July 16, 2005

DALLAS -- Adrian Peterson (Oklahoma) was named Preseason Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, Rodrique Wright (Texas) was selected Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and Zac Taylor (Nebraska) was chosen Preseason Newcomer of the Year in a poll voted on by media who cover the Big 12 Conference.

Peterson was the runner-up in last year?s Heisman trophy balloting as well as the Big 12 Offensive Newcomer and Freshman of the Year. The 6-2, 210, sophomore running back was a 2004 All-Big 12 first team member while finishing second in the league in rushing with 148.1 yards per game. His 15 touchdowns for the Sooners ranked third in the conference.

Wright, a 6-5, 305, senior defensive tackle, was a member of the All-Big 12 second team and The Sporting News All-America second team in 2004. He had 36 tackles for the Longhorns last season, 18 solo and three for loss, along with seven quarterback hurries and a sack.

Taylor, a 6-2, 210, junior quarterback, joined the Huskers after transferring from Butler County Community College. He passed for close to 3,000 yards and 29 touchdowns while leading his team to the NJCAA championship game last season.

2005 BIG 12 MEDIA FOOTBALL PRESEASON TEAM

(Media Vote)

Offensive Player of the Year: Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma
(RB, 6-2, 210, So/1L, Palestine, Texas)
Defensive Player of the Year: Rodrique Wright, Texas
(DL, 6-5, 305, Sr/3L, Houston, Texas)
Newcomer of the Year: Zac Taylor, Nebraska
(QB, 6-2, 210, Jr/TR, Norman, Okla.)

Offense

Jarrett Hicks, Texas Tech (WR,6-4,209 Jr/2L, Houston, Texas)
David Thomas, Texas (TE, 6-3, 245, Sr/3L, Wolfforth, Texas)
Tony Palmer, Missouri (OL, 6-2, 325, Sr/3L, Midwest City, Okla.)
Davin Joseph, Oklahoma (OL, 6-4, 312, Sr/3L, Hallandale, Fla.)
Kurt Mann, Nebraska (C, 6-3, 285, Jr/1L, Grand Island, Neb.)
Justin Blalock, Texas (OL, 6-4, 329, Jr/2L, Plano, Texas)
Jonathan Scott, Texas (OL, 6-7, 310, Sr/3L, Dallas, Texas)
Todd Blythe, Iowa State (WR, 6-5, 205, So/1L, Indianola, Iowa)
Vince Young, Texas (QB, 6-5, 230, Jr/2L, Houston, Texas)
Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma (RB, 6-2, 210, So/1L, Palestine, Texas)
Taurean Henderson, Texas Tech (RB, 5-10, 205, Sr/3L, Gatesville, Texas)
Mason Crosby, Colorado (PK, 6-2, 200, Jr/2L, Georgetown, Texas)
Willie Andrews, Baylor (KR, 5-10, 190, Sr/3L, Longview, Texas)


Defense
Nick Leaders, Iowa State (DL, 6-2, 290, Sr/3L, Omaha, Neb.)
Larry Birdine, Oklahoma (DL, 6-5, 251, Jr/2L, Lawton, Okla.)
Dusty Dvoracek, Oklahoma (DL, 6-3, 294, Sr/3L, Lake Dallas, Texas)
Rodrique Wright, Texas (DL, 6-5, 305, Sr/3L, Houston, Texas)
Nick Reid, Kansas (LB, 6-4, 230, Sr/3L, Derby, Kan.)
Rufus Alexander, Oklahoma (LB, 6-1, 225, Jr/1L, Baton Rouge, La.)
Aaron Harris, Texas (LB, 6-0, 235, Sr/3L, Mesquite, Texas)
Charles Gordon, Kansas (DB, 5-11, 170, Jr/RS, Carson, Calif.)
Daniel Bullocks, Nebraska (DB, 6-1, 205, Sr/3L, Chattanooga, Tenn.)
Michael Huff, Texas (DB, 6-1, 205, Sr/3L, Irving, Texas)
Jaxson Appel, Texas A&M (DB, 6-0, 198, Sr/3L, Friendswood, Texas)
Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor (P, 6-3, 222, Jr/2L, Dallas, Texas)
Danny Amendola, Texas Tech (PR, 5-11, 174, So/1L, The Woodlands, Texas)