Despite losing Associated Press defensive player-of-the-year honors to Texas Tech’s Dwayne Slay, Kansas University linebacker Nick Reid was the lone unanimous choice for the AP All-Big 12 Conference first-team defense, which was released Thursday.

Reid was the only defensive player to be a first-team pick on all 20 ballots of the region’s sports writers. Charlton Keith also earned first-team honors as a defensive linemen.

In addition, junior Charles Gordon was named second-team all-purpose, and eight other Jayhawks were honorable-mention picks.

The honors continue to rack up for Keith and Reid, who both were all-Big 12 on the coaches’ ballot and should be considered at least for All-America honors.

Reid leads the conference with 106 tackles and has 15 tackles for a loss, three sacks, an interception and two forced fumbles. Keith, meanwhile, is the conference leader in tackles for a loss with 21. He has compiled nine sacks and seven quarterback hurries.

Reid is a repeat first-team selection, being honored last year along with Gordon.

Gordon was hurt by splitting his time at wide receiver, cornerback and returning kicks and punts. He was named second team behind Missouri quarterback Brad Smith.

Seven players on KU’s defense were honored by the AP, including four linebackers — Reid, and honorable-mention picks Banks Floodman, Kevin Kane and Brandon Perkins.

The panel of voters consisted of 10 Big 12 South writers and 10 Big 12 North writers, including Journal-World sports editor Tom Keegan.