The following individuals are the Top Men's Returnees for the 2012 Cross Country season:
Lawi Lalang, Arizona, Sophomore
- 2011 Best: 28:34. 10k
- 2011 NCAA Champion
Mohammed Ahmed, Wisconsin, Senior
- 2011 Best: 29:06, 10k
- 2011 NCAA DI Championships: 5th
Henry Lelei, Texas A&M, Junior
- 2011 Best: 29:29, 10k
- 2011 NCAA DI Championships: 9th
Paul Chelimo, UNC Greensboro, Junior
- 2011 Best: 29:39, 10k
- 2011 NCAA DI Championships: 13th
Andrew Colley, North Carolina State, Junior
- 2011 Best: 29:40, 10k
- 2011 NCAA DI Championships: 15th
David Forrester, Florida State, Senior
- 2011 Best: 29:40, 10k
- 2011 NCAA DI Championships: 16th
Rex Shields, BYU, Senior
- 2011 Best: 29:51, 10k
- 2011 NCAA DI Championships: 22nd
Joseph Bosshard, Colorado, Senior
- 2011 Best: 29:53, 10k
- 2011 NCAA DI Championships: 24th
Callum Hawkins, Butler, Junior
- 2011 Best: 29:56. 10k
- 2011 NCAA DI Championships: 26th
Bill Kogel, Oklahoma, Senior
- 2011 Best: 29:57, 10k
- 2011 NCAA DI Championships: 29th
Will Mulherin, Virginia Tech, Senior
- 2011 Best: 29:58,10k
- 2011 NCAA DI Championships: 30th
Tom Farrell, Oklahoma State, Junior
- 2011 Best: 29:23, 10k
- 2011 NCAA DI Championships: 31st
Craig Lutz, Texas, Sophomore
- 2011 Best: 30:02, 10k
- 2011 NCAA DI Championships: 33rd
Trevor Dunbar, Portland, Senior
- 2011 Best: 28:58, 10k
- 2011 NCAA DI Championships: 35th
Reed Connor, Wisconsin, Senior
- 2011 Best: 30:08, 10k
- 2011 NCAA DI Championships: 36th
Eric Fernandez, Arkansas, Senior
- 2011 Best: 29:29, 10k
- 2011 NCAA DI Championships: 38th
Andrew Bayer, Indiana, Senior
- 2011 Best: 30:11, 10k
- 2011 NCAA DI Championships: 39th
Note: The selection criteria is based off finish at the 2011 NCAA Championship meet.