The Big 12 has spent the first half of 2026 turning into a weekly highlight reel, and the conference’s midseason awards reflect that. A handful of players have separated themselves with big numbers, big moments, and in some cases, major reasons their teams are still squarely in the hunt. From West Virginia’s Michael Hawkins Jr. lighting up defenses to BYU’s Kalani Sitake steering the Cougars into the national spotlight, the league has already produced a stacked award race.
On offense, nobody has been more explosive than Hawkins. The West Virginia quarterback has put together one of the most dynamic stat lines in the country through seven games, piling up 1,519 passing yards with 10 touchdowns and only one interception.
He’s been just as dangerous on the ground, adding 749 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns, a number that leads all FBS quarterbacks. His best showing came against Cincinnati, when he threw for 464 yards and three scores and rushed for 77 yards and two more touchdowns.
That outing made him the first quarterback in program history to post at least 450 passing yards and 75 rushing yards in the same game.
Texas Tech’s AJ Holmes earned defensive honors, and the reasons are easy to see even if the box score doesn’t tell the whole story. The senior lineman has been a problem for opposing offenses all season, collecting 18 tackles and four sacks in six games.
He leads the undefeated Red Raiders in sacks and has helped power a defense that is giving up fewer than 18 points per game. Texas Tech’s rise as a Big 12 and College Football Playoff contender has plenty of moving parts, but Holmes is right at the center of it.
The newcomer categories bring two more transfer success stories. Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker has settled in quickly after arriving from North Texas, throwing for 1,940 yards and 16 touchdowns while completing 67% of his passes.
He’s averaging more than 323 passing yards per game and already has five 300-yard outings. That kind of production has kept the Cowboys in the conference race and pushed Mestemaker into the national quarterback discussion.
Colorado also found an immediate difference-maker in Lamont Lester Jr. The former Monmouth defensive end has logged nine tackles, six tackles for loss, four sacks, and a fumble recovery, becoming one of the conference’s most disruptive edge threats. His three-sack performance against Georgia Tech was the early flashpoint, and he has stayed active in opposing backfields since then.
Among freshmen, BYU’s Legend Glasker has wasted no time making an impact. The wide receiver has caught 24 passes for 444 yards and three touchdowns through six games, averaging 18.5 yards per catch. He has also added 92 rushing yards and two touchdowns, giving the Cougars another big-play option as they climbed to No. 2 in the national rankings.
Texas Tech freshman LaDamion Guyton also made the cut on defense. Through five games, the defensive end has totaled nine tackles, three tackles for loss, three sacks, and a fumble recovery. On a veteran-heavy defense, he’s carved out a real role and already looks like a future centerpiece in Lubbock.
Special teams belongs to Oklahoma State kicker Sam Keltner, who has been flawless through six games. He is 13-for-13 on field goals and 22-for-22 on extra points, good for 61 points overall. His longest make has come from 47 yards, and the Cowboys have leaned on that consistency in a season full of tight games.
Up front, Houston center Anthony Boswell has stood out as one of the best linemen in the league. He recently picked up Outland Trophy National Player of the Week honors and owns an 88.1 offensive grade. Pro Football Focus has him ranked as the No. 1 center in the country, and his work in pass protection and the run game has helped fuel Houston’s climb into the top 15.
The coach of the year race tilts heavily toward BYU’s Kalani Sitake at the halfway point. Entering Week 8, he has the Cougars undefeated, ranked No. 2 nationally, and in control of the Big 12 chase.
BYU’s win over Notre Dame stands out as one of the best in the country, and Sitake has kept the team rolling despite injuries, including the loss of star running back LJ Martin. With the Cougars in the College Football Playoff conversation, Sitake has made the strongest midseason case for the award.
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Texas Tech Faces An Early Kentucky Test With Major Lineup Questions
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The backcourt could end up carrying a heavier load than usual, with newcomers Cruz Davis and Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn expected to factor in right away. Returning forward Darrion Williams may also be asked to fill a different role this season, which adds another layer to what Tech is trying to figure out before opening night. An exhibition can only tell a staff so much, but this one should provide a clearer read on how the Red Raiders handle size, pace and lineup flexibility against a team like Kentucky. [Read more 🡒]