Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech boasts seven selections to All-Big 12 Preseason Team
July 06, 2026 | Football
A.J. Holmes Jr. was tabbed the Preseason Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year to lead five defensive honorees
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech boasted a conference-leading seven selections to the All-Big 12 preseason team that was announced Monday, including the league's preseason Defensive Player of the Year in defensive lineman A.J. Holmes Jr.
Holmes headlined five total picks from the defensive side of the ball, joining fellow returnees in linebacker Ben Roberts and cornerback Brice Pollock. Roberts was an All-Big 12 third team honoree a year ago and the Most Outstanding Player from Texas Tech's win over BYU in the Edward Jones Big 12 Championship. Pollock, meanwhile, is a returning All-Big 12 first team selection after boosting the nation's leader in takeaways with five interceptions.
The trio was joined by two newcomers in outside linebacker Adam Trick and linebacker Austin Romaine, giving Texas Tech the most total selections from the defensive side of the ball. Trick and Romaine were among the top defensive signees out of the transfer portal this offseason with Trick arriving from Miami (Ohio) where he was a first team All-MAC selection last season after recording 18.0 tackles for loss and 13.0 sacks. Romaine was named to the All-Big 12 second team each of the past two seasons at Kansas State before joining the Red Raiders in January.
The Red Raiders were represented offensively by Terrance Carter Jr., who heads into his senior year as the highest-rated returning tight end in the country by Pro Football Focus. Carter was an All-Big 12 second team honoree last season – his first as a Red Raider – after catching 55 passes for 624 yards and five touchdowns. He ranked fifth in the FBS for receiving yards among tight ends and is the leading returner in the category heading into the 2026 season.
Stone Harrington rounded out Texas Tech's honorees as the lone kicker selected. Harrington is coming off a memorable debut as Texas Tech's primary kicker as he found the uprights on 22-of-28 attempts to earn first team All-Big 12 accolades. He showed off a powerful leg with three successful attempts from 50-plus yards, becoming the first Red Raider in school history with multiple makes from 55 yards or longer not only in a season but in a career.
The All-Big 12 preseason team and conference awards were determined in a vote of media members who regularly cover the league. BYU followed the Red Raiders with six selections of its own with Houston ranking third overall with three total picks.
Texas Tech will have the likes of Holmes, Pollock and Roberts all on hand Tuesday when the Red Raiders open Monster Energy Big 12 Media Days at The Star in Frisco. Coverage of Tuesday's festivities can be found throughout the day on ESPNU/ESPN2 as well as Texas Tech's social media channels.
TEXAS TECH ALL-BIG 12 PRESEASON TEAM SELECTIONS
Terrance Carter Jr. (TE)
Stone Harrington (K)
A.J. Holmes Jr. (DL)
Brice Pollock (CB)
Ben Roberts (LB)
Austin Romaine (LB)
Adam Trick (OLB)
Defensive Player of the Year – A.J. Holmes Jr. (DL)
