Recognizing the best and brightest from around the Big 12 in Week 2:
RB Brennan Clay, Oklahoma
On a night when the Sooners’ quarterback plan fell apart, Clay came in and saved the day. The senior backup was a workhorse against West Virginia, rushing for a career-high 170 yards on 22 carries in a 16-7 victory. No matter whom OU goes with behind center, it's at least got two talented, proven backs to lean on in Clay and Damien Williams, who nearly joined Clay is hitting the 100-yard mark.
QB Baker Mayfield, Texas Tech
Just because Mayfield and Tech were playing Stephen F. Austin doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve some credit. The freshman walk-on continues to impress, throwing for 367 yards and three touchdowns. He added 66 yards on the ground, too, and would’ve easily finished with more than 500 total yards had he not sat out the second half to give Davis Webb reps in the blowout. We'll know a lot more about just how good Mayfield is next week when TTU takes on TCU.
WR Tramaine Thompson, Kansas State
Tyler Lockett might set more records, but Thompson was the spark KSU needed to bounce back from its season-opening loss. He returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown, added a 79-yard punt return down to the 1-yard line and finished with 46 receiving yards. It’s hard to beat that all-purpose contribution, and it's safe to argue that the Wildcats have one of the best kick-return duos in the country.
LB Bryce Hager, Baylor
We could give this honor to several members of the Baylor offense, but let’s give the Bears’ defense some love. Hager had 124 tackles last season and only two on Saturday. That's normally a bad day in his book, but he gets the sticker for his impressive 91-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Buffalo. To say Hager was rumbling and stumbling on that run-back doesn’t do it justice. Baylor coach Art Briles said after the game that Hager's return was the nail in the coffin that the Bears needed.
QB J.W. Walsh, Oklahoma State
Walsh is making Mike Gundy look smart for anointing him the Pokes’ starter. He was a near-perfect 24-for-27 passing against UTSA with 326 yards and touchdowns to four different OSU receivers. He also rushed for a touchdown before letting Clint Chelf take over and finish off the Roadrunners. While Chelf also made solid use of his reps against UTSA, there's no doubt who the preferable option is right now for OSU at quarterback.