FRISCO, Texas — The Big 12 released its pre-season awards and its preseason All-Big 12 team ahead of media days that kicked off Tuesday.
BYU was well-represented.
Media members and the 16 member institutions voted on the players that are recognized as top players ahead of the 2026-2027 football season.
BYU running back LJ Martin was voted the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year after being named the league’s Player of the Year for the 2025 season.
"He's ready to do whatever it takes for our program and our team, to be successful," said Cougars coach Kalani Sitake Tuesday. "The goal for us is to put him in a position where he can still progress, find ways to get better and improve his game."
Defensive lineman A.J. Holmes Jr. from Texas Tech was selected as Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. It marks the second straight year that a Red Raider has received the honor, following Jacob Rodriguez a year ago. Quarterbacks Drew Mestemaker from Oklahoma State was voted Preseason Newcomer of the Year.
Last year, Martin’s 1,305 rushing yards ranked No. 11 nationally and the seventh-most in the school’s history for a single season. His 100.38 average yards per game ranked No. 12 nationally and he was also No. 13 nationally with 120.0 all-purpose yards per game.
Texas Tech led the all programs with seven players recognized on the Preseason All-Big 12 team.
BYU followed with six players, four selected on the defensive side. Houston had three players recognized. UCF, Iowa State and Kansas had no players selected on both the offensive and defensive sides.
2026 Preseason All-Big 12 Team
Quarterback: Noah Fifita, QB, Arizona, RS-Sr.
Running Back: Cam Cook, RB, West Virginia, Sr.
Running Back: LJ Martin, RB, BYU, Sr.
Fullback: Kayden Luke, FB, West Virginia, Jr.
Wide Receiver: Omarion Miller, WR, Arizona State, Sr.
Wide Receiver: Amare Thomas, WR, Houston, Sr.
Wide Receiver: Wyatt Young, WR, Oklahoma State, Jr.
Tight End: Terrance Carter Jr., TE, Texas Tech, Sr.
Offensive Line: Joe Cotton, OL, Cincinnati, RS-Sr.
Offensive Line: Shadre Hurst, OL, Houston, Sr.
Offensive Line: Bruce Mitchell, OL, BYU, RS-Sr.
Offensive Line: John Pastore, OL, Kansas State, Sr.
Offensive Line: Evan Tengesdahl, OL, Cincinnati, RS-Jr.
Kicker: Stone Harrington, PK, Texas Tech, Sr.
Punt/Kick Returner: Mana Carvalho, PR/KR, Utah, So.
Defensive Line: C.J. Fite, DL, Arizona State, Sr.
Defensive Line: Wendell Gregory, DL, Kansas State, So.
Defensive Line: A.J. Holmes Jr., DL, Texas Tech, Sr.
Defensive Line: Keanu Tanuvasa, DL, BYU, RS-Sr.
Defensive Line: Adam Trick, DL, Texas Tech, Sr.
Linebacker: Ben Roberts, LB, Texas Tech, Sr.
Linebacker: Austin Romaine, LB, Texas Tech, Sr.
Linebacker: Cade Uluave, LB, BYU, Sr.
Defensive Back: Will James, DB, Houston, Jr.
Defensive Back: Evan Johnson, DB, BYU, RS-Sr.
Defensive Back: Jamel Johnson, DB, TCU, Sr.
Defensive Back: Brice Pollock, DB, Texas Tech, Sr.
Defensive Back: Faletau Satuala, DB, BYU, Jr.
Punter: Palmer Williams, P, Baylor, Sr.