Another spectacular season has come and gone in the Big XII. The NDL is all but set to cap off Season 26 with the Bowl Selection coming this evening. Some of the teams are wondering where they will be playing this holiday season, a few players are wondering which NFL team they'll be on next year...some coaches are wondering where they will be employed next season. With all the excitement swirling around it's time for us to reflect over the past season and celebrate the top performers by honoring them with our BIG XII All-Conference Team. Choosing players this season was extremely difficult as several teams had players with outstanding statistical numbers but with careful consideration our All Big XII Team is now ready to be announced. Without any further adieu, our selections are:
OFFENSIVE TEAM
Quarterback - Geno Smith, Sr. West Virginia University
Geno Smith ended the season with 2624 passing yards and 26 passing touchdowns and a final QB Rating of 194.2. His greatest performance of the season would have to have been against the Wildcats of Kansas State when he threw for 311 yards and 3 touchdowns, finishing with a QBR of 230.1. Not many teams will miss him in Season 27.
143 Completions on 220 Attempts, 2624 Passing Yards, 26 Touchdown, 11 Interceptions, QB Rating of 194.2
Running Back - Joseph Randle, Jr. Oklahoma State University
2nd Team All American
Randle was able to put up 1415 rushing yards on the season, second best in the Big XII but led the conference in rushing touchdowns with 13. With 220 rushing attempts, Randle was reliable when it came to hanging on to the ball with only one fumble on the season. Randle's greatest game of the season came in a very important game against Texas Tech when both teams were playing for top spot in the conference. His 204 rushing yards and 2 touchdown performance helped seal the victory for the Cowboys in a 56-49 win.
Running Back - Lache Seastrunk, So. Baylor University
It was a tough call for the 2nd running back position this season, but Seastrunk ultimately gets the call. This do it all Running Back was instrumental to his team as he was able to accumulate 1183 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the season. Touching the ball over 245 times, Seastrunk would not have a single fumble on the season. Seastrunk would also pick up a receiving touchdown on the season and was a pivotal part of the Bears return game as well. His best game would come against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in a close loss. Seastrunk would run the ball 25 times for 110 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns on the day.
Wide Receiver - Tavon Austin, Sr. West Virginia University
Pre-Season All Conference
Austin proved to be an explosive force for the Mountaineers this season. Austin tallied 1044 receiving yards on 39 receptions this season giving him a 26.8 yards per catch average. Throw in his conference leading, well tied for conference leading, 11 touchdowns and you have this seasons #1 Wide Receiver in the Big XII. Austin had several games that could easily be talked about here, but his 6 reception 169 yards 2 touchdown performance against Kansas State really pops out at you. This is definitely another Mountaineer opponents will be happy to see go.
Wide Receiver - Stedman Bailey, Jr. West Virginia University
Remember when talking about Austin we said he was tied for the most receiving touchdowns this season? You got it. His counterpart was also able to pull in 11 scores on the season. While his receiving totals were not nearly as stellar, 606 receiving yards, his ability to keep the heat off of Austin and be just as productive at scoring were. There are definitely other receivers in the Big XII capable of filling this spot, but when both of your receivers are averaging 20 yards a catch it's hard to argue against them. Many people speculate this trio will all enter the NFL draft together and it will be a huge blow to the WVU offensive attack. Bailey's coming out party will be remembered most against the Baylor Bears when he caught 5 passes for 114 yards and 3 scores.
31 Receptions, 606 Receiving Yards, 11 Touchdowns
Tight End - Justin Horton, Sr. Oklahoma State University
Tight Ends did not play a huge role in the Big XII this season, but Horton was able to separate himself from the rest of the pack with not only his role in the passing attack but also his blocking ability while trying to protect his Quarterback's and Running Backs. Horton is credited with 3 pancakes, but also had 464 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns to help out his team. Horton came up big in the Texas Tech game when he was able to score one of his three touchdowns on 69 yards while also being a valued protector in the blocking game.
Wort was an absolute defensive monster this season. When he wasn't disrupting the running game he was hassling Quarterbacks with his coverage skills. On the season, Wort was able to rack up 6 interceptions, two of which he returned for scores. His 91 tackles were second in the league and most Running Backs tried to avoid him yet he was still able to get 15 tackles for losses. Add in 2 sacks and you have a complete monster on your hands. Worts best game of the season would have to be against the Kansas State Wildcats when he got 14 tackles, 4 for a loss, but picked up an interception and a score.
Linebacker - Steve Edmond, So. University of Texas
With 98 total tackles on the season offenses had to take into account where Edmond was at all times. Edmonds was also able to reach the #2 spot in tackles for a loss with 18 on the season. Now factor in his ability to defend in coverage and you have a Linebacker with the skill set to easily rival Wort. Edmond picked up 1 interception on the season but was responsible for 4 passes defended and if you did catch the ball you would pay the price, evident by his 2 forced fumbles on the season. In a losing effort, Edmond was able to get a season high 14 tackles, 2 for a loss, against the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Linebacker - Arthur Brown, Sr. Kansas State University
It's the tackles for a loss that really stand out with this Linebacker. Twenty-four is nothing to snub your nose at, add in 5 sacks and this is another defensive nightmare for teams in the Big XII. Brown's accomplishments don't stop there though as his coverage skills are just as good as our other two Linebackers. With an interception, 4 passes defended, a defensive touchdown and 3, yes 3 forced fumbles on the season, it's easy to see that KSU got the most out of their senior leader. Brown saved his best game for the Texas Tech Red Raiders when he reached his season high in tackles with 10, but it was his work in the offenses backfield that was most impressive with 5 tackles for a loss and 3 sacks.
Holl led all Defensive Backs in the Big XII this season in tackles with 76, but where he really stuck out is his coverage skills. Holl was responsible for 5 interceptions and 6 passes defended on the season. His best game of the season was in a close loss to Clemson when he accounted for 7 tackles, 1 for a loss, and 1 sack, interception, and pass defended.
Defensive Back - Terence Garvin, Sr. West Virginia University
Garvin was just another weapon on a loaded team. Third among the defensive backs in tackles with 71, Garvin was able to help separate himself with his 9 interceptions on the season. While unable to return any for a score, it's still quite an impressive number that made all Quarterbacks avoid his side of the field as much as possible. Garvins best game of the season was against the Baylor Bears when he had only 6 tackles, but 2 interceptions and a pass defended.
Defensive Back - Demontre Hurst, Sr. Oklahoma University
It was hard to choose between many of the Defensive Backs this season and Hurst was in quite a competition with his counterpart Harris. But ultimately Hurst's 3 defensive touchdowns, led all Big XII DB's, gave him the final nod. Hurst was also able to get 5 interceptions which helped lead to the scores. His best game of the season of the season would not have a single interception or score in it, but his 10 tackles against rival Oklahoma State were no less important as they picked up the win.
Defensive Back -Eugene Neboh, Sr. Texas Tech University
1st Team All American
The conference leader in interceptions at 14 could not be kept off this list. Factor in his 2 defensive scores and you have one of the best Defensive Backs in the conference. Neboh's play was able to help lead the Red Raiders to an 8-4 record and now they just await their bowl selection. Neboh's best game of the season statistically was against the Kansas Jayhawks when he would intercept Chrsyt 5 times and score twice, but it was his defensive play against Oklahoma in their upset win that should be hailed. His 3 timely interceptions of Landry helped seal the deal in the 27-21 upset.
Defensive Back - Cody Davis, Sr. Texas Tech University
It was a back and forth debate between Davis and OU's Harris, but in the end Davis' numbers were able to outshine and win him the final nod. Davis didn't have quite the season as his backfield mate Neboh, but his 4 interceptions and 5 passes defended were not slouch numbers either. Besides, while Neboh was wrecking havoc in the passing game, Davis was terrorizing the offenses backfield. Davis' best game of the season would be against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in Week 12. Despite being hung with the L, Davis was still able to fill the stat columns with 10 tackles, 4 for a loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 1 pass defended, and a defensive score.
Kicker - Quinn Sharp, Sr. Oklahoma State University
2nd Team All American
Another tight race for best honors as Sharp, Russ, and Hunnicut all had spectacular seasons. Sharp, however, played a major role in a few more key games to ensure wins. His 53 yard field goal for the win against Kansas kept his streak of consecutive wins in the Big XII alive for at least a few more games. Add in that he also had two more field goals in excess of 50 yards and now you see why he will be playing on Sundays.
23 of 24 Field Goals Made, Long of 55, 3 Longer Than 50 Yards, 32 of 32 Extra Points Made
Punter - Michael Hunnicutt, So. Oklahoma University
Hunnicutt and TTU's Erxleben seemed to be in a direct competition with either other all season in the battle for best punter in the Big XII. Hunnicutt was able to come up big in the games that mattered most though and that is what won him the honor over his punter rival. In the Oklahoma State win, Hunnicutt was able to pin the Cowboys deep in their own red zone on multiple occasions.
29 Punts for 1206 Yards, 1014 Net, 7 Punts Inside the 20, 5 Touchbacks
Kick Return - Kenny Stills, Jr. Oklahoma University
Stills had 40 kick returns this season and went over the 1000 yard mark. While he was not able to break one for a touchdown he was able to give his team good field position on a consistent basis.
40 Kick Returns, 1094 Kick Return Yards, Long of 53
Punt Return - Kenny Stills, Jr. Oklahoma University
Serving double duty on punt returns as well as kick returns, Stills again stood out. Stills would be able to break a punt return back for a touchdown, albeit still a loss, against the ECU Pirates when he raced 79 yards to paydirt.
15 Punt Returns, 216 Punt Return Yards, Long of 79, 1 Punt Return Touchdown
COACH OF THE YEAR
Coach SuperJakeB, Oklahoma State University
With several coaches returning and just as many coming into their first season in the conference it's easy to see this will be a tough conference for many seasons to come if everyone stays put. Coach SuperJake, though, has found a way to separate himself from the rest, at least for the time being. In only his 3rd season overall in the NDL he has accumulated a record of 33-11. In his second season in the NDL he was able to select his favorite team, Oklahoma State University, and lead them to a berth in the National Championship Game. In Season 26, SuperJake continued his dominance of the Big XII by putting together a string of 16 straight conference game wins, which was ended in Week 13 to his rival Oklahoma and Coach Niddler. Despite the loss, SuperJake was still able to lead his team to the best record in the Big XII and take the Conference Championship. The big question for everyone, including SuperJake himself, is whether he will return in Season 27 or look for a challenge elsewhere.
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