College Football's All-Week 12 First Team: Top Performers at Every Position

After a slate full of unexpected results, Week 12 provided a little clarity to the final weeks of the 2016 regular season while offering a sizable group of All-Week team contenders.

Several career-best performances highlight the list, which gives individuals some well-deserved national recognition.

While familiar names appear throughout the positions, small-school standouts are equally as likely to claim a place in the spotlight—unlike the playoff rankings.

All players from games involving at least one FBS program were eligible for inclusion. In addition to statistical output, competition level, clutch moments and efficiency were considered.

Quarterback

First Team: Sefo Liufau, Colorado

"I said for a long time, and I don't think many people believed me, that once our team caught up with Sefo [Liufau] we would be successful," Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre said, per Nick Kosmider of the Denver Post.

That was clearly evident in a 38-24 win over Washington State.

Liufau completed 27 of 41 passes for 345 yards, leading Colorado on six scoring drives and 17 straight points to earn the victory. He also rushed for 108 yards and three touchdowns.

Second Team: David Washington, Old Dominion

Old Dominion fell 11 points behind Florida Atlantic early, but the Monarchs stormed back on the throwing arm of David Washington. The senior quarterback threw for a career-high 416 yards and five touchdowns during the 42-24 triumph.

Running Backs

First Team: Christian McCaffrey, Stanford

The combination of Stanford's struggles and Christian McCaffrey's injury steadily dropped the 2015 Heisman Trophy runner-up from the national radar. He's ba-aack.

Throughout a 45-31 victory at Cal, the junior raced for a school-record 284 yards. McCaffrey broke off a 90-yard touchdown scamper, adding 11- and one-yard scores later in the game.

"What else can you say that hasn't already been said?" Stanford coach David Shaw said, per Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News.

First Team: Jeremy McNichols, Boise State

Jeremy McNichols extended his touchdown streak to 23 games, but he wasn't satisfied with one.

The junior sliced through UNLV's defense for 206 yards and four scores, adding a 20-yard reception and 20-yard kick return.

"I told [running backs coach Lee] Marks before the game, I felt something special in the air," he said, according to Dave Southorn of the Bonner County Daily Bee. "When you're in that groove, you feel like every [run] can go the distance. And I kind of felt that tonight."

Second Team: Rawleigh Williams III, Arkansas

In a game with 100 combined points, Rawleigh Williams III was the star. The running back shredded Mississippi State for 205 yards and four touchdowns, including three scores of 30-plus yards. Williams also threw one touchdown.

Second Team: Justin Crawford, West Virginia

Stat lines can hardly get weirder than Justin Crawford's final numbers. During a 56-28 loss to Oklahoma, he racked up a Week 12-high 331 yards yet did not score a touchdown. Per Bleacher Report's Brian Pedersen, no player since 2000 has rushed for more yards in a game without reaching the end zone.

Wide Receivers

First Team: Zay Jones, East Carolina

On an individual level, Zay Jones could hardly have asked for a better moment in his final home game.

East Carolina's receiver broke the FBS record for career receptions, passing former teammate Justin Hardy—who was in attendance. Jones reeled in 12 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns, though the Pirates lost 66-31 to Navy.

First Team: Courtland Sutton, SMU

Courtland Sutton is an under-the-radar star, and he put together a personal-best performance in Week 12.

The sophomore collected 13 receptions for 252 yards and two scores during a 35-27 loss against South Florida. In the process, Sutton eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark on the season.

Second Team: Corey Davis, Western Michigan

Western Michigan's pursuit of an undefeated record continued with a 38-0 win against Buffalo, which joined an expansive club of teams that couldn't stop Corey Davis. The senior wideout snagged 13 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns.

Second Team: Fred Ross, Mississippi State

One week after breaking the program's career receiving record, Fred Ross started to distance himself from the previous mark. He posted a personal-best 171 yards, securing 10 catches with two scores during a 58-42 loss to Arkansas.

Tight End

Dylan Buell/Getty Images

First Team: Keith Rucker, Georgia State

Georgia State won't earn a second straight bowl appearance, but the seniors ended their home schedule on a winning note.

Keith Rucker played the largest pass-catching role in the 30-24 victory over rival Georgia Southern, accumulating season-high marks of eight receptions and 145 yards.

Second Team: Evan Engram, Ole Miss

Though the 2016 campaign can't end soon enough for Ole Miss, Evan Engram is steadily building his draft profile. He grabbed six passes for 102 yards and one touchdown during the 38-17 loss at Vanderbilt. Engram leads FBS tight ends with 926 yards.

Offensive Line

Brian Blanco/Getty Images

First Team: Appalachian State

Led by a three-heading monster on the ground, Appalachian State used a balanced attack to throttle Louisiana-Monroe.

Marcus Cox paced the Mountaineers with 153 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while Jalin Moore collected 135 yards. Quarterback Taylor Lamb added 92 more, including a 35-yard score.

Lamb connected with seven targets, finishing 14-of-22 with 208 yards and two more touchdowns in the 42-17 victory.

Second Team: Tennessee

Missouri's defense could not contain Joshua Dobbs, who accounted for 413 yards and five touchdowns. But he was simply one part of a dominant performance. John Kelly and Alvin Kamara combined for 156 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, while the Vols converted nine of 15 third downs throughout a 63-37 rout.

Defensive Ends

Bob Levey/Getty Images

First Team: Myles Garrett, Texas A&M

Myles Garrett entered Week 12 without a sack since Oct. 8. Not only did he stop the streak, Garrett excelled.

The future first-round NFL draft pick racked up eight tackles with 4.5 sacks, chipping in a forced fumble and one pass breakup.

"It was great to finally be able to move and get off close to how I want to," Garrett said, per Ben Baby of the Dallas Morning News. "I just demonstrated what level I can play at when I'm close to being healthy."

First Team: Dorance Armstrong Jr., Kansas

Behind a superb defensive effort, Kansas provided the stunner of the weekend with a 24-21 overtime victory over Texas.

Dorance Amrstrong Jr. had 11 total stops, registering three tackles for loss with two sacks. He also forced and recovered a fumble.

"Honestly, I think he's as talented as any defensive end in America," teammate Fish Smithson said, according to Tom Keegan of the Lawrence Journal-World.

Second Team: Joe Ostman, Central Michigan

Joe Ostman was a constant factor during Central Michigan's 27-20 triumph of Ohio. A 6'3", 255-pound junior, he recorded eight tackles with three stops for loss and two sacks. Ostman recovered a fumble that led to a field goal and forced another.

Second Team: Brian Burns, Florida State

Three Seminoles posted at least 1.5 sacks, but Brian Burns added something nobody else had: a blocked punt. Syracuse's opening possession ended with a punt that Burns deflected, and Florida State capitalized on the great field position to start the 45-14 rout.

Defensive Tackles

First Team: Ed Oliver, Houston

When Tom Herman signed Ed Oliver, Houston shook up the recruiting world. Players of Oliver's caliber normally doesn't go to Group of Five teams, and when they do, they shine.

The true freshman ripped through Louisville's offensive line, earning three tackles in the backfield with two sacks. He totaled six stops, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and one quarterback hurry.

First Team: Ryan Glasgow, Michigan

Indiana kept trying to run, but Ryan Glasgow and Co. weren't going to let it happen. Michigan held Devine Redding to just 50 yards on 22 carries and the Hoosiers to a 1.8-yard average.

Glasgow posted a career-best seven tackles—including three stops behind the line of scrimmage with one sack—and one forced fumble.

Second Team: Daniel Wise, Kansas

Complementing Armstrong's output, Daniel Wise cleaned up some messes in the middle. He collected five tackles, highlighted by a career-high mark of two sacks on his three stops for loss. Wise helped Kansas snap a 19-game Big 12 losing streak.

Second Team: Caleb Brantley, Florida

With the SEC East Division on the line, Caleb Brantley helped Florida shut down a dangerous rushing attack. He forced a fumble inside the 10-yard line, keeping LSU from taking a two-score lead. Brantley had three tackles for loss in the 16-10 win.

Outside Linebackers

Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images

First Team: Steven Taylor, Houston

Oliver disrupted the interior of Louisville's offensive line, and Steven Taylor came screaming around the edge.

Taylor accumulated a team-best 14 tackles, tallying 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one quarterback hurry. He and Oliver combined for 5.5 of the Cougars' 12 total tackles for loss.

"Our defense was unbelievable," Herman said, according to Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle.

First Team: Matt Linscott, Tulsa

Tulsa's offense usually brings the explosiveness, but Matt Linscott was a regular factor in Central Florida's backfield.

Of Linscott's six total tackles, he notched four for loss. Additionally, he forced a fumble and had two quarterback hurries.

Second Team: Aaron Taylor, Ball State

Aaron Taylor put together one of the more impressive individual efforts during a loss. The senior linebacker contributed 12 tackles with five behind the line of scrimmage. Toledo won, 37-19, but Taylor was outstanding for the Ball State defense.

Second Team: Dale Warren, Chattanooga

Edging a 20-tackle explosion by Utah's Cody Barton, Dale Warren was a key reason Chattanooga competed with top-ranked Alabama. The junior finished with seven tackles, one sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the 31-3 loss.

Inside Linebacker

Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

First Team: Blake Cashman, Minnesota

Minnesota celebrated a win on senior day, but the Gophers should be even happier Blake Cashman has two years of eligibility left.

The sophomore led Minnesota with 10 tackles during a 29-12 triumph of Northwestern, posting two sacks and a forced fumble.

"He's a man possessed," fellow linebacker Jack Lynn, according to Adam Rossow of 1500ESPN. "We kind of set some plays up for him to make, and he's doing a great job at it."

Second Team: Jordan Evans, Oklahoma

Jordan Evans had a dominant performance in Week 11, and he followed that up with another superb day. Headlined by an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown, Evans collected five stops, forced a fumble and broke up a pass in the 56-28 win over West Virginia.

Cornerbacks

Andres Leighton/Associated Press

First Team: Justin Clifton, Arkansas State

Penn State's turnaround has earned national headlines, but Arkansas State's resurgence is even more impressive.

Justin Clifton nabbed two interceptions to help the Red Wolves hammer Troy 35-3. Both picks were inside Arkansas State's 30-yard line, and Clifton chipped in two tackles for loss.

First Team: Shamad Lomax, New Mexico State

Partly thanks to two first-half interceptions from Shamad Lomax, New Mexico State smacked around Texas State, 50-10. His first pick led to a touchdown for the Aggies.

Lomax ended the contest leading New Mexico State with 11 tackles, assisting on one tackle for loss.

Second Team: Shawun Lurry, Northern Illinois

The alternate universe we apparently inhabit has a bowl-eligible Eastern Michigan team and struggling Northern Illinois squad. This hasn't happened in more than two decades. Anyway, the Huskies grabbed a 31-24 victory when the programs met, while Shawun Lurry accumulated five tackles, four pass breakups and an interception.

Second Team: Nate Brooks, North Texas

With a nod to Kansas State's D.J. Reed, Nate Brooks claimed the final spot of the position. He gathered six tackles with one for loss, two interceptions, a forced fumble and one pass breakup. Brooks' second pick sealed the 29-23 win over Southern Miss.

Safeties

First Team: Weston Steelhammer, Air Force

An all-name team member, Weston Steelhammer made the game-sealing play for Air Force. He secured a diving interception with just 16 seconds remaining and the Falcons holding a 41-38 edge.

Steelhammer already picked off one pass, which led to a go-ahead touchdown. The senior tallied a team-high 10 stops, too.

First Team: Kamari Cotton-Moya, Iowa State

Iowa State rattled off a stunning result, obliterating Texas Tech 66-10. Kamari Cotton-Moya joined the touchdown fun.

In addition to six tackles and a forced fumble, he returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown.

"I thought the pick-six was a game-changer," Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell said, according to Dylan Montz of the Gazette. "I thought it really swung momentum our way."

Second Team: Chris Morley, Memphis

Chris Morley grabbed the fourth interception of his career during a 34-7 victory at Cincinnati. As a team, Memphis held the Bearcats to a mere 144 yards through the air. Morley's pick led to Memphis taking a 13-point lead in the first quarter. He registered eight tackles with one sack and forced a fumble in the win.

Second Team: Micah Abernathy, Tennessee

Tennessee's defense wasn't spectacular, but Micah Abernathy assembled a respectable outing. He paced the Vols with 12 tackles, broke up a pass and grabbed an interception that resulted in one of Dobbs' three passing touchdowns.

Kicker

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

First Team: Tyler Davis, Penn State

Penn State's red-zone struggles led to a career night for Tyler Davis. He connected on a personal-best four attempts, hitting from 32, 34, 40 and 32. Davis, whose only two missed field goals in 2016 were blocked, added three extra points in a 39-0 win over Rutgers.

Second Team: Matthew Wyman, Kansas

Kickers get no love until they're needed the most. Matthew Wyman doesn't have much experience with clutch field goals, but he drilled a pair of timely three-pointers in Kansas' win over Texas. Wyman hit a game-tying 36-yarder at the end of the quarter and buried a 25-yarder to secure the overtime victory.

Punter

Rob Foldy/Getty Images

First Team: Dalton Schomp, Florida Atlantic

Dalton Schomp ate his Wheaties. Though he punted just three times, each one traveled at least 60 yards. Schomp deadened a 63-yard blast at the 9-yard line, and a 62-yard bomb ended inside the 20. He led the nation with 64.3 yards per attempt in Week 12.

Second Team: Mason King, Louisville

Louisville would prefer Mason King standing on the sideline, but the freshman was an active player during the loss to Houston. King averaged 50.6 yards on seven punts, allowing just 17 return yards. Two punts went inside the 20, and two more ended at the 21.

Returner

First Team: Rashaad Penny and Juwan Washington, SDSU

San Diego State nearly pulled off a wild comeback, but the Aztecs wouldn't have had a chance without the boost from special teams. Both Rashaad Penny and Juwan Washington returned a kickoff for a touchdown, racing 93 and 92 yards, respectively.

Second Team: Deebo Samuel, South Carolina

Western Carolina didn't have long to celebrate its first touchdown of the game. Deebo Samuel took the ensuing kickoff 100 yards to the house, completing a 21-point first quarter for South Carolina. Samuel—who also totaled 83 yards and two scores on nine offensive touches—added 94 yards on four other returns.

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All recruiting information via Scout. Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.