Ethan Downs only Oklahoma player on All-Big 12 preseason team
Only one Oklahoma player made the preseason All-Big 12 football team on Wednesday – junior defensive end Ethan Downs.
No other Sooner got the nod, which is still better than last year, when Oklahoma did not have a single offensive or defensive player selected. Punter Michael Turk was the lone selection ahead of the 2022 season. Downs did make second-team All-Big 12 in 2022, starting in all 13 games. He totaled 38 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks in 2022.
There were a few Sooners left off the team that might come as a surprise. Oklahoma junior linebacker Danny Stutsman might be the most surprising, considering he led the conference tackles last season. Stutsman did earn honorable mention honors following the 2022 season.
Safety Billy Bowman, who was also an honorable mention All-Big 12 in 2022, is another player who has a case to be on the preseason team. But due to injuries a season ago, that likely kept him off the list for Oklahoma.
On offense, the only players that were likely considered were right tackle Tyler Guyton and wide receiver Jalil Farooq. But Guyton only started five games. And Farooq’s numbers in 2022 are not close to the other three receivers.
Also, a few Oklahoma newcomers might be in the mix by season’s end for the conference’s Newcomer of the Year. On defense, Indiana transfer linebacker Dasan McCullough will be a big contributor. Wake Forest transfer defensive end Rondell Bothroyd, too. On offense, former Michigan wide receiver Andrel Anthony and South Carolina tight end Austin Stogner look to help the Sooners.
Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels is the preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Texas linebacker Jaylan Ford is the preseason Defensive Player of the Year. And Kansas State running back Treshaun Ward, formerly at Florida State, is the preseason Newcomer of the Year.
