Welcome back to our summer tradition, counting down the best returning players in college football. This is the second in our series focusing on the Power Four conferences. In our first installment, we counted down the best of the Big 10. Today, we move to the Big 12, a conference featuring tons of scoring and some great special teams players. As we always say, you may not pay attention to special teams. However, if they are struggling, you’ll certainly know. Let’s start the Big 12’s Top Returning Specialists in 2026 with the kickers. One note: if a player transferred to the Big 12 from another conference, they don’t count for the purposes of this list. However, players transferring within the league are allowed. One thing you’ll notice is that there are only two returning players from last year’s list.
The Big 12’s Top Returning Specialists In 2026
Coming Through In The Clutch
3. Kyle Lemmermann– TCU- The third-year sophomore only appeared in two games last season after getting injured. He returned for the Alamo Bowl, in which he nailed a 27-yard field goal, sending the game into overtime. Now healthy, the Horned Frog faithful hope for a return to his first-year form, where he was second in the Big 12 in extra points and third in kicking.
2. Kyle Konrady– Iowa State- Here’s the first of two players from last year’s list. He’s also another player who spent time on the injured list. Konrady played in nine games last season. However, he still converted 14 of 18 field goals and 19 of 21 extra points. As a result, he made Honorable Mention All-Big 12. Healthy for 2026, the Cyclones faithful looks for big things.
1. Stone Harrington– Texas Tech- After officially winning the job halfway through the season, Harrington became a huge part of the Red Raiders’ run to the Big 12 title and playoff berth. On the year, he made 41 of 42 extra points and 22 of 28 field goals. That placed him second in the league. In addition, he handled kickoff duties with 76 of his 103 kicks going for touchbacks. As a result, he was named first-team All-Big 12 and was a Lou Groza Award Semi-Finalist. To top it off, he earns the top spot on our list of the best kickers in the Big 12.
Moving on with the Big 12’s Top Returning Specialists in 2026, let’s move to the punters.
Big Game Boomers
3. Liam Dougherty– Houston- During his sophomore campaign, Dougherty ranked fourth in the Big 12 with a 44.1 average yards per punt and in total yards with 2,366. In addition, his 18 punts inside the 20 put him sixth in the league. He also had a 50+ yard punt in 10 of 13 games and a season-high four inside the 20 against Arizona State.
2. Max Fletcher– Cincinnati- A second-team All-Big 12 selection last season, Fletcher finished second in the league, averaging 45.4 yards per punt. The Australian native landed 18 of his 41 punts inside the 20-yard line and had 14 punts of more than 50 yards. He was the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week for his game against Central Florida. In that contest, he had four of his five punts downed inside the 15, including one at the two-yard line that helped seal the win for the Bearcats.
1. Palmer Williams– Baylor- The reigning Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year is also our other returning player from last year’s list, and in the same spot. He only punted 27 times in 2025 but averaged a whopping 46.9 yards per punt. Williams had just one touchback, seven fair catches, 11 downed inside the 20-yard line, and 11 going for more than 50 yards. He was a finalist for the Ray Guy Award in addition to winning several major awards. Maybe most importantly, he’s our top returning punter in the Big 12 for 2026.
We’ve got one category left as we’re looking at the Big 12’s Top Returning Specialists in 2026, and that’s the potential game breakers.
Ace Return Men
3. Mana Carvalho– Utah- Carvalho had a very successful freshman season playing for the Utes. Appearing in nine games, he ranked second in the Big 12 with 212 punt return yards and a 12.5 average per return. He had a 75-yard return for a touchdown versus Cincinnati, becoming the first Utah player since 2021 and the first freshman since 2015 to take one to the house. As a result, he made Honorable Mention All-Big 12.
2. J’Koby Williams– Texas Tech- While he didn’t have the greatest sample size, Williams put up some big numbers. Averaging 40.3 yards per kick return and one touchdown. His 242 return yards put him eighth in the Big 12. In addition, he took the opening kick to the house against Oklahoma State. Williams also returned three punts in 2025. He finished the year as a third-team All-Big 12 returner and was a semifinalist for the Paul Hornung Award.
1. Quentin Gibson– Colorado- Becoming only the fourth true freshman to start his first game in school history, Gibson burst onto the scene in 2025. He ranked second in the Big 12 in kickoff return yards with 597 and third in average per return with 23.9. He also averaged nearly eight yards per punt return. He tops nearly every preseason list, including ours, as the top returning kickoff man in the Big 12.
Thanks for checking out the Big 12’s Top Returning Specialists In 2026 here at Last Word On College Football.
Main Image: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
