November 10, 2005
Three former Texas A&M football standouts were named to the Big 12 Conference's 10th Anniversary Team, as selected by a combined media panel and on-line fan poll, the conference office announced on Thursday.
Linebacker Dat Nguyen, offensive center Seth McKinney and punter Shane Lechler were on the 26-member team. All three Aggie honorees were members of the 1998 Big 12 Champions that played Ohio State in the Nokia Sugar Bowl. In order to be eligible for consideration, candidates must have been an All-Big 12 First Team selection at least once in their careers.
Nguyen, from Rockport, Texas, was a four-year starter on the Aggies' Wrecking Crew defense from 1995-98 and was a two-time first-team all-conference selection. Nguyen finished his career with a school record 517 tackles and received the Rotary Lombardi Award and the Bednarik Defensive Player of the Year Award as a senior. Nguyen currently starts at linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys.
McKinney, from Austin, Texas, was the cornerstone of the Aggies' offensive front from 1998-2001 and was a two-time all-conference selection. McKinney was the runner-up for the Dave Rimington Award in 2001, which is given to the nation's top offensive center. McKinney currently starts for the Miami Dolphins.
Lechler, from East Bernard, Texas, finished his A&M career as the NCAA record-holder for career punt average with a 44.7 average from 1996-99. A three-time All-Big 12 selection, Lechler owns the top two season averages in school history with a 47.0 average in 1997 and a 46.6 average in 1999. He also owns the school records for most punts (268) and most punt yards (11,977 yards) in his career. He is currently an All-Pro with the Oakland Raiders.
Over, 2,300 fans participated in on-line voting through the league's web site. Fan polls will also be conducted for the men's basketball, women's basketball, baseball and softball anniversary teams.
Big 12 Football 10th Anniversary Team
- Quarterback:
Jason White, Oklahoma, 2000-04
Running Backs:
Ricky Williams, Texas, 1995-98
Troy Davis, Iowa State, 1994-96
Wide Receivers:
Roy Williams, Texas, 2000-03
Rashaun Woods, Oklahoma State, 2000-03
Tight End:
Daniel Graham, Colorado, 1998-01
Offensive Linemen:
Jammal Brown, Oklahoma, 2001-04
Seth McKinney, Texas A&M, 1998-01
Andre Gurode, Colorado, 1998-01
Leonard Davis, Texas, 1997-00
Aaron Taylor, Nebraska, 1994-97
Place Kicker:
Martin Gramatica, Kansas State, 1994-95, 97-98
Kick Returner:
Ben Kelly, Colorado, 1997-99
Defensive Linemen:
Grant Wistrom, Nebraska, 1994-97
Tommie Harris, Oklahoma, 2001-03
Dan Cody, Oklahoma, 2000, 02-04
Justin Smith, Missouri, 1998-00
Linebackers:
Derrick Johnson, Texas, 2001-04
Rocky Calmus, Oklahoma, 1998-01
Dat Nguyen, Texas A&M, 1995-98
Defensive Backs:
Roy Williams, Oklahoma, 1999-01
Quentin Jammer, Texas, 1997-98, 00-01
Terrence Newman, Kansas State, 1999-02
Ralph Brown, Nebraska, 1996-99
Punter:
Shane Lechler, Texas A&M, 1996-99
Punt Returner:
David Allen, Kansas State, 1997-00