Junior linebacker Austin Romaine and senior fullback/h-back Will Swanson were both named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team, the league office announced early Monday afternoon.
Austin Romaine received recognition as one of three linebackers on the All-Conference Team’s defense. Romaine put together a phenomenal sophomore campaign, registering a team high 96 tackles along with 7.5 TFLs, 2 sacks and three forced fumbles as he was named to the all-Big 12 second team in 2024 by both coaches and the AP. Romaine’s 96 tackles were the most by a Wildcat since 2017.
Swanson was selected as a Fullback/H-Back. Swanson recorded three receiving touchdowns on nine catches last year, catching passes in seven of K-State’s 13 games. He was a part of a tight end group that led the nation in receiving touchdowns.
Arizona State, the defending Conference champion, led all schools with five players on the team with quarterback Sam Leavitt being selected as the league’s Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
Texas Tech and Iowa State each had three selections voted to the preseason team as the Red Raiders’ Jacob Rodriguez was named the Big 12’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Utah quarterback Devon Dampier was selected as this year’s Newcomer of the Year.
The full list can be seen below.
2025 Preseason All-Big 12 Team
Offensive Player of the Year: Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona State, RS-So.
Defensive Player of the Year: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech, Sr.
Newcomer of the Year: Devon Dampier, QB, Utah, Jr.
Preseason All-Conference Team (Offense)
QB: Sam Leavitt, Arizona State, RS-So.
RB: Bryson Washington, Baylor, RS-So.
RB: Jahiem White, West Virginia, Jr.
FB/H-Back: Will Swanson, Kansas State, Sr.
WR: Eric McAlister, TCU, Sr.
WR: Chase Roberts, BYU, RS-Sr.
WR: Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State, RS-Jr.
TE: Joe Royer, Cincinnati, RS-Sr.
OL: Ben Coleman, Arizona State, Gr.
OL: Spencer Fano, Utah, Jr.
OL: Bryce Foster, Kansas, RS-Jr.
OL: Caleb Lomu, Utah, RS-So.
OL: Jordan Seaton, Colorado, So.
PK: Will Ferrin, BYU, RS-Sr.
PR/KR: Josh Cameron, Baylor, RS-Sr.
Preseason All-Conference Team (Defense)
DL: David Bailey, Texas Tech, Sr.
DL: Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati, RS-Sr.
DL: C.J. Fite, Arizona State, Jr.
DL: Lee Hunter, Texas Tech, Sr.
DL: Domonique Orange, Iowa State, Sr.
LB: Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech, Sr.
LB: Austin Romaine, Kansas State, Jr.
LB: Keaton Thomas, Baylor, RS-Jr.
DB: Xavion Alford, Arizona State, RS-Sr.
DB: Bud Clark, TCU, Sr.
DB: Jeremiah Cooper, Iowa State, Sr.
DB: DJ McKinney, Colorado, Jr.
DB: Jontez Williams, Iowa State, RS-Jr.
P: Palmer Williams, Baylor, Jr.
