Texas picked fifth in Big 12 preseason football poll

The Big 12 Conference announced its preseason all-conference team Wednesday morning.

The Sooners, who won their first outright Big 12 title since 2010 last season, are widely expected to be atop the poll.

The bottom half of the poll begins with Texas Tech in sixth followed by West Virginia, Kansas State, Iowa State and Kansas. Seven offensive starters are back in the fold, including 2015 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year Baker Mayfield, and six starters return on defense.

Kansas State is well represented on the preseason All-Big 12 team. Nwachukwu was named to the Preseason Defensive Team while Orlosky was named to the Preseason Offensive Team.

Oklahoma also received 24 of 26 first-place votes in the preseason poll, finishing ahead of TCU and in-state rivals Oklahoma State. Not surprisingly, he was also named the Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.

Texas linebacker Malik Jefferson leads the defensive unit. Last year was good, but I am trying to do even better this year. Cannon was named All-Big 12 second team by the league coaches, ESPN, Phil Steele, San Antonio Express-News and Waco Tribune-Herald.

Fuller was named second-team All-Big 12 by the Associated Press, league coaches, San Antonio-Express News and Waco Tribune-Herald.

Brown started every contest past year at left tackle and became one of 10 freshmen in OU history to start a game at offensive tackle.

Texas could be a team to make some noise this year before taking a big step next season.

Parker started all 13 games last season with eight coming at strong safety, three at free safety and two at nickelback.