Our official list of the Big 12's top 25 players entering the 2012 season marches on. Here's more on my criteria for who makes it, who doesn't and who lands where.
The official list is locked away in a vault in an undisclosed location, but we'll be revealing one player a day leading up to the season.
Next up on the list:
No. 17: Brodrick Brown, CB, Oklahoma State
2011 numbers: Made 68 tackles (59 solo), intercepted five passes and made four tackles for loss. Broke up 15 passes, recovered two fumbles against Baylor and returned them for a total of 47 yards.
Most recent ranking: Brown was unranked in our postseason list of the Big 12's top 25 players.
Making the case for Brown: It's a fairly heated debate, but I put Brodrick Brown a little higher on this list than his teammate, Justin Gilbert. Gilbert has the more eye-popping physical attributes and the bigger upside. But for now, I'll take Brown's cover skills and toughness ahead of Gilbert's raw speed.
It's close between the two, and don't be surprised if Gilbert surpasses his teammate by season's end, but Brown's proved his ability to go up against much bigger receivers at just 5-foot-8 and 185 pounds, earning him his "Bulldog" nickname. He's tough and a big hitter for his size, earning him All-Big 12 honors last season. It's going to be a tough battle at the top to win those honors in 2012 with great talent in Stillwater, Austin and Norman, but Brown will be among a handful of cornerbacks contending to be the league's best.
The rest of the list:
No. 24: Ben Habern, C, Oklahoma
No. 23: Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor
No. 22: Josh Boyce, WR, TCU
No. 21: Cyril Richardson, OL, Baylor
No. 20: Trey Millard, FB/TE, Oklahoma
No. 19: Quandre Diggs, CB/KR, Texas
No. 18: Kenny Stills, WR, Oklahoma
