UC Bearcats offensive linemen make First Team Big 12 Preseason team

· Yahoo Sports

FRISCO, TEXAS – Joe Cotton and Evan Tengesdahl, offensive linemen on the Cincinnati Bearcats football team, were voted Preseason All-Big 12 by the league’s media on Monday, July 6.

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Tengesdahl has already received Preseason All-America honors from several outlets, including the Walter Camp Football Foundation, and Cotton has been named Preseason All-Big 12 by Phil Steele and Athlon Sports.

Tengesdahl’s 82.8 PFF rating in 2025 was the highest among Big 12 guards and ranked sixth nationally at the position. He helped Cincinnati’s line earn recognition from the Joe Moore Award; the Bearcats were named semifinalists for the award that annually honors the top offensive line in the country.

Cotton was an All-Big 12 honoree last season, his first as a Bearcat, and did not allow a sack all year.Cotton and Tengesdahl, along with Taran Tyo, will lead one of the top offensive lines in the country in 2026. The trio anchored a line that allowed the fewest sacks (8.0) and tackles for loss (43.0) in the Power Four in 2025. UC finished third in the nation in rushing yards per carry (5.7).

UC had no defensive selections. Representing the Bearcats at Big 12 Football Media Days at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco will be quarterback JC French, linebacker/safety Antwan Peek Jr., and offensive linemen Evan Tengesdahl and Taran Tyo.

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Full Big 12 football preseason honors from Frisco, Texas

The Big 12 Conference has released its Preseason All-Big 12 team, as voted on by media members who cover the league and its 16 member institutions. BYU's LJ Martin was voted the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year after being named the league's Player of the Year for the 2025 season. Texas Tech's A.J. Holmes Jr. was selected as Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and marks the second straight year that a Red Raider has received the honor, following Jacob Rodriguez a year ago. Drew Mestemaker from Oklahoma State was voted Preseason Newcomer of the Year.

Texas Tech led all programs with seven players recognized, including five on the defensive side. BYU was second with six players, with Houston following at three selections.

Offensive Player of the YearLJ Martin, RB, BYU, Sr.

Defensive Player of the YearA.J. Holmes Jr., DL, Texas Tech, Sr.

Newcomer of the YearDrew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State, RS-So.

2026 Preseason All-Big 12 TeamQuarterback: 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.

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.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: UC Bearcats offensive linemen make First Team Big 12 Preseason team

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