The 2025 NFL Draft ended up being one of the most memorable in recent years after Shedeur Sanders, who was considered a legitimate option for the first overall pick just weeks ago, plummeted into the fifth round as the entire country watched.
In the days leading up to the draft, reports surfaced about Sanders’ supposed issues during the interview phase of his pre-draft process, and it appears there were some real red flags, suggesting he might not be first-pick material.
Those storylines are old news now, though, and NFL experts are already moving on to what the 2026 NFL Draft might look like.
Despite the loss of talents like Sanders and Colorado teammate Travis Hunter, the Big 12 still appears to be home to some of the top talents in college football.
Pro Football Focus’ Dalton Wasserman released his first official mock draft for the 2026 cycle over the weekend, and three Big 12 players, two of whom are teammates, are among the first 11 players off the board.
The first Big 12 player taken in Wasserman’s mock draft is Sam Leavitt, the starting quarterback for the Arizona State Sun Devils, who goes at No. 8 to the Indianapolis Colts.
Leavitt earned Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year honors in 2024 after an outstanding season year with ASU, ending the year with 2,885 passing yards and 24 touchdowns (6 INT), plus another 443 yards and five scores on the ground.
The next Big 12 player listed is Jordyn Tyson, who should be among the best wide receivers in the country in 2025. In his sophomore campaign with the Sun Devils last season, Tyson earned Big 12 Newcomer of the Year with 75 receptions for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s projected to go to Cleveland with the No. 10 overall pick.
Utah tackle Spencer Fano is the next Big 12 player off the board to Seattle at No. 11, and also the final player from the conference projected to go in the first round.
