| 16 February 2010
Going into spring based largely on last's year performance, here's a working list of the top 20 players in the Big 12. There's only one OL right now, the Big 12 overall was pretty gutted in terms of elite OL players. QB and WR similarly have lost a host of established playmakers.
1. Ryan Broyles (WR OU) 5-10, 180 - The only returning 1st or 2nd All Big WR. Led OU with over 1200 yards receiving and over 1700 all purpose yards. Ranked 11th in receiving yardage in the nation and 3rd in the nation as a punt returner.
2. Von Miller (OLB ATM) 6-3, 220 - NCAA Sack Leader last year with 17 sacks. 1st Team All Big 12. Without Miller, I'm not sure you could even call what ATM fielded last year a defense. An amazing sack number considering his lack of help
3. Jeremy Beal (DE OU) 6-3, 260 - OU's leading pass rusher with 11 sacks, and leader in TFL with 19 tackles. One of the 3 returning All Big 12 1st or 2nd Team DE/DT. Along with Crick Preseason Favorite for Defensive POY
4. Jerrod Johnson (QB ATM) 6-4, 240 - 2nd Team All Big QB. Had over 3500 yards passing and 30 TDs. Preseason favorite for Offensive POY and the best returning QB in the Big 12.
5. Aldon Smith (DE MU) - Ahead of Jeremy Beal with 11.5 sacks for returning and also had 19 tackles for loss last year. The Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year. Amazing productivity as a redshirt freshman last year.
6. Jared Crick (DT NU) 6-6, 285 - The only returning All Big 12 DT. Had 9.5 sacks from the DT position alongside Suh. Pellini feels like he might be as good as Suh by the time he leaves NU
7. Travis Lewis (LB OU) 6-2, 235 - 1st team All Big 12. Led OU in tackles with 109 giving Lewis the best returning tackle total. Also has 9.5 Tackles for Loss. Statistically the best returning LB in the Big 12.
8. Prince Amukamara (CB NU) 6-1, 180 - 1st Team All Big 12. Returning leader in Ints (6 last year). Could have been a top CB if he had left early for the draft.
9. Nate Solder (OT CU) 6-9, 310. The only returning OL from either the 1st or 2nd All Big 12 teams. Earned a 1st team spot along with projected first round NFL draft picks Russell Okung and Trent Williams.
10. Daniel Thomas (RB KSU - Returning rushing champion in the Big 12. 1st Team All Big 12 RB with over 1200 rushing for KSU last year in only his first true season dedicated to playing RB ( in juco he played a number of positions).
11. Sam Acho (UT DE) 6-3, 250 - With 9 sacks last year Acho led the Horns in Sacks. Honorable mention All Big 12.
12. Jeff Fuller (WR ATM) 6-4 210 - Despite missing half the season, Fuller still managed to post over 500 yards receiving. Provided he's healthy Fuller is looking at 1000 yards receiving season and probably early entry to the NFL.
13. Kendall Hunter (RB OSU) 5-8, 190. With Keith Toston having graduated, a healthy Hunter hopes to return to his 2008 All Big 12 form.
14. Alexander Robinson (RB ISU) 5-9, 180. Second leading rusher in the Big 12 last year with over 1000 yards.
15. Quinton Carter (FS OU) 6-2, 195. With the early entry of Earl Thomas, Carter is the leading tackler at Safety, and behind just Prince Amukmara with his 4 Ints last year. 2nd Team All Big 12
16. David Sims (FS ISU) 5-11, 200. Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year. Had an impressive first season with 5 Ints and 88 tackles.
17. Demarco Murray (RB OU) 6-0, 210 - 2nd Team All Big 12. Had over 1200 all purpose yards. If OU can solve their OL problems could return to his 2008 All Big 12 form when he had over 1000 yards rushing.
18. Detron Lewis (TT WR) 6-1, 190 - Led the Texas Tech aerial attack in receiving yards with 848 yards and 6 TDs.
19. Christine Michael(RB ATM) 6-0, 210 - Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the year. Had over 800 yards rushing despite splitting time with Cyrus Gray.
20. Kendall Wright (WR BU) 5-11, 180 - Put up over 700 yards receiving. A talented WR with homerun speed who clearly missed their QB Robert Griffin last year.
Almost made the list: Aaron Williams CB UT, Adrian Taylor DT OU (injury), Robert Griffin QB BU, Curtis Brown CB UT (no elite stats), Jonathan Nelson OU (didn't start the whole season), Keenan Robinson LB UT,
