Bleacher Report's All-Big 12 Team

Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Bleacher Report presents its All-Big 12 team for the 2012 season. 

There will always be dissenting opinions on which player deserves to be on the first team and which deserves to be on second team.

In fact, quarterback was the most difficult position to place simply because there are so many excellent passers in the Big 12. 

Nevertheless, we have made our decisions. Feel free to chime in with why you agree or disagree with these picks. 

Quarterback

Collin Klein
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First team: Collin Klein, Kansas State

Klein finished as a 2013 Heisman finalist and was the face of the team with a blue-collar work ethic. He wasn't afraid to take a hit, either. While Klein threw for 2,490 yards, he also rushed for 890 yards.

Second team (tie): Geno Smith, West Virginia and Landry Jones, Oklahoma

Smith was the most accurate in the league hitting 71.4 percent of his passes. Jones broke numerous passing records at Oklahoma including yardage in a single game (554) and touchdowns in a single game (6). 

Running Back

Ed Zurga/Getty Images

First team: Joseph Randle, Oklahoma State and James Sims, Kansas

Randle led the league in rushing yardage (1,351) and yards-per-game average (112.58). Sims posted similar numbers with 1,013 rushing yards and a 112.56 yards-per-game average.

Second team: John Hubert, Kansas State and Trey Millard, Oklahoma

Hubert was a solid runner averaging just under 75 yards a game. Millard, despite being a fullback, deserves a spot on this team due to his outstanding yards-per-carry average of 5.86 and his great hands. 

Wide Receiver

Tavon Austin
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First team: Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey, West Virginia

This was probably a no-brainer but when Geno Smith is throwing the ball to you, you're gonna get a lot of passing yardage. Austin had 1,259 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns while Bailey had 1,501 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns. 

Second team: Terrance Williams, Baylor and Chris Harper, Kansas State

Williams led the league in receiving yards (1,764) and yards-per-game average (147). Harper was one of Collin Klein's favorite targets catching 50 passes for 786 yards. 

Tight End

Travis Tannahill
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First team: Travis Tannahill, Kansas State

Tannahill not only had great hands but he blocked extremely well. Tannahill missed one game so his stats aren't that eye-popping but he's a solid receiver. 

Second team: Jace Amaro, Texas Tech

The 6-5, 255-pound tight end was an easy target for Seth Doege to find. Amaro had 23 receptions for 394 yards and four touchdowns but he missed half the season due to a knee injury. 

Offensive Line

Joe Madsen
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First team: Lane Taylor, Oklahoma State; Gabe Ikard, Oklahoma; Joe Madsen, West Virginia; LaAdrian Waddle, Texas Tech; and Lane Johnson, Oklahoma

Second team: Blaize Foltz, TCU; Trey Hopkins, Texas; Cornelius Lucas, Kansas State; Tanner Hawkinson, Kansas; and Cyril Richardson, Baylor

Kicker

Quinn Sharp
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First team: Quinn Sharp, Oklahoma State

Sharp hit 25 of 31 field goal attempts and made all 65 of his PAT attempts.

Second team: Anthony Cantele, Kansas State

Cantele also connected on all 62 of his PATs and kicked 18 (of 21) balls through the uprights.

Kick Returner

Tyler Lockett
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First team: Tyler Lockett, Kansas State

Lockett took two kickoff returns to the house and averaged over 33 yards per return. 

Second team: Tavon Austin, West Virginia

Austin is one of the most exciting returners in college football because on any given kick, he could bust one out. Austin returned one kick for a touchdown this season.

Defensive Line

Alex Okafor
John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

First team: Devonte Fields, TCU; Meshak Williams, Kansas State; Calvin Barnett, Oklahoma State; and Alex Okafor, Texas

Second team: Jake McDonough, Iowa State; Stansly Maponga, TCU; Vai Lutui, Kansas State; and Kerry Hyder, Texas Tech

Linebacker

Arthur Brown
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First team: Arthur Brown, Kansas State; Jake Knott, Iowa State; and A.J. Klein, Iowa State

Brown was the Wildcats' leading tackler (91 tackles). Klein led the Cyclones in tackles with 98 while Knott forced two fumbles. 

Second team: Ben Heeney, Kansas; Bryce Hager, Baylor; and Kenny Cain, TCU

Cain was the Horned Frogs' leading tackler (74) while Hager led the entire league with 115 tackles. Heeney was second in the league with 113 tackles. 

Cornerback

Aaron Colvin
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First team: Jason Verrett, TCU and Aaron Colvin, Oklahoma

Verrett led the Big 12 in interceptions with six—he also defended 20 passes and broke up 14 passes. Colvin had four picks, 11 broken-up passes and 15 passes defended.

Second team: Demontre Hurst, Oklahoma and Nigel Malone, Kansas State

Malone intercepted five passes while Hurst defended nine passes. 

Safety

Tony Jefferson
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First team: Tony Jefferson, Oklahoma and Ty Zimmerman, Kansas State

Jefferson led the Sooners in tackles with 113. Zimmerman had a team-high five interceptions along with Nigel Malone.

Second team: Durrell Givens, Iowa State and Sam Carter, TCU

Givens forced four fumbles and picked three passes while Carter had four picks and broke up 10 passes.  

Punter

Quinn Sharp
John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

First team: Quinn Sharp, Oklahoma State

Not only is Sharp our first-team kicker but also earns our first-team punter selection. Quinn averaged over 45 yards a punt and booted one punt 74 yards.

Second team: Kirby Van Der Kamp, Iowa State

Van Der Kamp punted 69 times for an average of 41.6 yards per boot.

Punt Returner

Justin Brown
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First team: Justin Brown, Oklahoma

Although Tavon Austin is a fantastic specialist as well, Brown earns the first-team nod because he averaged 13.59 yards per return compared to Austin's 11 yards per return. Brown also returned one punt for a touchdown.

Second team: Tavon Austin, West Virginia

Austin returned 15 punts for 165 yards and one touchdown.