Jackson Jeffcoat named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year

After collecting five sacks in the final two games, Texas Longhorns senior defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year by the AP on Monday, capping his Texas career by earning the same award that fellow Longhorn defenders Derrick Johnson and Brian Orakpo took home in previous years.

Jeffcoat finished the regular season with a team-leading 80 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 18 quarterback pressures, and the game-clinching interception against Iowa State.

Additionally, three other Longhorns joined Jeffcoat on the AP's All-Big 12 first team, including junior defensive end Cedric Reed, senior offensive guard Trey Hopkins, and senior kicker Anthony Fera, who became only the second Texas placekicker to earn first-team honors from the AP, following Phil Dawson.

The four first-team All-Big 12 selections were the most for the Longhorns since 2009.

Senior wide receiver Mike Davis and senior offensive tackle Donald Hawkins were named to the second team.