Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita was selected by the media to the 2026 Preseason All-Big 12 team, and former Canyon del Oro High School and Wildcat fullback Kayden Luke joined him on the team, the conference announced Monday.
Fifita, the nation’s active career passing touchdowns leader with 73, is the reigning All-Big 12 quarterback. No other Arizona quarterback has ever been a preseason first-team all-conference selection.
The fifth-year senior was the first Arizona quarterback to earn first team all-conference honors in 50 years (Bruce Hill was the Western Athletic Conference first-team quarterback in 1975).
Luke played with Arizona in 2024 and 2025 after a stellar career at Canyon del Oro, rushing for more than 2,000 yards when the Dorados won the 4A state championship in 2023.
Luke transferred to West Virginia, coached by former Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez, after last season. He had five carries for 20 yards and made 12 appearances as a freshman, serving mainly as a lead blocker. He then played in 12 games as a sophomore, serving as the primary lead blocker once again but taking no carries.
#WVU didn't add Kayden Luke simply to have another blocker.
Rich Rodriguez wanted a true fullback with experience carrying the football, giving the Mountaineers another option in short-yardage situations.
READ https://t.co/mckFWZ8yFI pic.twitter.com/NufPHpp997
— Keenan Cummings (@rivalskeenan) July 6, 2026
Arizona’s offense under second-year coordinator Seth Doege does not utilize the fullback position for rushing yardage. Rodriguez has stated that he will incorporate Luke in short-yardage situations in addition to being a lead blocker.
In his 40 games with Arizona spanning four seasons, Fifita has thrown for 9,183 yards and a school-record 73 touchdowns while adding four touchdowns rushing.
Fifita tallied 3,228 yards passing and a program single-season record 29 touchdowns while leading Arizona to a 9-4 record and Holiday Bowl appearance last season.
Fifita is also one of just five senior or redshirt senior quarterbacks in the FBS who spent their entire career at the same school.
Arizona opens their season on Saturday, Sept. 5 at home against Northern Arizona with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. MST.
Fifita and six of his teammates, along with head coach Brent Brennan, will represent the Wildcats at Big 12 Football Media Day this Wednesday at Frisco, Texas.
PRESEASON ALL-BIG 12 FOOTBALL 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.
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