If asked to name the best football player in the Big 12 for the upcoming 2009 season, who would you choose?

The conference certainly has its options. Two of the three finalists for the Heisman Trophy last season came from the Big 12: Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford, who won the award, and Texas’ Colt McCoy. Both will return next season.

Oklahoma State stud receiver Dez Bryant, who was second in the nation last year as a sophomore with 19 touchdown catches, has to be included in the conversation (his 87 catches for 1,480 yards didn’t hurt either).

Kansas University quarterback Todd Reesing returns for his senior season, where he’ll have a chance to post outrageous numbers with Dezmon Briscoe and Kerry Meier also back. It could be argued Reesing has more returning weapons than any other signal caller in the conference.

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Nick Krug/Journal-World File Photo

ESPN.com’s Tim Griffin just completed a month-and-a-half-long feature where he ranked the 40 best Big 12 players for next season.

Here’s his Top 5:

• 1. Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford
• 2. Texas QB Colt McCoy
• 3. Oklahoma State WR Dez Bryant
• 4. Oklahoma TE Jermaine Gresham
• 5. Baylor QB Robert Griffin

I find it challenging to predict a best player for next season. I suppose it depends how you define best.

Statistically, Bradford passed for an absurd 50 touchdowns (4,720 yards) last year, compared to McCoy’s 34 TD’s (3,859 yards). The Sooners’ QB also has the hardware in the form of a Big 12 Championship and a Heisman Trophy from last season.

McCoy’s value skyrockets when you add in his rushing totals and his completion percentage. He had an additional 561 rushing yards and 11 scores on the ground. Bradford added only 47 rushing yards and an additional five scores on the ground. McCoy led the nation in completing 76.67 percent of his passes. And as many Longhorn fans have argued, he won the head-to-head battle against Bradford last season (just the brief mention of 45-35 makes me feel like it’s fall already).

Looking ahead to next fall, Bradford will have to get used to the protection of four new offensive linemen. He’ll also be throwing to two new starting wide receivers. The return of tight end Gresham (66 cathes, 950 yards, 14 scores) will definitely help. OU also returns Chris Brown and DeMarco Murray to the backfield, which should keep defenses honest.

McCoy, on the other hand, will return four offensive linemen, along with his roommate Jordan Shipley, who caught 89 passes for 1,060 yards and 11 touchdowns last year.

From a statistical standpoint, my edge goes to Bradford. Looking ahead to who’s returning for 2009, the edge has to go to McCoy. He’ll have more proven experience around him.

For local reference, the KU players that appeared on Griffin’s list were:

• 10. QB Todd Reesing
• 22. WR Dezmon Briscoe
• 24. S Darrell Stuckey
• 26. WR Kerry Meier

KU’s four players on Griffin’s list trailed only Oklahoma (10), Texas (six) and Oklahoma State (six).

What does your Top 5 look like? Post your list in the comments section below.

And as always, discuss.