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The Big 12 Athlete of the Year nominees have been announced for all member schools.
"Each institution nominated one male and one female athlete of any classification who competed for their institution during the 2025-26 school year. Student-athletes were required to be in good academic standing and must have participated in a league-sponsored sport," according to a press release from the Big 12 Conference.
The Utah Utes have nominated Avery Neff and Spencer Fano this year. Two of the best representatives for 'The U' during the past season.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Neff, a South Jordan, Utah native, was the No. 3 all-around gymnast in the nation. She was also in the top 15 for vault, beam and bars. The Red Rocks finished No. 10 in the College Gymnastics Association final poll with Neff leading the way. She won the all-around and beam titles at the Corvallis Regional, defeating Olympian Jordan Chiles in the all-around to qualify as an individual for the NCAA Championships. Neff finished fourth for her floor routine and seventh in the all-around at the NCAA Championships.
She was named the WCGA North Central Region Gymnast of the Year, 2026 Big 12 Gymnast of the Year and Utah Athletics Female Student-Athlete of the Year after earning 11 All-America honors (six NCAA Championships, five regular season), winning the 2026 Big 12 all-around, bars and floor titles, and earning All-Big 12 honors on vault, bars, beam, floor and all-around.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
As for Fano, one of the best offensive tackles in the nation took home the Outland Trophy to back it up. The Spanish Fork, Utah native was a unanimous First Team All-America selection. He was also named the 2025 Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year and Polynesian College Football Player of the Year.
Fano was able to produce at the highest levels on and off the field. He was a four-time Athletic Director's Honor Roll selection and two-time Big 12 Commissioners Honor Roll selection. This gave him at least a 3.0 GPA during his entire collegiate career.
Coming into the 2026 NFL Draft, Fano was projected at a top ten pick. He was taken No. 9 overall by the Cleveland Browns, who addressed the team's biggest need with the "Utah Man." Fano was the most versatile offensive lineman in the class. He'll try to be the next big time insurance policy for the Browns quarterback room, which consists of Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel.
Fano played 37 career games (35 starts) at Utah, anchoring both sides of the line during his career.
The winners will be announced by the Big 12 on Thursday, July 23.
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"Each institution nominated one male and one female athlete of any classification who competed for their institution during the 2025-26 school year. Student-athletes were required to be in good academic standing and must have participated in a league-sponsored sport," according to a press release from the Big 12 Conference.
The Utah Utes have nominated Avery Neff and Spencer Fano this year. Two of the best representatives for 'The U' during the past season.
You must be registered for see images attach
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Neff, a South Jordan, Utah native, was the No. 3 all-around gymnast in the nation. She was also in the top 15 for vault, beam and bars. The Red Rocks finished No. 10 in the College Gymnastics Association final poll with Neff leading the way. She won the all-around and beam titles at the Corvallis Regional, defeating Olympian Jordan Chiles in the all-around to qualify as an individual for the NCAA Championships. Neff finished fourth for her floor routine and seventh in the all-around at the NCAA Championships.
She was named the WCGA North Central Region Gymnast of the Year, 2026 Big 12 Gymnast of the Year and Utah Athletics Female Student-Athlete of the Year after earning 11 All-America honors (six NCAA Championships, five regular season), winning the 2026 Big 12 all-around, bars and floor titles, and earning All-Big 12 honors on vault, bars, beam, floor and all-around.
You must be registered for see images attach
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
As for Fano, one of the best offensive tackles in the nation took home the Outland Trophy to back it up. The Spanish Fork, Utah native was a unanimous First Team All-America selection. He was also named the 2025 Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year and Polynesian College Football Player of the Year.
Fano was able to produce at the highest levels on and off the field. He was a four-time Athletic Director's Honor Roll selection and two-time Big 12 Commissioners Honor Roll selection. This gave him at least a 3.0 GPA during his entire collegiate career.
Coming into the 2026 NFL Draft, Fano was projected at a top ten pick. He was taken No. 9 overall by the Cleveland Browns, who addressed the team's biggest need with the "Utah Man." Fano was the most versatile offensive lineman in the class. He'll try to be the next big time insurance policy for the Browns quarterback room, which consists of Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel.
Fano played 37 career games (35 starts) at Utah, anchoring both sides of the line during his career.
The winners will be announced by the Big 12 on Thursday, July 23.
More Utah Utes News:
Where Utah ranked in Phil Steele’s College Football preseason poll
Utah football is all over social media after film session catches attention of NFL veteran
Joe D'Orazio sends strong message to recruits: 'Utah puts people in the NFL
Continue reading...
