There is no shortage of outstanding defensive players in the Big 12 Conference this year, including players who are on their way to becoming All-American selections and are already being touted as top picks for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Here’s a look at the best defensive player on all 16 teams in the Big 12 ahead of the 2024 season:
Arizona, Tacario Davis, cornerback: At 6’4″ and 190 pounds, Davis is the prototype of an NFL cornerback. He was named to the 2023 All-Pac-12 selection.
Arizona State, CJ Fite, defensive tackle: Fite was the only true freshman to start on the Sun Devils’ defense in 2023 and is a physical prodigy at 6’1″ and 295 pounds.
Baylor, Caden Jenkins, cornerback: Jenkins was named a Freshman All-American in 2023 with 37 tackles, 3 interceptions, 3 pass breakups and 2 fumble recoveries, including a 72-yard fumble return for a touchdown against UCF.
BYU, Tyler Batty, defensive end: Batty, 6’5″ and 280 pounds, has been one of BYU’s most productive pass rushers over the past 25 years. He had six quarterback pressures in 2023, and his 15 career quarterback pressures are the third-most among any BYU player since 2000. Batty also has 15 career sacks.
Cincinnati defensive tackle Dontay Corleon: Corleone, 6’1″ and 315 pounds, was selected to the All-Big 12 and is considered one of the top NFL prospects for the 2025 draft.
Colorado, Travis Hunter, cornerback: One of the most exciting and unique college football players in recent memory, Hunter could be selected in the first round of the draft as a cornerback or wide receiver.
Houston, Keith Cooper, defensive end: Joins Tulane after three seasons with Houston head coach Willie Fritz. Cooper was dominant at times at Tulane, starting the final 15 games of his career and having 5.0 sacks in 2023. At 6’5″ and 280 pounds, he has the size to play inside or out at the next level.
Iowa State, Jeremiah Cooper, safety: Cooper had 45 tackles, 10 pass breakups and led the Cyclones with 5 interceptions in 2023 en route to All-Big 12 honors.
Kansas, Cobee Bryant, cornerback: Bryant is the first Jayhawks cornerback to be named All-Big 12 for the second time since Aqib Talib in 2006 and 2007. With nine interceptions over the last three seasons, he ranks eighth on the school’s interceptions list.
Kansas State, Austin Moore, linebacker: Moore, 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, has started 27 straight games and was twice named All-Big 12. He has been Kansas State’s leading tackler the past two seasons, averaging 22.5 tackles for loss during that span.
Oklahoma State, Collin Oliver, linebacker: Oliver had 73 tackles, 6.0 sacks and four forced fumbles in 2023 when the Cowboys were 10-4 and ranked No. 16 in the final AP Top 25 Poll. He has recorded 22.5 sacks over the past three seasons.
TCU, Namdi Obiazor, linebacker: Obiazor led TCU with 84 tackles and 4.0 sacks in 2023 en route to being named All-Big 12. He also received votes for Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.
Texas Tech, Jacob Rodriguez, linebacker: Rodriguez seemed ready for his breakthrough season in 2023, but missed 8 games early in the season due to an injury and was sidelined for a year.
UCF, Lee Hunter, defensive tackle: At 6’4″ and 315 pounds, Hunter is a massive NFL-ready defensive tackle and earned All-Big 12 honors as a sophomore in 2023.
Utah, Junior Tafuna, defensive tackle: Tafuna, 6-foot-3, 290 pounds, is a three-time All-Pac-12 Conference selection and has started 36 consecutive games for the Utes. He was also named the 2021 Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year.
West Virginia, Aubrey Burks, Safety: Burks enters 2024 as one of the best safeties in the country after earning All-Big 12 honors in 2022 but missing several games in 2023 due to a nasty injury against TCU.
.@KU_Football – Jereme Robinson blocked a 50-yard field goal attempt and Cobee Bryant grabbed the ball and carried it back 61 yards for a touchdown 🔥#Big12FB X @OldTrapper X @KUAthletics pic.twitter.com/2wb9jkRRFO
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) 4 September 2022
