LINCOLN — Those who follow the Big 12 apparently don’t believe that the loss of Ndamukong Suh will hurt Nebraska too much.
The conference media members named Jared Crick, Suh’s lethal sidekick last year, as the preseason co-defensive player of the year.
Crick had 73 total tackles and 9½ sacks in his breakout sophomore season — though all of that production came while he played next to Suh, an interior tackle so dominant as a senior that he was chosen as a Heisman Trophy finalist.
Suh’s gone. But it appears that many believe Crick has the ability to take Suh’s place.
Crick, an All-Big 12 first-teamer last year, was one of three unanimous selections to the honorary preseason squad. Oklahoma defensive lineman Jeremy Beal and linebacker Travis Lewis were the others. Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller was picked along with Crick as the league’s top defender.
Three Huskers joined Crick on the reporters’ all-star team, which was released Thursday in advance of next week’s Big 12 media days.
Senior kicker Alex Henery, senior tight end Mike McNeill and senior cornerback Prince Amukamara were all preseason All-Big 12 selections.
Last year, Suh and Henery were the only Huskers recognized by the media before the season.
The four NU representatives on the 2010 team tied it with Texas A&M for the second-highest total. Texas and Oklahoma each had six.
A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson was named the preseason offensive player of the year. Colorado receiver Toney Clemons was picked as the conference’s newcomer of the year.
On Wednesday, the Big 12 released its preseason media poll, which revealed that Nebraska and Oklahoma were picked as the two division champions.
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2010 media preseason All-Big 12 Team
Offensive player of the year: Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M
Defensive co-players of the year: Jared Crick, Nebraska and Von Miller, Texas A&M
Newcomer of the Year: Toney Clemons, Colorado
Offense
Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma; Mike McNeill, TE, Nebraska; Nate Solder, OL, Colorado; Ryan Miller, OL, Colorado; Tim Barnes, C, Missouri; Tanner Hawkinson, OL, Kansas; Stephen Good, OL, Oklahoma; Kyle Hix, OL, Texas; Jeff Fuller, WR, Texas A&M; Jerrod Johnson, QB, Texas A&M; Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas St.; DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma; Alex Henery, PK, Nebraska; Cyrus Gray, KR, Texas A&M.
Defense
Aldon Smith, DL, Missouri; Jared Crick, DL, Nebraska; Jeremy Beal, DL, Oklahoma; Sam Acho, DL, Texas; Travis Lewis, LB, Oklahoma; Keenan Robinson, LB, Texas; Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M; Brian Duncan, LB, Texas Tech; Prince Amukamara, DB, Nebraska; Quinton Carter, DB, Oklahoma; Aaron Williams, DB, Texas; Curtis Brown, DB, Texas; Blake Gideon, DB, Texas; Derek Epperson, P, Baylor; Ryan Broyles, PR, Oklahoma.
Ties in voting created an additional spot at offensive line, defensive back and linebacker.
Unanimous selections: Crick, Beal, Lewis.
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