BYU is considered one of the favorites to contend for the Big 12 crown this year, so it shouldn’t be a surprise to see so many Cougars on the all-conference preseason team.
The All-Big 12 preseason squad was announced on Monday. It includes six players from BYU along with one selection from the Utah Utes.
Cougars running back LJ Martin was named the Big 12’s preseason Offensive Player of the Year, having just captured the same award for the 2025 campaign upon posting 1,305 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.
Joining Martin from BYU were offensive lineman Bruce Mitchell, defensive lineman and former Ute Keanu Tanuvasa, cornerback Evan Johnson, safety Faletau Satuala and recent transfer addition Cade Uluave at linebacker.
Mitchell was a First Team honoree in 2025, while Satuala made the Third Team and both Tanuvasa and Johnson landed in the Honorable Mention ranks.
As a junior at Cal this past year, Uluave made the All-ACC First Team and also earned Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors in 2023.
Representing Utah on the All-Big 12 preseason team was return specialist Mana Carvalho, who flashed as a freshman in 2025 with 212 punt return yards on 17 attempts (12.5 yards per return) and a touchdown to make the Honorable Mention team.
Texas Tech had the most All-Big 12 preseason selections with seven, followed by BYU’s six and three from Houston.
BYU will open its season Sept. 5 in Provo against Utah Tech, and Utah kicks off the 2026 campaign with Idaho on Sept. 3 at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
2026 preseason All-Big 12 awards
Quarterback: Noah Fifita, Arizona
Running Back: Cam Cook, West Virginia
Running Back: LJ Martin, BYU
Fullback: Kayden Luke, West Virginia
Wide Receiver: Omarion Miller, Arizona State
Wide Receiver: Amare Thomas, Houston
Wide Receiver: Wyatt Young, Oklahoma State
Tight End: Terrance Carter Jr., Texas Tech
Offensive Line: Joe Cotton, Cincinnati
Offensive Line: Shadre Hurst, Houston
Offensive Line: Bruce Mitchell, BYU
Offensive Line: John Pastore, Kansas State
Offensive Line: Evan Tengesdahl, Cincinnati
Kicker: Stone Harrington, Texas Tech
Punt/Kick Returner: Mana Carvalho, Utah
Defensive Line: C.J. Fite, Arizona State
Defensive Line: Wendell Gregory, Kansas State
Defensive Line: A.J. Holmes Jr., Texas Tech
Defensive Line: Keanu Tanuvasa, BYU
Defensive Line: Adam Trick, Texas Tech
Linebacker: Ben Roberts, Texas Tech
Linebacker: Austin Romaine, Texas Tech
Linebacker: Cade Uluave, BYU
Defensive Back: Will James, Houston
Defensive Back: Evan Johnson, BYU
Defensive Back: Jamel Johnson, TCU
Defensive Back: Brice Pollock, Texas Tech
Defensive Back: Faletau Satuala, BYU
Punter: Palmer Williams, Baylor
Offensive Player of the Year: LJ Martin, RB, BYU
Defensive Player of the Year: A.J. Holmes Jr., DL, Texas Tech
Newcomer of the Year: Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
