We wrapped up our list of the Big 12's top 25 players in 2012 on Monday, but let's take a look at the guys who just missed making the list. In no particular order:
BJ Finney, OL, Kansas State: Finney has grown from a walk-on to a starter and emerged as one of the league's best offensive linemen as a sophomore. He was one of the biggest pieces of one of the Big 12's best offensive lines and the 6-foot-4, 303-pounder is one of the best stories of what players can become under Bill Snyder.
Eric Ward, WR, Texas Tech: Ward has been Texas Tech's most consistent receiver of late, finishing this past season with 82 catches for 1,053 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Red Raiders. He's back for more in 2013. Expect to see him on the preseason list.
Ty Zimmerman, S, Kansas State: Zimmerman was a big-time ball hawk for an opportunistic K-State defense, snatching interceptions in four consecutive Big 12 games for the Wildcats. He finished with 50 tackles and three tackles for loss after breaking a bone in his leg and missing a few late-season games.
Kenny Cain, LB, TCU: Cain quietly put together one of the best seasons of any Big 12 linebacker this past season. He's not the most physically gifted player in the group, but led the Big 12's best defense with 86 tackles and had 5.5 tackles for loss as a senior leader for the unit.
Darrin Moore, WR, Texas Tech: Moore joined Ward as the Red Raiders' first 1,000-yard receivers since 2008, grabbing 92 passes for 1,032 yards and 13 scores. He was a dangerous target in the red zone all season long, and the 6-foot-4, 216-pounder was consistently one of the most physical players in the league at his position.
Shaun Lewis, LB, Oklahoma State: Lewis is another solid linebacker in the Big 12 with 58 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss. He also broke up four passes and has one more season left to add a crescendo to a promising career.
