Three Huskers Named First-Team All-Big 12

DALLAS -- Paced by six standouts who already have been named first team All-America for 2001, the sixth annual All-Big 12 Conference coaches' football team recognizes youngsters from nine teams (12 overall) which have been among the Top 25 nationally or whose teams have received votes for the national polls.

FOOTBALL NEWS All-America stalwarts TE Daniel Graham of Colorado, OL Toniu Fonoti and DB Keyuo Craver of Nebraska, Oklahoma DB Roy Williams, and Texas OL Mike Williams and DB Quentin Jammer all grace the first team of three units and honorable mention players as voted upon by the conference's 12 head coaches.

Four teams which have fought down to their final league games of the 2001 campaign to determine North and South Division winners have solid representation on the dream teams.

Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas combined for 40 of the selections on the first, second and third teams as they had a composite overall record of 39-4 prior to contests of Nov. 23.

But in a year dominated by rugged defense (five-six Big 12 teams were ranked among the Top 20 in the nation throughout the season in team average defensive yards' allowance), there were several stars on offense as well.

Jim Thorpe Award finalists Roy Williams of Oklahoma and UT's Jammer headline a rugged defensive unit along with Dick Butkus Award finalist Rocky Calmus of Oklahoma. On the attack side, Heisman Trophy hopeful Eric Coruch of Nebraska pilots a backfield which includes standout running backs Ricky Williams of Texas Tech, Ennie Haywood of Iowa State and (there was a tie in the balloting for the second RB spot on the first unit) Cortlen Johnson of Colorado.

Tech's Ricky Williams joins Oklahoma State second team All-Big 12 wideout Rashaun Woods as probable school recordholders in passes caught in one season. Williams made a Red Raiders-high 82 receptions in his first 10 contests while Woods had 72 through 10 games -- two off the OSU season receiving mark of 74 by Hart Lee Dykes in 1988. First team wide receivers Justin Gage of Missouri and Roy Williams of Texas -- both 2001 candidates for the Fred Biletnikoff Receiver Award -- combined for 119 catches, 1,536 yards, an average of 12.9 yards per reception, and 12 touchdowns in their pre-Thanksgiving activity.

On the stellar defensive unit, the three All-America defensive backs are complimented by a solid group. Defensive ends/outside linebackers Jimmy Wilkerson of Oklahoma and Cory Redding of Texas are two of the most respected pass rushers in the Big 12. Down linemen Justin Bannan of Colorado, Nate Dwyer of Kansas and true freshman Tommie Harris of Oklahoma had several dominating performances. Joining Calmus as the first team linebacker is Kansas State senior standout Ben Leber.

Texas A&M junior cornerback Sammy Davis, who had five pass interceptions in his first eight games to lead the nation at that time, is another first unit DB along with Colorado's Michael Lewis, Craver, Jammer, and OU's Roy Williams.

Special team all-conference members also represent some of the cream of the national crop. Oklahoma State national kickoff return leader (36.3 yards per return through Nov. 17 encounters) Chris Massey is one of two return specialists along with Colorado's star return man Roman Hollowell. Hollowell entered his final regular-season game of '01 with a NCAA Division I-A-leading 19.1 yards per punt return (26 runbacks for 496 yards).

Placekicker Jeremy Flores of Colorado leads a solid group of specialists with his school-record-tying 16 field goals at the 10-game mark and No. 5 national placement in field goals per game. Oklahoma punter Jeff Ferguson leads a sterling group of these specialists. Ferguson aligns with Baylor's Adam Stiles (the second team kicker) and Nebraska's Kyle Larson as three of the nation's Top 25 Division I-A punters for most of the season.

The Big 12 Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, Coach of the Year, Offensive and Defensive Newcomers of the Year, and Offensive and Defensive Freshmen of the Year will be named in a Saturday, Nov. 24, release.

2001 All-Big 12 Team
First Team Offense
Tight End: Daniel Graham, Colorado, 6-3, 245, Sr., Denver, Colo.

Offensive Line (tie in voting): Andre Gurode, Colorado, 6-4, 320, Sr., Houston, Texas; Victor Rogers, Colorado, 6-7, 320, Sr., Federal Way, Wash.; Toniu Fonoti, Nebraska, 6-4, 340, Jr., Hauula, Hawai'i; Frank Romero, Oklahoma, 6-4, 292, Sr., Moore, Okla.; Mike Williams, Texas, 6-6, 345, Sr., The Colony, Texas; Seth McKinney, Texas A&M, 6-3, 302, Sr., Austin, Texas

Wide Receiver: Justin Gage, Missouri, 6-4, 205, Jr., Jefferson City, Mo.; Roy Williams, Texas, 6-5, 210, So., Odessa, Texas

Quarterback: Eric Crouch, Nebraska, 6-1, 200, Sr., Omaha, Neb.

Running Back (tie in voting): Cortlen Johnson, Colorado, 5-9, 200, Sr., St. Louis, Mo.; Ennis Haywood, Iowa State, 5-11, 220, Sr., Dallas, Texas; Ricky Williams, Texas Tech, 5-8, 196, Sr., Duncanville, Texas

Placekicker: Jeremy Flores, Colorado, 5-10, 180, Sr., Willard, Mo.

Kick Returner: Chris Massey, Oklahoma State, 6-0, 210, Jr., Spiro, Okla.

First Team Defense
End/Outside Linebacker: Jimmy Wilkerson, Oklahoma, 6-4, 245, So., Omaha, Texas; Cory Redding, Texas, 6-5, 260, Jr., Houston, Texas

Interior Line: Justin Bannan, Colorado, 6-3, 295, Sr., Fair Oaks, Calif.; Nate Dwyer, Kansas, 6-3, 305, Sr., Stillwater, Minn.; Tommie Harris, Oklahoma, 6-3, 280, Fr., Killeen, Texas

Linebacker: Rocky Calmus, Oklahoma, 6-3, 238, Sr., Jenks, Okla.; Ben Leber, Kansas State, 6-4, 250, Sr., Vermillion, S.D.

Defensive Back (tie in voting): Michael Lewis, Colorado, 6-1, 215, Sr., Richmond, Texas; Roy Williams, Oklahoma, 6-1, 221, Jr., Union City, Calif.; Keyuo Craver, Nebraska, 5-10, 190, Sr., Harleton, Texas; Quentin Jammer, Texas, 6-1, 200, Sr., Angleton, Texas; Sammy Davis, Texas A&M, 6-0, 183, Jr., Humble, Texas

Punter: Jeff Ferguson, Oklahoma, 5-10, 190, Sr., Tulsa, Okla.

Kick Returner: Roman Hollowell, Colorado, 5-6, 165, Sr., Denver, Colo.

Second Team Offense
Tight End: Trent Smith, Oklahoma, 6-5, 220, Jr., Clinton, Okla.

Offensive Line: Greg Jerman, Baylor, 6-6, 286, Sr., El Paso, Texas; Justin Hartwig, Kansas, 6-4, 295, Sr., West Des Moines, Iowa; Aaron Crittendon, Missouri, 6-5, 352, Sr., St. Joseph, Mo.; Dave Volk, Nebraska, 6-5, 300, Sr., Battle Creek, Neb.; Rex Richards, Texas Tech, 6-4, 315, Jr., Midland, Texas

Wide Receiver: Antwone Savage, Oklahoma, 6-0, 190, Jr., Albany, Ga.; Rashaun Woods, Oklahoma State, 6-2, 195, So., Oklahoma City, Okla.

Quarterback: Kliff Kingsbury, Texas Tech, 6-4, 208, Jr., New Braunfels, Texas

Running Back: Josh Scobey, Kansas State, 6-0, 205, Sr., Oklahoma City, Okla.; Dahrran Diedrick, Nebraska, 6-0, 225, Jr., Scarborough, Ontario, Canada

Placekicker: Luke Phillips, Oklahoma State, 6-0, 160, So., Tulsa, Okla.

Kick Returner: Nathan Vasher (also 2nd team DB), Texas, 5-11, 180, So., Texarkana, Texas

Second Team Defense
End/Outside Linebacker (tie in voting): Chris Kelsay, Nebraska, 6-5, 270, Jr., Auburn, Neb.; Cory Heinecke, Oklahoma, 6-2, 250, Sr., Edmond, Okla.; Aaron Hunt, Texas Tech, 6-3, 258, Jr., Denison, Texas

Interior Line: Kory Klein, Oklahoma, 6-2, 275, So., Tulsa, Okla.; Tank Reese, Kansas State, 5-11, 280, Jr., Auburndale, Fla.; Keith Wright, Missouri, 6-2, 255, Jr., Sacramento, Calif.

Linebacker: De'Andre (D.D.) Lewis, Texas, 6-1, 245, Sr., Houston, Texas; Lawrence Flugence, Texas Tech, 6-2, 235, Jr., Klein, Texas

Defensive Back: Terence Newman, Kansas State, 5-11, 185, Jr., Salina, Kan.; Brandon Everage, Oklahoma, 5-11, 192, So., Granger, Texas; Nathan Vasher, Texas (also KR); Kevin Curtis, Texas Tech, 6-3, 217, Sr., Lubbock, Texas

Punter: Adam Stiles, Baylor, 6-5, 240, Sr., Wichita, Kan.

Kick Returner: Aaron Lockett, Kansas State, 5-7, 165, Sr., Tulsa, Okla.

Third Team Offense
Tight End: Tracey Wistrom, Nebraska, 6-5, 240, Sr., Webb City, Mo.

Offensive Line: Wayne Lucier, Colorado, 6-4, 295, Jr., Salem, N.H.; Marcel Howard, Iowa State, 6-6, 320, Sr., Davenport, Iowa; Nick Leckey, Kansas State, 6-3, 280, Sr., Grapevine, Texas; A.J. Ricker, Missouri, 6-4, 285, So., Klein, Texas; Howard Duncan, Oklahoma, 6-3, 295, Sr., Kansas City, Kan.

Wide Receivers: Andre Woolfolk, Oklahoma, 6-1, 195, Jr., Denver, Colo.; Reggie Newhouse, Baylor, 6-1, 194, Jr., Dallas, Texas

Quarterback: Chris Simms, Texas, 6-5, 225, Jr., Franklin Lakes, N.J.

Running Back (tie in voting): Zack Abron, Missouri, 5-10, 220, So., St. Louis, Mo.; Quentin Griffin, Oklahoma, 5-7, 195, Jr., Aldine, Texas; Cedric Benson, Texas, 6-0, 200, Fr., Midland, Texas

Placekicker (tie in voting): Brad Hammerich, Missouri, 6-3, 190, Sr., Chesterfield, Mo.; Tim Duncan, Oklahoma, 6-2, 198, Sr., Clinton, Okla.

Kick Returner: Ivory McCann, Texas Tech, 5-8, 158, Fr., Houston, Texas

Third Team Defense
End/Outside Linebacker: Henry Bryant, Kansas State, 6-1, 255, Jr., Boca Raton, Fla.; A.C. Collier, Baylor, 6-4, 232, Jr., Dallas, Texas

Interior Line: Jordan Carstens, Iowa State, 6-5, 290, So., Bagley, Iowa; Jeremy Slechta, Nebraska, 6-6, 285, Sr., LaVista, Neb.; Rodney McKinney, Texas Tech, 6-1, 287, Jr., Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Linebacker: Marcus Rogers, Kansas, 6-2, 235, Sr., Dallas, Texas; Jamie Burrow, Nebraska, 6-1, 245, Sr., Ames, Iowa

Defensive Back: Adam Runk, Iowa State, 6-2, 181, Sr., Stillwater, Minn.; Jon McGraw, Kansas State, 6-3, 200, Sr., Manhattan, Kan.; DeJuan Groce, Nebraska, 5-10, 190, Jr., Garfield Heights, Ohio; Terrence Kiel, Texas A&M, 5-11, 202, Jr., Lufkin, Texas

Punter: Kyle Larson, Nebraska, 6-0, 205, So., Funk, Neb.

Kick Returner: Wes Welker, Texas Tech, 5-9, 174, So., Oklahoma City, Okla.

Honorable Mention
Tight End: Mike Banks, Iowa State; Nick Warren, Kansas State; Dwayne Blakley, Missouri; Bo Scaife, Texas; Mickey Peters, Texas Tech

Offensive Line: Joe Jackson, Baylor; Lorenzo White, Colorado; Andy Eby, Kansas State; Matt Martin, Kansas State; Justin Bland, Missouri; Mike Hayes, Missouri; Kyle Eaton, Oklahoma State; Antwan Kirk-Hughes, Texas; Toby Cecil, Texas Tech; Matt Heider, Texas Tech

Wide Receivers: Craig Campbell, Iowa State; Lane Danielson, Iowa State; Roger Ross, Kansas; Wilson Thomas, Nebraska; Mark Clayton, Oklahoma; Josh Norman, Oklahoma; Curtis Fagan, Oklahoma; Terrance Davis-Bryant (also KR), Oklahoma State; B.J. Johnson, Texas; Carlos Francis, Texas Tech

Quarterback: Seneca Wallace, Iowa State; Ell Roberson, Kansas State

Running Back: Brandon Drumm, Colorado; Rock Cartwright, Kansas State; Judd Davies, Nebraska

Defensive End/Outside Linebacker: Marques Harris, Colorado; Jeremy Lloyd, Iowa State; Antwaun Bynum, Missouri; Demoine Adams, Nebraska; Kalen Thornton, Texas; Jarrod Penright, Texas A&M

Interior Line: Ryan Gillenwater, Baylor; Kevin Stevenson, Baylor; Clayton Harmon, Texas Tech

Linebacker: John Garrett, Baylor; Sean Tufts, Colorado; Drew Wahlroos, Colorado; Algie Atkinson, Kansas; Josh Buhl, Kansas State; Terry Pierce, Kansas State; Sean Doyle, Missouri; Jamonte Robinson, Missouri; Scott Shanle, Nebraska; Dwayne Levels, Oklahoma State; Tyrone Jones, Texas; Jonathan Hawkins, Texas Tech; Mike Smith, Texas Tech

Defensive Back: Bobby Hart, Baylor; Donald Strickland, Colorado; Andrew Davison, Kansas; Taurus Ferguson, Missouri; Dion Booker, Nebraska; Derrick Strait, Oklahoma; Ahmad Brooks, Texas; Ryan Aycock, Texas Tech; Joselio Hanson, Texas Tech; Paul McClendon, Texas Tech

Special Teams: Dusty Mangum, Texas; Mark Mariscal, Colorado; Tony Yelk, Iowa State; Scott Elder, Oklahoma State; Neil Gosch, Kansas State