The official list of the Big 12's top 25 players is locked away in a vault in an undisclosed location, but we're revealing the list day by day here on the blog. Here's a refresher on my exact criteria.
No. 14: David Garrett, CB, Kansas State
2010 numbers: Made 92 tackles (68 solo), 15 tackles for loss, three sacks and intercepted one pass. He also recovered a fumble, forced a fumble and broke up nine passes.
Most recent ranking: Garrett was unranked in our postseason list of the Big 12's top 25 players.
Making the case for Garrett: The former juco transfer quietly had a huge year in his first year on the field in 2010 after joining the team midway through fall camp, and might be the best player in the Big 12 that few of the league's fans know much about.
Outside of Daniel Thomas, the man they call "Rat" was the best player on the Wildcats team last year. He led the nation in tackles for loss among defensive backs, and was the biggest playmaker on a defense that struggled for most of the year.
Additionally, he might be one of the league's hardest hitters, despite checking in at just 5-foot-8 and 175 pounds. There's no doubt that pound-for-pound, he packs the most pop.
His coverage skills will have to improve for him to climb on this list, but he'll be everywhere for Kansas State's defense again in 2011.
The rest of the list:
No. 15: Coryell Judie, CB, Texas A&M
No. 17: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
No. 18: Elvis Fisher, LT, Missouri
No. 19: Keenan Robinson, LB, Texas
No. 20: Tony Jefferson, S, Oklahoma
No. 21: Shaun Lewis, LB, Oklahoma State
No. 22: Kenny Stills, WR, Oklahoma
No. 23: Brad Madison, DE, Missouri
No. 24: Emmanuel Acho, LB, Texas
No. 25: Zaviar Gooden, LB, Missouri
