Big 12 Football: Winners and Losers of the All-Big 12 Team

The All-Big 12 teams were announced and there weren't a lot of surprises at most positions.

We went ahead and listed the winners and then listed the losers—those who we felt should have made the first team but may have either fallen short of expectations or were simply overlooked by voters.

As always, this is a subjective list so not every "winner" will be embraced by every fan, especially if your team's guy didn't make first team. 

Quarterback: Collin Klein

Heisman finalist and Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein was named to the All-Big 12's first team.

West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith is probably disappointed with not making first team since he was in the Heisman race for the first half of the season—Smith did make the All-Big 12's second team. 

Losers: Baylor quarterback Nick Florence, who received an honorable mention. Florence was the league's most productive passer averaging over 343 yards per game and a 61.2 percent accuracy. Texas Tech quarterback Seth Doege also finished with the second-highest passer rating in the league and received an honorable mention.

Running Back: Joseph Randle and John Hubert

Running backs Joseph Randle (Oklahoma State) and John Hubert (Kansas State) both had outstanding seasons as did some other Big 12 backs. 

Losers: James Sims, Kansas. Granted, the Jayhawks weren't a very sexy team this year, but Sims' 112.56 yards per game average is almost identical to Randle's 112.58.

Sims made the second team.  

Fullback: Trey Millard

Oklahoma fullback Trey Millard is one of the more athletic fullbacks in the country. He defies the typical description of a fullback: short, stout and good for three yards up the middle.

Millard is a great blocker as well as a runner. 

Oklahoma State's Kye Staley was named to the second team.

Losers: None

Receiver: Stedman Bailey, Terrance Williams and Tavon Austin

Of course West Virginia would have a pair of receivers here due to the prolific passing attack head coach Dana Holgorsen runs.

First team: Stedman Bailey (West Virginia), Tavon Austin (West Virginia) and Terrance Williams (Baylor). 

Second team: Chris Harper (Kansas State), Kenny Stills (Oklahoma), Darrin Moore (Texas Tech).

Losers: Josh Stewart (Oklahoma State) and Eric Ward (Texas Tech). Both Stewart and Ward were among the league's top five receiving leaders. 

Tight End: Travis Tannahill

Kansas State Travis Tannahill gave quarterback Collin Klein a great target to throw to whenever Klein needed a reliable pair of hands. 

Second team: Jace Amaro, Texas Tech

Losers: None

Offensive Linemen

First team: Cyril Richardson (Baylor), Cornelius Lucas (Kansas State), Gabe Ikard (Oklahoma), Lane Taylor (Oklahoma State) and LaAdrian Waddle (Texas Tech). 

Second team: Tanner Hawkinson (Kansas), Lane Johnson (Oklahoma), Blaize Foltz (TCU), Trey Hopkins (Texas) and Joe Madsen (WVU).

Losers: LeRaven Clark (Texas Tech) only gets an honorable mention? 

Punter/ Kicker: Quinn Sharp

Oklahoma State's Quinn Sharp made first team All-Big 12 as both a punter and a placekicker.

Second team placekicker: Anthony Cantele, Kansas State.

Second team punter: Kirby Van Der Kamp, Iowa State

Losers: TCU punter Ethan Perry had the highest average per punt in the league at 45.16 yards. 

Defensive Linemen

First team: Jake McDonough (Iowa State), Meshak Williams (Kansas State), Calvin Barnett (Oklahoma State), Devonte Fields (TCU), Alex Okafor (Texas) and Stansly Maponga (TCU). 

Second team: Adam Davis (Kansas State), Vai Lutui (Kansas State), David King (Oklahoma), Chucky Hunter (TCU) and Kerry Hyder (Texas Tech). 

Losers: The entire Texas D-line (sans Okafor). How does a team with that much blue-chip talent only have one lineman on the All-Big 12's first and second teams?  

Linebacker: A.J. Klein, Arthur Brown and Jake Knott

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

What a huge statement by the Cyclones to have two linebackers make the first team. 

Second team: Bryce Hager (Baylor), Ben Heeney (Kansas) and Kenny Cain (TCU).

Losers: Eddie Lackey (Baylor) is the league's fourth-leading tackler. Also, the absence of both Oklahoma and Texas players on these teams should alarm Big 12 fans.  

Defensive Backs

First team: Aaron Colvin (Oklahoma), Jason Verrett (TCU), Kenny Vaccaro (Texas), Tony Jefferson (Oklahoma) and Ty Zimmerman (Kansas State).

Second team: Durrell Givens (Iowa State), Sam Carter (TCU), Bradley McDougald (Kansas), D.J. Johnson (Texas Tech) and Demontre Hurst (Oklahoma).

Losers: Nigel Malone, Kansas State. Malone had five interceptions, eight deflected passes and defended 13 passes. 

Kick/punt Returner: Tavon Austin

West Virginia receiver Tavon Austin ostensibly causes opposing special team coaches to break into hives every time the ball gets kicked toward him—he's one of the most exciting returners in college football. 

Second team: Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State. 

Losers: Tyler Lockett, Kansas State. Lockett led the league in kickoff return averages at 33.31 yards per return and scored two touchdowns.