It seems the Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year award and Kansas State go hand in hand. That became a safer assumption on Tuesday morning as Daniel Thomas became the third straight Wildcat to win the award.

The K-State running back was instrumental in K-State's success in 2009, as he led the Big 12 with 1,265 rushing yards, attempts (247) and yards per game (105.4). The 1,265 yards rank third all-time on the K-State single-season chart, behind only Darren Sproles.

Thomas became the ninth K-State player to earn Big 12 Newcomer of the Year honors since the inception of the conference in 1996 while also becoming the fourth player to receive the award on the offensive side of the ball. Both are a league-best.

"I'm excited about it," said K-State coach Bill Snyder. "I think it's a neat thing for Daniel. Very deserving I think. I think the thing that will be so neat is he'll just handle it in such a very humble way I believe. He's a good young guy."

Thomas was one of four K-State players named to the All-Big 12 First Team Tuesday, all of whom were on the offensive side of the ball. Joining Thomas was senior tight end Jeron Mastrud, who caught 21 passes for 233 yards this season and offensive tackle Nick Stringer, who started every game in 2009 at left tackle.

K-State's Brandon Banks also earned all-conference honors as he was named to the first team as a kick returner and punt returner, while also being named the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year. The 5-foot-7 senior returned a nation-leading four kickoffs for touchdowns this season, setting both a school-record and a Big 12-record.

The four K-State players named to the first team was a Big 12-best and was the most for any Wildcat team since 2002.

Snyder said Banks, who was also named to the second team as a receiver, was very deserving of the honors he received.

"Obviously, to put as many in the end zone as he did — I think that's unique and makes him very deserving," he said. "I'm proud of Brandon and he certainly deserves that honor."

K-State had no players selected to the first or second team on the defensive side of the ball.

However, senior defensive end Jeffrey Fitzgerald, sophomore safety Tysyn Hartman and junior corner Joshua Moore were named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. The trio of defenders helped the K-State defense finish with a top 40 national ranking after finishing 117th in the nation last year in total defense.

Snyder also received honorable mention for Big 12 Coach of the Year, which was awarded to Texas' Mack Brown.