BIG 12 Media Days 2025 – RECAP
The 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days, held July 8-9 at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, kicked off the college football “Talkin’ Season” with a bang. Hosted at the Dallas Cowboys’ headquarters, the two-day event featured Commissioner Brett Yormark’s opening address, followed by all 16 Big 12 teams showcasing their head coaches and select players. With Arizona State’s stunning 2024 championship run fresh in mind, the conference is gearing up for another unpredictable season. Here’s a blog-style recap with highlights from each team, drawing from the buzz, storylines, and key moments that set the stage for 2025.
Day 1: Champions and Contenders
Arizona State (Kenny Dillingham, Sam Leavitt, Jordyn Tyson, Ben Coleman, C.J. Fite, Clayton Smith, Javan Robinson)
Defending champs Arizona State, led by Kenny Dillingham, shrugged off high expectations after their worst-to-first 2024 season. QB Sam Leavitt, the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, emphasized team chemistry, while WR Jordyn Tyson hyped the Sun Devils’ explosive offense. Dillingham stressed ignoring “outside noise” as they aim for another playoff berth.
Baylor (Dave Aranda, Sawyer Robertson, Josh Cameron, Campbell Barrington, Steve Linton, Matt Jones)
Dave Aranda highlighted Baylor’s strong 2024 finish, with QB Sawyer Robertson poised for a breakout year. LB Matt Jones emphasized a revamped defense, and a favorable home-heavy schedule (including Auburn and Arizona State) has Baylor eyeing a top-tier finish.
BYU (Kalani Sitake, Jake Retzlaff, Tyler Batty, Connor Pay, Darius Lassiter, Weylin Lapuaho)
Kalani Sitake celebrated BYU’s surprise 2024 rise. QB Jake Retzlaff, a dual-threat star, vowed to keep defenses guessing, while DE Tyler Batty highlighted a deep defensive line ready to disrupt opponents.
UCF (Scott Frost, RJ Harvey, Kaidon Salter, Brandon Adams, Deshawn Pace, Christian Peterson)
Scott Frost, in his second stint at UCF, focused on rebuilding momentum. RB RJ Harvey and transfer QB Kaidon Salter, part of a rare two-QB media day appearance, promised an electrifying offense. Frost’s 2017 undefeated UCF season was a talking point for fans.
Cincinnati (Scott Satterfield, Brendan Sorsby, Dontay Corleone, Joe Royer, Gavin Gerhardt, Jake Golday)
Scott Satterfield sees Cincinnati climbing the standings with QB Brendan Sorsby and NT Dontay Corleone leading a stout core. A favorable schedule, including a season-opener against Nebraska, has the Bearcats aiming for a bowl bid.
Iowa State (Matt Campbell, Rocco Becht, Jayden Higgins, J.R. Singleton, Beau Freyler, Caleb Bacon)
Matt Campbell praised Iowa State’s loyalty, with top players like QB Rocco Becht opting to stay despite transfer portal temptations. DE J.R. Singleton highlighted a rebuilt offensive line as key to a playoff push.
Kansas State (Chris Klieman, Avery Johnson, Dylan Edwards, Austin Romaine, Tobi Osunsanmi, Brendan Mott)
QB Avery Johnson, coming off a 32-touchdown season, aims to cut down on interceptions. Chris Klieman touted a speedy offense with RB Dylan Edwards and a deep defensive end group led by Tobi Osunsanmi.
Texas Tech (Joey McGuire, Tahj Brooks, Jacob Rodriguez, Bryce Ramirez, Cody Rokas, Isaac Smith)
LB Jacob Rodriguez, the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, and RB Tahj Brooks anchor a Texas Tech squad hungry to rebound from a 2024 Liberty Bowl loss. Joey McGuire emphasized a balanced attack.
Day 2: New Faces and Redemption Arcs
Arizona (Brent Brennan, Noah Fifita, Rhino Tapa’atoutai, Tre Smith, Treydan Stukes, Dalton Johnson)
Brent Brennan, in his first full season, leaned on QB Noah Fifita’s precision passing. LB Tre Smith highlighted Arizona’s aggressive defense, aiming to build on their 2024 Alamo Bowl appearance.
Colorado (Deion Sanders, Julian Lewis, Kaidon Salter, Travis Hunter, B.J. Green II, Isaiah Augustave)
Deion Sanders brought two QBs—freshman Julian Lewis and Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter—sparking buzz about Colorado’s quarterback battle.
Houston (Willie Fritz, Conner Weigman, Stephon Johnson, Carlos Allen Jr., Brandon Mack, Kentrell Webb)
Willie Fritz praised transfer QB Conner Weigman’s athleticism, while a revamped defense with transfers like LB Carmycah Glass aims to offset losses. Houston’s favorable schedule sets up a potential bowl run.
Kansas (Lance Leipold, Jalon Daniels, Devin Neal, Mello Dotson, Jereme Robinson, Cornell Wheeler)
QB Jalon Daniels, a former preseason star, aims to cement his legacy after an up-and-down 2024. Lance Leipold highlighted a veteran roster ready to capitalize on a favorable schedule.
Oklahoma State (Mike Gundy, Alan Bowman, Ollie Gordon II, Nick Martin, Collin Oliver, Brennan Presley)
After a disappointing 2024, Mike Gundy leaned on RB Ollie Gordon II and QB Alan Bowman to spark a turnaround. LB Nick Martin emphasized a tougher defense to avoid another collapse.
TCU (Sonny Dykes, Josh Hoover, Bud Clark, Jamoi Hodge, JP Richardson, Eric McAlister)
Sonny Dykes highlighted QB Josh Hoover’s growth, while S Bud Clark stressed TCU’s defensive improvements after a 2024 New Mexico Bowl win. The Horned Frogs aim for consistency.
Utah (Kyle Whittingham, Devon Dampier, Micah Bernard, Karene Reid, Zemaiah Vaughn, Junior Tafuna)
QB Devon Dampier, the Preseason Newcomer of the Year, and OC Jason Beck aim to replicate Utah’s 2024 rushing success. Kyle Whittingham sees a deeper roster pushing for a Big 12 title.
West Virginia (Rich Rodriguez, Jaheim White, Wyatt Milum, Sean Martin, Garrett Greene, Traylon Ray)
Rich Rodriguez’s return sparked excitement, with RB Jaheim White and QB Garrett Greene leading an explosive offense. Rodriguez’s no-nonsense approach, including a TikTok ban, set a bold tone.
The Big Picture
Commissioner Brett Yormark declared the Big 12 the “deepest football conference in America,” citing its competitive balance and multiple playoff contenders. The event, powered by Microsoft Copilot, featured nearly 10 hours of live coverage on ESPNU, ESPN2, and ESPN+, with reporters like Max Olson and Dave Wilson on-site. Arizona State’s 2024 rags-to-riches story led to the Big 12 scrapping its preseason media poll, reflecting the conference’s unpredictability. Storylines included Utah and Oklahoma State’s redemption arcs, Colorado’s QB competition, and Scott Frost’s UCF return. With nine teams in 2024 bowl games (4-5 record), the Big 12 is poised for a chaotic, thrilling 2025 season.
The countdown to kickoff is on—brace for another wild Big 12 ride!