Oklahoma Sooners Football: 10 Players Who Could Be All-Americans Next Season

The various All-American lists are starting to be released and, as expected, senior receiver Ryan Broyles and senior defensive end Frank Alexander bring OU's total to 153 All-Americans.

Both of these players were very deserving of the honor.

Broyles, despite missing the final three games of the year after an ACL tear against Texas A&M, finished the season with 1,183 yards on 83 receptions and 10 touchdowns, leading the team in all three categories. He was also a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation's top receiver.

The Norman native finished a legendary career at OU and will likely be considered as the greatest wide receiver in school history.

Alexander answered the call and stepped his game up for his senior year. His 8.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss not only led the team, but were tops in the Big 12 as well. Alexander was showered with awards, including Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, and was a finalist for the Hendricks Award for the top defensive end in the country.

Looking forward to next year, which Sooners have a chance to further increase Oklahoma's tally of All-Americans?

RB Dominique Whaley

Walk-on sensation Dominique Whaley took Norman by storm this year, sprinting up the depth chart past highly touted teammates after a four-touchdown performance against Tulsa on opening night.

The Lawton native racked up 780 total yards and nine touchdowns in seven games for the Sooners, but suffered a tragic ankle injury on the first play from scrimmage against Kansas State and was lost for the remainder of the season.

Whaley will have one more chance to leave his mark during his senior season next year and will hope to remain healthy. If he does, look for him to improve on his already impressive 5.5 yards per carry while piling up the touchdowns.

You have to have a pretty special season to become an All-American as a running back, but Whaley's complete set of skills and feel-good story will make him a favorite.

LB/DB Tony Jefferson

Tony Jefferson got his career in Norman started off with a bang, earning Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2010.

Despite having better stats this season, he lost some momentum battling a pesky knee injury. The public thrashing of the Sooner secondary in high-profile losses to Texas Tech and Baylor probably didn't help his case, either.

Despite the bad publicity, Jefferson had a very productive year, turning out 67 tackles (7.5 for loss), 4.5 sacks, four interceptions, six pass breakups and one forced fumble.

If the secondary gets its ship pointed in the right direction next year and Jefferson continues to fill up the stat sheet, he will build a nice All-American case for himself.

OG Gabe Ikard

Gabe Ikard made All-Big 12 first team for a season that saw him play at both guard and center. 2010 All-Big 12 center Ben Habern broke his forearm early in the season and Ikard was forced to slide over and take his place.

The team didn't miss a beat with Ikard at center, a testament to his athleticism and intelligence. His terrific season will probably have him on several preseason and award watch lists come next fall.

Offensive lineman performances are difficult to judge, so publicity like this will help his chances for awards at the end of next season.

MLB Tom Wort

Tom Wort was called upon a year early after the tragic passing of fellow linebacker Austin Box last summer. After wearing Box's No. 12 in the season opener, Wort put together a fantastic sophomore season and is in line to continue a legendary line of 'backers at OU. 

He displayed tremendous toughness while battling one nagging injury after another all year. I see him on campus often, and I'm not sure I ever saw him without some sort of cast, boot or sling, yet he only missed one game. I think it was obvious how much the defense missed him against Texas Tech.

Wort will get his chance to lead the defense next year from the middle linebacker position, one that traditionally racks up 100-plus tackles in a Bob Stoops scheme. The playmaker will have the opportunity to get plenty of stats next season and, if he can remain healthy, make a strong push for end-of-season awards.

FB Trey Millard

Trey Millard will enter the 2012 season as a junior and, on a personal note, my favorite Sooner.

His athleticism and versatility at the fullback position helped him earn All-Big 12 first team this season and, given the position's normally unpublicized role in an offense, will make him a favorite for the spot on next year's All-American lists.

When he wasn't opening up gaping holes for his fellow backs, he managed to gain 275 yards on 33 touches this year, scoring three times. Look for Millard to become a bigger part of the offense next year, boosting his stats even more.

He showed he was more than capable with the ball in his hands making several defenders miss on a 61-yard touchdown run against Kansas State. A couple more runs like that next year will help his case for All-American.

SS Aaron Colvin

Like Tony Jefferson, Aaron Colvin's overall stellar season got rubbed in the dirt after Texas Tech and Baylor ran up and down the field on them.

Those games don't erase the fact that the Sooners have a budding star in Colvin. After making a moderate impact last season as a true freshman, Colvin came into his own this year.

The in-state product led the team in tackles this year with 80, wrestling away the tackle crown from three-time winner Travis Lewis.

Colvin didn't get his name called much this year, but as a strong safety that is the way you like it. His solid, consistent play was the glue that kept this unit from completely falling apart.

If Jefferson makes the expected move to free safety next season, the Sooners will have one of the best one-two punches at safety in the country. That kind of publicity gets you noticed.

OC Ben Habern

Ben Habern's senior year will mark his fourth as a starter in what has been a brilliant career as a Sooner.

He made the All-Big 12 freshman team in 2009 despite missing the last few games with an ankle injury.

He started all 14 games in 2010, leading the offensive line with 1,070 snaps and 123 knockdowns, and was an All-Big 12 honorable mention by the AP.

His 2011 campaign was cut short with a mid-season forearm fracture, but Habern returned in full form to help lead a unit that led the country in sacks allowed for most of the season.

As I said in regards to Gabe Ikard, his publicity in previous seasons will help him catch the eye of All-American voters next season and give him a good chance to make the list.

DE David King

Because of OU's incredible strength at defensive end over the last two seasons (Jeremy Beal, Adrian Taylor, Frank Alexander, Ronnell Lewis), we haven't gotten to see much of David King yet.

The coaches raved about King throughout the season and when he was called up to step in for the injured Lewis towards the end of the year, he played great. Head coach Stoops always begins his post-game presser by listing the players who stood out on tape and King's name was always mentioned.

Next season, his last in Norman, will be his chance to shine and make a name for himself. I believe, like Alexander this season, King will step up and lead the team with his performance.

At 6' 5" and 270 pounds, David has all the tools he needs to have a dominant 2012 and make a serious push for Oklahoma's third consecutive Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year Award and a possible nod as an All-American.

WR Kenny Stills

The sky is the limit for Kenny Stills next year, as he will no doubt be the No. 1 receiver and the focus of the passing game. His first two years in Norman have been very productive having racked up 1,604 yards and 13 touchdowns on 119 receptions for his career.

For a comparison, that puts him just 16 receptions and 203 yards behind Ryan Broyles after his first two years.

Stills has all the size, strength and speed you could ever want in a receiver and, given OU's pass-heavy offense, will have ample opportunity to rack up stats next year. The coaches loved going to him in the red zone this year, calling at least one fade route for him every trip (that is, until the "Bell-Dozer" took over red-zone duties).

Watch for Stills to be a player in the return game next season as well, increasing his chances of making highlight-reel plays.

PK Michael Hunnicutt

I hate to say it yet, but it seems the Sooners have cured their post-Garrett Hartley hangover at kicker with Michael Hunnicutt.

As a freshman this season, Michael went 20-of-23 on field goals, putting him No.1 in the Big 12 at 87 percent accuracy. For comparison, Oklahoma State's heralded Quinn Sharp, this season's Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year, had the exact same stats.

His highlight of the year was a 53-yard bomb into the wind against Kansas State right before halftime. His lowlight, however, was his 1-of-3 performance against Texas Tech, a game which the Sooners lost by three points.

In an offense this potent, Hunnicutt will get plenty of chances to knock in field goals next year. If he can keep his form, he could very easily take over as the conference's top kicker.

Honorable Mentions

Here are five Sooners that have shown the potential for greatness and have a chance to step into the national spotlight next year given the chance.

P Tress Way, Sr.: After two incredible seasons, his average dropped off a bit this year. If he can regain his form in 2012 he could take home some hardware.

OT Lane Johnson, Sr.: Started career as tight end, moved to defensive end and finally came to rest on the offensive line. His rare athleticism and another year under his belt could produce a fantastic season.

WR Jaz Reynolds, Jr.: If he can add consistency to his highlight-reel capabilities, Reynolds could explode next year as the No. 2 receiver.

WR/KR Trey Franks, Jr.: We saw flashes of Franks' abilities this season both as a receiver and returning kicks. Now that the depth chart has opened up, look out.

LB Corey Nelson, Jr.: The trouble with a kid this talented is finding the best place to put him. Nelson logged time at linebacker, nickleback and defensive end this year. Wherever he settles he will be productive.