With signing day quickly approaching, it’s time to close the chapter on the 2013 season. We’re counting down the top 25 players in the Big 12 in 2013 over the next few days with a list collaboratively selected by Jake Trotter, Brandon Chatmon and Max Olson. We continue the postseason countdown with the No. 19 player in the Big 12.
No. 19: Josh Stewart, WR, Oklahoma State
Previous ranking: Stewart was No. 13 in the blog’s preseason list of the Big 12’s top 25 players.
Making the case for Stewart: Why did he drop? Injuries and uncertainty at quarterback played a major role.
The junior was less productive this season but just as explosive. He looked like the Big 12’s best player in OSU’s 24-10 win over TCU, just an example of his ability to impact games at 5-foot-10, 185 pounds. Going against one of the conference’s top secondaries, Stewart finished with 10 receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown. And he added a 95-yard punt return for a touchdown against the Horned Frogs.
With 60 receptions for 703 yards and three touchdowns, Stewart wasn’t the consistent force in 2013 that he was during his sophomore year (101 receptions, 1,210 yards, 7 TDs). Nonetheless, Big 12 coordinators didn’t like the thought of having to deal with the dynamic slot receiver and returner. Stewart’s quickness, competitiveness and ball skills made him one of the Big 12’s top receivers and top overall players.
No. 20: Ryan Mueller, DE, Kansas State
No. 21: Clint Chelf, QB, Oklahoma State
No. 22: Jeremiah George, LB, Iowa State
No. 23: Eric Striker, LB, Oklahoma
No. 24: Ty Zimmerman, S, Kansas State
No. 25: Calvin Barnett, DT, Oklahoma State