MORGANTOWN — Preseason expectations came out for West Virginia’s running back tandem of Cam Cook and Kayden Luke on Monday, with all signs pointing for good potential.
Cook, a transfer from Jacksonville State who led the nation in rushing a season ago, and Luke, an Arizona transfer, were WVU’s lone representatives on the 2026 all-Big 12 Preseason Team, as voted on by media members.
Cook was named as one of the two running backs, along with BYU’s L.J. Martin, who was also named the league’s preseason offensive player of the year. Luke was named as a fullback.
Last season at Jacksonville State, Cook rushed for 1,659 yards and 16 touchdowns. He began his career at TCU, where he rushed for 518 yards and nine touchdowns over two seasons.
As a lead blocker at Arizona, Luke helped pave the way for the Wildcats to rush for 1,981 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Martin led the Big 12 with 1,305 rushing yards last season and 12 touchdowns.
Texas Tech defensive lineman A.J. Holmes Jr. was named the Preseason Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year after registering 38 tackles and 4.5 quarterback sacks last year.
Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker was the preseason newcomer of the year. The North Texas transfer passed for 4,379 yards and 34 touchdowns last season.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita was the all-Big 12 quarterback after passing for 3,228 yards and 29 touchdowns last season.
Texas Tech led the way with seven players named to the team.
The team
OFFENSE
Quarterback: Noah Fifita, QB, Arizona, RS-Sr.
Running Back: Cam Cook, RB, West Virginia, Sr.
Running Back: LJ Martin, RB, BYU, Sr.
Fullback: Kayden Luke, FB, West Virginia, Jr.
Wide Receiver: Omarion Miller, WR, Arizona State, Sr.
Wide Receiver: Amare Thomas, WR, Houston, Sr.
Wide Receiver: Wyatt Young, WR, Oklahoma State, Jr.
Tight End: Terrance Carter Jr., TE, Texas Tech, Sr.
Offensive Line: Joe Cotton, OL, Cincinnati, RS-Sr.
Offensive Line: Shadre Hurst, OL, Houston, Sr.
Offensive Line: Bruce Mitchell, OL, BYU, RS-Sr.
Offensive Line: John Pastore, OL, Kansas State, Sr.
Offensive Line: Evan Tengesdahl, OL, Cincinnati, RS-Jr.
Kicker: Stone Harrington, PK, Texas Tech, Sr.
Punt/Kick Returner: Mana Carvalho, PR/KR, Utah, So.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line: C.J. Fite, DL, Arizona State, Sr.
Defensive Line: Wendell Gregory, DL, Kansas State, So.
Defensive Line: A.J. Holmes Jr., DL, Texas Tech, Sr.
Defensive Line: Keanu Tanuvasa, DL, BYU, RS-Sr.
Defensive Line: Adam Trick, DL, Texas Tech, Sr.
Linebacker: Ben Roberts, LB, Texas Tech, Sr.
Linebacker: Austin Romaine, LB, Texas Tech, Sr.
Linebacker: Cade Uluave, LB, BYU, Sr.
Defensive Back: Will James, DB, Houston, Jr.
Defensive Back: Evan Johnson, DB, BYU, RS-Sr.
Defensive Back: Jamel Johnson, DB, TCU, Sr.
Defensive Back: Brice Pollock, DB, Texas Tech, Sr.
Defensive Back: Faletau Satuala, DB, BYU, Jr.
Punter: Palmer Williams, P, Baylor, Sr.
