TUCSON, Ariz. — Six Arizona Football standouts earned Phil Steele Preseason All-Big 12 honors heading into the 2026 season, the outlet announced this week.
The Wildcats class of honorees is headline by quarterback
Noah Fifita, who was selected to the first team. Offensive lineman
Alexander Doost, linebacker
Taye Brown, and cornerback
Jay'Vion Cole all earned second team nods, while defensive lineman
Mays Pese and linebacker
Chase Kennedy both notched fourth team recognition.
Fifita enters the 2026 season as the nation's active career leader in touchdown passes, having thrown 73 during his time in Tucson. He enters his final season with the Wildcats as the reigning All-Big 12 First Team quarterback after throwing for 29 touchdowns and over 3,200 yards as part of Arizona's nine-win campaign.
Doost, Brown, and Cole all represented the Wildcats on the second team. Doost logged 878 snaps on the offense line for Arizona last year and earned a 75.7 pass blocking grade from PFF. Brown posted a career year in 2025 with 93 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. Cole tied for the team lead with four interceptions last season and finished the year with 23 total tackles. Both Brown and Cole were named to the All-Big 12 Third Team last year and return to anchor the Arizona defense in 2026.
Pese and Kennedy rounded out the Wildcats honors with fourth team selections. Pese made an immediate impact as a freshman, tallying 24 total tackles and two tackles for loss while picking up a Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honorable mention nod. Kennedy piled up 42 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, and two forced fumbles as a redshirt junior.
Preseason All-Big 12 First Team
Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team
Preseason All-Big 12 Fourth Team
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