With signing day quickly approaching, it’s time to close the chapter on the 2013 season. We’re counting down the top 25 players in the Big 12 in 2013 over the next few days with a list collaboratively selected by Jake Trotter, Brandon Chatmon and Max Olson. We open the postseason countdown with the No. 25 player in the Big 12.
No. 25: Calvin Barnett, DT, Oklahoma State
Previous ranking: Barnett was No. 18 in the blog’s preseason list of the Big 12’s top 25 players.
Making the case for Barnett: He was the best defensive tackle in the league, giving the Cowboys a consistent force up front in the trenches. Thanks in large part to Barnett and fellow defensive tackle James Castleman controlling the line of scrimmage, Oklahoma State led the Big 12 in fewest points allowed per drive.
Barnett was a first-team All-Big 12 selection, and the only defensive tackle on the team. He finished his senior season with nine tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, and will go down as one of the better defensive players to play for Oklahoma State during the Mike Gundy era.
