but he is as solid as they come.

3. Devon Dampier, Utah Utes

2025 Stats: 12 games, 212 of 334 passing, 2,490 yards, 7.5 yards per attempt, 24 touchdowns, five interceptions, 146 carries, 835 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns

This was a tight call between Dampier and Arizona's Noah Fifita, but I gave Fifita the slight edge for his experience and arm talent. That said, Dampier is by far the better running threat, and he is a dynamic all-around player. I expect him to continue to grow during his second season at the Power Four level.

2. Noah Fifita, Arizona Wildcats

2025 Stats: 13 games, 232 of 356 passing, 2,705 yards, 7.6 yards per attempt, 25 touchdowns, nine interceptions, 171 carries, 700 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns

Fifita returns for Arizona for a fifth season after a breakout year in 2025. He is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the conference (40 games played) and in the country. With an infusion of talent around him, he has a chance to put together a Heisman-caliber 2026 campaign.

1. Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State Cowboys

2025 Stats: 14 games, 319 of 463 passing, 4,379 yards, 9.5 yards per attempt, 34 touchdowns, nine interceptions, 57 carries, 89 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns

The former walk-on is now a frontrunner for the Heisman after he transferred to OSU. He should not have trouble with the slight increase in competition. Following his former head coach will only help, and his arm should take the conference by storm every Saturday.

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Updated Big 12 football starting quarterback rankings entering camp