25) Mickey Okafor, senior OL, Texas Tech
When discussing the fastest-rising offensive linemen in the league, one of the first names you'll hear tossed around is that of Okafor, who went from rotational player and backup to line star seemingly overnight.
The huge-framed lineman started two games as a redshirt sophomore while playing in a total of five players as a guard/tackle swing player.
But last year, Okafor took off, playing in 11 games — and starting all 11 — at right tackle, while earning second-team All-Big 12 honors from the Associated Press. Okafor has what every lineman coach looks for: a great frame and ability to hold good weight (6-foot-6, 305 pounds), athleticism (was a basketball player in high school), smarts (a first-team All-Big 12 Academic Team selection last year) and nastiness.
That's why Okafor, largely an unknown heading into last season, is now considered one of the linemen with the highest ceiling in the conference. Edwards might be the more consistent player, but Okafor's best days are better than the brutish interior lineman. And if Okafor can demonstrate a little more consistency, he'll find himself fighting for a first-team selection at the end of this year. With how rapidly he went from rotational player to a Big 12 second-team selection, the sky is the limit.
2012 Stats: None
No. 26: Missouri TE Michael Egnew
No. 27: Texas A&M CB Coryell Judie
No. 28: Texas DB Kenny Vaccaro
No. 29: Oklahoma DE/LB Ronnell Lewis
No. 30: Texas A&M RB Christine Michael
No. 31: Kansas OL Jeremiah Hatch
No. 32: Texas Tech OL Lonnie Edwards
No. 33: Missouri DE Jacquies Smith
No. 34: Oklahoma WR Kenny Stills
No. 35: Texas WR Mike Davis
No. 36: Texas DE Jackson Jeffcoat
No. 37: Kansas State DB David Garrett
No. 38: Oklahoma OL Gabe Ikard
No. 39: Texas Tech RB Eric Stephens
No. 40: Baylor OL Philip Blake
No. 41: Missouri LB Zaviar Gooden
No. 42: Texas DL Alex Okafor
No. 43: Texas A&M DL Tony Jerod-Eddie
No. 44: Kansas RB James Sims
No. 45: Texas Tech S Cody Davis
No. 46: Iowa State CB Leonard Johnson
No. 47: Kansas State S Ty Zimmerman
No. 48: Baylor DE/LB Tevin Elliot
No. 49: Kansas State DE Brandon Harold
No. 50: Kansas DE Toben Opurum