Big 12 Football Awards 2023: Explore the Winners List, Highlights and Honors
by Aishwarya R
Updated Nov 30, 2023
Big 12 Football Awards 2023
The unveiling of the Big 12 Conference football awards for 2023 took center stage on Wednesday, showcasing the league's top performers as determined by the 14 head coaches. These prestigious honors are a testament to the outstanding talent and hard work exhibited throughout the season. The All-Big 12 Conference football teams were meticulously selected, emphasizing the competitive spirit and prowess displayed by athletes in the conference. Notably, the award process ensures fairness, with coaches abstaining from voting for their own players, adding a layer of integrity to the recognition bestowed upon the deserving individuals.
Among the highlights of the awards are the individual accolades that celebrate exceptional contributions to the sport. The distinction of being recognized by peers and coaches in a conference as competitive as the Big 12 is a significant achievement for these players. As the football community eagerly anticipates the upcoming games, these awards serve as both motivation and acknowledgment for the athletes who have showcased remarkable skills, dedication, and sportsmanship on the field throughout the season.
Big 12 Football Awards 2023 Winners
AWARD
PLAYER
TEAM
YEAR
Offensive Player of the Year
Ollie Gordon II
Oklahoma State
So.
Defensive Player of the Year
T’Vondre Sweat
Texas
Sr.
Offensive Newcomer of the Year
Adonai Mitchell
Texas
Jr.
Defensive Newcomer of the Year
Austin Booker
Kansas
So.
Offensive Freshman of the Year
Rocco Becht
Iowa State
Defensive Freshmen of the Year
Anthony Hill Jr.
Texas
LB
Ben Roberts
Texas Tech
LB
Special Teams Player of the Year
Austin McNamara
Texas Tech
Sr.
Offensive Lineman of the Year
Cooper Beebe
Kansas State
Sr.
Defensive Lineman of the Year
Byron Murphy II
Texas
Jr.
Chuck Neinas Coach of the Year
Mike Gundy
Oklahoma State
19th
Big 12 Football Awards 2023 Highlights
The Big 12 Conference Football Awards for 2023 showcased standout performances and notable achievements across the league. Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon II emerged as the Offensive Player of the Year, amassing an impressive 1,580 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns during a stellar campaign. The Texas Longhorns made a significant impact, securing eight first-team and three second-team All-Big 12 nominations.
T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy II from Texas earned Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Lineman of the Year, respectively, contributing to the Longhorns' defensive dominance. Texas also claimed Offensive Newcomer of the Year, with Adonai Mitchell making a mark with 704 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.
Texas Tech's Austin McNamara made history as the Special Teams Player of the Year, the first Red Raider to earn the award since 2018. Meanwhile, Mike Gundy of Oklahoma State received his third Big 12 Coach of the Year accolade for guiding the Cowboys back to the Big 12 Championship Game. The individual excellence extended to other teams, with Oklahoma's Dillon Gabriel earning an All-Big 12 First Team nomination at quarterback.
Notably, Baylor, while not securing first or second-team nominations, demonstrated depth with seven players receiving Honorable Mention, including Monaray Baldwin, Drake Dabney, TJ Franklin, Gabe Hall, Caden Jenkins, and Matt Jones. Additionally, Baylor's Dawson Pendergrass and Caden Jenkins garnered votes for Big 12 Football Defensive and Offensive Freshman of the Year, highlighting the team's promising young talent.
Big 12 Honors Notebook
The All-Big 12 Honors Notebook for the 2023 season reflects a rich tapestry of individual achievements and historical milestones. Ollie Gordon II, the Offensive Player of the Year for Oklahoma State, joins the elite ranks of Chuba Hubbard and Justin Blackmon as the third Cowboy to capture this accolade in their sophomore season. The prevalence of running backs in recent seasons continues, with Gordon joining the likes of Hubbard and Breece Hall in securing the award.
T’Vondre Sweat's distinction as the Defensive Player of the Year marks the sixth time a Longhorn has received this honor, with Sweat following in the footsteps of Malik Jefferson. Notably, Sweat contributes to a consecutive win for defensive linemen, succeeding K-State’s Felix Anudike-Uzomah. The historical significance continues as Adonai Mitchell becomes the first Texas player to earn the title of Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year, underlining the impact of his performance in the 2023 season.
Each individual award tells a unique story, such as Rocco Becht's recognition as Offensive Freshman of the Year, joining the ranks of Mike Warren. The Defensive Freshman of the Year category sees Anthony Hill Jr. and Ben Roberts making their mark for Texas, adding their names to a prestigious list of Longhorn winners. Austin McNamara's achievement as Special Teams Player of the Year for Texas Tech underscores his contribution as the first punter to earn this honor since 2018.
Noteworthy back-to-back honors include Cooper Beebe, securing Offensive Lineman of the Year for the second consecutive season. Byron Murphy II's recognition as Defensive Lineman of the Year further solidifies his place alongside notable Longhorn players who have previously claimed this title, such as Charles Omenihu, Brian Orakpo, and Poona Foord.
Mike Gundy's Coach of the Year award, his second in three seasons, aligns him with a select group of three-time winners that includes Matt Campbell, Bill Snyder, and Bob Stoops. Finally, the historical tally of individual awards emphasizes Oklahoma's dominance with 48 awards, followed by K-State, Texas, and others, showcasing the diverse landscape of talent and success within the Big 12 Conference over its 28-year history.
About the Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference, headquartered in Irving, Texas, stands as a prominent college athletic conference within the landscape of collegiate sports. Established in February 1994, the conference originated from the merger of eight members of the former Big Eight Conference and half of the members of the former Southwest Conference, including Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor, and Texas Tech. The Big 12 officially commenced conference play in the fall of 1996.
Comprising 14 full-member universities, including three private institutions and 11 public universities, the Big 12's geographical footprint spans across states such as Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia. The conference holds a significant position as a member of Division I within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for all sports. Particularly in football, the Big 12's teams compete in the prestigious Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the higher tier of NCAA Division I football competition.
As one of the Power Five conferences, the Big 12 is distinguished as one of the highest-earning and historically successful FBS football conferences. The Power Five conferences, including the Big 12, enjoy certain privileges such as guaranteed bids to New Year's Six bowl games and autonomy from specific NCAA rules. The conference operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, emphasizing its commitment to fostering collegiate athletics.
The Big 12's leadership underwent a change on August 1, 2022, with Brett Yormark assuming the role of commissioner. The conference has experienced significant shifts in its membership landscape, notably during the 2010–2013 Big 12 Conference realignment and ongoing changes in the 2021–2024 NCAA conference realignment. The Big 12's rich history includes 21 national titles, with member universities contributing to this success, showcasing the conference's enduring impact on collegiate sports.
Big 12 Football Awards 2023 - FAQs
The Big 12 football awards are determined by the league's 14 head coaches. These coaches, representing the member universities, participate in the selection process but are not permitted to vote for their own players, ensuring a fair and unbiased evaluation.
Ollie Gordon II from Oklahoma State claimed the Offensive Player of the Year award for the Big 12 football awards in 2023. His outstanding performance, including 1,580 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, contributed to this prestigious recognition.
The Texas Longhorns had a notable presence in the 2023 Big 12 football awards, securing eight first-team and three second-team All-Big 12 nominations. Additionally, they received four individual awards, including Defensive Player of the Year, Defensive Lineman of the Year, Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year, and Offensive Newcomer of the Year.
Mike Gundy, the head coach of Oklahoma State, received the Chuck Neinas Coach of the Year award for the Big 12 football awards in 2023. This marked Gundy's third time securing this accolade, showcasing his leadership and success in guiding the Cowboys.
While Baylor did not secure any first or second-team nominations, seven Bears received Honorable Mention selections in 2023. Notably, players like Monaray Baldwin, Drake Dabney, TJ Franklin, Gabe Hall, Caden Jenkins, LB Matt Jones, RB Dawson Pendergrass, and Caden Jenkins received recognition, highlighting the team's depth and individual contributions.