I guess the "Big 12" hasn't been around long enough to include the bulk of the names most important to each member school. Being the Big 12's most important player ever covers just about 20 years, I guess.
I'd vote for VY but that's more based on what kind of season a guy has and how successful he is, vs. "how important he is." I don't even know how to measure that.
Just guys from current schools, gimme Barry Sanders. Without him I wouldn't ever even have known what is a "Big 8." Some donut shop trying to cheat me out of a baker's dozen, sounds like.
Or....a Baker's 12 as it were.
Baker's BIG twelve.
SWIDT? It all comes full circle. I guess he is the most important player.