The Big 12 Conference is going against the grain when it comes to returning quarterbacks for the 2025 season. There is the potential for 12 of the conference’s 16 programs to have starting quarterbacks who were on the roster the previous year. The latest trend in today’s college football world is to get a quarterback from the transfer portal.
The decision to name the Top 5 Big 12 quarterbacks was made difficult due to the number of well-known quarterbacks in the conference. Notably, a few of those more well-known names were left off this Top 5 list. The Top 5 is based off performance, not name power or potential.
5. Behren Morton, Texas Tech Red Raiders
Morton had a tremendous 2024 season, finishing 4th in the Big 12 in completion percentage (63.3%), passing yards (3,335) and passing touchdowns (27). While he finished with -22 rushing yards on the season, that was in large part due to 181 yards lost on 23 sacks. When needed, Morton can use his legs to buy time for receivers to get open. Coming off surgery on his throwing shoulder surgery at the end of the 2024 season, Morton should be ready for the start of the 2025 season.
TCU QB Josh Hoover’s first half in his first career start:
22/33
256 yards
3 touchdowns, including this one ⬇️— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) October 14, 2023
4. Josh Hoover, TCU Horned Frogs
Running Sonny Dykes’ Air-Raid offense, Hoover finished 2024 2nd in the Big 12 behind Shedeur Sanders in passing yards with 3,949. Hoover had five games where he threw at least 3 touchdowns while failing to throw a touchdown in only two games. An accurate passer, Hoover also finished 2nd in the conference in completion percentage at 66.5%. However, Hoover lost his top receivers to the NFL Draft, so a dip in production may be expected in 2025.
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"ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED ⁉️" – Sawyer Robertson#Big12FB | 📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/fYIouL8Tg2
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) October 26, 2024
3. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor Bears
When 2024 started, Baylor coach Dave Aranda named Dequan Finn the starter. Finn was lost for the season due to an injury in Week 2, and Robertson stepped in to assume the starting role. Robertson took the lessons learned from his 2023 freshman season and became one of the best quarterbacks in the conference. Robertson finished 2024 completing 62.2% of his passes for 3,071 yards with 28 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Robertson displayed an ability to run the ball as well. After factoring in yardage lost for 15 sacks, Robertson finished with 230 yards and 4 touchdowns on the ground. With wide receivers Josh Cameron and Ashtyn Hawkins back in 2025, the Bears’ offense will be a nightmare for Big 12 defensive coordinators.
2. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State Sun Devils
Leavitt burst on the scene in his redshirt freshman season, leading Arizona State to the Big 12 Championship and a College Football Playoff berth. While Leavitt’s stats don’t jump off the page, he is very effective both as a passer and a runner. Leavitt had issues early in the season with his completion percentage but as the season wore on, he became more efficient as a passer. Leavitt completed over 60% of his passes in 7 of his last 8 games, with the lone exception being the loss to Texas in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl. For the season, Leavitt completed 61.7% of his passes for 2,885 yards with 24 TDs and 6 INTs.
As a runner, Leavitt was one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the Big 12 as he finished the 2024 season with 443 rushing yards and 5 rushing TDs. In an early season win against Mississippi State, Leavitt struggled throwing the ball but rushed for 68 yards and 2 TDs. 2025 will be telling for Leavitt as he loses running back Cam Skatebo who led the Sun Devils in rushing in 2024. However, he will have leading receiver Jordyn Tyson back who finished 2024 with 75 catches for 1,101 yards and 10 TDs. If the Sun Devils can find a way to replace the loss of Skatebo’s production, Leavitt should lead Arizona State back to the playoff.
1. Rocco Becht, Iowa State Cyclones
If performance is what the Top 5 is mostly based on then there is no other choice for number 1 than Becht. He has put up back-to-back seasons of over 3,000 passing yards, at least 23 TD’s and in 2024 he added the threat of being a runner to his repertoire. Becht’s completion percentage dipped in 2024, but his passing yards and TDs increased. He also blew away his previous high for rushing yards and rushing TDs.
Becht completed a touchdown pass in every game last season. He accounted for 4 total TDs in the Cyclones’ 42-41 win over Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Adding the running ability enhances not only what defenses have to prepare for, but also his draft stock. Losing his top 2 receivers from 2024 will hurt but Colorado transfer Chase Sowell was a good pickup for the Cyclones.
Final 2024 stats: Completion percentage was 59.4%, 3,505 passing yards with 29 TDs and 5 INTs. Added 318 yards and 8 TDs on the ground. If Becht can put together another 3,000-yard season in 2025 the Cyclones may make the Big 12 Championship game again and possibly the College Football Playoff.
Notable Omissions
Noah Fafita, Arizona Wildcats. A down season in 2024 hurt Fafita’s chances of landing in the Top 5.
Kaidon Salter, Colorado Buffaloes. Big shoes to fill in Boulder, but Salter has to prove he can consistently succeed against Power 4 competition.
Jalon Daniels, Kansas Jayhawks. Shows flashes of greatness but needs to stay healthy.
Jake Retzlaff, BYU Cougars. Solid dual-threat quarterback who needs to work on taking care of the ball.
