Big 12 Football: Power Ranking the Top 5 Candidates for 2013 Player of the Year

The Big 12 is known for offense, so it only makes sense that there are a handful of players on the offensive side of the football that will be in the running for Big 12 Player of the Year honors at the end of the season. But is there a defensive player worthy of being recognized among such company?

Absolutely, there is.

We should be preparing for another fun year in the Big 12 with some explosive wide receivers ready to stretch the field and a couple of running backs returning after 1,000-yard years. Of course, there is also at least one defensive player ready to take his game up to another level this season.

Here is a look at five of the top players in the Big 12 entering the 2013 season.

5. Eric Ward, Texas Tech WR

Texas Tech wide receiver Eric Ward finished fifth in the Big 12 in receiving last season with 1,053 yards and tied for third with 12 touchdown receptions.

In 2013, Ward will be the conference's second leading receiver returning to the field and he will most certainly be one of the top receivers once again in the Big 12.

Considering Kliff Kingsbury is taking over the program and figures to keep up with Texas Tech's pass-happy offensive style, we could be in store for a big year from Ward as he piles up the numbers.

4. Lache Seastrunk, Baylor RB

One of three 1,000-yard rushers in the Big 12 last season, Baylor's Lache Seastrunk returns as the leading rusher in the Big 12 in 2013. Seastrunk rushed for 1,012 yards and just seven touchdowns last season while Baylor employed the conference's second best passing offense.

Seastrunk does not play much of a factor in Baylor's passing game, with just nine receptions last season, but when he does catch the football good things seem to happen. On Seastrunk's nine receptions in 2012, he averaged 11.89 yards per catch.

Here's hoping we see more of Seastrunk this season.

3. Josh Stewart, Oklahoma State WR

Oklahoma State has an offense made for playmaking wide receivers. Last season, Cowboys receiver Josh Stewart accounted for 1,210 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, and that should be similar in 2013.

Stewart was the Big 12's fourth-leading receiver in 2012 and he will be the conference's leading returning receiver in the fall following the graduations and early NFL entries of Terrance Williams (Baylor), Stedman Bailey (West Virginia) and Tavon Austin (West Virginia).

Stewart is the next in line of top Oklahoma State receivers, following in the footsteps of Dez Bryant and Justin Blackmon. 

2. Devonte Fields, TCU DE

Though he is suspended for the season opener against LSU, TCU defensive end Devonte Fields figures to be one of the top players in the Big 12 in 2013.

As a freshman last year, Fields made quite the impact by leading the Big 12 in tackles for loss and finishing third in sacks.

He is already thought of as one of the top defensive ends in the country and should be a force to be reckoned with for opposing offensive linemen once he returns from a two-game suspension to start the year. 

1. John Hubert, Kansas State RB

Kansas State running back John Hubert finished the 2012 season ranked fourth in the Big 12 in rushing with 952 yards, which makes him the conference's second-leading rusher returning in 2013. Hubert also figures to see more of a leading role in Kansas State's offense this fall as the Wildcats move on from the Collin Klein era at quarterback and break in a new starting quarterback.

Hubert averaged a steady 5.04 rushing yards per attempt last season in an offense geared for a bit of a power running game. Look for Hubert to pick up 200 rushing attempts this season, which should lead to a 1,000-yard rushing season. He had 15 rushing touchdowns last year, and he could make a push for 18-20 if the running game thrives for Kansas State this season. 

Kevin McGuire is the host of the No 2-Minute Warning podcast and an analyst for Bleacher Report. Follow McGuire on Twitter and Google+.