ESPN College Football

We wrapped up our position rankings by team a bit earlier, but we'll move on in ranking the 10 best players at each position.

Here's the top 10's you've missed so far:

• Quarterbacks

Running back is one of the weakest position groups in the Big 12 heading into 2011, a change from last year's extremely strong class. Just one of the league's top 11 rushers returns, and part of the success from last season was because of so much experience at the position. There are a few guys on this list with upside, but only a few are truly established. Some guys might make good on their upside, but for now, running back joins cornerback and defensive line as the league's weakest positions.

Also, if you haven't played a snap in the Big 12, you're not included on this list. (Also, if your last name is Brown.)

1. Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M -- Gray took over late last season and returns as the only Big 12 player to rush for more than 750 yards last season. He finished with 1,133 yards and 12 scores, but 938 of those yards and 10 of those touchdowns came in the season's final seven games, most of which came after the No. 2 guy on this list got hurt.

2. Christine Michael, Texas A&M -- Before Gray took off, Michael was far outperforming his teammate and looked headed for a 1,000-yard season after rushing for 844 yards and 10 scores in 2009. He was at 631 yards through eight games before breaking his leg, and no player in the Big 12 could top his 2009 effort. Despite playing just over half the season, he still ranked 14th in the Big 12 in rushing. Considering 10 of the top 11 rushers in the league are gone, it's easy to see why the powerful, 5-foot-11, 215-pounder is No. 2 on the list.

3. Roy Finch, Oklahoma -- Finch showed lots of flash last season in spot duty behind DeMarco Murray before aggravating a foot injury that kept him out of the first half of the season. He'll have to stay healthy to make good on his potential, and despite being on the All-Big 12 preseason team, he's not on his own team's depth chart just yet. He'll have to jump over Brennan Clay and Jonathan Miller to get his touches in a crowded backfield that will likely carry the load by committee this season.

4. Joseph Randle, Oklahoma State -- Randle was extremely valuable last season out of the backfield, catching 37 passes for 427 yards and a key touchdown against Texas A&M. That was more receptions than any running back outside of DeMarco Murray, but this year, he'll join Jeremy Smith in trying to replace Kendall Hunter, who ran for more than 1,500 yards last season.

5. Eric Stephens, Texas Tech -- Stephens has been underrated and underexposed behind starter Baron Batch, but his time looks like it has finally come. The Red Raiders have a deep backfield, but Stephens is its top talent, averaging 5.26 yards on his 127 carries last season, leading the team with six touchdowns.

6. James Sims, Kansas -- Sims was one of the bright spots in a dark year for Kansas football last season, taking over the starting role after a season-opening loss to North Dakota State and rushing for 101 yards in an upset win against Georgia Tech. Sims also scored four of his nine touchdowns in a comeback win against Colorado. I'd expect Sims' touches to take a slight hit with Darrian Miller on campus now, but he was extremely productive considering the Jayhawks' lack of a passing game, which ranked 105th nationally last season.

7. Shontrelle Johnson, Iowa State -- Johnson's lateral movement reminds me a bit of Finch, but he's got a lot of speed and if Iowa State's offensive line gets him a crack, he can be a home-run hitter. He was stuck behind Alexander Robinson last season, but Johnson averaged 6.2 yards on the limited carries he got, turning them into a pair of touchdowns. That's the highest average of any returning Big 12 back.

8. De'Vion Moore, Missouri -- Missouri doesn't have a big time back, but it doesn't need one. Moore led a group of four backs that combined to rush for more than 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns last seaosn. Look out for shifty Henry Josey to slide in and unseat Moore to lead the team in rushing, but Moore will get lots of touches in the red zone this season, and he's great at finding a crease. No Tigers running back got more than 100 carries last season, and that might still be the case, but Missouri truly proved that a running back platoon can be extremely successful, even if it lacks a game-changer at the top of the depth chart.

9. Terrance Ganaway, Baylor -- Ganaway is the bowling ball third of a good trio at Baylor. Jarred Salubi is the shiftier third and Glasco Martin is the young guy with lots of hype. All three should form a solid group. Art Briles said this week at media days that he'd love for one of them to separate themselves, but also understands it might not happen with this group.

10. Fozzy Whittaker, Texas -- Whittaker has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career, but rushed for 351 yards last season and enters the season as the starter ahead of Cody Johnson. He'll have to hold off promising freshman Malcolm Brown as well as Johnson, but for now, the Longhorns' running backs have a lot to prove in a new offense built to help them succeed.

Honestly, I don't see what the big deal is with Patty Mayonnaise.

• Kansas State has essentially declared Collin Klein its starter, reports Kellis Robinett of the Kansas City Star. He also notes that Bryce Brown's work ethic hasn't impressed Bill Snyder, especially compared to linebacker Arthur Brown, who hopes to give his suffering defense a boost.
• Commissioner Dan Beebe knows that in the new world of college athletics, the Big 12 won't be getting the benefit of the doubt from anyone.
• Baylor's video staff followed quarterback Robert Griffin III for Big 12 media days. It's good stuff, and at the 1:50 mark, he confesses to the prank you can see in this video. Touché, RG3.
• Oklahoma linebacker Travis Lewis stole the show at media days, and John Hoover of the Tulsa World was there following him to see it happen.
• The early reviews for heralded Texas back Malcolm Brown are strong.
• When it comes to Big 12 jabs, Tommy Tuberville just can't help himself, writes Matt Hayes of Sporting News.
• Iowa State has drawn inspiration from Baylor's recent success, writes Andrew Logue of the Des Moines Register.
• Future Longhorns and Aggies had to put their rivalry on hold for the summer, writes Brian McLaughlin of Sporting News.
• Texas is looking to replace entitlement with accountability, writes Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Statesman.
• Oklahoma is still recovering from the death of linebacker Austin Box.
• The Big 12's strength in the middle class will be a boon to the conference, writes Blair Kerkhoff of the Kansas City Star.
• Former Texas A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson has signed a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.
• Oklahoma may win a national title this year, but it won't be able to replace the mystique of the 2000 team, writes Dennis Dodd of CBSSports.com.
• Former Texas Tech running back Baron Batch writes about his recent road trip to Pittsburgh in his latest journal entry.
• Kansas center Jeremiah Hatch has enjoyed being the biggest loser this offseason, writes Matt Tait of the Lawrence Journal-World.
• The new goal for Kansas is clear: bowl eligibility, writes J. Brady McCollough of the Kansas City Star.
• The Longhorn Network has turned the Big 12 into a soap opera once again, writes Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman.
• Can Texas start a new string of 10-win seasons beginning in 2011?

• New Oklahoma State quarterback commit Wes Lunt might have just scratched the surface of his potential, writes Brandon Chatmon of The Oklahoman.
• The Fiesta Bowl has asked politicians to pay back $160,000 for free tickets or trips to try and maintain its tax-exempt status.
• Kansas quarterback Brock Berglund looks like he's on track to be on campus this fall, reports Matt Tait of the Lawrence Journal-World.
• How did the Oklahoma State-Arizona series come to fruition? Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman has the surprisingly interesting explanation.
• Iowa State has a time-lapse video of construction crews setting up the support structure for its new video board.
• In his latest journal entry in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, former Texas Tech running back Baron Batch opens up about his addiction to control.

Here's the next in our look at the Big 12 rankings by position: Running backs.

Last year's class was one of the best in recent history, but this year's class? Unassuming to begin the season. There are a few possible stars looming, but very, very little talent returning. Cyrus Gray ranked seventh in rushing yards last year (thanks to an insane finish), but he's the only player returning to the Big 12 from the conferences' top 10 rushers in 2010.

That's nuts.

The Aggies are the only team with a truly elite backfield tandem, though I could see Oklahoma and/or Oklahoma State joining that group by the end of the year.

The rest of the league? Every team has at least a couple of players to get excited about, and teams 5-10 are all pretty close. No one is really understaffed at the position, but obviously, they're fit to be ranked.

Here's where I have them:

1. Texas A&M

I wouldn't have been surprised if Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael were the Big 12's top leading returning rushers this year, but a midseason injury from Michael prevented it from happening. Regardless, his return gives Texas A&M by far the best tandem in the Big 12, and arguably the best in the country. When Mister Jones isn't cranking the Counting Crows on his stereo, he's a pretty good reserve, alongside Ben Malena, who impressed me on my visit to College Station this spring.

2. Oklahoma

Oklahoma will try and replace do-everything forever (or whatever) back DeMarco Murray with a platoon likely led by shifty Florida native Roy Finch. True freshman Brandon Williams made a big impact in spring camp, and Brennan Clay will likely earn a few touches, too. Health concerns raise questions about a pair of other OU backs' knees (Jermie Calhoun, Jonathan Miller), but walk-on Dominique Whaley led the team in rushing in the spring game.

3. Oklahoma State

The Cowboys have a great pair in sophomores Joseph Randle and Jeremy Smith, and a nice set of backs to spell them if needed, too. Kye Staley, once a top-flight recruit, returned this spring after quitting the team following a severe knee injury, and might earn a few touches this spring. Also, Abilene, Texas, native and 2011 ESPNU 150 signee Herschel Sims arrives this fall and may jockey for time and the opportunity to shed a redshirt.

4. Missouri

What the Tigers lack in a truly elite back, they have in depth. Missouri has four backs who are all capable of being very good in the Big 12, even though neither of the four topped 600 yards a year ago. A big reason for that was none of the four got more than 100 carries, but with the carries they did get, every back averaged more than five yards per carry. The platoon approach works for Missouri, but senior De'Vion Moore and junior Kendial Lawrence will lead the way with sophomores Henry Josey and Marcus Murphy not far behind.

5. Kansas

Running back will be a strength for Kansas next year, who might have found a second back this spring that perfectly complements power runner James Sims, a rising sophomore who racked up 742 yards last year after not playing in the opener. Believe it or not, he's the Big 12's No. 2 returning rusher, behind A&M's Gray. Darrian Miller burst onto the scene this spring, and figures to be a big part of the team in the fall. I see him being the Jayhawks' biggest home-run threat. DeShaun Sands and Brandon Bourbon offer even more depth at the position.

6. Texas Tech

The Red Raiders lose backfield constant Baron Batch, but have a good group lined up for 2011. Tommy Tuberville's effort to establish a more efficient running game is a realistic possibility with Eric Stephens as the likely feature back, and Aaron Crawford, Ben McRoy and Harrison Jeffers in the mix. True freshman Ronnie Daniels' strong spring likely earned him some time, too, rather than a redshirt.

7. Baylor

Baylor loses a 1,200-yard rusher in Jay Finley, and figures to use a thunder-and-lightning approach with 6-foot, 240-pound bowling ball Terrance Ganaway and shifty, 5-foot-9, 205-pound Jarred Salubi. Glasco Martin, a more balanced back, may earn a few carries, too. Regardless of who has the ball, life is good for Baylor backs, who get a bit more room from defenses that are forced to respect Robert Griffin III's legs.

8. Kansas State

The Wildcats' top two rushers, including two-time league rushing champ Daniel Thomas, are gone. Hopes are high for Wichita native and former blue-chip back Bryce Brown, but he's still entrenched in a position battle with John Hubert and Robert Rose heading into fall camp.

9. Texas

Texas brings back a pair of seniors in Fozzy Whittaker and Cody Johnson, but if the Longhorns are going to climb up this ladder by year's end (and they might) it's likely to be on the back of hyped incoming freshman Malcolm Brown, who is on campus and set to begin fall camp. D.J. Monroe might be the fastest player in the Big 12, but he'll have to master the nuances of pass blocking to get more than a few touches every game. Jeremy Hills can offer some depth at the position, too, after Tre Newton was forced to quit the game because of concussions.

10. Iowa State

Shontrelle Johnson showed some flash last year, but he still brings just 35 career carries into his 2011 effort to replace Alexander Robinson. Jeff Woody and James White offer a bit more depth, too. Florida native DeVondrick Nealy might get into the mix if he can put together a strong fall camp.

Folks, we've officially hit the desolation that is college football news from mid-May to July. I'm as sad about it as you are.

• A Baylor signee is making waves in the world of track and field.
• Gunner Kiel, one of the nation's top QB prospects, was on Missouri's campus on Monday, writes Dave Matter of the Columbia Tribune.
• Colleague Rick Reilly re-drafted the 2006, 2007 and 2008 drafts. You may recognize a few names at the top.
• In his latest blog post, Texas Tech running back Baron Batch talks about his battle with pride and sheds some light on how it affected the injury that changed his life.
• Kansas coach Turner Gill sat down for a post-spring Q&A with Fox Sports.

TEXAS TECH

2010 overall record: 8-5

2010 conference record: 3-5

Returning starters: Offense (5), Defense (8) P/K (0)

Top returners: RB Eric Stephens, WR Alex Torres, S Cody Davis, CB Tre Porter, CB Jarvis Phillips, S D.J. Johnson

Key losses: QB Taylor Potts, WR Lyle Leong, WR Detron Lewis, RB Baron Batch, DT Colby Whitlock, LB Brian Duncan, QB Steven Sheffield. LB Bront Bird

2010 statistical leaders (*returners)

Rushing: Baron Batch (816 yards)

Passing: Taylor Potts (3,726 yards)

Receiving: Lyle Leong (926 yards)

Tackles: Bront Bird (106)

Sacks: Brian Duncan (7)

Interceptions: Jarvis Phillips* (4)

Three spring answers

1. Quarterbacks all but settled. It’s not official, per se, but Seth Doege looks likely to slide into the starting spot as the next in a long line of Texas Tech quarterbacks. He has just one career start, but the junior is the most experienced among four Red Raiders quarterbacks vying for the job. He beat out Jacob Karam and Scotty Young this spring, and that figures to continue in the fall.

2. Defensive vision is clear. Texas Tech brought in new defensive coordinator Chad Glasgow from TCU, and he spent the spring installing his 4-2-5 -- a move away from the 3-4 under James Willis last year. That third safety spot, a nickel back, if you will, should be occupied by Terrance Bullitt, who drew praise from coaches for his effort during the spring.

3. More receivers found. The Red Raiders’ top two receivers, Lyle Leong and Detron Lewis, are gone, but Texas Tech did a good job of filling their roles during the spring. Alex Torres, Eric Ward, Austin Zouzalik and Darrin Moore are the starters, but there’s even more buzz surrounding backup Marcus Kennard, who showed up this spring from junior college.

Three fall questions

1. Is the secondary still a problem? Texas Tech’s secondary gave up more passing yards than all but two teams in college football last year. This offseason was about upgrading the pass rush and improving the speed in the secondary. It’s still early in Tommy Tuberville’s time in Lubbock, and his secondary is still young after injuries forced them to play last year, but we’ll see how much last year’s experience pays off.

2. How good is Seth Doege? It’s easy to assume Doege will step in and be solid, but will that be the case? Taylor Potts was a senior who had played for Mike Leach extensively. Doege is a newbie who hasn’t played extensively since his sophomore year of high school, after being sidelined by a pair of injuries. If Texas Tech’s offensive tradition is going to continue, Doege will keep it going. If it begins to decline, it will do it with Doege. My bet is on the former, but I’d caution assuming that’s the case.

3. Is the running game for real yet? Texas Tech isn’t known for its ability to run the ball, but Tuberville wants that half of the offense to be more efficient and more powerful moving forward. The Red Raiders have a good set of capable backs, and the entire offensive line returns. Does that mean the running game will get a boost?

Derrick Rose's injury last night? More or less absurd than getting run over by the tarp in baseball?

• Kansas State's quarterback competition could be decided in the summer, according to Justin Tuggle. Cole Manbeck of the Manhattan Mercury has the story.
• An Oklahoma player was arrested for petty larceny at a mall in Norman on Saturday, reports Jake Trotter of The Oklahoman.
• Texas A&M and Oklahoma State are two BCS bowl dark horses, says colleague Mark Schlabach.
• An Iowa State assistant coach was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated over the weekend.
• Former Texas Tech running back Baron Batch tells the story of his draft day.
• Randy Riggs of the Austin American-Statesman catches up with a few of the undrafted Longhorns.
• Colleague Bruce Feldman says Oklahoma linebacker Corey Nelson is the No. 1 breakout player in all of college football this spring.
• Watching grass grow may be boring, but what about watching it be installed? You can do just that with K-State's live webcam of its turf installation at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
• New (old) Kansas receivers coach David Beaty is setting some big goals for his players this time around, writes Jesse Newell of the Lawrence Journal-World. The Jayhawks added a juco linebacker to the team, too.
• Could Oklahoma be due for another special draft next year, just like the one it had last year?

If I could have it back
All the time that we wasted
I'd only waste it again

• After a dream draft day, Texas Tech running back Baron Batch is exactly where he wants to be, and not just in the NFL, writes Don Williams of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
• Texas defensive lineman Sam Acho opens up about what it was like to get the call from Arizona over the weekend.
• Kansas' D.J. Marshall was back on the field on Saturday after battling cancer. The Lawrence Journal-World's Tom Keegan has his story.
• What's the relationship between Kansas coach Turner Gill and his new boss, Sheahon Zenger? J. Brady McCollough will give you a look inside.
• Former Kansas receiver Kerry Meier learned a lot in the past year after losing his brother and closest friend, as well as football, writes Kevin Haskin of the Topeka Capital-Journal.
• Missouri linebacker Andrew Gachkar had given up on being drafted and was grabbing some Mexican food before getting the call, writes Blair Kerkhoff of the Kansas City Star.
• Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones could be among the NFL's first-round draft picks next year, writes Jake Trotter of The Oklahoman.
• Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Statesman weighs in on the Tommy Tuberville controversy. That and more in his nine things and one crazy prediction column.
• Oklahoma State released its schedule, and Brandon Chatmon of The Oklahoman ranks the games by difficulty.
• Look out, Texas. West Virginia is coming for your football players, writes William Wilkerson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
• If you missed it over the weekend, Nebraska was stripped of its membership in the Association of American Universities, which was a key component in its admission to the Big Ten over the summer. Here's how it happened.
• Running back Bryce Brown's debut at K-State on Saturday was the opposite of his career and recruitment at Tennessee, writes Austin Meek of the Topeka Capital-Journal.

The NFL draft has come and gone, and I hope you're all prepared for no more NFL anything for awhile. I know I'm not.

Anyway, here's how the Big 12 shook out over the weekend, with a few thoughts to follow.

First round (8)

• No. 2: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M (Denver)
• No. 7: Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri (San Francisco)
• No. 10: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri (Jacksonville)
• No. 17: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado (New England)
• No. 19: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska (New York Giants)
• No. 21: Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor (Cleveland)
• No. 23: Danny Watkins, OL, Baylor (Philadelphia)
• No. 27: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado (Baltimore)

Second round (2)

• No. 34: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas (Buffalo)
• No. 62: Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas State (Miami)

Third round (2)

• No. 71: DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma (Dallas)
• No. 95: Curtis Brown, CB, Texas (Pittsburgh)

Fourth round (6)

• No. 103: Sam Acho, DE, Texas (Arizona)
• No. 105: Roy Helu Jr., RB, Nebraska (Washington)
• No. 108: Quinton Carter, S, Oklahoma (Denver)
• No. 115: Kendall Hunter, RB, Oklahoma State (San Francisco)
• No. 118: Jalil Brown, CB, Colorado (Kansas City)
• No. 120: Alex Henery, K, Nebraska (Philadelphia)

Fifth round (3)

• No. 146: DeJon Gomes, S, Nebraska (Washington)
• No. 155: Niles Paul, WR, Nebraska (Washington)
• No. 164: Chykie Brown, CB, Texas (Baltimore)

Sixth round (1)

• No. 196: Keith Williams, OL, Nebraska (Pittsburgh)

Seventh round (8)

• No. 216: Mikail Baker, CB, Baylor (St. Louis)
• No. 227: Scotty McKnight, WR, Colorado (New York Jets)
• No. 229: Jonathan Nelson, DB, Oklahoma (St. Louis)
• No. 232: Baron Batch, RB, Texas Tech (Pittsburgh)
• No. 234: Andrew Gachkar, LB, Missouri (San Diego)
• No. 246: Jay Finley, RB, Baylor (Cincinnati)
• No. 247: Jeremy Beal, DE, Oklahoma (Denver)
• No. 248: Eric Hagg, S, Nebraska (Cleveland)

Here's how the Big 12 teams ranked in terms of total draftees:

1. Nebraska - 7
2. Baylor - 4
2. Colorado - 4
2. Oklahoma - 4
2. Texas - 4
6. Missouri - 3
7. Kansas State -1
7. Oklahoma State - 1
7. Texas A&M - 1
7. Texas Tech - 1
11. Iowa State - 0
11. Kansas - 0

And the major conferences (counting where players actually played):

SEC - 38
Pac-12 - 33
Big 12 - 30
Big Ten - 29
ACC - 35
Big East - 22

• Texas A&M had just one player drafted, but the Aggies will have plenty next year, including a handful of possible first-rounders. Cyrus Gray, Ryan Tannehill and Jeff Fuller could all go very early in 2012, depending on what happens between now and then.
[+] Enlarge
Matthew Emmons/US PresswireOklahoma defensive end Jeremy Beal was drafted in the seventh round by Denver.
• Interesting that Miller went 245 selections before the Big 12's Defensive Player of the Year, according to the media, Jeremy Beal. Also an interesting coincidence? The same team drafted both. I do think Beal will have a productive NFL career, and there's no denying what he did at Oklahoma, but the measurables were never quite there for Beal. What's not measurable? How difficult he is to block. That said, Miller was my vote for the Big 12's Defensive Player of the Year.
• Good to see some hard-working, perhaps under-respected guys get drafted. This was an important year for that, considering those left over won't be able to get into NFL minicamps until the lockout ends and won't be able to do anything to further their NFL careers besides work out on their own. I'll have a post later today on some of those snubs. There's no guarantee that late-drafted guys like Baron Batch, Scotty McKnight, Jay Finley or Eric Hagg will catch on in the the pros, but I'd be willing to guarantee they'll do everything in their power to maximize what opportunities they get.
• One of the most interesting selections? Mikail Baker. He wasn't invited to the combine, and played just one full season on defense at Baylor after working as a kick returner and a cornerback in 2009 before a season-ending knee injury. You don't see that kind of impressive athleticism at Baylor traditionally.
• Let the debate continue: Kendall Hunter vs. DeMarco Murray. Murray getting drafted 40-some spots earlier only intensified that discussion, if you ask me.
• Also, what's more impressive from Art Briles? That Baylor had four picks, the most in school history since 1996? Or that despite those four picks, Baylor's returning an even better team than last season, when it ended a 16-year bowl drought?
• Colorado's draft, meanwhile? Not exactly a ringing endorsement for Dan Hawkins' coaching job in Boulder.
• Alex Henery didn't win the Lou Groza Award, but his fourth-round selection makes him the earliest kicker draft pick since 2006. Will that end the state of Nebraska's blood feud against respectable OSU kicker Dan Bailey, who did win the Lou Groza Award? I doubt it. (Save your emails. For the 100th time, I agree, Nebraska fans. Henery > Bailey.)
• A few guys who went way lower than I thought they would. In order of my surprise level: Beal, Gabbert, Amukamara, Hagg, Hunter.
• A few guys who went way higher than I thought, in the same order: Aldon Smith, Batch, Gachkar, Baker.

Wednesday, we wrap up our series looking at the strongest and weakest position for each team in the Big 12 with the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Strongest position: Running back

Key returnees: Eric Stephens, Aaron Crawford, Ben McRoy, Harrison Jeffers

Key losses: Baron Batch

Analysis: The Red Raiders may not have any big-time gamebreakers at the position, but they are deep, deep, deep. And hey, maybe Stephens' 86-yard touchdown run in the TicketCity Bowl was a sign of things to come, despite having just one run longer than 30 yards the rest of the season.

Texas Tech has a good mix of size and speed with the platoon, and Crawford should get a good share of carries along with Stephens. The offense also added Ronnie Daniels this spring, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound true freshman who became a starter at fullback by the end of the spring. McRoy is a Floridian, 5-foot-9, 160-pound scatback whose elusiveness could earn him a few touches. Jeffers' bowling-ball tendencies at 5-foot-7, 200 pounds could do the same.

Coach Tommy Tuberville plans to use a few more two-back sets, and it's clear that doing so is a good use of the talent he has on the team. Texas Tech should be solid at quarterback, running back and the offensive line, but running back is the team's deepest position heading into 2011.

Weakest position: Secondary

Key returnees: Safeties Cody Davis, D.J. Johnson and Terrance Bullitt, cornerbacks Tre Porter, Jarvis Phillips, Derrick Mays

Key losses: CB LaRon Moore, S Franklin Mitchem

Analysis: Texas Tech has plenty of potential at the position heading into 2011, but there's no doubt it was the biggest weakness for the Red Raiders in 2010. Under the direction of a new defensive coordinator specializing in stingy secondaries, can that change right away? Chad Glasgow brought his 4-2-5 from TCU, and Texas Tech hopes success will follow after ranking last in the Big 12 in pass defense by 18 yards a game. Those 293 yards per game ranked 118th nationally, better than just Rice and Tulsa.

Injuries forced Texas Tech to play young players that weren't quite ready, but that rushed experienced could pay off soon. Porter and Mays started as freshmen last season, and should begin their sophomore years at the top of the depth chart. The Red Raiders trio of safeties need to prove they're fast enough to slow Big 12 offenses. Davis and converted corner Johnson will handle the traditional safety spots, while Bullitt will play more of a nickel back role close to the line of scrimmage to help the pass rush or stop the run. Texas Tech's offense might not be as potent as it was in 2010, but the defense has to be way, way better, or the Red Raiders won't do much better than this past season's eight wins.

More spring superlatives:

• Baylor
• Iowa State
• Kansas
• Kansas State
• Missouri
• Oklahoma
• Oklahoma State
• Texas
• Texas A&M

• Texas A&M researched its relationship with Will Lyles after a report indicated the school was asked to pay $80,000 for Patrick Peterson's signature, but there was no financial past, and the school considers it "a non issue," reports Jimmy Burch of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Burch also has a few notes on Texas Tech's post-spring depth chart released on Thursday.
• Recent scandals like this have NCAA president Mark Emmert concerned.
• Oklahoma receiver Ryan Broyles is bulking up a bit, writes Jake Trotter of The Oklahoman.
• Former Texas Tech running back Baron Batch shares a pretty incredible story about the impact his writing has had on a man he encountered at the supermarket.
• Spring football is just beginning, and Turner Gill feels much more comfortable this time around, writes Matt Tait of the Lawrence Journal-World.
• Another Oklahoma player is carrying on the charity that Quinton Carter established at Oklahoma.
• Brian Fremeau at Football Outsiders used a formula to calculate the biggest and smallest home-field advantages in college football from 2003-10. The biggest home-field advantages from the Big 12? Baylor, Oklahoma and Texas A&M. The least? Texas.
• A rap song about the Sooners has made safety Tony Jefferson a YouTube star, writes Guerin Emig of the Tulsa World.

• Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert has a lot to prove and questions to answer at Missouri's pro day today, writes Don Banks of SI.com. Interesting note: Gabbert will be taking all his snaps from under center.
• Iowa State's website gives a look at the Cyclones' defensive line heading into spring practice.
• Texas Tech running back Baron Batch writes in his latest journal entry that getting what you want isn't always what's best.
• One of the top defensive recruits in Texas, who had previously been committed to Texas Tech, was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.
• Here's a self-admitted premature assessment of Iowa State entering the 2011 season.
• It's still being finalized, but construction on an indoor facility at Oklahoma State could begin as soon as late May, reports Brandon Chatmon of The Oklahoman.
• Want to know how KU's pro day went on Wednesday? Matt Tait at the Lawrence Journal-World has you covered.

You could have married him, Mom! Laura Linney could have played you in the HBO original movie, "Moon Wives"!

• Former Texas Tech running back Baron Batch was impressive in his pro day on Thursday, writes Don Williams of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
• Oklahoma made a small profit on its trip to the Fiesta Bowl, thanks to the Big 12's policy of absorbing the cost of unsold tickets, reports Desmond Conner of the Hartford Courant. The Big 12 took on over 1.8 million of the ticket losses, leaving Oklahoma to cover just $337K.
• Barry Sanders Jr., an Oklahoma City native and one of the top running backs in the 2012 class, is keeping his options open. That means Oklahoma State is still very much in the game, writes colleague Jamie Newberg.
• Oklahoma picked up the fourth commitment in its 2012 class on Thursday.
• Texas receiver Marquise Goodwin is trying to become a national champion tonight in the long jump, writes Randy Riggs of the Austin American-Statesman.
• Backup quarterback Jacob Karam is narrowing the gap between himself and starter Seth Doege, but the defense won the Red Raiders' third scrimmage on Thursday.

I never sleep on planes. I don't want to get incepted.

• Texas Tech hasn't announced its 2011 schedule yet because an early-season Big 12 game still is in flux, reports Don Williams of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
• A handful of Oklahoma players will be making jersey number switches in 2011, reports Jake Trotter of The Oklahoman.
• The number of duplicates--20 for the Sooners--is a pet peeve of The Oklahoman's Berry Tramel.
• Former Texas Tech running back Baron Batch offers his thoughts about his trip to the Super Bowl in his latest journal entry for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
• There's a contingency of fans questioning recent hires at Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, writes Dave Sittler of the Tulsa World.

Texas Tech Red Raiders

The class

Signees: 27 (four from junior college)

Top prospects: Kenny Williams and Bradley Marquez both ranked among the nation's top 30 running backs and Jace Amaro is one of the nation's top tight ends. Incoming quarterback Michael Brewer was the nation's No. 27 quarterback and could be a factor in the Red Raiders spring quarterback competition.

Needs met: Texas Tech has a lot of depth at running back, but Marquez and Williams could end up being two of the Red Raiders' best backs eventually. The Red Raiders are moving on without running back and longtime starter Baron Batch and also must replace departed receivers Detron Lewis and Lyle Leong. Derek Edwards and LaDarrin Roberts could fill that void in depth behind rising underclassmen, and junior college transfer Marcus Kennard could contribute quickly. Defensive end Cooper Washington switched to the Red Raiders from Oklahoma on signing day and could help provide some elite talent up front to instill the SEC-type defense Tommy Tuberville hopes to bring to Lubbock.

Analysis: Texas Tech is ecstatic with this class, and for good reason. It's one of the best in the Big 12 behind top-tier classes Texas and Oklahoma, and it's one of the best-ranked classes in school history. ESPN ranks it just outside the national top 25, and we could see some elite skill position players emerge from this unit. The big-time defensive signees will be coming in 2012, but for now, offensive coordinator Neal Brown has plenty more young players to help further establish his offense.

ESPN recruiting grade: B-minus