OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Sam Ehlinger, Quarterback, Texas
As hard as I try to write without bias, I can’t help but admit my admiration for Sam Ehlinger. He is down for his boys (NSFW-Language), and rides for Texas no matter what.
Just like Texas is back, Slangin’ Sam is back for his junior year after putting on a truly stellar performance in 2018. If you’ve read my other work you’d probably know his stats at this point: 41 total touchdowns and only five interceptions.
His 16 rushing touchdowns led the conference for all players, not just quarterbacks. Not only is he the starting quarterback on my all-conference offense, he would also be my starter on the all-Spring-Break team; you know my man loves White Claws.
He was pretty spectacular throwing the ball as well last year, completing 65% of his passes for just shy of 3,300 yards, which was good for fourth in the conference, only trailing Will Grier (West Virginia), Taylor Cornelius (Oklahoma State), and Kyler Murray (Oklahoma). Again, his limiting of turnovers was a massive reason why Texas won 10 games last season.
To be honest, if it weren’t for the quarterback situation at TCU, wide receiver Jalen Reagor would have gotten my vote. That being said, I think it will be a tight race between multiple candidates at the end of 2019. And considering how often this award goes to the quarterback, I think my pick of Sam Ehlinger as OPOTY is a safe one.
Runners up:
Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma
Ceedee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Caden Sterns, Safety, Texas
Two ‘Horns winning best player on offense and best player on defense? I really did not want to do this and risk looking like a homer. But that’s just how good Caden Sterns was last season. He was a freshman all-American and a consensus all-Big 12 selection in the 2019 preseason.
He’s great in coverage and he can lay the wood against running backs, not just wide receivers. He also had a huge special-teams touchdown against Southern Cal off of a kick he blocked himself. Along with all-Big 12 second team safety Brandon Jones, Texas most likely has the best safety duo in the nation.
I’m enjoying him while I can because the second he has the opportunity, he will go pro. And probably be a top-10 pick, breaking the Texas NFL Draft drought.
Runners up:
James Lynch, defensive tackle, Baylor
Kenneth Murray, linebacker, Oklahoma
Ray Lima, defensive tackle, Iowa State
OFFENSIVE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Spencer Sanders, quarterback, Oklahoma State
Jordan Whittington was going to be my pick actually, but I didn’t want to necessarily give everyone Longhorn fatigue. I do really believe in Spencer Sanders as the new starting quarterback for Oklahoma State, and guys in Gundy’s offense tend to put up big boy numbers.
Look at Taylor Cornelius last year. He threw for just shy of 4,000 yards in the air raid offense that Oklahoma State runs. Their quarterbacks put numbers on the board. And with wide receiver Tylan Wallace returning after a season in which he lead the Big 12 in receiving yards, Sanders is going to have an explosive weapon at wideout.
Runners up:
Justin Rodgers, quarterback, TCU
Jordan Whittington, running back, Texas
Jadon Haselwood, wide receiver, Oklahoma
DEFENSIVE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Dreshun Miller, cornerback, West Virginia
I’m not totally sure on this pick, as I spent a couple of hours researching recruits and what years they are playing, but Miller stood out to me. As the highest rated defensive JUCO player joining the Big 12, Miller will start immediately.
The issue with this pick is the amount of talented wide receivers left in the Big 12. With Ceedee Lamb, Tylan Wallace, Jalen Reagor, Colin Johnson all returning, Miller is going to face the best competition as he will be cornerback one most likely.
That can be a good thing or a bad thing. It’s definitely a trial by fire, but if Miller can come out of it with a few interceptions, or at least a few pass defenses, he has a shot at defensive newcomer of the year.
OFFENSIVE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Jadon Haselwood, wide receiver, Oklahoma
Jadon Haselwood was a consensus five-star prospect and the best player in Oklahoma’s 2019 recruiting class. He’s just another weapon in this Oklahoma receiving corps alongside Ceedee Lamb and Grant Calcaterra.
Because there are so many options, Haselwood might get a lot more opportunities on weaker defensive backs, since most of opponents’ game plans will be to stop Lamb.
Georgia’s 2018 high school player of the year, Haselwood had a dominant career in high school, where he won the state championship for Cedar Grove (GA) on a last-second touchdown grab. There’s a reason he’s ranked as a top-five recruit regardless of position.
In this offense, Haselwood will be used perfectly. He’s a physical player that, while he doesn’t have blazing speed (4.57-second 40 time), has great hands and is able to get up for jump balls in the end zone.
In addition to his 1,032 yards and 11 touchdowns, Haselwood played defense in high school as well at safety and was great there too. He’ll be sticking to the offensive side of the ball for the Sooners, but it’s nice to know he has the football IQ picked up from playing both sides.
DEFENSIVE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Had he not been ruled out for 2019 with a spinal stenosis, I might have gone with Texas’ inside linebacker De’Gabriel Floyd, who is the highest rated defensive player going to a Big 12 school this fall.
Another option that might have worked would have been Texas safety commit Tyler Owens, but with the situation in the Texas defensive backfield, Owens will likely get very little time this season and may even redshirt.
On the whole this year, the Big 12 failed to bring in elite defensive talent. They brought in plenty of talent on the offense, especially at wideout. But this is where the criticism from other schools comes from: the Big 12 doesn’t play any defense (tell that to Iowa State or TCU).
So my best guess for Big 12 defensive freshman of the year? I couldn’t tell you honestly. It could be Jeremiah Criddell, an Oklahoma commit, but then, the Sooners bring back 10 of 11 defensive players, so he may not see much of the field anyway.
If you think of some one, be sure to let me know so I don’t look like a complete moron.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Cameron Dicker, placekicker, Texas
Don’t get mad at me, Texas has a bunch of individual talents on their roster. I’m just calling it how I see it. I’m not even picking Texas to win the Big 12 so miss me with that “you’re a homer” BS.
Ok I’m sort of a homer. But Dicker proved he was a lights-out kicker last year when he drilled the last-second field goal against Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout. He has ice in his veins.
In 2019, he went 10 for 12 on kicks under 40 yards. Once you get him within that range, he’s automatic. He’s the best kicker in the conference right now, and therefore he will win this award if he improves this season.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR
Lucas Niang, tackle, TCU
Niang is a 6’7″, 330-lbs. monster at tackle for TCU. He’s going to be massively important for a team that is right on the cusp of competing for a Big 12 title this year.
He’ll need to provide protection for redshirt freshman Justin Rogers, as a freshman quarterback needs a lot more time to make decisions; their pocket presence is still in high-school mode, which won’t fly in the quarterback-run Big 12.
TCU’s offensive game plan is going to go something like this: ask Niang to protect Rogers so that Rogers can get the ball to Jalen Reagor. If TCU’s line can back up Niang’s performance, you’ll be looking at a solid offense, one that can compete in this conference.
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR
James Lynch, defensive tackle, Baylor
I’ve written about James Lynch already, and all you need to know is that this man is a powerhouse of a human being. While his numbers may take a hit because everyone in the conference knows about his talents, he will still be a huge problem by forcing double teams or collapsing the pocket.
One of two all-Big 12 players from Baylor this season, Lynch and linebacker Clay Johnston will have to dominate for Baylor to turn their defense around, as it finished worse than 80th in the country in 2019. But honestly if there’s a guy to do it, it would be James Lynch.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Matt Campbell, Iowa State
This is a tough call but I think if my conference projections are accurate, in which I have Iowa State finishing second, then Campbell will take home COTY in the Big 12. He’s completely shifted the culture at Iowa State from a program who used to routinely get played off the field to a completely winning attitude.
Campbell now has Iowa State as a favorite to finish top-3 in the Big 12; I have them exceeding those expectations and finishing second to Oklahoma. If he is able to do what I’ve predicted he will, Campbell will be taking home the COTY trophy.
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