NFL
By: Brock Vierra
The Big 12 keeps getting bigger. After adding four new teams in 2023, the conference continues evolving as they expand out west. Manifest Destiny, a term that defined the expansion of the American west, a term ordaining the United States as the rightful owner of the land known as America, a term that defines college football. The West as in the Pac-12 was getting carved out and the Big 12 had it’s eyes on the American Southwest. Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, and Colorado join the offense-happy Big 12 to shoot continuous fireworks into the midnight sky.
And with them brings All-American level talent. Arizona, the team that soured Oklahoma’s exit in the Big 12 via an Alamo Bowl win over the Sooners. Arizona State, the downtrodden Sun Devils relight their candle behind Nebraska pariah Jeff Sims and the offensive brilliance of Kenny Dillingham.
Utah, the defensively stout Utes bring back both longtime head coach Kyle Whittingham and two-time Pac-12 winning QB Cam Rising. Colorado, the Deion Sanders show debuts a new season in the conference for which the Prime Time Buffaloes made their name via an upset over ranked TCU in 2023’s week one. EA cover boy and potential first overall selection Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders, and Shilo Sanders along with a revamped offensive line hope to spark a Bill McCartney-like stampede once again over the Big 12.
So much talent, so many storylines. Tahj Brooks and Ollie Gordon II once again square off for the conference rushing crown. The passing title is anyone’s game as is the conference. With a 12-team playoff, could the Big 12 get multiple teams in? Will TCU bounce back? Will Iowa State recapture its spark? What does the future hold? I can’t wait to find out but to pass the time, here’s my Big 12 first team.
11 personnel offense, nickel defense. EDGE stands for edge rushers. Off-ball linebackers are listed as linebackers. This list is who I believe will be the biggest playmakers in 2024.
Brock’s Big 12 First-Team Offense
QB: Noah Fitita, Arizona
RB: Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
WR: Brennan Presley, Oklahoma State
WR: Tetairoa McMillian, Arizona
WR: Dorian Singer, Utah
TE: Brant Kuithe, Utah
LT: Wyatt Milum, West Virginia
LG: Jared Hufford, Iowa State
C: Joe Michalski, Oklahoma State
RG: Luke Kandra, Cincinnati
RT: Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona
Brock’s Big 12 First-Team Defense
IDL: Junior Tafuna, Utah
IDL: Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati
EDGE: Jacob Manu, Arizona
EDGE: Tyler Batty, BYU
LB: Karene Reid, Utah
LB: Nick Martin, Oklahoma State
CB: Travis Hunter, Colorado
CB: Cobee Bryant, Kansas
CB: Tacario Davis, Arizona
S: Gunner Maldonado, Arizona
S: Jeremiah Cooper, Iowa State
Brock’s Big 12 First-Team Special Teams
K: Cole Becker, Utah
P: Jack Bouwmeester, Utah
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