This week, we’re counting down the Big 12’s top 25 players of 2014.
Remember, criteria for these rankings were based solely on performances from 2014, not a culmination of previous seasons. Pro potential was not a factor. Neither was preseason hype. Number of games played was taken into account.
Without further delay, our countdown goes on to Nos. 11-15:
11. Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor (preseason rank: 7): Oakman inspired countless memes with his intimidating physique. He also produced on the field, racking up 11 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss, eight quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles. Unfortunately for opposing Big 12 offenses, Oakman will be back at Baylor in 2015 after he spurned the NFL draft.
12. B.J. Finney, C, Kansas State (13): Finney capped his fabulous K-State career by earning first-team All-Big 12 honors for a third consecutive season. The former walk-on who started a K-State-record 52 straight games was also a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, which is given to the nation’s top center. Finney showcased his value to the Wildcats in the Valero Alamo Bowl, when he swung from center to right tackle in the second half and stabilized K-State’s edge protection against UCLA’s barrage of pass-rushers.
13. Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State (NR): Ogbah busted out with two sacks in the opener against Florida State and never slowed down. Ogbah, just a sophomore, tied Oakman for second in the Big 12 with 11 sacks. He also had 17 tackles for loss for a young Cowboys defense that could be salty in 2015 with seven returning starters.
14. Jake Waters, QB, Kansas State (24): Waters’ steady hand helped keep K-State in the Big 12 title hunt up until the final week of the season. Despite playing through an injury to his throwing shoulder during the second half of the season, Waters passed for more than 3,500 yards and completed 66 percent of his attempts. He also didn’t commit a single turnover through K-State’s first five Big 12 games. Waters was a major threat with his wheels, too, finishing second only to TCU’s Trevone Boykin among Big 12 quarterbacks with 484 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. The Wildcats will have their work cut out replacing Waters’ leadership and efficiency next season.
15. Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor (NR): While Antwan Goodley battled through a quadriceps injury for a good chunk of the season, Coleman emerged as Baylor’s No. 1 receiver. Coleman finished second in the Big 12 with 112 receiving yards per game, and tied for the league lead with 11 touchdown receptions despite sitting out the first three games. Coleman was especially brilliant in Baylor’s 48-14 victory at Oklahoma, as he torched the Sooners for 15 receptions and 224 yards. With Kevin White and Tyler Lockett graduating, Coleman could enter 2015 as the Big 12’s top wideout.
Coming Thursday: Nos. 6-10