Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker joined Big 12 Today to share his journey to Oklahoma State. He began by discussing his upcoming weekend plans to visit Disneyland for the first time, expressing his excitement. Mestemaker reflected on his path to becoming a quarterback, highlighting his progression from a freshman B-team QB to the top quarterback at North Texas, and now at Oklahoma State.

He credited Eric Morris for his development as a quarterback, along with RB Caleb Hawkins' contributions. Mestemaker addressed the significant jump in competition from the Group of 5 at North Texas to the Power Five conference in the Big 12. He also spoke about his relationship with quarterback Cam Ward and the development under Eric Morris’s coaching. Reflecting on his growth, Mestemaker discussed transitioning from playing safety to quarterback and vice versa. He shared his expectations for Oklahoma State’s upcoming season, expressing confidence in their potential to win the Big 12.

While mentioning the possibility of being drafted next season—finding it exciting to see his name in mock drafts—his primary focus remains on this season. He emphasized that he will consider the NFL Draft when the time comes. Mestemaker concluded by explaining that his decision to join Oklahoma State was based on trust in his teammates and the relationships built along the way.

TUNE IN!

Matt Babcock, NBA Draft Analyst for Babcock Hoops, joined Big 12 Today to discuss the NBA Combine. He began by breaking down the various events at the combine, including 5-on-5 practices and medical evaluations.

Babcock addressed the ongoing debate over the top pick between AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson. When highlighting Big 12 players who have stood out at the combine, he credited Chris Cenac for his impressive workouts, describing him as a versatile developmental player capable of playing both the power forward and center positions.

Babcock also analyzed some of the mid to late first-round prospects from the Big 12 projected to be selected in the upcoming draft.

TUNE IN!

Ari and James highlight the top 5 Quarterbacks they believe will dominate the Big 12 this season.

The guys provide detailed analysis and commentary on each player, explaining why they made their top 5 list. While some players overlap between their rankings, most selections differ, offering diverse perspectives.

Tune in to Big 12 Radio to catch their top 5 Quarterbacks!

TUNE IN!

Ari and James highlight the top 5 running backs they believe will dominate the Big 12 this season.

The guys provide detailed analysis and commentary on each player, explaining why they made their top 5 list. While some players overlap between their rankings, most selections differ, offering diverse perspectives.

Tune in to Big 12 Radio to catch their top 5 running backs!

TUNE IN!

Ari and James highlight the top 5 wide receivers they believe will dominate the Big 12 this season.

The hosts provide detailed analysis and commentary on each player, explaining why they made their top 5 list. While some players overlap between their rankings, most selections differ, offering diverse perspectives.

Tune in to Big 12 Radio to catch their top 5 wide receivers!

TUNE IN!

Cincinnati Men's Basketball Head Coach Jerrod Calhoun joined Big 12 Today to discuss his new role leading the Bearcats. He began by expressing that he is and has always been a Bearcat, sharing his excitement to return to Cincinnati. Calhoun credited Bob Huggins as a significant influence and emphasized his goal of restoring Cincinnati to a powerhouse status.

He reflected on his coaching journey, highlighting his time at Fairmont State, where he learned to manage people and experiment with different strategies. He also pointed out that his experiences at Youngstown State and Utah State were instrumental in elevating his career. Despite his varied stops, Calhoun stated that Cincinnati has always been and remains his true home.

Calhoun discussed his close relationship with Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, noting that Mazzulla was his best man at his wedding and has helped him grow as a coach both professionally and personally. On the court, he praised Mazzulla's influence on his development.

When asked about his teams' success in clutch situations, Coach Calhoun attributed it to situational basketball, emphasizing that he teaches his players to understand and excel in high-pressure moments.

TUNE IN!

Gary Parrish, CBS Sports Columnist and TV Analyst, joined Big 12 Today to discuss the NCAA Tournament expansion. He expressed a negative view of the expansion, calling it a "negative," and indicated that he wasn't surprised by it given the longstanding narrative surrounding the topic.

Parrish noted that the expansion is primarily driven by increased revenue for media networks and is closely tied to conference realignment. He explained that the expansion does not benefit mid-major conferences and discussed the strategic differences between playing big versus playing small, highlighting how teams are increasingly seeking to play big through transfers.

Parrish emphasized the importance of continuity, noting that coaches aim to have clarity about their rosters by mid-season to retain key players and avoid losing them via transfers.

He shared a humorous story involving his kids and their perception of Arizona guard Bryce James, drawing a parallel to the star power of Tyran Stokes. Finally, Parrish revealed that if he were the GM of his hometown Memphis Grizzlies, he would pick AJ Dybantsa first overall over Darryn Peterson.

Trey Wallace, Senior National College Sports Reporter for Outkick and Fox, joined Big 12 Today to discuss the latest developments regarding Brendan Sorsby.

He reports that multiple states are investigating Sorsby's gambling activities. Wallace explains that Sorsby has retained attorney Jeffrey Kessler, who is working to build a case for Sorsby to play for Texas Tech this season.

The NCAA is currently prohibited from investigating Sorsby, as he is seeking treatment for gambling at a specialized center. Wallace also discusses how Cincinnati may have known about Sorsby's betting while he was at Cincinnati, but they were unaware of any bets made during his time at Indiana.

He elaborates on how different states are approaching the investigation, noting that rules regarding gambling vary and that privacy laws limit available information.

Additionally, Wallace shares his thoughts on the potential expansion of the college football playoff to 24 teams.

TUNE IN!

Matthew Postins, Big 12 Senior Columnist and Writer for Heartland College Sports, joined Big 12 Today to discuss the Redbird Capital deal with the conference.

Postins explains that the private capital deal aims to enhance resources for member institutions, though some teams have chosen to decline the investment. He emphasizes that while the Big 12 may not surpass the SEC or Big Ten in revenue, the deal positions the conference to better drive income.

Postins notes that the deal was designed to give member schools the flexibility to accept or decline. Additionally, he touches on softball, highlighting a potential Big 12 championship matchup between Oklahoma State and Texas Tech.

TUNE IN!

Big 12 analyst and content creator Chancellor Johnson joined Big 12 Today to discuss his new series, "Film Don't Lie," a 2026 NBA Draft series.

In the series, Johnson highlights Big 12 players projected to be drafted in the top 10, featuring direct insights from the players themselves.

He is particularly high on AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Kingston Flemings Jr., with Johnson predicting Dybantsa will be the number one overall pick.

TUNE IN!