Oklahoma State Football: Team Awards for 2012 Season

On New Year's Day, the Oklahoma State Cowboys dismantled the Purdue Boilermakers in record-breaking fashion to put a feel-good cap on their 8-5 season.

The Cowboys had higher hopes than a Heart of Dallas Bowl win when they entered their 2012 campaign, but, due to injuries, they weren't able to reach their preseason goals.

That said, they did produce quite a few highlights and multiple players helped show why the Pokes will be a force to be reckoned with in years to come with their star-studded performances.

Read on to see who took home the team awards on a squad chock full of talented players. 

Offensive MVP: Joseph Randle

It's tempting to put Josh Stewart in this spot after his 101-catch and 1,200-plus-yard performance this year, but, in the end, the Cowboys' best offensive best player is Joseph Randle.

In addition, Randle's best games came against the team's stiffest competition.

He had 199 yards and two scores against Texas, which he followed up with four touchdowns against in-state rival Oklahoma.

Stewart had a great year, and could be on his way to becoming the next great Oklahoma State receiver, but Randle is the horse that drives the team and the Cowboys would lose a lot without him.

Honorable Mention: Josh Stewart, Clint Chelf

Defensive MVP: Daytawion Lowe

This is tough award to choose a single winner for because quite a few Cowboys defenders played well in 2012 (outside of a lack of overall turnovers).

Newcomer Calvin Barnett made a case with his team-leading 8.5 tackles for loss.

Shamiel Gary was also in the running with his ability to make big plays all over the field.

There's even the pass-rushing trio of Nigel Nicholas, Tyler Johnson and Ryan Robinson.

In the end though, Daytawion Lowe goes down as the team's Defensive MVP. He co-led the team in tackles, made countless game-altering plays and looked like the team's leader on defensive.

You can't ask for much more from an MVP player.

Honorable Mention: Calvin Barnett, Nigel Nicholas, Tyler Johnson, Ryan Robinson, Shamiel Gary, Shaun Lewis, Alex Elkins

Special Teams Player of the Year: Quinn Sharp

Unlike the previous two awards, this one isn't even close.

Quinn Sharp is possibly the best special teams player in the nation and he takes this trophy with ease.

His statistics are unreal. He kicked 28 field goals, didn't miss a single attempt from 39 yards and in and had a season-long of 51 yards.

However, the tale of the tape doesn't end there, as Sharp also averaged over 46 yards per punt this year.

Zack Craig gets a small mention for his two blocked kicks (one of which was returned for a TD), but Sharp wins this award going away.

Honorable Mention: Zack Craig

Mike Gundy's "I'm a Man" Award: Shamiel Gary

This award goes to the best hit of the season.

Shamiel Gary's victory here is kind of a season-long achievement award, as he delivered vicious hit after vicious hit in 2012.

However, if you have to pick one hit to remember his season by, it has to be the lick he put on Oklahoma's Brennan Clay.

Newcomer of the Year: Calvin Barnett

Given that Oklahoma State's two freshman quarterbacks were hit by injuries, it's hard to find a player more deserving than JUCO transfer Calvin Barnett for the Newcomer of the Year award.

Barnett finished the season with a team-leading 8.5 tackles for loss and came away as the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year.

Not a bad year for the young man and hopefully a sign of things to come from Oklahoma State's defense.

Honorable Mention: J.W. Walsh, Wes Lunt

Comeback Player of the Year: J.W. Walsh

It's up for debate as to whether J.W. Walsh can be qualified as a "comeback" player.

After all, he was hit with a "season-ending" knee injury following Oklahoma State's game against Iowa State, only to comeback later in the season and score seven total touchdowns in the Pokes last four games.

It might not be in the true spirit of the "Comeback Player" award, but it's well-deserved for a guy who beat all the odds to come back much earlier than expected and really contribute.

2013 Player to Watch For: Brandon Sheperd

This might be the most difficult award to pick, because it's very difficult to predict who's going to take that next step in spring training and beyond to become the next big contributor for Oklahoma State.

That said, my money's on Brandon Sheperd.

He didn't get to see the field much in 2012, but he has prototypical size, runs a 4.45 40, and looks to fit the mold when it comes to great Oklahoma State receivers.

Look for Sheperd to come on in a big way in 2013.

Honorable Mention: These Guys