Texas Longhorns Steve Sarkisian, T'Vondre Sweat and Adonai Mitchell Earn AP All-Big 12 Awards

The Associated Press released All-Big 12 awards on Friday and three Texas Longhorns have been selected.

The Associated Press released All-Big 12 awards and three Texas Longhorns have been selected - Coach of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year. 

Although Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian did not receive the Big 12 Coach of the Year title selected by the conference, the Associated Press recognized him for his accomplishments. 

Adonai Mitchell / © Aaron E. Martinez, Austin American-Statesman

Sarkisian nearly built the Longhorn football program from the ground up. In Sarkisian's first year as head coach of Texas in 2021, the Longhorns totaled on overall record of 5-7 and a conference record of 3-6. Now, the Longhorns are Big 12 Conference champions, are ranked No. 3 nationally and for the first time in program history, have claimed a spot in the College Football Playoffs. 

The Defensive Player of the Year title is claimed by Texas defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat. Not only is Sweat a defensive weapon for the Longhorns, but he can also be relied upon to put some points on the board for Texas on offense. In fact, in the Big 12 Conference Championship game against Oklahoma State University, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers flicked a pass to Sweat in the end zone to extend their lead. 

Finally, receiver Adonai Mitchell has claimed AP's Newcomer of the Year title. This season, Mitchell has recorded 51 total receptions for a total of 813 yards. On top of that, he has reached the end zone 10 times while averaging around 15.9 yards per catch.

The No. 3 Longhorns will face the No. 2 Washington Huskies on Jan. 1 in hopes of claiming the Sugar Bowl title.