| 1. Reggie Smith, S/CB, Oklahoma |
 When deciding on the top spot on this list, my major criteria was which player would I most like to play for my team of rooting interest. Once that groundwork was laid, the choice was obvious. Apart from writing the university's official NCAA appeal, Reggie Smith does everything for Oklahoma. During his career he's played cornerback, safety, wide receiver, and also returns punts and kickoffs. When he's not on the field, the definitive team player can often be spotted gently massaging the In 2006, Smith made 41 tackles, grabbed three interceptions and broke up eight passes on his way to earning All Big-12 honors. He also had a 62-yard punt return for a touchdown and averaged 22.6 yards per kickoff return. The plan is to move Smith back to cornerback fulltime in 2007. It that happens, Big 12 coaches can plan on limiting the passing game to one side of the field. The bottom line is that Reggie Smith is everything fans liked about Charles Woodson circa 1997. Fortunately, Smith also has none of the crap that you despise Woodson for now. |
| 2. Frank Okam, DT, Texas |
 Big-bodied defensive tackles that fill gaps and alter gameplans apparently grow on trees in Texas. Really huge trees whose branches bear the hefty fruit that eventually winds down the I-35 corridor and into the awaiting arms of Mack Brown. The Longhorns' current stout star on the defensive front is Frank Okam. Okam could have opted for the NFL draft following the 2006 season, but instead opted to eat, sack, and be merry for free, much to the chagrin of Big 12 offensive linemen. Okam has 26 career starts and a proven track record of impermeable run support.Texas will operate under new defensive coordinator Duane Akina, who ditches the "Co-" from his title a year ago. Akina has hinted at an aggressive, attacking defensive style. Okam's 6-5, 320-pound presence should help bring Akina's plans to light. With his ability to tie up blockers and generally cause havoc with his corpulence, defensive ends Brian Orakpo and Aaron Lewis will get to pin their ears back and fly around the backfield. |
| 3. Adarius Bowman, WR, Oklahoma State |
 Oklahoma State might not be ready to contend for BCS honors, but Mike Gundy has quietly put together an explosive offense. The most volatile of the Cowboys' performers is wide receiver Adarius Bowman, who transferred from North Carolina in 2005. Bowman, who possesses a perfect blend of size and speed, might be the most talented receiver in the country. He averaged a monstrous 19.7 yards per catch to go along with 12 touchdowns in 2006. Bowman's talents caused particular fits for the Kansas defense as he torched the Jayhawks for 13 receptions, 300 yards and 4 touchdowns.Big 12 defensive coordinators now must imagine what Bowman is capable of in his second year in the Cowboy's offense. To help stay in shape Bowman spent the winter as a part of the OSU basketball team, where his 6-4, 220-pound still stood out. All-in-all, if Bowman can avoid the late-year drop off in production he experienced a year ago, he should push for a bevy of post-season honors as he showcases his wares to NFL scouts. |
| 4. Colt McCoy, QB, Texas |
 McCoy makes the list not only for his unfathomable 2006 season, but also because of his seemingly unlimited potential. He responded to the challenge of taking over for Vince Young like he was Mack Brown's personal never-paranoid android. McCoy threw 29 TD passes a year ago setting a UT record and tying the NCAA's single-season freshman mark. More importantly he took care of the ball allowing the UT offense to expand beyond a never-ending display of zone-read madness.Much was made of McCoy's small town Cinderella story, but don't let the goofy grin and the "Aw, shucks" persona fool you. He'll chew up the very heart of your defense and ride off into the sunset in a way befitting of his name. McCoy seems completely unshakeable under pressure as I witnessed first hand last October in Lincoln. With his team trailing, snow falling and the most raucous crowd I've ever been a part of sensing an upset, McCoy calmly engineered a late drive to snatch victory from the Huskers' bewildered jaws. I hate him so much, I secretly love him. |
| 5. Ian Campbell, DE, Kansas State |
 Some might be surprised by Campbell's selection, but the guy is a bona fide talent. He enters the season as one of just four returning players nationally to record at least 11.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for losses in 2006. At 6-5 and 232 pounds, he has decent size, and far too much speed for most tackles. He finished the 2006 campaign by leading the Wildcats in tackles and sacks and had at least one sack in 9-of-13 games. Not bad for a former walk-on.When watching Campbell the first thing you notice is his non-stop, intensity-fueled motor. His team feeds off his eerie fire-starter presence. Case in point, Kansas State's upset of Texas. Although only credited with five tackles in the game, he also had an 11-yard sack and recovered two fumbles flipping the field in the Wildcats' favor. Campbell's versatility allows him to line up at defensive end and outside linebacker, which is invaluable given the Wildcat's use of multiple fronts. That flexibility is a nightmare for offensive coordinators who must account for Campbell on every snap. |
| Honorable Mention |
| Chase Daniel, QB, Missouri Limas Sweed, WR, Texas Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas Cody Wallace, C, Texas A&M |
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