Ranking the Big 12’s best quarterbacks of 2025
Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt drops back to attempt a pass against Kansas State Saturday November 16, 2024 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
The conference continues to hold it down on the national landscape, despite approaching its’ second season without any traditional blue bloods.
That’s because the Big 12 had tremendous quarterback play in 2024. Now several of those gunslingers are returning to operate the huddle again this season. Although there’ll be a few new faces to the lineup, competition will still be fierce, and with so much parity around the league, anything can happen.
16. Zane Flores, Oklahoma State: The former three-star prospect has yet to play in a game since signing with the Cowboys in 2023. Flores received a medical hardship waiver from the NCAA last season, and will compete this fall as a third-year redshirt freshman. Although he’s very green behind center, Flores has had an ample amount of time to learn the system. The Nebraska native is still an unknown to opposing Big 12 Defensive Coordinators, and should benefit emerging from the shadows. Any quarterback improvement would outweigh a winless Big 12 campaign from 2024. The pressure will also be on Coach Mike Gundy to field a serviceable quarterback, so Flores needs to deliver.
15. Treyson Bourget, BYU: The departure of quarterback Jake Ratzlaff late last month has left Coach Kalani Sitake with a short amount of time to replace him. However, Bourget has an opportunity to emerge as a week one starter. He last played at Western Michigan from 2022-23. The Arizona native passed for 1,014 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions during that span. Bourget’s experience should help his cause. Nothing is set in stone though, and he’ll be pushed by redshirt sophomore McCae Hillstead, who started four games at Utah State in 2023. Whoever wins the job, they’ll be surrounded by returning talent that helped the Cougars win 11 games last season. The wheels can’t stop rolling.
14. Nicco Marchiol, West Virginia: The Arizona native has been a Mountaineer since 2022. However, Marchiol has only started three games during that span. He made the most out of his limited amount of time behind center though. Last year he completed 18 of his 22 passes for 198 yards, and two touchdowns against Arizona. Marchiol passed for 156 yards, and scored two total touchdowns in the victory at Cincinnati. The 6-foot-2, 226-pounder has the arm, and mobility to thrive in Coach Rich Rodriguez’s system. So expect the Mountaineers to operate with more efficiency, and tempo this fall. All Marchiol has to do now is soak up the new play book, and operate within the scheme.
13. Tayven Jackson, UCF: The Indiana native started out as a Tennessee Volunteer in the SEC. Jackson spent the past two seasons at Indiana, where he started six games during that span, including five in 2023. He passed for 914 yards, and two scores that year, but was picked off five times. His lone start with the Hoosiers last year was against Washington. Jackson completed 11 of his 19 passes for 124 yards, and scored two touchdowns in the victory over the Huskies. The redshirt junior should be able to thrive in Scott Frost’s system, considering Jackson’s dual-threat capabilities. Being part of Indiana’s Playoff run should help Jackson transition to his third school in the past four seasons.
12. Connor Weigman, Houston: The 21-year old has spent the past three seasons at Texas A&M, where he posted some decent numbers behind center. Weigman started 13 games, and passed for 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions during that span. Last year he passed for a season-high, 276 yards in the victory over Missouri. Weigman threw for two scores against McNeese State. There were some rough outings, like when Weigman was intercepted twice against Notre Dame and Mississippi State. Now he’s receiving a fresh start with the Cougars, and all of Weigman’s SEC experience should help him transition smoothly into the Big 12. Coach Willie Fritz will have him more consistent throwing the ball.
11. Devon Dampier, Utah: The Arizona native has spent the past two seasons at New Mexico. Dampier is a quarterback with a running back frame. He’s flat-out, dangerous with his mobility, and a decent passer. After all, Dampler rushed for a jaw-dropping, 1,166 yards, and 19 touchdowns with the Lobos in 2024. The 5-foot-11, 204-pounder even passed for 2,768 yards, and 12 scores. However, Dampier was picked off 12 times, and must make smarter throws in the Big 12. Although the Utes had major quarterback issues last season, Coach Kyle Whittingham will get him to play up to his potential. That’s why Dampier was named the 2025 Preseason Big 12 Newcomer of Year, and expected to make a spark.
10. Noah Fifita, Arizona: After he took the Pac-12 by storm in 2023, and led the Wildcats to 10 wins, the gunslinger followed up with a lackluster campaign in the Big 12. Rather his shortcomings on the gridiron were a result of a coaching change, or new system, Fifita just wasn’t the same quarterback. Even having All-American wideout Tetairoa McMillan in his arsenal didn’t help much, and Fifita was picked off 12 times. Arizona fans want to see Fifita back in his 2023 form, but that might be easier said than done with T-Mac no longer around. Regardless, Fifita’s 5,827 passing yards, and 43 touchdowns over the past two years can’t be ignored. Which is why he’s bound to bounce back this fall.
9. Jalon Daniels, Kansas: The California native is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the Big 12, and athletic as they come. Daniels always carries himself with confidence. Which is why he was a team captain in 2024. The 22-year old has started multiple games over the past five seasons. Although Daniels can hurt defenses with his arm legs, injuries have plagued him throughout his career in Lawrence. Despite suffering through a losing campaign last year, Daniels appears ready to get the Jayhawks back to the postseason. The redshirt senior is ready to go out with a bang, considering he helped Kansas win four of its’ final six games, including three against top-20 opponents.
8. Kaidon Salter, Colorado: The Texas native brings a bunch of experience, leadership and production to Boulder. Salter appears ready to take the torch that Shedeur Sanders left behind. After all, he spent the past four seasons at Liberty, where Salter was highly-successful. Salter even finished with 5,887 passing yards, and 56 touchdowns in his career with Flames. His 2,063 yards on the ground, and 21 rushing scores are impressive too. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder also put together a promising performance in Colorado’s spring game. Most importantly, Salter makes others around him better, which Coach Prime admires. Unlike C-USA, the Big 12 will have more physical, and faster defenses.
7. Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati: The former Indiana quarterback is coming off a promising campaign. After all, Sorsby established himself as a dangerous dual-threat, and scored 27 total touchdowns, including nine on the ground. It was the best season by a Bearcat signal-caller since Desmond Ridder led the program to the Playoffs. He passed for a season-high, 426 yards, and four touchdowns against Texas Tech. His 143 rushing yards in the road victory at Iowa State were a season-high. Sorsby threw for 298 yards, and three scores against Pittsburgh. Not to mention he passed for 383 yards, and two touchdowns against Towson. Sorsby appears ready to lead Cincinnati out of its’ bowl drought.
6. Behren Morton, Texas Tech: The Texas native started 12 games last season, and led the Red Raiders to an eight-win campaign. Morton ranked third in the Big 12, and eighth in the FBS in passing yards per game. He also finished third in the conference, and 18th nationally in total offense. Morton passed for 378 yards, and five touchdowns in the opener against Abilene Christian. Not to mention he posted four touchdown tosses apiece in victories over North Texas, and Cincinnati. Morton even had two touchdown passes in the win over Arizona State. His experience is beneficial, and he has 24 starts over the past three seasons. Now Morton is finally receiving the preseason recognition that he deserves.
5. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor: The former four-star prospect emerged from the shadows, and helped the Bears win seven of their final 10 games of the regular season. Not only did Robertson pass for 3,071 yards, but he also finished with 28 touchdown tosses, which tied for 14th in the FBS. The Texas native made great decisions with the ball. Which is why he ranked second in the conference, and 14th nationally in passing efficiency. He was the backbone of the team, and ranked 21st in the country in total offense. Robertson threw for a season-high, five touchdowns in the victory over Texas Tech, and four against Kansas. He’s arguably Baylor’s best passer since Heisman winner Robert Griffin III.
4. Avery Johnson, Kansas State: The former four-star prospect didn’t make Wildcat fans forget about Will Howard, but he put together a solid campaign as a full-time starter. Johnson dazzled at times with his dual-threat capabilities. His 25 touchdown tosses even set a school record. Not to mention he was Kansas State’s second-leading rusher. However, Johnson did suffer some growing pains with his accuracy being a liability for the offense. The 20-year old still has tremendous upside with his athleticism. Johnson could very well pass for 3,000-plus yards, and finish close to 1,000 on the ground with Matt Wells taking over full-time as plsy-caller this season. He’ll be elite with better accuracy.
3. Josh Hoover, TCU: The Texas native is coming off a stellar campaign statistically. Hoover shattered TCU’s single-season record, with a jaw-dropping, 3,949 passing yards. He also finished the year with 27 touchdown tosses, and led the Horned Frogs to a 9-4 season. Hoover even ranked second in the league, and ninth in the FBS in total offense. The 21-year old displayed amazing accuracy, and finished 19th nationally in completion percentage. Not to mention he ranked 18th in the country in passing efficiency. Hoover left a lasting impression with the way he helped TCU win six of its’ final seven contests. The 21-year old has the leadership to build a legacy like Andy Dalton, and Max Duggan.
2. Rocco Becht, Iowa State: The 21-year old took the Cyclones to new heights last season. After all, Becht helped Iowa State generate a program-record, 11 victories, which included a 7-0 start and an appearance in the Big 12 Championship Game. He ranked third in the conference, and 11th in the FBS with 3,505 passing yards. His 25 touchdown tosses were the second-most in a single-season at Iowa State. There’s no denying that Becht put the team on his back, after finishing 25th nationally in total offense. Becht was even named the MVP of the Pop Tarts Bowl win over Miami. However, he’ll have to find new targets fast after losing a prolific wide receiver tandem to the NFL Draft.
1. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State: The 20-year old couldn’t have asked for a better redshirt freshman campaign with the Sun Devils. After all, Leavitt led Arizona State to 11 victories for the first time since 1996. He also helped the Sun Devils capture a Big 12 Championship in their first year in the conference, and the program’s first-ever, Playoff berth. Not only did he earn second-team, All-Big 12, Leavitt was named the Big 12’s Offensive Freshman of the Year. The Oregon native ranked fourth in the league, and 12th nationally in passing efficiency. Although he’ll no longer have the luxury of handing the ball to All-American rusher Cam Skattebo, dynamic wideout Jordan Tyson is still in Leavitt’s arsenal.
