Four First-Time Selections Highlight Big 12 Football Players of the Week
After another fantastic weekend of Big 12 football, the conference has released its selections for offensive, defensive, and special teams players of the week, along with a newcomer of the week.
Here are the selections and their stats from standout performances in Week 1, courtesy of a Big 12 press release.
Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week: Jalon Daniels, QB, Kansas
“Daniels led the Jayhawks to a 3-0 record for the first time since 2009 with a 48-30 win at Houston. He completed 14-of-23 passes for 158 yards and three touchdowns while rushing 12 times for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Daniels’ five-score performance was the first of his career with multiple passing and rushing TDs. He became the first Jayhawk since Todd Reesing in 2009 to throw and rush for two-plus touchdowns in the same game. Daniels completed passes to 11 different receivers. The junior has thrown for 556 yards and seven touchdowns through the first three games of the season.”
Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week: Jahdae Barron, DB, Texas
“Barron registered his first career interception and returned it 44 yards for a touchdown in Texas’ 41-20 win over UTSA. The junior DB also totaled six tackles, including three solo. The interception and score came with 18 seconds left in the third quarter with the Longhorns leading by four, beginning a 17-0 run to end the game. The Texas defense held UTSA quarterback Frank Harris, the nation’s leader in total offense, to 260 yards. He entered the game averaging 394.5 yards per game.”
Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week: Trace Ford, DE, Oklahoma State
“Ford blocked UAPB’s first punt attempt of the game and returned it 15 yards for a touchdown in the opening quarter of Oklahoma State’s 63-7 win. It was the first punt blocked for a touchdown by the Cowboys since Sept. 15, 2018, against Boise State. The junior DE was also credited with a quarterback hurry and a third-down pass breakup. OSU ranks second among FBS teams with 30 blocked kicks since the beginning of the 2013 season. After returning a blocked kick and punt for touchdowns in the game, the Cowboys are tied for first in the FBS in non-offensive touchdowns since the beginning of the 2020 season with 11.”
Big 12 Newcomer of the Week: Richard Reese, RB, Baylor
“Freshman RB Reese rushed for 156 yards on 19 carries (8.2 avg) and scored three touchdowns, all of which were career highs, in Baylor’s 42-7 win over Texas State. It was BU’s first three-TD rushing performance since Abram Smith did so vs. BYU last season. Reese’s efforts helped the Bears total 293 yards on the ground, their highest output of the year. He also caught one pass out of the backfield for a 17-yard reception. Reese is now tied for the Big 12 lead with five rushing TDs, ranks second in the Big 12 in yards per carry (6.97) and places fifth in rushing yards (237).”
