All-Big 12 first team picks: How many from Kansas State?

The media All-Big 12 preseason team was announced on July 5 and contained four Kansas State players. Additionally, running back Treshaun Ward was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. Find out who Drew Galloway of KSO picked.

QUARTERBACK: Quinn Ewers, Texas

For clarity, Kansas State quarterback Will Howard was a consideration. The media, overall, picked Kansas signal-caller Jalon Daniels.

However, Quinn Ewers is my ultimate choice. While he was not great last season, Ewers still possesses all the potential in the world. He is also in an ideal situation with the most talented receiving corp in the Big 12, a quarterback-friendly offense and an elite play-caller in Steve Sarkisian.

RUNNING BACK: Devin Neal, Kansas and Richard Reese, Baylor

Devin Neal is still pretty underrated, in my opinion. The Lawrence native ran for over 1,000 yards last season for Kansas and should have another big season for the Jayhawks this year. He has received effusive praise from the K-State defense on multiple occasions.

Richard Reese was one of the best freshmen in the country last season. He ran for 972 yards in his first season at Baylor, which was a school record for a freshman. Not only that, he found his way to 14 touchdowns, too.

FULLBACK: Ben Sinnott, Kansas State

I know that it is kind of cheating a little bit since he is no longer a fullback, but Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott was a first team All-Big 12 choice last year as a fullback and is denoted as that once again on the media’s preseason ballots.

I saw it as an opportunity to to give him a first team nod, as well as Ja’Tavion Sanders from Texas. They both deserve that kind of recognition. To be honest, we’re at a point where fullback probably should not be included anymore.

The buzz for Sinnott is at its peak and he looks to have a huge season for K-State.

WIDE RECEIVER: Xavier Worthy, Texas and Jerand Bradley, Texas Tech and Brennan Presley, Oklahoma State

Unfortunately, there were no apparent selections from Kansas State. But perhaps Keagan Johnson can claw his way into the discussion by the end of the year.

The first wide receiver spot was pretty easy for me. Xavier Worthy might be the best offensive player in the entire conference. He is third all-time in Texas history for receiving touchdowns and will likely hear his name called very early in the next NFL Draft.

Jerand Bradley was one of the best receivers in the Big 12 last season that no one really talks about and is a weapon on the outside for Texas Tech. He tallied 744 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore last season for the Red Raiders.

I honestly really struggled with the third receiver spot before selecting Brennan Presley. He led Oklahoma State in receiving and receptions a season ago and will likely be their No. 1 wideout this season.

TIGHT END: Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas

I hinted at it in the fullback pick, but Ja’Tavion Sanders is probably the best tight end in the conference. Last season, he had the most single-season receptions for a tight end in Texas history and was second in yardage. He is another Longhorn that could be picked very early next April.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Cooper Beebe, Kansas State and KT Leveston, Kansas State and Kelvin Banks, Texas and Andrew Coker, TCU and Mike Novitsky, Kansas

K-State lineman Cooper Beebe was the most obvious selection. It is a crime he wasn’t a unanimous choice by the media. He could be a first round draft pick in April and has only allowed three sacks in his entire career.

KT Leveston was really underrated last season for Kansas State. He is in a position to be a potential All-Big 12 choice this season. Additionally, it would not be a shock if he is chosen in the NFL Draft if he puts it all together.

Kelvin Banks started all 13 games at left tackle for Texas last season as a freshman. He was named to the All-Big 12 second team for his production. After Beebe, he may be the next best offensive lineman in the conference.

Andrew Coker started all 15 games for TCU a year ago and has started in 27 consecutive games for the Horned Frogs. He is also constantly on the field, as he was second in snaps last year for TCU.

Mike Novitsky is a returning sixth year player for Kansas. He has started all 25 games for the Jayhawks at center since transferring from Buffalo.

DEFENSIVE LINE: Ethan Downs, Oklahoma and Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati and Damonic Williams, TCU and Byron Murphy II, Texas and Jaylon Hutchings, Texas Tech

Ethan Downs is expected to take a big jump in 2023 for Oklahoma after a solid 2022 campaign. He started all 13 games a year ago with 4.5 sacks. For his effort last year, he was named a second team All-Big 12 choice by the coaches.

Dontay Corleone may be the best defensive tackle in the Big 12. As a redshirt freshman, he was named a third team All-American by the Associated Press. He tallied 45 tackles, 5.5 for loss, three sacks, two fumble recoveries and forced two fumbles last season.

Damonic Williams is another young player who made an immediate impact for the Horned Frogs last season. He tallied 27 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks during that campaign. Williams was also a member of the Freshman All-American Team by Sporting News.

Sometimes projection is a part of the process and that is why Byron Murphy II made my list. He has only made two career starts, but he has been a solid player as a reserve and is expected to start for the Longhorns this season.

I apparently really like defensive tackles in the Big 12 this year. Jaylon Hutchings was one of the best defensive tackles in the conference last season. Hutchings ended the year with the highest grade of any Texas Tech player on Pro Football Focus.

No K-State players make my cut, but don’t be shocked if folks are talking about Khalid Duke in a very positive light by the end of the season.

LINEBACKERS: Daniel Green, Kansas State and Jaylan Ford, Texas and Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State

It feels like everyone has forgotten about Kansas State linebacker Daniel Green doesn’t it? He was very, very good in 2021 and was injured almost all of 2022, which limited his production and effectiveness. I anticipate a big bounce back year from him this season.

If Xavier Worthy and Cooper Beebe weren’t the easiest two picks on the ballot, it was Jaylan Ford. Ford was a third team All-American last season after totaling 119 tackles. He was also named the Preseason Big12 Defensive Player of the Year.

I’m very intrigued by Collin Oliver this year. He’s moving to linebacker as part of the move to the 3-3-5 scheme for Oklahoma State after spending the last two seasons at defensive end. As a freshman in 2021, he was one of the best freshmen in all of the country with 11.5 sacks.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Cobee Bryant, Kansas and Beau Freyler, Iowa State and Josh Newton, TCU and TJ Tampa, Iowa State and Malik Dunlap, Texas Tech

The lone returning starter in the secondary for K-State is safety Kobe Savage, and he doesn’t make my list. He did make the media’s All-Big 12 team, though. I’ll wait until I see how he looks after his injury from the end of last year.

Cobee Bryant was one of the more improved players in the Big 12 last season. He tallied three interceptions and 11 pass deflections for Kansas a year ago.

It is an old friend alert in terms of recruiting for Kansas State, as Beau Freyler is in position to have a breakout campaign for Iowa State. He narrowly picked the Cyclones over the Wildcats. He started 11 games as a redshirt freshman for Iowa State last year. He was also second on the team in tackles with 68.

Josh Newton was very good for TCU last season. He was named to the All-Big 12 first team after totaling 12 pass deflections and three interceptions.

TJ Tampa was a second team All-Big 12 selection last season for the Cyclones. He started all 12 games and racked up 40 tackles and five for a loss.

Malik Dunlap was also a second team All-Big 12 pick after last season. In his second year in Lubbock, he logged 33 tackles, 12 pass deflections and an interception.

KICKER: Bert Auburn, Texas

Kicker and punter to me are the hardest choices the ballot. Bert Auburn was second in the Big 12 in points last season behind Bijan Robinson. I anticipate Texas having another high-powered offense in Austin this year.

PUNTER: Mason Fletcher, Cincinnati

Mason Fletcher was a Ray Guy finalist last season for Cincinnati. Maybe my favorite part when looking up things about Fletcher is that he’s 6-foot-7. Oh yeah, by the way, he had an 84-yard punt last season as well.

RETURNER: Phillip Brooks, Kansas State

Phillip Brooks is second in Kansas State history in punt return touchdowns with four. He had a 76-yard punt return for a score against Missouri last season.