Bleacher Report's All-Big 12 Team Features Names Familiar To Missouri Fans

'Tis the season for postseason accolades.

As the college football regular season comes to a close and teams await their bowl invitations, it's merely customary to roll out the recognition for those who have performed so brilliantly at their respective positions. And in the Big 12, which will likely only send one participant to a BCS game to cap an otherwise unpredictable season, there's plenty of praise to be had.

Without further ado, here's my Bleacher Report First Team All-Big 12 ballot for 2009:

Offense

QB Colt McCoy (Texas)

The numbers (3,696 combined yards, 27 TDs) are there, but McCoy likely solidified this spot, as well as a Heisman Trophy, with his consistent leadership and graceful piloting of arguably the nation's best team—both of which are becoming of college football's winningest quarterback.

RB Daniel Thomas (Kansas State)

The former Florida recruit turned junior college transfer nearly single-handedly pioneered the resurgence in Manhattan, as his 1,265 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground highlighted the nation's 31st-ranked ground attack and was crucial to the Wildcats' surprise ascension in the Big 12 North.

RB Keith Toston (Oklahoma State)

The senior from Angleton, Texas, was a driving force for Pokes' offense when his fellow playmakers were dropping like flies, rushing for 1,177 yards and 11 scores to nearly match his output from the previous three seasons combined and soften the blow of the absences of starting running back Kendall Hunter and wide receiver/return man Dez Bryant.

FB Bryant Ward (Oklahoma State)

If you insist on honoring a player from this antiquated position, let's go with someone who played a significant role on a team that featured one of the nation's most-feared running games. A key cog in the Cowboys' 21st-ranked rushing attack, the 5'11", 233-pound Ward also shined in Oklahoma State's pass-protection schemes, which surrendered only nine sacks all season.

WR Jordan Shipley (Texas)

Let's not discount all the skill and impact he brings to the Texas return game, but Shipley makes his living at the wide receiver position, where he caught 80-plus balls for more than 1,000 yards for the second straight season. And it's not only his talent that makes him a threat on every play. Shipley seems to share some kind of creepy ESP-like connection with quarterback—and roommate—Colt McCoy that makes the Longhorn offense one of the country's best.

WR Danario Alexander (Missouri)

Not much to say here, other than the fact Alexander was hands-down the NCAA's most potent receiving option the second half of the season. In his final five games, the senior racked up 943 yards (188.6 per game) and eight touchdowns en route to shattering MU's single-season receiving mark of 1,260, which was set by Jeremy Maclin in 2008, by nearly 400 yards.

Alexander's absence from the list of candidates for the Biletnikoff Award should go down as one of college football's all-time biggest snubs.

WR Dezmon Briscoe (Kansas)

Kansas fans may have seen the last of Briscoe, but you could argue to the death that he gave the faithful in Lawrence two of the best receiving seasons in school history. After posting more than 1,400 yards in 2008, Briscoe nearly outdid himself this season, totaling 1,337 on 84 receptions. And Briscoe, a junior who is heavily considering entering the 2010 NFL draft, potentially ended his career at KU in style, catching 14 passes for a career-high 242 yards in the season finale versus Missouri.

TE Riar Greer (Colorado)

One of the few glimmers of hope amid a tumultuous season in Boulder, Greer enjoyed what was easily the most productive year of his career. Finishing the season with 36 catches for 402 yards and four scores, Greer lead all Big 12 tight ends in receiving yards, receptions, and yards per game, and tied for the conference lead in touchdowns.

OL Nick Stringer (Kansas State)

Veteran KSU left tackle served as the lone senior on an offensive line that helped the program obtain bowl eligibility for the first time since 2006.

OL Adam Ulatoski (Texas)

Three-year starter and former two-time All-Big 12 selection started all 12 games at left tackle in 2009 and was entrusted with protecting quarterback Colt McCoy's blind side.

OL Brandon Carter (Texas Tech)

Mammoth right guard backed up preseason All-American hype as one of the key elements of the Red Raiders running game, which amassed 22 touchdowns, the fifth-best total in Lubbock since 1990.

OL Trent Williams (Oklahoma)

Versatile senior lineman provided leadership and stability to young and inexperienced OU offensive line, starting all but one game at left tackle.

OL Russell Okung (Oklahoma State)

Arguably the nation's most talented offensive lineman, Okung helped the Cowboys lead the Big 12 in rushing for the fourth season in a row and did not surrender a sack all season long from his left tackle position.

PK Grant Ressel (Missouri)

Easy call here. Given the unenviable task of succeeding Jeff Wolfert, the most accurate placekicker in NCAA history, Ressel drilled 24 of 25 field goals to lead the nation in accuracy. The Lou Groza semifinalist also made all 38 of his extra points.

KR/PR Brandon Banks (Kansas State)

Any time a player returns four kickoffs for touchdowns in a single season, the competition is non-existent.

Defense

DL Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska)

The 6'4", 300-pound tackle epitomized the toughness and grit of Nebraska's defensive unit, which ranked as the third-best in all of college football, surrendering just 11 points a game. A unanimous selection, Suh led the Huskers with 70 tackles, including 7.5 sacks.

DL Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma)

Though slightly less praised than Suh, McCoy once again made a name for himself as a disruptive force in the middle of the OU defense. A junior, McCoy started all 12 games in 2009 to boost his streak to a team-high 39, and tallied 14.5 tackles for loss and five sacks.

DL Von Miller (Texas A&M)

Playing a number of roles for the Aggie defense, Miller excelled mostly as a pass-rushing specialist, posting 17 sacks to lead the nation. Just three sacks shy of the school record, the junior defender, who plays the defensive end/linebacker hybrid position, also forced a team-high four fumbles and defended five passes.

DL Jared Crick (Nebraska)

Partnering with Suh along the Nebraska defensive line, Crick benefited from the extra attention his All-American teammate received from opposing offenses. In 12 games, the sophomore registered a team-high nine sacks to give the Huskers one of the most effective one-two punches at defensive tackle in the country.

DL Brandon Sharpe (Texas Tech)

The senior defensive end and first-year starter recorded 15 of Tech's school-record 40 sacks to finish second in the nation. Sharpe was also named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week twice this season.

LB Sean Weatherspoon (Missouri)

The undisputed heart and soul of the Mizzou defense, Weatherspoon continued to refine his reputation as one of the Big 12's premiere linebackers. A senior, Weatherspoon finished the regular season with 104 tackles, marking the third consecutive season he has eclipsed the century mark.

LB Jesse Smith (Iowa State)

The understated Smith was one of the conference's top defensive players. The leading tackler in the Big 12, Smith tallied nearly 70 percent (91) of his 128 total tackles in conference games to lead a Cyclone defense that aided Iowa State in earning bowl eligibility for the first time in four seasons.

LB Travis Lewis (Oklahoma)

The sophomore linebacker proved his impressive freshman campaign was no fluke. Named the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2008, Lewis finished the 2009 regular season with a team-high 100 tackles to headline an OU defense that ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring average, rushing yards allowed, and total yards allowed.

DB Earl Thomas (Texas)

Presumably the frontrunner for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given annually to the country's top defensive back, this sophomore safety is as good as it gets. Not only does Thomas quarterback the Texas secondary, but he finished the regular season second on the team in tackles (66) and ranks second nationally with eight interceptions.

DB Perrish Cox (Oklahoma State)

An ultra-athletic and ballhawking corner, Cox is arguably OSU's best defender, but he provides further value as a dangerous return man. In 11 games this season, Cox averaged 20.9 yards per kickoff and returned one punt for a touchdown.

DB Brian Jackson (Oklahoma)

A second-year member of the OU secondary, Jackson experienced unprecedented success all across the board in 2009. And though many will clamor for Dominique Franks in this slot, Jackson had more tackles (47), interceptions (4), and pass breakups (8) than his senior teammate, as well as lead the Sooners in the latter two categories.

DB Jordan Lake (Baylor)

There's probably more electrifying and overall athletic defensive backs in the Big 12 than Lake that got left off this list, but few are more active than the Bears' free safety. Lake was Baylor's second-leading tackler behind linebacker Joe Pawelek, but he averaged nine tackles per game in Big 12 play, second most in the conference.

DB Larry Asante (Nebraska)

Often lost in the shuffle on a defense loaded with stars up front, Asante enjoyed a stellar senior season as the unsung leader of the Nebraska defensive backfield. Asante tied for the team lead with 70 tackles and also nabbed two interceptions.

P Tress Way (Oklahoma)

My initial instinct was to go with Missouri's Jake Harry, especially after his barrage of punts that found their way inside the 20 against Kansas, but Way gets the nod. Not only did Way churn out the conference's biggest punt this season (74 yards), but his average of 45.5 was nearly two full yards more than the next closest player, Derek Epperson of Baylor.

Individual Awards

Offensive Player of the Year : Danario Alexander (Missouri)

Alexander's gaudy numbers (107 rec., 1,644 yards, 13 TDs) win out over those of Colt McCoy

Defensive Player of the Year: Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska)

Close call between Suh and Earl Thomas, but Suh was consistently the conference's most intimidating defensive presence

Offensive Newcomer of the Year: Daniel Thomas (Kansas State)

The guy came out of nowhere to lead the conference in rushing yards

Defensive Newcomer of the Year: David Sims (Iowa State)

The former Oklahoma DB signee has flourished after arriving in Ames on the heels of a successful stint in junior college

Offensive Lineman of the Year: Russell Okung (Oklahoma State)

Sure-fire NFL first round pick often looked like a man among boys as the anchor of the OSU offensive line

Defensive Lineman of the Year: Ndamukong Suh

No explanation necessary

Offensive Freshman of the Year: Christine Michael (Texas A&M)

Why he only started three games is beyond me, but his team-leading 767 rushing yards suggest superstardom isn't far off

Defensive Freshman of the Year: Aldon Smith (Missouri)

Stated his case by tying MU's single-season record with 11 sacks and leading all freshman in the nation with his 18.5 tackles for loss

Special Teams Player of the Year: Brandon Banks (Kansas State)

No player was more explosive or feared on kickoff and punt returns

Coach of the Year: Paul Rhoads (Iowa State)

Because a program like Texas is expected to do great things, Mack Brown makes absolutely no sense here. Meanwhile, Rhoads has made football at Iowa State relevant again, and his fundamental approach to the game has the Cyclones bowling one season after the program endured a 2-10 debacle.

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