In celebration of this week's Big XII Media Days being held in Dallas, The Midnight Yell has come up with it's own Big XII All Conference Preseason Team for 2011. We will be playing with MLB All-Star Game rules in which every school will have a representative on the team. Hope you enjoy.
Quarterback
Landry Jones, Oklahoma -- The Sooner quarterback was a Big XII Championship and BCS Bowl winning quarterback in 2010. That alone makes him an easy choice for the selection. However, the Big XII Offensive Player of the Year also put up great numbers with a 65.6% completion percentage, 4718 yards with 38 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. Also considered -- Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden, A&M's Ryan Tannehill, and Baylor's Robert Griffin.
Running Back
Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M -- Gray returns off a 7 game break through performance at the position, totaling over 100 yards in each. He finished with 1180 on the season and 5.7 per carry. He also scored 12 times on the ground and ripped off an 84 yarder against Texas. However, Gray will have to share the load with Christine Michael coming off injury, so we wonder if his numbers will be all-conference like in the end. That doesn't mean Gray isn't the best back in the Big XII.
James Sims, Kansas -- Sims might be a breakout player this year at running back in a conference that isn't filled with a lot of stars at the position this year. Sims carried the ball 168 times for 742 yards and a 4.4 yard average with 9 touchdowns for a team that wasn't stout up front. With uncertainty at the quarterback position, Sims will have to power the Jayhawk offense in the fall.
Also considered -- Eric Stephens, Texas Tech; Roy Finch, Oklahoma
Wide Receiver
Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma -- Broyles could have made a case of his own for the Big XII's Offensive Player of the Year. Broyles caught 131 balls for 1622 yards, over 12 yards per catch, with 14 touchdowns. He was good for over 115 yards per game and a touchdown per game for the Sooners.
Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State -- Blackmon was just voted the Big XII Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, for good reason. Blackmon caught 111 balls in 2010 for 1782 yards, over 14 yards per catch, and 20 touchdowns. That's close to 150 yards receiving per game for the Cowboys and 1.5 touchdowns per game! Blackmon also had 77 yards rushing.
Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M -- Fuller had an all-time record breaking season for the Aggies in 2010 at the position. He was the first Aggie to go over 1000 yards with 1066 with 12 touchdowns on 72 receptions. He is a threat deep as he averages over 14 yards per catch.
Also considered -- T.J. Moe, Missouri
Tight End
Michael Egnew, Missouri -- Michael caught 90 balls last season from his tight end position, an outstanding number. He was good for 762 yards or 8.5 per catch, 5 touchdowns, but his longest reception of the season was only a surprising 29 yards. Also considered -- none.
Offensive Line
Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M -- The 6'4 305 pound left tackle started every single game for A&M as a true freshman and will be a future NFL Draft pick
Levy Adcock, Oklahoma State -- The 6'6 320 pound right tackle is the most talented lineman and leader of the group for Oklahoma State which returns every starter to the unti
Kelechi Osmele, Iowa State -- Kelechi is a mammoth 6'6 350 pounder with future NFL potential, leading a ground attack for Iowa State at left tackle
Lonnie Edwards, Texas Tech -- At 6'4 and 320 pounds, this left guard protects the Tech passing game in the interior of the line and opens holes for Eric Stephens
Ivory Wade, Baylor -- Wade is the most talented lineman blocking for the explosive Robert Griffin, and has a reputation of getting under defender's skin
Also considered -- Ben Habern, Oklahoma; Dan Hoch, Missouri; Grant Garner, Oklahoma State; Lane Taylor, Oklahoma State; Jake Matthews, Texas A&M
Defensive Line
Brad Madison, Missouri -- Madison only started 2 games last year for the Tigers, playing behind NFL first round pick Aldon Smith. But when Madison saw the field, he made it count with 7.5 sacks (the returning leader in the Big XII), 11 tackles for loss, 32 tackles and 2 forced fumbles. More playing time should result in better numbers as he will be the primary pass rusher for the Tigers.
Toney Jerod-Eddie, Texas A&M -- Tim DeRutyer's Wrecking Crew defense couldn't have made the 180 it did last season without spectacular play along the defensive line. Jerod-Eddie leads the group that could be the Aggies best in over a decade. Jerod-Eddie had 49 tackles last season, 2.5 for loss and 1 blocked kick from his 3-4 defensive end position that is focused on stopping the run.
Kheeston Randall, Texas -- Randall will man a shaky Texas defensive line up front at defensive tackle, a position where they lack experience in 2011. Randall had 39 tackles and 13 for loss in 2010 with 1 sack. Most impressive? His 2 blocked kicks last season.
Frank Alexander, Oklahoma -- Alexander played in 13 games for the Sooners last season totaling 39 tackles, 20 of them solo, 7 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 quarterback hurry and 3 balls batted down at the line.
Also considered -- Dominique Hamilton, Missouri; Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma; Jacquies Smith, Missouri
Linebackers
Travis Lewis, Oklahoma -- Travis led the Sooners in tackles last season with 109, 63 of them solo (5.5 for a loss). He was 3rd on the team in interceptions with 3 and recovered 2 fumbles. Also had 1.5 sacks and 3 passes defended against.
Zaviar Gooden, Missouri -- Zaviar led the Tigers last season in tackles with 85, 50 of them on his own. The rangy linebacker also had 7.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, 5 passes defended, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 forced fumble. He was all over the field last season for the Tigers.
Jake Knott, Iowa State -- Knott was a tackling machine last season with 130 tackles in only 12 games for the Cyclones. He forced 4 fumbles, recovering 1 and proved he could cover as well with 4 interceptions. With 6.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 9 passes defended, Jake has a chance to become Big XII defensive player of the year in 2011.
Keenan Robinson, Texas -- Robinson was the bright spot for the Longhorn defense last season leading the team in tackles with 113. He also had 8 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 fumble forced. Keenan should see an increase in numbers with Manny Diaz's blitzing scheme.
Also considered -- Emmanuel Acho, Texas; Shaun Lewis, Oklahoma State; Tom Wort, Oklahoma; Garrick Williams, Texas A&M
Defensive Backs
Coryell Judie, Texas A&M -- Judie was a play maker for the Aggies in the second half of last season. He had 57 tackles last season from his corner position and led the team with 4 interceptions and 8 passes defended. Also had 2 touchdowns as a kick returner. Will be a future NFL Draft pick.
Leonard Johnson, Iowa State -- Leonard was a force in the secondary last season for Iowa State, placing 4th on the team with 64 tackles, 2.5 for loss, one interception and 1 fumbled recovered to go along with 8 passes defended, all from his corner position.
Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State -- Martin was a ball hawk for Oklahoma State last season. He had 55 tackles last season (47 on his own), 3 interceptions tied for second on the team, and 1 fumble recovery. He led the team with 10 pass break ups from his safety position.
Ty Zimmerman, Kansas State -- Zimmerman was the heart and soul of the Kansas State defense last season. From his safety position, Ty had 74 tackles, 4 for loss, 3 interceptions, 6 passes defended and 2 fumble recoveries. Will have to be the leader again for a rebuilding Wildcat defense.
Also considered -- Trent Hunter, Texas A&M; Demontre Hurst, Oklahoma; David Garrett, Kansas State; Cody Davis, Texas Tech
Special Teams
Grant Ressel, Missouri -- Grant had a down year for Missouri last season by this standards. Grant was 17-19 on FGs with a long of 50 yards and 45-47 on extra points, totaling 96 points for the Tigers. Grant missed on 4 kicks last season, elevating his career total to only 5!
Kirby Van Der Kamp, Iowa State --As a freshman last season, Van Der Kamp burst onto the scene in Ames with a 45.2 punting average, a long of 74 yards and 22 of his kicks were placed inside of the 20. Kirby also kicked 19 punts over 50 yards. He appeared on a lot of Freshman All-American lists last season. Also considered -- Oklahoma's Tress Way
Selection By School -- Baylor 1, Iowa State 4, Kansas 1, Kansas State 1, Missouri 4, Oklahoma 4, Oklahoma State 3, Texas 2, Texas A&M 5, Texas Tech 1
Preseason Awards
Offensive Player of the Year -- Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma: Not hard to imagine how the reigning OPOY would be considered the favorite this season. He is a championship winning quarterback that puts up numbers in Oklahoma's system. However, the loss of offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson could decrease his production; but without DeMarco Murray and Ryan Broyles still in Norman, we don't see that happening.
Defensive Player of the Year -- Jake Knott, LB, Iowa State: Jake is a tackling machine for the Cyclones of Iowa State. He led the team last year with 130 and put up 4 forced fumbles with 4 interceptions to prove he is a difference maker as well as a team leader. He love his hard nose tactics and don't see any reason why he won't be as productive in 2011.
Big XII Newcomer of the Year -- James Franklin, QB, Missouri: This one isn't rocket science at all. With 1st round NFL draft pick Blaine Gabbert leaving Missouri, Franklin gets to take over the controls and all the numbers that come with directing the Tiger offense. Franklin does have limited game experience and Gary Pinkel's club never shows signs of slowing down. Franklin should help the Tigers finish in the top half of the league.
Tomorrow we will show you our Big XII Preseason Rankings as the Big XII Media Days role on.
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