Three K-State football players were named preseason all-Big 12 by the league’s media yesterday (Wednesday). Two Wildcat seniors who received first team all-Big 12 honors in 2011, linebacker Arthur Brown and defensive back Nigel Malone, received the nod on the preseason list. Sophomore Tyler Lockett was a second team all-Big 12 performer despite a season ending injury against Oklahoma State. Lockett made the preseason all-league squad as a kick returner.
West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith is the Big 12 preseason Offensive Player of the Year, beating out Oklahoma’s Landry Jones. Texas lineman Alex Okafor is the preseason Defensive Player of the Year and is one of three Longhorn defenders selected to the all-league team. Freshman wide receiver Trey Metoyer of Oklahoma is the preseason Newcomer of the Year.
Oklahoma State’s Joseph Randle and Texas’s Malcolm Brown earned nods at running back, with Oklahoma’s Kenny Stills picked at wide receiver. Iowa State’s linebacker duo of Jake Knott and A.J. Klein both made the cut, joining Brown.