Continuing the theme of this week, we are highlighting the best offensive player on each of the eighteen teams in either the Mountain West or Pac-12 conference. See below for who begins the year as each team’s best player.
Air Force
QB Liam Szarka
Szarka is a true dual-threat quarterback who has the potential to throw and run for over 1000 yards this season. He helps the Falcon offense reach its full potential and will only benefit from another offseason in the triple-option system where he thrives.
Boise State
RB Dylan
Riley
Riley entered 2025 as the fourth-string running back, but got an opportunity due to some injuries and took full advantage. He’s an electric running back capable of home-run plays every time he touches the ball. He should be one of the best offensive players in the Pac-12 this season.
Colorado State
RB Mel Brown
Colorado State’s had a mass exodus following the end of the season, meaning there are not many returning players, especially on offense. But Coach Mora brought in players of his own, notably veteran running back Mel Brown. Brown has never had gaudy numbers, but over his career, he’s been consistent and productive, Through four seasons, he’s amassed 2023 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, despite never having one truly excellent season.
Fresno State
RB Rayshon Luke
The Bulldogs feature a steady diet of running backs as they aim to run through the opposition. The leader of the pack is Luke, who put up over 700 yards to go along with 6 touchdowns in a time share last season. He is the unquestioned lead back for the team this year and should put up even better numbers.
Hawaii
QB Micah Alejado
He’s an ideal quarterback for the famed run-and-shoot system, building chemistry with multiple receivers and throwing the ball all over the field. When the offense is rolling, there’s nothing better than watching Micah pile up the passing yards. If he can stay healthy, he is primed for a huge season.
Nevada
RB Hershel Turner
While this spot could’ve easily gone to OL Jack Foster, Turner is just as deserving. He was caught up in the Wolf Pack running back rotation last year, and only played in 10 games, but still managed to be the third-leading rusher on the team, with 353 yards on a mere 69 attempts. Hershel should still his carriers increase dramatically, and his productiion along with it, and Nevada will need him to realize his potential in 2026.
New Mexico
RB Scottre Humphrey
Humphrey was in a crowded backfield last year and didn’t get many carries. That should all change in 2026. He should excel in an offensive system that knows how to put players in the best positions to succeed. Look for Humphrey to truly break out for the Lobos and show he can be a premier back in the Mountain West.
North Dakota State
RB DJ Scott
In an offense that is reloading after needing to replace many key players, Scott emerges as the player with the most productive season in 2025. He was productive in a backup role and should be leaned on early and often as the Bison figure out the passing game and adjust to a new conference.
Northern Illinois
WR DeAree Rogers
If you wanted to pick Telly Johnson Jr here, that works too. But Rogers came into his own in 2025 and offers nice playmaking ability to the Huskies this season. They will need to find different ways to scheme to get him the ball in order to make their offense reach its potential, but look for Rogers to build on his 500+ receiving yards and 3 TDs from last season.
Oregon State
WR Xayvion Noland
The Beavers have a ton of new players this season following the coaching change, so consider them and their personnel a bit of an unknown. That being said, Noland seems like the most productive offensive player who is projected to start in 2026. Putting up 776 receiving yards and scoring 7 touchdowns should translate well to FBS play, and despite being only 5’6”, Noland could be the type of gadget player who will play a key role for Oregon State this year.
San Diego State
RB Lucky Sutton
Sutton finally broke out in 2025, leading the conference in rushing yards with 1297 and adding 10 touchdowns for good measure. That helped the Aztecs become one of the better offenses in the league and they hope to continue that in their new league this season. Any offensive success will start with Sutton, who should have little issue replicating his production in 2026.
San Jose State
WR Jordan Anderson
The Spartans offense got a makeover in the offseason, with key skill players leaving and thus they had to bring in new ones to fill those spots. One of the wide receiver positions will be filled by Jordan Anderson, who comes over from Sacramento State. He didn’t put up eye-popping stats in 2025, catching 24 balls for 361 yards. However, he’s as good of a bet as any to thrive in the pass-happy system the Spartans deploy.
Texas State
QB Brad Jackson
Jackson returns to the Bobcats following a huge season, along with his top two wide receivers. All the pieces are coming together for him to have a monster season as the team enters the Pac-12. Look for Jackson to demonstrate why he is the unquestioned top QB in the league.
UNLV
RB Jai’Den Thomas
Thomas enters his fourth season with the Rebels, and he’s hoping it’s his best yet. He’s thrived in two offensive systems he’s played in and now becomes the likely focal point of the scheme, making plays between the tackles, outside the box, and even in the passing game. Thomas could end up leading his team to a MW championship this year.
Utah State
RB Javen Jacobs
In an offense that enjoys putting players in positions to succeed, Jacobs has thrived. Able to make plays as a rusher and pass-catcher, he compiled 808 yards from scrimmage, with 429 on the ground and 379 as a receiver, to go along with 8 total touchdowns. Expect him to attack opposing defenses in a variety of ways this season as a key cog in the Aggie offense.
UTEP
QB EJ Colson
Colson joins the Miners from Incarnate Word, where he had a tremendous showing as a freshman. An accurate passer who can spread the ball around, plus make plays with his legs, he accounted for over 2400 yards combined passing and rushing and totaled 19 touchdowns. Colson should only get better as he gets older and gives UTEP a potential start at QB to compete in the Mountain West.
Washington State
QB Caden Pinnick
Pinnick will first need to win a quarterback battle, but based on last year, he should not only win the starting job, but be the best offensive player on the Cougars. Last season with UC Davis as a freshman, he completed 69% of his passes for 3,200+ yards and 32 TDs. Plus, he added over 400 yards rushing and 3 more TDs. It will be interesting to see how his game translates to Pac-12 competition once he gets on the field, but his time at UC Davis speaks for itself.
Wyoming
RB Samuel Harris
Harris is another running back who split time last season, but will be the unquestioned starter for the Cowboys in 2026. He put up 558 yards on only 100 carries to go along with 1 touchdown. He’s primed to find the end zone many more times in 2026, but his yards should increase again. Wyoming is a run-heavy scheme, and Samuel is a talented running back, so it’s clear to see him having a successful season.
