Big 12 power rankings: Where does TCU’s offensive line stand?
Between Texas Tech, BYU and Utah, Big 12 football had a strong collection of offensive lines last season.
The Red Raiders and Cougars are expected to have two of the best offensive lines again, but many of their rivals were forced to rebuild.
Then there are other teams, such as TCU, that feel their offensive line will take a step forward with a key number of returners and transfer portal additions.
Quarterbacks and skill positions often get most of the spotlight, but the true contenders are always anchored by their offensive lines, and that won’t change in 2026.
The Star-Telegram continues its Big 12 power rankings with a look at the top offensive lines in the conference:
1. Cincinnati
Key players: Joe Cotton, Taran Tyo, Evan Tengesdahl
Breakdown: The Bearcats could surprise in the Big 12 due to having a strong offensive line core returning. Tengesdahl and Cotton were both second team All-Big 12 selections. Tyo was an All-MAC selection in 2024 and rated a top-10 guard in the Big 12 per Pro Football Focus.
2. BYU
Key players: Bruce Mitchell, Kyle Sfarcioc, Andrew Gentry
Breakdown: Mitchell is the lone first team All-Big 12 offensive linemen returning to the conference and will anchor what could be one of the best units nationally. Gentry allowed just one sack at tackle last season, while Sfarcioc is expected to play extensive snaps at guard.
3. Houston
Key players: Alvin Ebosele, McKenzie Agnello, Shadre Hurst, Anthony Boswell
Breakdown: The Cougars’ resurgence on offense last season was made possible by an improved offensive line. Ebosele and Agnello return from last season, while Hurst is a major transfer portal addition from Tulane. Boswell was an All-MAC and freshman All-American at Toledo last season.
4. Texas Tech
Key players: Howard Sampson, Sheridan Wilson, Jacob Ponton
Breakdown: The Red Raiders ranked No. 3 in the conference in rushing yards per game while having one of the country’s best running backs in Cameron Dickey. Three starters return on the line from last year along with key reserve Hunter Zambrano, who will have a bigger role at guard. Texas Tech also added Louisville transfer Jordan Church at right guard
5. TCU
Key players: Ben Taylor-Whitfield, Jaheim Buchanon, Noah McKinney, Cade Bennett
Breakdown: The Horned Frogs are optimistic that the offensive line could return to the level it played in during 2022 with the arrival of offensive coordinator Gordon Sammis from UConn. Bennett and Taylor-Whitfield are two key starters returning, while McKinney was Oklahoma State’s best offensive lineman and Buchanon was All-CUSA at Florida International.
6. Kansas State
Key players: John Pastore Jr., Delvin Morris
Breakdown: The Wildcats will need to rebuild their offensive line with Pastore being the lone returning starter from last year. Pastore, a second team All-Big 12 pick, will anchor a unit that brought in Morris from Akron and Tanner Morley from Colorado State.
7. Arizona
Key players: Tristan Bounds, Alexander Doost, Zachary Henning
Breakdown: The Wildcats had a major bounce back in 2025 with Noah Fifita finishing third in the Big 12 in passing yards. Arizona returns two starters with Bounds and Doost who allowed Fifita to have such a big year while Henning was brought over from Washington in the transfer portal.
8. Central Florida
Key players: Preston Cushman, Henry Tabanasi, Brady Wayburn
Breakdown: The Knights were middle of the pack last year with their offensive line and are hopeful that a few key portal additions will help the unit elevate. Cushman returns after starting 12 games, while Tabanasi was a solid pickup from Buffalo. Wayburn played at UConn last season under Sammis.
9. Utah
Key players: Solatoa Moea’i, Kelvin Obot, Keith Olson
Breakdown: The Utes will have to replace their entire starting five including two players that were drafted, but similar to Kansas State, Utah has a well-earned reputation here and deserve the benefit of a doubt. Moea’i and Olson are among the key returners who got experienced last season, while Obot was a five-star recruit according to some recruiting services. It would be a surprise if Utah takes a big step back.
10. Oklahoma State
Key players: Braydon Nelson, Johnny Dickson, Tyler Mercer
Breakdown: New head coach Eric Morris once again leaned on his North Texas connections to rebuild the Cowboys’ offensive line. Nelson and Dickson were voted All-AAC at North Texas in 2025, while Mercer was a freshman All-American at UNT in 2024.
Best of the rest
11. West Virginia
12. Arizona State
13. Kansas
14. Baylor
15. Colorado
16. Iowa State
