The Big 12 Conference has always been a conference filled with good quarterbacks , as we look ahead to the 2025 season expect nothing less than that. But who will rise above the rest and cement their status as the best quarterbacks in the Big 12? From proven veterans to promising transfer quarterbacks , the big 12 will have legit guys under center. Let’s dive into the names you’ll want to remember when kickoff rolls around.
Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
Baylor’s standout quarterback emerged as one of the brightest stars in the Big 12 during the 2024 season. After a rocky 2-4 start, Robertson he elevated his team’s play by showcasing poise , and undeniable talent.
By the end of the season he threw for 2,626 passing yards and 26 touchdowns. Robertson also led his Baylor bears to an 8-4 record. But it wasn’t just the stats; it was the steady improvement week by week that made him special.
In my opinion Robertson will be the big 12’s best quarterback next year.
Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
Sam Leavitt had a breakout 2024 season, cementing his status as one of the best quarterbacks in the Big 12 by leading the Sun Devils to their first Big 12 championship and their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance with a coveted first-round bye.
Leavitt showcased why he’s a rising star, throwing for 2,663 yards and 24 touchdowns, combining exceptional accuracy with smart decision-making.
All the while he minimized mistakes even in high-pressure situations, lookout for him to be one of the best Quarterbacks in the country next year.
Avery Johnson, Kansas State
Avery Johnson solidified himself as one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in college football in 2024.
A true dual-threat talent, Johnson showed a lot of potential in 2024, throwing for 2,517 yards and 22 touchdowns while adding 548 rushing yards on the ground.
His ability to make plays with both his arm and legs made him a nightmare for opposing defenses and the centerpiece of the Wildcats’ offense.
Early in the year, he relied heavily on his legs to create opportunities, but as his confidence and command of Kansas State’s offense grew, so did his efficiency and effectiveness as a passer.
Entering year two as Kansas State’s starting quarterback, Avery Johnson is poised to lead one of the most dangerous offenses in the Big 12.
Devon Dampier, Utah
Devon Dampier’s transfer to Utah, alongside his offensive coordinator Jason Beck from New Mexico, is one of the more intriguing quarterback moves of the offseason.
Dampier put up impressive numbers in 2025, throwing for 2,768 yards and 12 touchdowns while adding a staggering 1,166 yards on the ground. At first, I wasn’t completely sold on him, but he’s grown on me and there’s no denying that he’s an electric football player with immense potential as a quarterback.
What makes Dampier special is his ability to make plays in ways that few quarterbacks can. His dual-threat capability gives Utah a new dimension offensively. With Beck orchestrating the scheme, Dampier’s familiarity with the system could make for a smooth transition.
That said, the jump from the Mountain West to the Big 12 will be a significant test. The competition will be tougher, the defenses faster, and the pressure greater. How he handles that adjustment will be key to Utah’s success in 2025.
Jalon Daniels, Kansas
Jalon Daniels is set to return to Kansas for his sixth season, a surprise to some, as many had forgotten he still had eligibility left.
Nevertheless, his decision to come back in 2025 makes him one of the oldest and most experienced quarterbacks in the Big 12, if not the entire country.
After a disappointing 2024 season, Daniels is clearly determined to rewrite his narrative and lead Kansas to a stronger campaign next year. While Daniels has struggled with inconsistency throughout his career, there’s no denying his talent when he’s playing at his ceiling.
His dual-threat ability is what makes him special, particularly his skills as a runner. In 2024, he threw for 2,454 yards and 14 touchdowns while adding 447 yards on the ground.
Despite his ups and downs, Daniels’s wealth of experience will be an asset for Kansas in 2025. As one of the most seasoned quarterbacks in college football, he should be capable of guiding the Jayhawks to a better season.
If Daniels can find more consistency and play closer to his potential, Kansas’s offense has the chance to be dangerous, making him a player to watch in the Big 12 next year.
Connor Weigman, Houston
Connor Weigman’s transfer to Houston marks a fresh start for the former five-star quarterback from Texas A&M.
Once considered one of the top high school prospects in the nation, Weigman’s college career has been marked by setbacks—first an injury that sidelined him for most of 2023, and then losing his starting job to Marcel Reed in 2024.
Despite the challenges, his move to Houston under head coach Willie Fritz feels like a redemption story waiting to unfold.
In the five games Weigman played during the 2024 season, he threw for 819 yards, offering glimpses of the talent that once made him such a coveted recruit.
At Houston, he’ll have a chance to prove himself in a system that could play to his strengths, and with a clean slate, there’s plenty of intrigue around how he’ll fare in the Big 12.The move also represents an upgrade for Houston at the quarterback position.
After a lackluster 2024 season led by Zeeon Chris, Weigman’s arrival should bring both competition and a higher ceiling to the Cougars’ offense.
Rocco Becht, Iowa State
Rocco Becht had an outstanding 2024 season, firmly establishing himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the Big 12, throwing for 3,235 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Becht played a crucial role in leading Iowa State to a 10-3 record and a Big 12 Championship game berth. His ability to make plays both in and out of the pocket helped propel the Cyclones to one of their most successful seasons in recent memory, showcasing his poise, accuracy, and leadership on the field.
Given Becht’s growth as a quarterback and the momentum the Cyclones built in 2024, there’s every reason to believe that he’ll have another successful season in 2025.
With his combination of arm strength, vision, and experience, Becht will once again be one of the most dangerous signal-callers in the Big 12, and Iowa State will likely be a force to reckon with as they look to compete for another conference title.
Jake Retzlaff, BYU
Jake Retzlaff’s 2024 season was nothing short of spectacular, leading BYU to a 9-0 start and ultimately finishing with a 10-2 record.
Retzlaff threw for 2,796 yards and 26 touchdowns, showing off his ability to make all the throws while keeping defenses on their heels with his composure and precision.
His leadership played a pivotal role in the Cougars’ success, making them one of the most exciting teams in college football this year.
However, despite the impressive season, BYU’s failure to secure a College Football Playoff berth after a 10-2 finish likely left a bitter taste in Retzlaff’s mouth.
That disappointment will surely fuel him heading into 2025, as he returns for another season with the Cougars. His decision to come back is huge for BYU, as Retzlaff’s experience will help the BYU offense take another step.
Josh Hoover, TCU
Josh Hoover’s 2024 season at TCU was a breakout campaign that firmly established him as one of the top quarterbacks in the Big 12.
Throwing for 3,687 yards and 23 touchdowns, Hoover’s gunslinger mentality was on full display as he consistently put up big numbers and showed off his ability to make all the throws.
However, the challenge in 2025 will be the loss of two key NFL wide receivers Savion Williams and Jack Bech who were major contributors in the passing game.
That said, Hoover’s raw talent and arm strength make him one of the most promising quarterbacks in the conference. If he can become smarter with the football, cutting down on turnovers and making better decisions in critical moments, there’s no reason he can’t have another strong season
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Overall the Big 12 is loaded with exciting quarterback talent heading into the 2025 season.
From proven leaders like Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson to emerging stars like Kansas State’s Avery Johnson, the conference is shaping up to be a quarterback’s playground.
And I haven’t even mentioned potential standouts like Colorado’s Julian “Juju” Lewis, who looks poised to take the reins as the Buffaloes’ starting quarterback, or Chandler Morris, who could make a splash if he transfers to Oklahoma State.
Additionally, Arizona’s Noah Fifita is looking to bounce back after a challenging season.
The future of the Big 12 is bright, and next year is looking like it will be a season to remember.
