Top 5 Most Intriguing Big 12 Transfer Additions (So Far)

©️Photo by Jake Crandall/Advertiser/USA TODAY SPORTS

The offseason is officially upon us, and with that comes teams re-upping and rearming for the 2025-26 season. Some teams need more than others, while some return a vast majority of their roster and need just a few tune-up pieces.

When it comes to the Big 12 Conference, a wild, wacky 2024-25 season saw the preseason rankings turned on their head with the Arizona State Sun Devils going from worst to first and winning the Big 12 title. Currently, they will return the most starters for 2025 out of any Big 12 team, which makes them all the more dangerous for next year, too.

This means Big 12 teams will have to do their best to keep up with the Joneses. This starts with having a successful recruiting cycle and transfer portal haul. Thus far, here are the biggest additions for those teams trying to make their mark next season.

No. 1: Devon Dampier, Utah Utes Quarterback

The Utah Utes' quarterback room was absolutely gutted following the 2024-25 season. Cam Rising has decided to move on to post-college life, while Sam Huard and Brandon Rose transferred out. The room was almost left completely empty if Isaac Wilson had decided to leave. However, Wilson chose to stay.

A quarterback addition was not only necessary, it was imperative. While there was talent incoming from the high school recruiting class, there was still a major need. That need was fulfilled via New Mexico Lobos transfer Devon Dampier.

Dampier's throwing statistics are nothing to gawk at. In 2024, he threw for 2,768 yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Being only a sophomore, though, there's time to improve on that, especially with his former quarterbacks coach Jason Beck joining him as Utes offensive coordinator. Not only that, though, but his skills with his legs are the reason the Utes are so excited about this guy. Dampier ran for 1,166 yards on an average of 7.5 yards per carry, while also scoring a whopping 19 touchdowns with his legs.

Dampier could open up a whole world of options, especially if his accuracy skills improve. If nothing else, there are plenty of fun packages to be used with a quarterback who has the rushing skills Dampier has. At worst, it is a fun addition that will add a dimension to a Utah offense that was desperate for innovation last year. At best, Dampier could become Utah's next great quarterback, following in the footsteps of names like Rising, Tyler Huntley and Alex Smith.

No. 2: Romello Height, Texas Tech Red Raiders EDGE

Texas Tech had a solid season last year, going 8-5 overall and 6-3 in the Big 12. Nothing spectacular, but nothing to be ashamed of. For head coach Joey McGuire and the rest of the Texas Tech program, though, this was not enough for the multiple key seniors on this roster. They'll take what they can get this season. However, next season, they're coming for blood.

That is no more evident than in their performance in the transfer portal so far. The Red Raiders not only have the best class in the Big 12 so far but the third-best class in the nation, totaling seven four-star recruits and ten three-star recruits, according to 247sports.com. No transfer is more vital for them than former Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets EDGE Romello Height.

Height brings versatility to the Texas Tech front seven that hasn't been seen in a few years. Height recorded 34 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception, showing off just how much he can do at his position.

As stated before, this versatility will be much needed as Texas Tech's defense struggled mightily last season. Texas Tech allowed 460.2 total yards per game (No. 126 in the FBS), averaged just above one sack a game (No. 102 in FBS), allowed 308.1 passing yards per game (No. 132 in the FBS) and allowed 152.1 yards rushing per game (No. 73 in the FBS).

Height can help provide an immediate boost to all of these team stats with his abilities. With the addition of UCF Knights transfer defensive tackle Lee Hunter as well, the Texas Tech defensive line has made its way back to being a strong unit that will disrupt opposing backfields with great efficiency.

No. 3: Jehiem Oatis, Colorado Buffaloes Defensive Tackle

The Colorado Buffaloes' defensive line was a key piece to the revival of the Buffaloes' defense. Multiple transfers and the coaching of NFL Hall of Famer Warren Sapp had this unit firing on all cylinders, averaging three sacks a game and totaling 39 sacks on the season. This helped the Colorado defense jump from a pathetic No. 127 in the FBS ranking in 2023-24 to No.50 in 2024-25.

Another major jump that occurred was the jump in rush defense ranking, which went from No. 107 to No. 71. This helped them to a 9-4 record with a 7-2 conference record after finishing with a measly 4-8 overall and 1-8 conference record in the 2023 season.

However, Colorado stands to lose many seniors this upcoming season, including a decent majority of that defensive line who was part of this massive difference the Buffaloes saw. Colorado must rebuild and, so far, that rebuild is in full force. The Buffaloes have one of the better transfer classes in the conference once again, placing third in the conference and No. 18 in the nation.

The most intriguing part of this rebuild comes along the aforementioned defensive line in Alabama Crimson Tide transfer Jehiem Oatis. Oatis made a splash on the scene in his freshman and sophomore seasons, recording 55 total tackles, three tackles for loss, four pass deflections and two sacks. However, his junior season saw his playing time diminish heavily for one reason or another. Oatis decided to redshirt the rest of the 2024-25 season and enter the transfer portal about four games into the season. Oatis committed to Colorado on December 16, 2024.

Oatis caught a bad break last season. A new coach, a new system and likely a host of other reasons known and unknown contributed to his decision to transfer. He is far from a bad player as we saw from his first two seasons, but will this past season come back to bite him after sitting out? Time will tell, but he will be in good hands with Sapp and Co. and provide a big piece in rebuilding this defensive line.

No. 4: Laquan Robinson, Kansas Jayhawks Safety

The Kansas Jayhawks had an unfortunate season, going 5-7 overall and 4-5 in the conference after being picked as one of the top teams in the conference during the preseason. That's not for lack of trying either as all but two of the Jayhawks' losses came in the fourth quarter by less than one score. It wasn't all heartbreak, though, as the Jayhawks had plenty of good-to-great aspects of their game.

One of those positives was their secondary, featuring the duo of Cobee Bryant and Mello Dotson. The Jayhawks had the top corner duo in the conference and one of the top ones in the country with this pair. The duo totaled nine interceptions, 14 pass deflections, 86 total tackles, two forced fumbles and two defensive touchdowns. The negative part about this is that this historic duo moves on in 2025, with both declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft and leaving a decent-sized hole in the Jayhawks' secondary.

Not only that, but senior star safeties Marvin Grant and OJ Burroughs will also be moving on to the draft, leaving yet another hole. The Jayhawks' staff knew that while they already had young talent in their secondary with freshmen like Jalen Todd and Taylor Davis getting some decent minutes. However, the need to replace that production was still evident while also bringing on some upside, experience and even some more youth.

The Kansas staff has done just that so far by adding four transfers in the defensive backfield, three of which have a year or less of experience. While Oklahoma State Cowboys junior transfer safety Lyrik Rawls is the most experienced player bringing the most production, it can be argued that Auburn Tigers transfer safety Laquan Robinson brings the most to the table out of this group.

Robinson is a former junior college product who came to Auburn in January 2024. A hard-hitting, big-bodied defensive back, Robinson was moved to a hybrid safety/linebacker role. While not getting a ton of playtime at Auburn, the potential is still there. Robinson earned multiple accolades at the JUCO level, including all-conference honors and, eventually, the title of top-rated JUCO safety in the class of 2024 from 247sports.com.

Should the Jayhawks utilize Robinson in this safety/linebacker role, what they call the "HAWK" role, this could pay massive dividends given their shortages at linebacker as well. The Jayhawks did add some linebacker talent in South Carolina Gamecocks transfer Bangally Kamara, Bowling Green Eagles transfer Joseph Sipp, Jr. and West Virginia Mountaineers transfer Trey Lathan. But adding yet another dimension to that defensive level while also adding to the secondary can only help. Should Robinson show what he showed at the JUCO level as well, the Jayhawks may have their next Mike Lee, Kenny Logan or Marvin Grant on their hands.

No. 5: Jordan Dwyer, TCU Horned Frogs Wide Receiver

The TCU Horned Frogs had a surprisingly good season, going 9-4 overall and 6-3 in the conference. This was on the back of a masterful performance of quarterback Josh Hoover, who threw for 3,949 yards, 27 touchdowns and a 66.5 percent completion percentage. His wide receiver corps of Jack Bech, Savion Williams, John Paul Richardson and Eric McAlister all eclipsed 600 yards on the season.

However, three of those top four receivers are seniors who are departing in 2025. Hoover is an incoming junior and should he have the season he had this past year or perhaps even better, his new receiving corps will need to be stout.

In comes Idaho Vandals transfer Jordan Dwyer. Dwyer was one of the best wide receivers at the FCS level in 2024, having 78 receptions for 1,192 yards (a 15.3 yards per catch average) and 12 touchdowns. His ability to shed coverage with a combination of great route running and electric speed are what makes him an offensive force to be reckoned with.

Should his abilities translate to the FBS Power Four level, the TCU Horned Frogs could have one of the best passing offenses in the country once again. While the Horned Frogs had a lot of departing seniors, their youth is also quite deep. Dwyer also has three more years of eligibility, which could make for one of the deepest, most talented wide receiver groups in the nation for the next few years. A potentially massive pickup for the TCU program.

Big 12, Big Time Moves

The offseason is still well in its infancy. At the time of writing this article, the College Football Playoff National Championship hasn't even been played yet. Yet, we have seen some major splashes already in the transfer portal. We're likely due for more, so this list will likely be updated when all is said and done.

For now, though, these are the five transfers piquing the most interest and showing the highest potential in the Big 12 for the 2025-26 season. Five players capable of putting their respective teams into the limelight and five players that, when all is said and done, could make their mark for years to come at their new homes.