The Big 12 Conference has unveiled its official 2025 Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team, with honors for Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year, all selected by media members.
The early-season accolades spotlight projected leaders across the conference, setting the stage for storylines to monitor once play begins.
Key Honors and Position Leaders
- Offensive Player of the Year: Sam Leavitt (QB, Arizona State)
- Defensive Player of the Year: Jacob Rodriguez (LB, Texas Tech)
- Newcomer of the Year: Devon Dampier (QB, Utah)
The full offensive lineup features an array of elite talent. ASU’s Leavitt is joined by running backs Bryson Washington (Baylor) and Jahiem White (West Virginia), with fullback Will Swanson (Kansas State) rounding out the backfield.
Top wideouts include Eric McAlister (TCU), Chase Roberts (BYU), and Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State), with tight end Joe Royer (Cincinnati) on the end of the formation.
Offensive line honorees include Ben Coleman (Arizona State), Spencer Fano (Utah), Bryce Foster (Kansas), Caleb Lomu (Utah), and Jordan Seaton (Colorado). Special teams selections include kicker Will Ferrin (BYU) and return specialist Josh Cameron (Baylor).
Defensively, the defensive line is anchored by David Bailey (Texas Tech), Dontay Corleone (Cincinnati), C.J. Fite (Arizona State), Lee Hunter (Texas Tech), and Domonique Orange (Iowa State). Rodriguez leads linebackers alongside Austin Romaine (Kansas State) and Keaton Thomas (Baylor).
The secondary recognition goes to Xavion Alford (Arizona State), Bud Clark (TCU), Jeremiah Cooper (Iowa State), DJ McKinney (Colorado), and Jontez Williams (Iowa State). Punters got their due as well, with Palmer Williams (Baylor) joining the special-teams group.
The preseason team reflects expectations entering a fiercely competitive 2025 season. Sam Leavitt’s nomination, dual-threat QB and OPOY, is a strong endorsement of his leap in 2024, when he led ASU to the inaugural Big 12 title game and a College Football Playoff appearance.
Defensive Player of the Year recognition for Jacob Rodriguez comes off Texas Tech’s top-tier defense last season. Rodriguez’s presence anchors a linebacker corps expected to be a top defensive unit in the league.
Newcomer of the Year Devon Dampier hints at immediate impact from a transfer signal caller, setting him up for an early-season spotlight.
Preseason honors set expectations, but the real proof will come when the games start. Will Leavitt live up to the QB hype? Can Rodriguez lead Texas Tech’s defense back to conference prominence? Will Dampier emerge as a breakout newcomer? Those are the pivotal storylines as the league hits camp and heads into the fall.
The full list of honorees can be seen below.
OFFENSE
- QB – Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
- RB – Bryson Washington, Baylor
- RB – Jahiem White, West Virginia
- FB – Will Swanson, Kansas State
- WR – Eric McAlister, TCU
- WR – Chase Roberts, BYU
- WR – Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
- TE – Joe Royer, Cincinnati
- OL – Ben Coleman, Arizona State
- OL – Spencer Fano, Utah
- OL – Bryce Foster, Kansas
- OL – Caleb Lomu, Utah
- OL – Jordan Seaton, Colorado
- K – Will Ferrin, BYU
- KR/PR – Josh Cameron, Baylor
DEFENSE
- DL – David Bailey, Texas Tech
- DL – Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati
- DL – C.J. Fite, Arizona State
- DL – Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
- DL – Domonique Orange, Iowa State
- LB – Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
- LB – Austin Romaine, Kansas State
- LB – Keaton Thomas, Baylor
- DB – Xavion Alford, Arizona State
- DB – Bud Clark, TCU
- DB – Jeremiah Cooper, Iowa State
- DB – DJ McKinney, Colorado
- DB – Jontez Williams, Iowa State
- P – Palmer Williams, Baylor
