Big 12 Spotlight: Quarterback storylines to follow this spring
There are more commitments each and every week as we move further into the recruiting cycle and quarterbacks are at the center of it all. Big decisions are coming with plenty of critical storylines to track when it comes to the quarterback position.
Here are the biggest quarterback storylines in the Big 12.
THIS SERIES: Big Ten quarterback storylines to follow this spring | SEC | ACC
MORE BIG 12: Invitees to the NFL Combine for each program
CAN HOUSTON KEEP KEISEAN HENDERSON?
Keisean Henderson made a commitment to Houston last spring when people were not sure if he was a legit quarterback or would have to move to another position once he got to college because his mechanics were not refined.
But the Spring (Texas) Legacy standout has not only proven in recent months (especially at the Navy All-American Bowl) that he’s a phenomenal prospect – and one of the best athletes in the 2026 class – but also a dynamite quarterback who throws a beautiful ball and is a running threat as well.
As more top coaches see him, the only question that remains now is whether Houston can keep the five-star in its class.
Henderson has said all the right things, seems comfortable there and would be an immediate superstar in the program. But it’s also tough to turn down all the elite national powers since they’ve come calling as well. A nice NIL package could be put together at Houston, but every school has the big bucks to pay him.
His visit schedule this offseason could be telling.
CAN WEST VIRGINIA GET BRODIE MCWHORTER BACK?
A top seven is being worked on by four-star quarterback Brodie McWhorter, who had been committed to West Virginia but backed off that pledge when Neal Brown was fired after six seasons.
But then West Virginia pulled off a major coaching win by hiring back Rich Rodriguez, bringing in former star quarterback Pat White as an assistant coach and all of a sudden there is excitement back in Morgantown.
Over the last few months, Indiana and Mississippi State have emerged as two leading contenders for the four-star quarterback from Kingston (Ga.) Cass but with Rodriguez’s offensive prowess and McWhorter still considering a big group of programs, the Mountaineers could make another run at him.
CAN A BIG 12 PROGRAM KEEP TAYDEN KAAWA IN-STATE?
One of the top uncommitted quarterbacks in the 2026 class is Tayden Kaawa, who’s not getting enough recruiting attention considering he’s 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, has a really live arm and put up huge numbers in his junior season.
In recent weeks, Kaawa has said that Mississippi State is showing the most interest and he’s definitely interest in the Bulldogs. UCF offered in recent days and he’s only miles from the BYU and Utah campuses.
Why wouldn’t the in-state Big 12 programs make a bigger run at Kaawa, who had more than 3,000 passing yards last season? UCF could make a move as well especially after the recent offer, but the Utes and Cougars could try to keep him home.
CAN CINCINNATI KEEP MATT PONATOSKI HOME?
Scott Satterfield is 8-16 in two seasons at Cincinnati, a program that went to the College Football Playoff just three years ago, so the Bearcats definitely need a spark. Landing a hometown four-star quarterback would not hurt.
There is going to be significant competition from SEC and Big Ten programs but the Bearcats are definitely a major contender for the Cincinnati (Ohio) Moeller standout.
Landing the state’s best quarterback could be the shot in the arm Satterfield needs to show decision-makers there that the program is headed in the right direction.
CAN BYU ACTUALLY PULL RYDER LYONS?
Ryder Lyons is Mormon. He’s taking a mission after high school. And BYU has clawed its way into his recruitment in such a serious manner that the five-star quarterback from Folsom, Calif., is taking an official visit there.
But can BYU finish off the job and land the five-star stud? USC and Oregon will also get an official visit and there are a lot of moving pieces there depending on whether four-star Oregon commit Jonas Williams flips to the Trojans.
Michigan is making a major run at Lyons and with his mission coming up the timing would line up perfectly with Bryce Underwood‘s eligibility in Ann Arbor. Ohio State and Ole Miss remain in the picture as well.
