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Big 12 football 2018 preview: Breakout stars, biggest games, predictions

By Daniel Stave

MANHATTAN, KS - NOVEMBER 11: Quarterback Will Grier (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)
MANHATTAN, KS - NOVEMBER 11: Quarterback Will Grier (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /
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FORT WORTH, TX – NOVEMBER 24: TCU Horned Frogs defensive end Ben Banogu (15) rushes around the edge during the football game between the Baylor Bears and TCU Horned Frogs on November 24, 2017 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, TX – NOVEMBER 24: TCU Horned Frogs defensive end Ben Banogu (15) rushes around the edge during the football game between the Baylor Bears and TCU Horned Frogs on November 24, 2017 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Defensive Player of the Year-Ben Banogu, DL, TCU

In a conference known for its offense, the best defense in the Big 12 belongs to the TCU Horned Frogs. In 2017, TCU had the conference’s top two performers in sacks in Mat Boesen (11.5 sacks) and Banogu (8.5). While Boesen is now chasing down quarterbacks for the Buffalo Bills, Banogu returns to try to lead TCU to the top of the Big 12.

Also a transfer, Banogu started his college career at Louisiana-Monroe. After posting three sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery during his freshman season in 2015, Banogu wanted to find a bigger college program to ply his trade. He found TCU, and sat out the 2016 season for transferring.

Teaming with Boesen, Banogu terrorized opposing offenses last year. He added 16.5 tackles for loss to go with his 8.5 sacks, earning first-team all-conference honors.

Also among the Big-12’s top defenders are Kansas defensive lineman Daniel Wise, Texas Tech linebacker Dakota Allen, and Iowa State cornerback Brian Peavy.