18) Kendall Wright, senior WR, Baylor
It's tough being a receiver in the Big 12.
How else can you explain the lack of notice for Wright, one of the most dangerous slot receivers in the nation, and a player who already owns or shares five school receiving records, including career and single-season reception marks? But while Wright has been able to win most battles with Big 12 defensive backs, he's left wanting in publicity battles against players like Justin Blackmon and Ryan Broyles.
Still, barring disaster, Wright should finish his career with four straight seasons of 50 or more catches. He started the trend as a true freshman out of Pittsburg, Texas, grabbing 50 catches for 649 yards and five touchdowns in his first year on campus. Those numbers included a 55-yard touchdown against in-state rival Texas.
He was even better as a sophomore, catching 66 throws for 740 yards and four scores, despite playing most of the year without injured star quarterback Robert Griffin III. He also showed he was a threat on the ground his first two years, rushing for a combined 300 yards and two touchdowns on 40 carries.
But he really came into his own as a junior, catching 78 passes for 952 yards and seven touchdowns. While his rushing numbers decreased, Wright completed two of two passes for 59 yards and a touchdown. But because of the seasons by both Broyles and Blackmon, Wright earned second-team All-Big 12 honors from the coaches, and was only a honorable mention selection by the AP.
He might not be able to overcome those receivers in 2011, either, but he remains a tough matchup for defensive backs, thanks to his speed, quickness and athleticism. A former member of the Baylor basketball team with a 42-inch vertical, Wright has thrived in Baylor's spread and figures to do so again this year.
2010 Stats: 78 receptions, 952 yards, seven touchdowns, eight rushes for 53 yards, 2-2 passing, 59 yards, one touchdown
No. 19: Oklahoma OL Ben Habern
No. 20: Oklahoma State OL Lane Taylor
No. 21: Iowa State LB Jake Knott
No.22: Oklahoma State S Markelle Martin
No.23: Missouri DL Brad Madison
No. 24: Missouri WR T.J. Moe
No. 25: Texas Tech OL Mickey Okafor
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