Oklahoma State was named the most surprising Big 12 team at the midseason point in a vote of Associated Press writers, according to a October 15 report. The 18th-ranked Cowboys (4-1) received the unanimous selection after winning all their games since head coach Eric Morris took over.
Quarterback Drew Mestemaker was also named the top first-year transfer. Mestemaker, who joined Oklahoma State from North Texas, leads the Big 12 with 315 yards per game and has completed 1,756 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was one of 21 players who followed Morris from North Texas to Oklahoma State.
In other individual honors, Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita was named the top offensive player. A senior, Fifita has 10,939 passing yards and 89 touchdowns, breaking school career records previously held by Nick Foles. He ranks second in the Big 12 with 292.7 yards per game.
Oklahoma State linebacker Ethan Wesloski was named the top defensive player. A senior from North Texas, Wesloski leads the Big 12 and all Power Four players with 53 tackles, averaging 10.6 per game.
BYU receiver Legend Glasker was named the top first-year freshman. The receiver for the No. 8 Cougars (5-0) has 19 catches for 378 yards and three touchdowns.
Iowa State running back Aiden Flora was named the most surprising player. A sophomore walk-on, Flora is the third player in the Big 12 to record touchdowns passing, rushing, and on a punt return in a single season. He ranks second nationally with 785 all-purpose yards.
The awards also addressed coaching and injury updates. Eric Morris was chosen as the top coach, edging out Morgan Scalley of No. 11 Utah. Scalley is in his first season as head coach after serving as the Utes' defensive coordinator for 10 seasons.
Sonny Dykes of TCU and Deion Sanders of Colorado tied for the coach on the hottest seat. TCU (2-3) has struggled offensively, scoring only 33 points total in three losses against Power Four opponents.
Regarding injuries, BYU running back LJ Martin, the previous AP Big 12 offensive player of the year, is expected to be out for 4 to 6 weeks following an injury at TCU on Oct. 3. He is expected to return around mid-November.
The report noted that Oklahoma State ended a 21-game losing streak against FBS opponents with a win over Oregon on Sept. 12. They also snapped a 19-game Big 12 skid with a win at West Virginia two weeks later.
