According to the 2023 preseason poll conducted by media representatives, the Texas Longhorns have been picked as the top team in the Conference. This marks the first time since the Conference moved to a divisionless format that Texas has been chosen as the preseason favorite.
The poll results indicate that Texas received 41 first-place votes and a total of 886 points, positioning them at the top. Last year, they were ranked fourth in the preseason poll behind Baylor, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State. Kansas State, the reigning Big 12 Champion, secured second place with 14 first-place votes and 858 points.
The third and fourth positions were tightly contested, with Oklahoma and Texas Tech each receiving four first-place votes. Oklahoma finished with 758 points, while Texas Tech accumulated 729 points. TCU, who had appearances in the Big 12 Championship Game and CFP National Championship Game, rounded out the top five with three first-place votes and 727 points.
The remaining rankings in the preseason poll are as follows: 6. Baylor (575 points), 7. Oklahoma State (1 first-place vote, 470 points), 8. UCF (463 points), 9. Kansas (461 points), 10. Iowa State (334 points), 11. BYU (318 points), 12. Houston (215 points), 13. Cincinnati (202 points), and 14. West Virginia (129 points).
The Big 12 Conference has announced its 2023 preseason all-conference football team, as voted on by media members. Among the honorees, Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels was named the offensive player of the year. Additionally, junior running back Devin Neal, redshirt senior offensive lineman Mike Novitsky, and junior cornerback Cobee Bryant were also selected for the team.
This recognition is a significant improvement for the Jayhawks, as they only had one player, defensive back Kenny Logan Jr., included in last year’s preseason team. The team’s progress was evident in the 2022 season, where they achieved a 6-7 record and made their first bowl appearance in 14 years.
All four Jayhawks selected for the preseason all-conference team were previously named All-Big 12 players after the 2022 season. Cobee Bryant earned first-team honors, while Jalon Daniels and Mike Novitsky made the second team. Devin Neal received honorable mention. Other notable players from the 2022 season, such as Mason Fairchild and Dominick Puni, who return for KU this year, did not make the preseason all-conference team.
Jalon Daniels had an exceptional 2022 campaign, throwing for 18 touchdowns with only four interceptions despite missing four games due to a shoulder injury. He also contributed 482 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. Devin Neal, a local product from Lawrence High School, had a strong season, particularly in November, when he rushed for 224 yards against Oklahoma State and 190 yards against Texas Tech in consecutive weeks.
Mike Novitsky, a sixth-year senior in 2023, brings experience to the offensive line, having started 45 games in his collegiate career, including previous stints at Buffalo and Kansas. Cobee Bryant, the lone defensive selection for the Jayhawks, recorded 34 tackles, three interceptions, 11 passes defensed, and a forced fumble in the 2022 season.
Kansas State University had five football players selected for the 2023 Preseason All-Big 12 team, according to media representatives who cover the league. Offensive lineman Cooper Beebe, kickoff/punt returner Phillip Brooks, safety Kobe Savage, and tight end Ben Sinnott were named to the team, while running back Treshaun Ward was named the Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year.
This marks the second consecutive year that Kansas State has had at least five players selected for the Preseason All-Big 12 team, tying them with the University of Texas for the most selections this season.
Cooper Beebe, a Preseason All-American, has started 35 career games and has not allowed a sack in his last 803 pass-blocking plays. He was named First Team All-America and the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year by the league’s coaches last season. Beebe played a key role in Kansas State’s rushing attack, which ranked 15th nationally with 208.3 yards per game.
Phillip Brooks, hailing from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, enters the 2023 season with four punt return touchdowns, ranking second in school history and tied for sixth in Big 12 history. He also ranks in the top 10 in K-State history in punt return average, punt return yards, and punt return attempts. Last season, he earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors for his performance.
Kobe Savage, a transfer from Tyler JC, made an impact in his first 10 games last season before suffering an injury. Despite missing the final four games, he tied for fourth on the team with 58 tackles and earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors. Savage recorded three interceptions, tying him for sixth in the Big 12.
Ben Sinnott had an impressive season, earning All-Big 12 First Team honors. He led all Big 12 tight ends/fullbacks in average yards per catch and ranked fourth nationally. Sinnott had 447 receiving yards and four touchdown catches, including a two-score game against Baylor.
Treshaun Ward joins Kansas State after spending four seasons at Florida State. He accumulated 1,241 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in his career. Last season, he led the Seminoles in rushing yards and touchdowns, earning All-ACC Honorable Mention accolades.
Kansas State will participate in the 2023 Big 12 Media Days, with representation from head coach Chris Klieman, Cooper Beebe, Kobe Savage, quarterback Will Howard, and linebacker Daniel Green. The team will open the 2023 season by hosting Southeast Missouri State University on September 2nd.
Jaylan Ford from Texas was named the preseason defensive player of the year, and Treshaun Ward from Kansas State, a transfer from Florida State, was named the newcomer of the year. Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy was the only unanimous selection for the preseason team.