Arizona State leads preseason Big-12 All-Conference selections

As the college football season approaches, the Big 12 released its preseason All-Conference team on Monday. Arizona State, the reigning champions, have the most players on the team (five) led by quarterback Sam Leavitt who was named the Big-12 preseason Offensive Player of the Year.

Leavitt and the Sun Devils won the conference in their first season in 2024, finishing with an 11-3 record and a berth in the College Football Playoff. Yes, the Sun Devils lost to Texas in a Peach Bowl thriller, but that doesn't negate the strong season Leavitt and the Sun Devils had in 2024. 

In 2024, Leavitt threw for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns and led the Sun Devils to fourth in the Big 12 in total offense (429.4 yards per game). It remains to be seen if head coach Kenny Dillingham and Leavitt can lead the Sun Devils to another magical run in 2025. 

Utah quarterback Devon Dampier was named Newcomer of the Year and Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez was named the preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Dampier will enter his first campaign for the Utes after having spent two seasons with New Mexico. The 20-year-old will be following in the footsteps of Cameron Rising, who medically retired from football last season. Dampier finished last season with 2,768 passing yards and added 1,116 yards on the ground along with 31 total touchdowns. However, Dampier also threw 12 interceptions and completed just 57.9% of his passes for the Lobos.

Rodriguez is fresh off a First-Team All-Big 12 selection in 2024. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound defensive anchor garnered 78 solo tackles, 127 total tackles (led Big 12), five sacks, three forced fumbles and one interception. 

Rodriguez is primed to be a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft if he produces another impressive campaign. The Red Raiders finished last season 8-5 and lost in the Liberty Bowl, but expect head coach Joey McGuire and the Red Raiders to be competitive in 2025.