Kyson Brown, a running back who amassed 1,256 yards during his senior season at Lancaster High School in 2022, is preparing for what he hopes will be a breakout season at Arizona State University. Brown, who enrolled at ASU after high school, was positioned as a key player for the Sun Devils last year but his season was cut short due to an ankle injury sustained in the second week against Mississippi State. He subsequently took a medical redshirt for his junior year, ending the season with just 18 carries across four games.

Brown is no stranger to setbacks, having previously missed the entire 2021 high school season after his transfer to Lancaster was ruled ineligible by the University Interscholastic League (UIL). Appeals to the Lancaster Independent School District (LISD) were unsuccessful, but Brown remained with the Tigers, ultimately drawing 23 scholarship offers despite not playing that year. Speaking at the Big 12 media days in Frisco, Texas, Brown expressed a sense of familiarity with overcoming adversity. “It’s kind of like I’ve been through this before,” he said.

The Big 12 media days also allowed Brown to reconnect with his home state. Spending the week in Texas, he has been training with former coaches and showing his out-of-state teammates around the Dallas area. Brown is part of a recent trend of Dallas-area athletes joining ASU, a recruitment initiative viewed as a “Texas to Tempe” pipeline following Arizona State’s move into the Big 12 under head coach Kenny Dillingham. Brown’s connection to Texas talent includes a freshman-year roommate, Keith Abney II, now a defensive back with the Detroit Lions, who attended Waxahachie High School.

In other Big 12 news, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders made a notable appearance at the media event, maintaining his reputation for engaging and candid remarks. Sanders, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, touched on a variety of topics including his absence from the EA Sports College Football 27 video game, attributing it to strategic decisions rather than any personal issue. He also discussed his recent battle with bladder cancer, describing a triumphant return to health and vigor since his surgery in 2023. “My younger self would be proud,” Sanders said, reflecting on his resilience and renewed energy heading into the upcoming season. His focus remains on improving Colorado’s performance after a 3-9 record last year.

Meanwhile, Houston is poised to build on last year’s 10-3 finish with returning quarterback Conner Weigman, who started 13 games in 2025 and recorded 2,705 passing yards along with 700 rushing yards. Coach Willie Fritz highlighted the stability of maintaining the same coaching staff and starting quarterback as a rare advantage within the conference. Weigman, a transfer from Texas A&M, acknowledged the progress made in his recovery from past injuries and expressed confidence in his ability to contribute fully this season.

Adding to Houston’s quarterback depth is five-star recruit Keisean Henderson, whose dual-threat capabilities present new offensive possibilities. Fritz noted that having two highly rated quarterbacks on the roster is unprecedented in his coaching career and praised both players for their unselfish approach. “We’re going to run our total package with him,” Fritz said of Henderson, underscoring the versatility the team hopes to exploit.

As the 2026 college football season approaches, players like Brown, Weigman, and coaches such as Sanders and Fritz are preparing to navigate the competitive landscape of the evolving Big 12 Conference.