Three Tigers named to Preseason All-Big 12 team
The 2011 preseason All-Big 12 First Team was formally announced by the media today, and three Missouri Tigers had their names placed on the list.
The three members of the group include senior tight end Michael Egnew, senior placekicker Grant Ressel and junior defensive lineman Brad Madison.
Egnew is widely considered the best tight end in the nation and is also nominated for the Mackey Award and the Walter Camp Award. He was named to the 2010 All-Big 12 First Team and was the team’s MVP last year, as well.
Meanwhile, Ressel is recognized as one of the most reliable kickers in college football, nailing 43-46 (.935) of his field goals over the past two seasons. Ressel is also on the Groza Award watch list for this season.
Madison will provide a pass rush off the edge in place of Aldon Smith, who the San Francisco 49ers made their first-round draft pick this past spring. Madison, who had 7.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss a year ago, will be looking to build upon those numbers. He’s amongst the Nagurski Watch List, an award that goes to the top defensive player in the country.
Members from the conference’s media conduct the selection process. This year’s group consists of 27 players, 14 from the offense and 13 from the defensive side of the football, with the additional pick being a running back due to a voting tie.
The Missouri Tigers currently rank 21st on the NCAA Football Preseason Rankings and are fourth among teams in their conference.