Athlon Sports released their preseason All-Big 12 teams and this is based on how Athlon Sports believes these players will perform in 2020. As they note, Oklahoma and Iowa State are the leaders in the clubhouse with the number of picks with Texas Tech 5th:

The 2020 All-Big 12 team is led by 18 selections from Oklahoma, with Iowa State (17) and Texas (16) up next. Oklahoma State headlines the next tier, as coach Mike Gundy’s team features 14 selections, including first-team picks in running back Chuba Hubbard and receiver Tylan Wallace. Texas Tech (10) and TCU (nine) are next up in most picks for the 2020 All-Big 12 squad.

Here are Texas Tech’s picks.

First-Team

Offense
OL Jack Anderson

Defense
DL Eli Howard

Specialists
P Austin McNamara

Second-Team

Offense
RB SaRodorick Thompson
C Dawson Deaton

Defense
LB Riko Jeffers

Third-Team

Offense
WR Erik Ezukanma

Fourth-Team

Offense
WR T.J. Vasher

Defense
CB Adrian Frye

Specialists
K Trey Wolff

Thoughts.

• Most surprising thing is Ezukanma is ahead of Vasher. And as Athlon says, this is based on potential and I somewhat understand that Vasher has disappointed thus far. This is a huge year for Vasher and if he ever needed motivation, not necessarily because Ezukanma is ahead of him, but because he’s either the 7th or 8th best receiver in the conference. Talent-wise, I think he’s better, but that’s talent.
• I think that Thompson and Deaton are solid second-teamers and that’s an excellent projection, while I think that Jeffers will be huge in this system this year.
• I may be on an island, but if forced to choose between Ehlinger and Purdy, I think I choose Purdy. I’d love to tell you that I have a ton of thoughts on the Big 12 overall, but not really. Although I do think that Charlie Brewer is overrated and whoever gets the snaps for Texas Tech is going to have a terrific year. Baylor lost a ton of talent, while I think Texas Tech returns more stability than most consider.
• Defensive players that I think will be better than expected and maybe garner post-season accolades –> I think Krishon Merriweather is going to be really good and I think he’ll be paird with Jeffers for the most part. I think he’ll be up for newcomer of the year in the Big 12. All I can be is wrong. I would probably be dumb to pick a cornerback to be improved, but if I had to pick one, I’d go with Zech McPhearson. I’m also sort of intrigued with two other defensive linemen, Nelson Mbanasor and Jaylon Hutchings. I think with some regular playing time, they’ll be better than projected. Maybe not all-conference, but I’m high on the both of them.
• Offensive players that I think could make a real difference –> I tend to think that Travis Koontz is going to get a ton of opportunities at tight end and that’s going to get him snaps. Just by virtue of being the first team guy and I think this should earn him all-conference honors because there aren’t that many tight ends. As far as an inside receiver is concerned, I think that KeSean Carter could have a huge year, but he’s likely splitting time between Dalton Rigdon and McLane Mannix and I think they are all talented.