IRVING, TX — The Big 12 Conference has released its preseason awards and Preseason All-Big 12 team, as voted on by media members who cover the league and its 16 member institutions on Monday.
Texas Tech led all programs with seven selections on the 2026 Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team. Defensive lineman A.J. Holmes Jr. earned one of the conference’s top preseason honors.
Holmes was named the Big 12 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, marking the second consecutive season a Red Raider has earned the honor. Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez received the recognition ahead of the 2025 season.
BYU running back LJ Martin was selected as the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year after being named the conference’s Player of the Year in 2025. Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker was named the Preseason Newcomer of the Year.
Texas Tech’s seven preseason selections were the most in the Big 12, including five players on defense. BYU followed with six selections, while Houston had three.
The Red Raiders named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team include tight end Terrance Carter Jr., kicker Stone Harrington, defensive linemen A.J. Holmes Jr. and Adam Trick, linebackers Ben Roberts and Austin Romaine and defensive back Brice Pollock.
2026 Big 12 Preseason Awards
Offensive Player of the Year
LJ Martin, RB, BYU, Sr.
Defensive Player of the Year
A.J. Holmes Jr., DL, Texas Tech, Sr.
Newcomer of the Year
Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State, RS-So.
Texas Tech Preseason All-Big 12 Selections
- Terrance Carter Jr., TE, Sr.
- Stone Harrington, PK, Sr.
- A.J. Holmes Jr., DL, Sr.
- Adam Trick, DL, Sr.
- Ben Roberts, LB, Sr.
- Austin Romaine, LB, Sr.
- Brice Pollock, DB, Sr.
The full Preseason All-Big 12 Team includes:
Offense
- QB: Noah Fifita, Arizona
- RB: Cam Cook, West Virginia
- RB: LJ Martin, BYU
- FB: Kayden Luke, West Virginia
- WR: Omarion Miller, Arizona State
- WR: Amare Thomas, Houston
- WR: Wyatt Young, Oklahoma State
- TE: Terrance Carter Jr., Texas Tech
- OL: Joe Cotton, Cincinnati
- OL: Shadre Hurst, Houston
- OL: Bruce Mitchell, BYU
- OL: John Pastore, Kansas State
- OL: Evan Tengesdahl, Cincinnati
- PK: Stone Harrington, Texas Tech
- PR/KR: Mana Carvalho, Utah
Defense
- DL: C.J. Fite, Arizona State
- DL: Wendell Gregory, Kansas State
- DL: A.J. Holmes Jr., Texas Tech
- DL: Keanu Tanuvasa, BYU
- DL: Adam Trick, Texas Tech
- LB: Ben Roberts, Texas Tech
- LB: Austin Romaine, Texas Tech
- LB: Cade Uluave, BYU
- DB: Will James, Houston
- DB: Evan Johnson, BYU
- DB: Jamel Johnson, TCU
- DB: Brice Pollock, Texas Tech
- DB: Faletau Satuala, BYU
- P: Palmer Williams, Baylor
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