Ranking the top Big 12 quarterbacks ahead of the 2025 season

The Big 12 quarterbacks are the toughest to rank because there are so many who have already proven how good they can be in the Big 12.

This list includes eight players who were above average-to-excellent as Big 12 starters last season. The other two are transfers who put up excellent numbers at the Group of 5 level.

Add that into a league where at least half of the 16 teams can make a legitimate, convincing case to win the conference, and you’re going to get a wild season.

1. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State

We’ve already seen Leavitt lead the Sun Devils to a Big 12 title. We saw him against the Texas defense in a College Football Playoff game Arizona State would have won if it could have made a stop on fourth-and-13. But there remains a nagging doubt that tailback Cam Skattebo was the reason.

With Skattebo in the NFL, it’s entirely Leavitt’s show. And he’s well equipped to help Arizona State make another run. He’s an exceptional improviser who keeps plays alive and keeps his eyes downfield. He’s one of the nation’s most accurate deep ball throwers. 

It takes a special quarterback to top this particular list, because it’s loaded with excellent QBs. Leavitt is that special.

2. Avery Johnson, Kansas State

Johnson’s first season as Kansas State’s starter felt disappointing because he didn’t seem as fast as he looked when he occasionally spelled Will Howard as a freshman. 

His stats weren’t terrible, but after getting that taste, Lamar Jackson or Johnny Manziel collegiate dual threat numbers had seemed possible. Here’s betting that in Johnson’s second year as the starter we see a QB more capable of tapping into that natural athleticism.

And if he can, Kansas State can compete for a conference title and a CFP berth.

3. Devon Dampier, Utah

New Mexico transfer Dampier isn’t going to blow anyone away with his arm, but behind Utah’s stacked offensive line, he may be able to dominate defenses with a combination of his legs and his arm.

As a Lobo, Dampier threw for 2,768 yards and 12 touchdowns last season but ran for 1,166 yards (7.5 yards per carry) and 19 touchdowns. He’s not similar to most of the quarterbacks coach Kyle Whittingham has had in his 20 years at Utah. But Dampier should allow the Utes to smash opponents in the run game, which Whittingham will love. And if Utah is running the ball effectively, it probably loosens the windows into which Dampier will have to throw.

4. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor

Baylor took off last season when Robertson got comfortable in the offense. Through the first six games, Robertson averaged 7.4 yards per attempt and threw 12 touchdown passes with five interceptions. The Bears went 2-4. In Baylor’s final seven games, Robertson averaged 8.9 yards per attempt and threw 19 touchdown passes with five interceptions. The Bears went 6-1 in those games.

A full offseason with offensive coordinator Jake Spavital working with Robertson as the starter should help produce similar numbers at the front end of this season. And a full season of Robertson playing like that would make Baylor a Big 12 title contender.

5. Rocco Becht, Iowa State

Becht will have to pick up some slack after losing Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins to the NFL, but similar numbers to last year will make Iowa State competitive in the Big 12. 

Becht threw 25 touchdown passes last season, but he’s also dangerous on the ground. He added eight rushing TDs last season.

6. Josh Hoover, TCU

Tennessee came calling for Hoover after losing Nico Iamaleava, but Hoover decided to remain at TCU. He threw for 3,949 yards last season on 8.4 yards per attempt. He needs to cut down on multi-interception games — he had two each in losses to SMU and Houston and in wins against Texas Tech and Kansas — but that’s probably possible if TCU can run the ball better and not force Hoover to shoulder so much of the load.

7. Jalon Daniels, Kansas

Daniels can be the most exciting QB in the league at times and one of the most maddening at times. After two injury-plagued seasons, he played all 12 games in 2024, averaging 8.2 yards per attempt with 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

With Devin Neal gone, Daniels may need to use his legs more to keep the chains moving. That actually could help the passing games if it forces defenses to dedicate a player to spying Daniels. But it also increases the risk of injury.

8. Kaidon Salter, Colorado

Salter went 21-4 as Liberty’s starter the past two seasons, and now his job will be to provide a bridge between Shedeur Sanders and quarterback-of-the-future Julian Lewis. Judging by what Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders said at Big 12 media days, Lewis is coming along more quickly than expected.

But that doesn’t mean Salter is just a stopgap. If he can get back to his 2023 production levels (9.9 yards per attempt, 32 TD passes, 6.7 yards per carry, 12 rushing TDs), he could be one of the most dynamic QBs in the Big 12.

9. Behren Morton, Texas Tech

Texas Tech revamped its roster through the transfer portal, but it’s notable that even with the Red Raiders spending freely, coach Joey McGuire didn’t seek a new QB1.

Morton enters his third season as Texas Tech’s starter, and he’ll be playing behind an upgraded line. That should allow him to improve on 7.2 yards per attempt and 27 TD passes.

10. Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati

Sorsby is a dual threat (18 TD passes, 9 rushing TDs) who threw for 2,813 yards last year. Whether those numbers improve this season probably depends on the receivers Cincinnati grabbed from the portal. 

One particularly intriguing addition is 6-5 former Lindenwood receiver Jeff Caldwell, who was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award (the FCS version of the Heisman) after gaining 1,032 receiving yards on 53 catches with 11 touchdowns.