The 2025 Big 12 football season is poised to be a battlefield in the trenches, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the pass rush department. With several key departures to the NFL in 2024, including former Texas edge terror Barryen Sorrell and Oklahoma State’s Collin Oliver, the conference has opened the door for a new wave of disruptors to take the reins. Enter the next generation of quarterback nightmares. Here’s a comprehensive look at the top five pass rushers in the Big 12 heading into the 2025 season.
1. David Bailey – TCU (Transfer from Stanford)
Bailey has arrived in the Big 12 with sky-high expectations. After tallying 9.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss at Stanford last year, the California native transferred to TCU looking to leave a final collegiate stamp. At 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Bailey brings a violent first step and an NFL-caliber motor. In spring camp, Horned Frogs coaches raved about his leadership and how quickly he acclimated to the tempo of the Big 12. Paired with a stout defensive interior, Bailey is expected to feast on one-on-one matchups and challenge the 12-sack mark this season.
2. Dean Miller – Kansas
Dean Miller might be the most underrated player in the conference, but not for long. The Jayhawks’ junior edge rusher exploded for 7.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hits in 2024 and spent the offseason adding 12 pounds of muscle without sacrificing his twitch off the edge. Known for his relentless pursuit and impressive bend, Miller has taken on a leadership role for a Kansas defense that’s quietly rising in stature. Don’t be surprised if Miller emerges as a finalist for the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year by season’s end.
3. Tyrese McDonald – UCF
One of the fastest risers in the league, McDonald broke out as a redshirt sophomore last fall with 8 sacks and 14 TFLs. What sets him apart is his versatility—he can rush standing up or with a hand in the dirt and plays with a chip on his shoulder. UCF’s defense was inconsistent last season, but with McDonald anchoring the front seven, they’re expected to be far more aggressive. Coaches believe he could push double-digit sacks in 2025 if healthy.
4. Isaiah Franklin – Baylor
Franklin is a bull-rusher in every sense. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing in at a punishing 275 pounds, he’s a handful for even the most seasoned offensive linemen. After recording 6 sacks as a sophomore, Franklin focused on his lateral quickness and hand technique in the offseason. Baylor’s defensive scheme will let him operate more freely in 2025, likely boosting his production. He’s not flashy—but he’s the hammer that breaks the quarterback’s pocket.
5. RJ Starks – Arizona (New Big 12 Member)
Don’t sleep on the Wildcats. Starks, a 6-foot-3 edge menace, racked up 10 sacks in the Pac-12 in 2024 and brings his tenacity to the Big 12 in Arizona’s inaugural season. His spin move is already legendary in Tucson, and his ability to rush from multiple alignments makes him a matchup nightmare. With Arizona expected to compete right away, Starks will be central to their defensive identity.
The Big 12’s sack crown is up for grabs—and this new generation is ready to seize it.
