Travis Hunter, a standout player from Colorado and Heisman Trophy finalist, has been recognized as the Big 12 defensive player of the year by The Associated Press. Additionally, he earned a first-team selection at wide receiver. Shedeur Sanders, the Buffaloes’ quarterback, was honored as the top offensive player in the league.
Kenny Dillingham, in his second year coaching at Arizona State, has been named the Big 12 coach of the year, receiving unanimous recognition after guiding his team to a championship title and securing a place in the 12-team College Football Playoff. This season, the Sun Devils exceeded all expectations, finishing with an 11-2 record after being predicted to end up last in their league debut among 16 teams.
On the defensive side, Hunter recorded 31 tackles, leading the conference with 11 pass breakups and ranking second with four interceptions. Offensively, he topped the Big 12 with 92 receptions and 14 touchdown catches, while amassing 1,152 receiving yards. His performance included 21 receptions of over 20 yards, which is the highest nationally. Hunter was also named the AP player of the year for his remarkable contributions across both sides of the ball.
Sanders led the Big 12 in passing, completing 337 out of 454 attempts (74.2%) for an impressive 3,926 yards and setting a school record with 35 touchdown passes while throwing just eight interceptions for the Buffaloes, who finished the season at 10-2.
Freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt from Arizona State, with a record of 11-1 as a starter, has been recognized as the league’s top newcomer. The transfer from Michigan State has accumulated 2,663 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and just five interceptions across 304 attempts.
The 2024 AP All-Big 12 team was compiled by a group of 18 sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the league. The players are listed alphabetically, detailing their names, schools, classes, heights, weights, and hometowns. A “u-” indicates unanimous selections amongst the panel. Here’s the breakdown:
**First Team Offense**
WR — Travis Hunter, Colorado, Jr., 6-1, 185, Suwanee, Georgia.
WR — Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona, Jr., 6-5, 212, Waimanalo, Hawaii.
OT — Spencer Fano, Utah, So, 6-5, 304, Spanish Fork, Utah.
OT — Wyatt Milum, West Virginia, So., 6-6, 317, Allen, Texas.
OG — Michael Ford Jr., Kansas, Jr., 6-3, 305, Homewood, Illinois.
OG — Luke Kandra, Cincinnati, Sr., 6-4, 320, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Center — Leif Fautanu, Arizona State, Sr., 6-2, 315, Honolulu, Hawaii.
TE — Brant Kuithe, Utah, Sr., 6-2, 236, Katy, Texas.
QB — u-Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, Sr., 6-2, 215, Dallas.
RB — RJ Harvey, UCF, Sr. 5-9, 208, Orlando, Florida.
RB — Cam Skattebo, Arizona State, Sr, 5-11, 215, Rio Linda, Texas.
PK — Will Ferrin, BYU, Jr., 6-3, 175, Kaysville, Utah.
All-purpose — Jaylin Noel, Iowa State, Sr., 5-11, 200, Kansas City, Missouri.
**First Team Defense**
DE — BJ Green II, Colorado, Sr., 6-1, 270, Atlanta.
DE — Brendan Mott, Kansas State, Sr., 6-5, 244, Iowa City, Iowa.
DT — Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati, Sr., 6-1, 320, Cincinnati.
DT — TJ Jackson II, West Virginia, Sr., 6-1, 282, Millbrook, Alabama.
LB — Matt Jones, Baylor, Sr., 6-4, 246, Odessa, Texas.
LB — Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech, Jr., 6-1, 230, Wichita Falls, Texas.
LB — Keaton Thomas, Baylor, So., 6-2, 224, Jacksonville, Florida.
CB — Mello Dotson, Kansas, Jr., 6-1, 190, Daytona Beach, Florida.
CB — Travis Hunter, Colorado Jr., 6-1, 185, Suwanee, Georgia.
S — Xavion Alford, Arizona State, Jr., 6-0, 200, Pearland, Texas.
S — AJ Haulcy, Houston, Jr., 6-0, 215, Houston.
Punter — Palmer Williams, Baylor, So., 6-2, 201, Advance, North Carolina.
**Second Team Offense**
WR — Jayden Higgins, Iowa State, Sr., 6-4, 215, South Miami, Florida.
WR — Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State, So., 6-1, 195, Allen, Texas.
OT — Logan Brown, Kansas, Sr., 6-6, 315, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
OT — Caleb Etienne, BYU, Sr., 6-8, 320, New Orleans.
OG — Omar Aigbedion, Baylor, Jr., 6-3, 310, Katy, Texas.
OG — Caleb Rogers, Texas Tech, Sr., 6-5, 310, Mansfield, Texas.
Center — Bryce Foster, Kansas, Jr., 6-5, 330, Katy, Texas.
TE — Joe Royer, Cincinnati, Sr., 6-5, 255, Cincinnati.
QB — Sam Leavitt, Arizona State, Fr., 6-2, 200, West Linn, Oregon.
RB — Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech, Sr, 5-10, 230, Manor, Texas.
RB — Devin Neal, Kansas, Sr., 5-11, 215, Lawrence, Kansas.
PK — Gino Garcia, Texas Tech, Sr., 6-2, 215, Richardson, Texas.
All-purpose — Keelan Marion, BYU, Jr., 6-0, 195, Atlanta.
**Second Team Defense**
DE — Tyler Batty, BYU, Sr., 6-5, 275, Payson, Utah.
DE — Van Fillinger, Utah, Sr., 6-4, 255, Draper, Utah.
DT — CJ Fite, Arizona State, So., 6-1, 295, Tatum, Texas.
DT — Lee Hunter, UCF, Jr., 6-4, 320, Mobile, Alabama.
LB — Jared Bartlett, Cincinnati, Sr., 6-3, 235, Miami.
LB — Nikhai Hill-Green, Colorado, Gr., 6-2, 230, Pittsburgh.
LB — Austin Romaine, Kansas State, So, 6-2, 242, Hillsboro, Missouri.
CB — Cobee Bryant, Kansas, Sr., 6-0, 175, Evergreen, Alabama.
CB — Jontez Williams, Iowa State, So., 5-11, 200, Starke, Florida.
S — Bud Clark, TCU, Jr., 6-2, 185, Alexandria, Louisiana.
S — Cam’ron Silmon-Craig, Colorado, Sr., 5-10, 185, Birmingham, Alabama.
Punter — Jack Bouwmeester, Utah, Jr, 6-3, 197, Bendigo, Australia.
**Individual Awards**
Offensive player of the year — Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado.
Defensive player of the year — Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado.
Coach of the year — u-Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State.
Newcomer of the year — Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona State.
This honors list shows the remarkable achievements across the conference, highlighting the exceptional talents and respective contributions of each athlete for the season.
