Big 12: Dominique Franks
Oklahoma lost both starting cornerbacks, Dominique Franks and Brian Jackson, from last year's team. Their replacements, Jonathan Nelson and Jamell Fleming, played in spots last year -- and safety Jonathan Nelson played extensively at safety late in the season.
Utah State quarterback Diondre Borel is taking advantage of both. Borel beat Hurst for a 31-yard score to Xavier Martin that brought the Aggies to within 31-24 late in the third quarter, putting Oklahoma squarely back on upset watch.
On the Aggies' previous drive, Borel toasted Nelson for a 42-yard strike to Dontel Watkins. You figured there would be some early struggles for Oklahoma's secondary, even though it returns both safeties from last year's team.
Few figured those struggles would be this bad. If the big plays don't stop, Oklahoma might be in trouble.
Utah State quarterback Diondre Borel is taking advantage of both. Borel beat Hurst for a 31-yard score to Xavier Martin that brought the Aggies to within 31-24 late in the third quarter, putting Oklahoma squarely back on upset watch.
On the Aggies' previous drive, Borel toasted Nelson for a 42-yard strike to Dontel Watkins. You figured there would be some early struggles for Oklahoma's secondary, even though it returns both safeties from last year's team.
Few figured those struggles would be this bad. If the big plays don't stop, Oklahoma might be in trouble.
The next in our series examining the stretch of games that will make or break each team's season.
Now at bat: The Sooners of Norman.
The stretch: vs. Florida State (Sept. 11), vs. Air Force (Sept. 18), at Cincinnati (Sept. 25) and Texas (Oct. 2)
The breakdown: Oklahoma's national championship campaign was derailed on the season's opening weekend in 2009. That won't happen this year when Utah State comes to Norman, but the Sooners' brutal nonconference schedule will have an opportunity to send them stumbling out of the top 10 before conference play arrives.
Oklahoma earned its second loss last year -- at Miami -- before conference play began.
In Week 2, Jimbo Fisher's offense will give Oklahoma a test. The Sooners are starting two new corners after sending Dominique Franks and Brian Jackson to the NFL, leaving sophomore Demontre Hurst and junior Jamell Fleming to step into key roles.
The Seminoles will be without Jarmon Fortson, who was kicked off the team this summer, but Christian Ponder still has Bert Reed to throw to, a 60-reception guy from a season ago. Defending Owen Field won't be easy. This game should be the toughest test in 2010 for the stadium's mystique.
The next week will be a test for the linebackers, who may here "Stay home!" a record number of times during the week in preparation for Air Force's option attack full of fake handoffs and misdirection. Oklahoma has a solid group in Travis Lewis, Ronnell Lewis and Tom Wort, but its depth suffered with the loss of Austin Box to a disc issue. True freshman Corey Nelson also might get a shot on the field. Defensive tackle Jamarkus McFarland could announce his presence proudly in that game by winning the battle up front, but he was behind Stacy McGee on the Sooners' latest depth chart. It's definitely an opportunity for a breakout game from either of them, especially if fellow tackle Adrian Taylor isn't back by then.
Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones has heard the criticisms of his play on the road all summer. Away from Owen Field, he threw just four touchdowns to seven interceptions, and he'll be on spot in this game, the Sooners' first on the road. Cincinnati lost its coach, quarterback and best receiver, but Zach Collaros played plenty in relief of Tony Pike in 2009. The Bearcats aren't ranked to begin the season, but they received the most votes of any unranked team in both preseason polls, and Big East blogger Brian Bennett pegs them second in the conference to start the season.
Which brings us to the date circled on Oklahoma's calendar every year. The Texas State Fair has quite a few new things on the menu this year: fried lemonade, fried beer and the oxymoronic Fried Frozen Margarita. But this isn't new: Texas and Oklahoma are good. With two great defenses, this could be another classic, and a few key throws could write the first chapter in the legacy of Jones or Garrett Gilbert. Folks have said it all offseason and I'll say it again: This should be low scoring and come down to a few key plays. The past two seasons Texas has made those plays and have won four of five. Oklahoma will be looking to change that.
The prediction: 3-1, with a loss to Texas
More Key stretches:
Now at bat: The Sooners of Norman.
The stretch: vs. Florida State (Sept. 11), vs. Air Force (Sept. 18), at Cincinnati (Sept. 25) and Texas (Oct. 2)
The breakdown: Oklahoma's national championship campaign was derailed on the season's opening weekend in 2009. That won't happen this year when Utah State comes to Norman, but the Sooners' brutal nonconference schedule will have an opportunity to send them stumbling out of the top 10 before conference play arrives.
Oklahoma earned its second loss last year -- at Miami -- before conference play began.
In Week 2, Jimbo Fisher's offense will give Oklahoma a test. The Sooners are starting two new corners after sending Dominique Franks and Brian Jackson to the NFL, leaving sophomore Demontre Hurst and junior Jamell Fleming to step into key roles.
The Seminoles will be without Jarmon Fortson, who was kicked off the team this summer, but Christian Ponder still has Bert Reed to throw to, a 60-reception guy from a season ago. Defending Owen Field won't be easy. This game should be the toughest test in 2010 for the stadium's mystique.
The next week will be a test for the linebackers, who may here "Stay home!" a record number of times during the week in preparation for Air Force's option attack full of fake handoffs and misdirection. Oklahoma has a solid group in Travis Lewis, Ronnell Lewis and Tom Wort, but its depth suffered with the loss of Austin Box to a disc issue. True freshman Corey Nelson also might get a shot on the field. Defensive tackle Jamarkus McFarland could announce his presence proudly in that game by winning the battle up front, but he was behind Stacy McGee on the Sooners' latest depth chart. It's definitely an opportunity for a breakout game from either of them, especially if fellow tackle Adrian Taylor isn't back by then.
Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones has heard the criticisms of his play on the road all summer. Away from Owen Field, he threw just four touchdowns to seven interceptions, and he'll be on spot in this game, the Sooners' first on the road. Cincinnati lost its coach, quarterback and best receiver, but Zach Collaros played plenty in relief of Tony Pike in 2009. The Bearcats aren't ranked to begin the season, but they received the most votes of any unranked team in both preseason polls, and Big East blogger Brian Bennett pegs them second in the conference to start the season.
Which brings us to the date circled on Oklahoma's calendar every year. The Texas State Fair has quite a few new things on the menu this year: fried lemonade, fried beer and the oxymoronic Fried Frozen Margarita. But this isn't new: Texas and Oklahoma are good. With two great defenses, this could be another classic, and a few key throws could write the first chapter in the legacy of Jones or Garrett Gilbert. Folks have said it all offseason and I'll say it again: This should be low scoring and come down to a few key plays. The past two seasons Texas has made those plays and have won four of five. Oklahoma will be looking to change that.
The prediction: 3-1, with a loss to Texas
More Key stretches:
Schedule: Practice starts today
What’s new: The cornerbacks. Brian Jackson and Dom Franks are gone, but they'll be replaced by some combination of Demontre Hurst, Jamell Fleming Gabe Lynn or incoming freshman Tony Jefferson.
Key battle: The two linebacking spots alongside Travis Lewis. Oklahoma has lots of talent on the defense's second line, but sophomore Ronnell Lewis and redshirt freshman Tom Wort will try to hold off the more experienced junior Austin Box and sophomores Daniel Franklin and Jaydan Bird for the starting spots.
New on the scene: Wide receiver Kenny Stills. The early-enrolling receiver made a splash in the spring and will try to to challenge Dejuan Miller as the No. 2 receiver opposite the conference's best, Ryan Broyles, in the Sooners offense.
Breaking out: Left tackle Donald Stephenson. The 6-foot-6, 285-pound junior sat out all of last season because of eligibility issues, but Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops raved about Stephenson throughout the spring and continued to do so at last week's media days. Stoops says he has comparable talent to last year's left tackle, Trent Williams, who was drafted fourth overall in the NFL Draft.
Don’t forget about: Quinton Carter. One of the conference's hardest hitters, Carter will return for another year patrolling the secondary at free safety. Jonathan Nelson, Marcus Trice and last year's starter Sam Proctor give the Sooners great depth on the defense's back line.
All eyes on: The sidelines. Oklahoma's star power spent most of the season there last season with Heisman winner Sam Bradford and All-American tight end Jermaine Gresham forced to watch. Common sense says it can't happen again, but any more serious, impactful injuries would be increasingly frustrating for Oklahoma.
Quoting: "I really believe, going through a year ago, losing the number of seniors that we did, that we gained experience that you didn't want at the time. That will definitely give us -- make us a better and stronger team coming into this year. More experienced team maybe than we would have been." -- Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops
What’s new: The cornerbacks. Brian Jackson and Dom Franks are gone, but they'll be replaced by some combination of Demontre Hurst, Jamell Fleming Gabe Lynn or incoming freshman Tony Jefferson.
Key battle: The two linebacking spots alongside Travis Lewis. Oklahoma has lots of talent on the defense's second line, but sophomore Ronnell Lewis and redshirt freshman Tom Wort will try to hold off the more experienced junior Austin Box and sophomores Daniel Franklin and Jaydan Bird for the starting spots.
New on the scene: Wide receiver Kenny Stills. The early-enrolling receiver made a splash in the spring and will try to to challenge Dejuan Miller as the No. 2 receiver opposite the conference's best, Ryan Broyles, in the Sooners offense.
Breaking out: Left tackle Donald Stephenson. The 6-foot-6, 285-pound junior sat out all of last season because of eligibility issues, but Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops raved about Stephenson throughout the spring and continued to do so at last week's media days. Stoops says he has comparable talent to last year's left tackle, Trent Williams, who was drafted fourth overall in the NFL Draft.
Don’t forget about: Quinton Carter. One of the conference's hardest hitters, Carter will return for another year patrolling the secondary at free safety. Jonathan Nelson, Marcus Trice and last year's starter Sam Proctor give the Sooners great depth on the defense's back line.
All eyes on: The sidelines. Oklahoma's star power spent most of the season there last season with Heisman winner Sam Bradford and All-American tight end Jermaine Gresham forced to watch. Common sense says it can't happen again, but any more serious, impactful injuries would be increasingly frustrating for Oklahoma.
Quoting: "I really believe, going through a year ago, losing the number of seniors that we did, that we gained experience that you didn't want at the time. That will definitely give us -- make us a better and stronger team coming into this year. More experienced team maybe than we would have been." -- Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops
Here are three guys with relatively low profiles within the conference who you'll be hearing from in 2010:
Demontre Hurst, CB
Hurst emerged as one of the stars of the 2009 recruiting class and will step in to replace Oklahoma's two departed corners, Brian Jackson and Dominique Franks. Oklahoma's defense lost some talent from last year's unit, but Hurst is one of the reasons why they won't see a significant dropoff. Most of his 14 tackles came on special teams, but when Hurst was forced into action briefly against Texas because of an injury to Jackson, he sacked Colt McCoy for a 15-yard loss.
Tom Wort, LB
Wort was the gem of the 2009 recruiting class in last fall's camp, but missed the entire season with a torn ACL just before the season began. He returned this spring (with a Bosworth-like red Mohawk) and had a sack in the spring game. He'll be in the mix to start this fall in a talented Oklahoma linebacking corps with experienced star Travis Lewis, the versatile Austin Box and fellow up-and-comer Ronnell Lewis.
Dejuan Miller, WR
Oklahoma never found a true No. 2 option at receiver last season, but Miller became the closest thing to it with the most momentum at the end of the season, catching six passes for 84 yards against Stanford. Miller's size (6-foot-4, 224-pounds) is impressive, and could help him be more productive than his 36 catches for 434 yards and a touchdown this season. He should be pushed to hold on to that No. 2 option opposite Ryan Broyles by other receivers like Jaz Reynolds, Cameron Kenney and incoming freshmen Kenny Stills and Justin McCay.
More Fresh Faces:
Demontre Hurst, CB
Hurst emerged as one of the stars of the 2009 recruiting class and will step in to replace Oklahoma's two departed corners, Brian Jackson and Dominique Franks. Oklahoma's defense lost some talent from last year's unit, but Hurst is one of the reasons why they won't see a significant dropoff. Most of his 14 tackles came on special teams, but when Hurst was forced into action briefly against Texas because of an injury to Jackson, he sacked Colt McCoy for a 15-yard loss.
Tom Wort, LB
Wort was the gem of the 2009 recruiting class in last fall's camp, but missed the entire season with a torn ACL just before the season began. He returned this spring (with a Bosworth-like red Mohawk) and had a sack in the spring game. He'll be in the mix to start this fall in a talented Oklahoma linebacking corps with experienced star Travis Lewis, the versatile Austin Box and fellow up-and-comer Ronnell Lewis.
Dejuan Miller, WR
Oklahoma never found a true No. 2 option at receiver last season, but Miller became the closest thing to it with the most momentum at the end of the season, catching six passes for 84 yards against Stanford. Miller's size (6-foot-4, 224-pounds) is impressive, and could help him be more productive than his 36 catches for 434 yards and a touchdown this season. He should be pushed to hold on to that No. 2 option opposite Ryan Broyles by other receivers like Jaz Reynolds, Cameron Kenney and incoming freshmen Kenny Stills and Justin McCay.
More Fresh Faces:
I hope none of you stayed up all night to hear the Clippers will be allowed to make a presentation to LeBron.
- Nebraska chancellor Harvey Perlman would like the matter of Big 12 exit fees settled very soon, reports Steve Sipple of the Lincoln Journal Star.
- Colorado's schedule is easy enough to keep Dan Hawkins around, writes Woody Paige of the Denver Post.
- Dennis Dodd at CBSSports.com says be careful Big 12, Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri, the Big Ten Network is an anomaly, not an expectation.
- Nebraska's 13th commit of 2011 is kicker Niklas Sade from North Carolina.
- Guerin Emig at the Tulsa World mourns the loss of the Oklahoma-Nebraska rivalry.
- Tommy Tuberville should be fighting for the Big 12, writes Dave Sittler of the Tulsa World.
- Missouri's Sean Weatherspoon hosts a video from the NFL Rookie Symposium with cameos from Texas' Sergio Kindle, Oklahoma's Dom Franks and Trent Williams and Florida's Tim Tebow.
2009 overall record: 8-5
2009 conference record: 5-3
Returning starters: Offense (9), Defense(4) P/K (2)
Top returners: QB Landry Jones, RB DeMarco Murray, LB Travis Lewis, S Quinton Carter, WR Ryan Broyles, DE Jeremy Beal, DE Frank Alexander
Key losses: DT Gerald McCoy, OL Trent Williams, QB Sam Bradford, RB Chris Brown, DE Auston English, OL Brian Simmons, OL Brody Eldridge
2009 statistical leaders (*returners)
Rushing: Chris Brown (774 yards)
Passing: Landry Jones* (3,198 yards)
Receiving: Ryan Broyles* (1,120 yards)
Tackles: Travis Lewis* (108)
Sacks: Jeremy Beal* (11)
Interceptions: Brian Jackson (4)
Three spring answers
1. O-line no longer offensive. Coach Bob Stoops tabbed his offensive and defensive lines as two of the most improved units on the team, a big difference from a year ago when Stoops called out his offensive linemen for not working hard enough. Part of the problem last season was injuries, and right guard Eric Mensik was lost for six weeks with an MCL injury, but even without their three best blockers from a season ago, the line is further ahead as a unit than they were last spring.
2. Young talent rising. Plenty of young players didn’t get on the field in 2009, for various reasons, whether it be injury, more experienced talent, or still being in high school. But linebackers Tom Wort and Ronnell Lewis, along with cornerback Demontre Hurst and receiver Kenny Stills could be big parts of Oklahoma’s 2010 team. Lewis will help replace one of the linebacker positions vacated by Ryan Reynolds and Keenan Clayon, but moved around in the spring. Wort is a likely starter as well after missing all of last season with a torn ACL. Hurst will help replace one of the corner positions vacated by Dominique Franks and Brian Jackson. And Stills could start for a receiving corps that struggled in 2009.
3. Lewis takes the reins. Oklahoma’s defense won’t be short on talent, headlined by defensive ends Jeremy Beal and Frank Alexander. But junior linebacker Travis Lewis, the team’s leading tackler as a sophomore, is ready to take over as the voice of the team, talking plenty of trash before the spring game and backing it up with his play, helping his team pitch a shutout. Gerald McCoy was the heart of the defense last season. This year, it’s Travis Lewis.
Three fall questions
1. Can the Sooners stay healthy? The theme for last season was injuries everywhere for the Sooners. Stoops says confidently he isn’t changing a thing, and it’s the right move. But it won’t stop fans—and maybe a couple of coaches—from cringing every time a player goes down awkwardly. Injuries turned the Sooners from a national title contender into an eight-win team a year ago, and another year of getting beat up could add to the frustration.
2. How much better will Landry Jones be? Jones played well when forced into action early by Sam Bradford’s injured shoulder. He played poorly in games against Texas and Nebraska, but finished the season with a career-high 418 yards and three touchdowns against Stanford. Jones is loaded with potential, and Stoops is optimistic at how Jones will look after a full spring and fall as starter.
3. Do the Sooners have a kicker? Jimmy Stevens lost his job to walk-on Patrick O’Hara late last season, but the two combined were just 1-of-8 from beyond 40 yards last season. A rainy spring game did little to settle the spring debate, and a couple misses on reasonable kicks by whoever wins the job in the fall could lead to another switch.
2009 conference record: 5-3
Returning starters: Offense (9), Defense(4) P/K (2)
Top returners: QB Landry Jones, RB DeMarco Murray, LB Travis Lewis, S Quinton Carter, WR Ryan Broyles, DE Jeremy Beal, DE Frank Alexander
Key losses: DT Gerald McCoy, OL Trent Williams, QB Sam Bradford, RB Chris Brown, DE Auston English, OL Brian Simmons, OL Brody Eldridge
2009 statistical leaders (*returners)
Rushing: Chris Brown (774 yards)
Passing: Landry Jones* (3,198 yards)
Receiving: Ryan Broyles* (1,120 yards)
Tackles: Travis Lewis* (108)
Sacks: Jeremy Beal* (11)
Interceptions: Brian Jackson (4)
Three spring answers
1. O-line no longer offensive. Coach Bob Stoops tabbed his offensive and defensive lines as two of the most improved units on the team, a big difference from a year ago when Stoops called out his offensive linemen for not working hard enough. Part of the problem last season was injuries, and right guard Eric Mensik was lost for six weeks with an MCL injury, but even without their three best blockers from a season ago, the line is further ahead as a unit than they were last spring.
2. Young talent rising. Plenty of young players didn’t get on the field in 2009, for various reasons, whether it be injury, more experienced talent, or still being in high school. But linebackers Tom Wort and Ronnell Lewis, along with cornerback Demontre Hurst and receiver Kenny Stills could be big parts of Oklahoma’s 2010 team. Lewis will help replace one of the linebacker positions vacated by Ryan Reynolds and Keenan Clayon, but moved around in the spring. Wort is a likely starter as well after missing all of last season with a torn ACL. Hurst will help replace one of the corner positions vacated by Dominique Franks and Brian Jackson. And Stills could start for a receiving corps that struggled in 2009.
3. Lewis takes the reins. Oklahoma’s defense won’t be short on talent, headlined by defensive ends Jeremy Beal and Frank Alexander. But junior linebacker Travis Lewis, the team’s leading tackler as a sophomore, is ready to take over as the voice of the team, talking plenty of trash before the spring game and backing it up with his play, helping his team pitch a shutout. Gerald McCoy was the heart of the defense last season. This year, it’s Travis Lewis.
Three fall questions
1. Can the Sooners stay healthy? The theme for last season was injuries everywhere for the Sooners. Stoops says confidently he isn’t changing a thing, and it’s the right move. But it won’t stop fans—and maybe a couple of coaches—from cringing every time a player goes down awkwardly. Injuries turned the Sooners from a national title contender into an eight-win team a year ago, and another year of getting beat up could add to the frustration.
2. How much better will Landry Jones be? Jones played well when forced into action early by Sam Bradford’s injured shoulder. He played poorly in games against Texas and Nebraska, but finished the season with a career-high 418 yards and three touchdowns against Stanford. Jones is loaded with potential, and Stoops is optimistic at how Jones will look after a full spring and fall as starter.
3. Do the Sooners have a kicker? Jimmy Stevens lost his job to walk-on Patrick O’Hara late last season, but the two combined were just 1-of-8 from beyond 40 yards last season. A rainy spring game did little to settle the spring debate, and a couple misses on reasonable kicks by whoever wins the job in the fall could lead to another switch.
The Big 12 had 30 players drafted over the weekend, fifth most among the major six conferences.
Here's a look at who went where when:
First round (9):
Second round (2):
Third round (3):
Fourth round (4):
Fifth round (6):
Sixth round (4):
Seventh round (2):
When you arrange those by team, Oklahoma comes out on top, with seven selections.
Here's a look at who went where when:
First round (9):
1. Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma (St. Louis)
2. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska (Detroit)
3. Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma (Tampa Bay)
4. Trent Williams, OL, Oklahoma (Washington)
6. Russell Okung, OL, Oklahoma State (Seattle)
14. Earl Thomas, DB, Texas (Seattle)
19. Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri (Atlanta)
21. Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma (Cincinnati)
24. Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State (Dallas)
Second round (2):
43. Sergio Kindle, DE, Texas (Baltimore)
44. Lamarr Houston, DT, Texas (Oakland)
Third round (3):
80. J.D. Walton, C, Baylor (Denver)
84. Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas (Cincinnati)
85. Colt McCoy, QB, Texas (Cleveland)
Fourth round (4):
110. Darrell Stuckey, FS, Kansas (San Diego)
115. Phillip Dillard, LB, Nebraska (New York Giants)
121. Keenan Clayton, LB, Oklahoma (Philadelphia)
131. Roddrick Muckelroy, LB, Texas (Cincinnati)
Fifth round (6):
135. Dominique Franks, CB, Oklahoma (Atlanta)
137. Perrish Cox, CB, Oklahoma State (Denver)
141. Joshua Moore, DB, Kansas State (Chicago)
160. Larry Asante, SS, Nebraska (Cleveland)
162. Brody Eldridge, TE, Oklahoma (Indianapolis)
165. Kerry Meier, WR, Kansas (Atlanta)
Sixth round (4):
191. Dezmon Briscoe, WR, Kansas (Cincinnati)
196. Jamar Wall, CB, Texas Tech (Dallas)
198. David Gettis, WR, Baylor (Carolina)
202. Jordan Pugh, DB, Texas A&M (Carolina)
Seventh round (2):
228. Reggie Stephens, OL, Iowa State (Cincinnati)
250. Zac Robinson, QB, Oklahoma State (New England)
When you arrange those by team, Oklahoma comes out on top, with seven selections.
1. Oklahoma (7)
2. Texas (6)
3. Oklahoma State (4)
T-4. Nebraska (3)
T-4. Kansas (3)
6. Baylor (2)
T-7. Iowa State (1)
T-7. Kansas State (1)
T-7. Missouri (1)
T-7. Texas Tech (1)
T-7. Texas A&M (1)
12. Colorado (0)
NORMAN, Okla. -- Gerald McCoy was measured at 6-foot-4 and 298 pounds, but participated only in brief position-specific drills. He said on Tuesday he'll wait to improve his underwhelming 23 reps on the 225-pound bench press until March 25, when former teammate Sam Bradford will show off his surgically reconstructed throwing shoulder for NFL scouts.
McCoy added that the low number surprised him because he began at 25 reps, before he started working out specifically for the combine.
"Everybody said it was just nerves," McCoy said. "Because you don't start training and then go down. You don't do that. Especially when you're seeing yourself increase every week."
McCoy said he'll take some time off from training before returning to Norman for pro day, part deux.
Also of note, cornerback Dominique Franks improved his 40-yard dash time to 4.47, significantly faster than his disappointing time at the combine. Fellow cornerback Brian Jackson showed off a 38-inch vertical jump, the best of the day.
Former teammates and likely first-round picks offensive lineman Trent Williams and tight end Jermaine Greshamn opted out of most of the drills on Tuesday. Williams improved his 20-yard shuttle time to 4.40, but neither tried to improve his 40 time. Gresham measured at 6-foot-5 3/8 and 259 pounds. Williams measured 6-foot-4 1/2 and 314 pounds.
A few other notes:
McCoy added that the low number surprised him because he began at 25 reps, before he started working out specifically for the combine.
"Everybody said it was just nerves," McCoy said. "Because you don't start training and then go down. You don't do that. Especially when you're seeing yourself increase every week."
McCoy said he'll take some time off from training before returning to Norman for pro day, part deux.
Also of note, cornerback Dominique Franks improved his 40-yard dash time to 4.47, significantly faster than his disappointing time at the combine. Fellow cornerback Brian Jackson showed off a 38-inch vertical jump, the best of the day.
Former teammates and likely first-round picks offensive lineman Trent Williams and tight end Jermaine Greshamn opted out of most of the drills on Tuesday. Williams improved his 20-yard shuttle time to 4.40, but neither tried to improve his 40 time. Gresham measured at 6-foot-5 3/8 and 259 pounds. Williams measured 6-foot-4 1/2 and 314 pounds.
A few other notes:
- St. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo, whose team holds the No. 1 pick in next month's draft, was in attendance. He had a lengthy conversation with Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops. Plenty of the conversation likely revolved around McCoy and Bradford, two players St. Louis could draft with the first pick.
- Lots of current and former Sooners came to Oklahoma's indoor facility for pro day. The Baltimore Ravens' Mark Clayton showed, as did fullback J.D. Runnels, who most last saw as a Bengal on the last season of the HBO show "Hard Knocks," which chronicles one NFL team's training camp each August. Current Sooners who were in attendance included quarterback Landry Jones, receiver Ryan Broyles and defensive end Jeremy Beal.
With spring practice set to begin soon -- Texas opens its camp on March 2 -- here’s a quick look at how I have the teams ranked heading into spring practice. In formulating my rankings, I took into account returning players, transfers, arriving freshmen and a teams’ schedules.
1. Texas (14 starters back: 6 offensive, 7 defensive, 1 special teams). Garrett Gilbert got a head start on replacing Colt McCoy with his considerable playing time in the national title game, an invaluable learning experience for a young player. The Longhorns return most of the defense that improved in its second season under Will Muschamp. The biggest chores will be for offensive coordinator Greg Davis, who has to boost running game production and find a replacement for record-breaking wide receiver Jordan Shipley.
2. Nebraska (18 starters back: 8 offensive, 8 defensive, 2 special teams). Bo Pelini has the Cornhuskers positioned for a potential top-10 preseason ranking. Most of the offensive weapons will be back from a unit that sputtered down the stretch before breaking out in the Holiday Bowl victory. Quarterback Zac Lee will miss some of spring practice as he recovers from postseason surgery. Cody Green and Kody Spano will get most of the work until Lee returns. Nebraska coaches think the defense can be better this season, even without the up-the-middle strength of Ndamukong Suh, Phillip Dillard, Larry Asante and Matt O’Hanlon.
3. Oklahoma (15 starters back: 9 offensive, 4 defensive, 2 special teams). The Sooners overcame a debilitating run of injuries last season to finish with a flourish, knocking Oklahoma State out of a BCS game and winning the Sun Bowl in their final two games. Landry Jones will be infinitely better in his second season as a starter and Ryan Broyles and DeMarco Murray may be the best one-two receiving/running back combination in the conference. Bob Stoops will be facing a big renovation on defense where key players like Gerald McCoy and Dominique Franks left early for the NFL draft. Look for Travis Lewis to be the key to a defense that will need to improve by the time Big 12 play begins if the Sooners are to have any hope of claiming a seventh Big 12 title this season.
4. Missouri (19 starters back: 9 offensive, 9 defensive, 1 special teams). The Tigers will miss Danario Alexander and linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, who were arguably the best players at their positions in the conference last season. But Blaine Gabbert is back for a second season as starting quarterback and some talented recruits are expected to emerge on defense. A key for the Tigers’ success will be a more productive running game and consistency from the offensive line. Improvement on both will be critical for coordinator David Yost during the spring.
5. Texas Tech (15 starters back: 7 offensive, 6 defensive, 2 special teams). New coach Tommy Tuberville immediately will have to sort through a potentially difficult decision at quarterback between Taylor Potts and fan favorite Steven Sheffield. New coordinator James Willis hopes to install a 3-4 defense that should be a haven for athletic linebackers. But the group’s success will hinge on replacing Jamar Wall at cornerback and finding some pass-rushing threats to replace Brandon Sharpe, Richard Jones and Daniel Howard along the front.
6. Texas A&M (19 starters back: 8 offensive, 9 defensive, 2 special teams). With Jerrod Johnson, Jeff Fuller, Uzoma Nwachukwu and Christine Michael back, the Aggies shouldn’t have trouble scoring points, although the line needs to do a better job of protecting Johnson. But the Aggies’ success will depend on the returning starters quickly taking to new coordinator Tim DeRuyter’s teachings. The group was blistered for at least 35 points in seven games last season and allowed at least 30 points in two other games. So needless to say that even with nine starters back, DeRuyter has his work cut out.
7. Kansas (16 starters back: 7 offensive, 7 defensive, 2 special teams). New coach Turner Gill inherits an uncertain quarterback situation, but has the framework for a strong running attack with all of his starting linemen back, along with Toben Opurum and heralded back Brandon Bourbon as running threats. The Jayhawks will need to fill in for the loss of Darrell Stuckey in the secondary, but new coordinator Carl Torbush should find the elements for a blitzing, attacking defense among the returnees. But the biggest reason the Jayhawks might be bound for a bowl game in Gill’s first season is swapping Texas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma for Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and Baylor in their cross-divisional schedule.
8. Iowa State (13 starters back: 8 offensive, 4 defensive, 1 special teams). Paul Rhoads returns most of the offensive weapons that led the Cyclones to the Insight Bowl, most notably quarterback Austen Arnaud and running back Alexander Robinson. But the team loses all of its starting linebackers; veteran coordinator Wally Burnham will be challenged to cobble together a serviceable unit. The Cyclones could actually be a better team in 2010 but post a worse record. A tougher schedule featuring nonconference games against Utah, Iowa and Northern Illinois and the addition of South Division powers Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech will make last season’s bowl trip much tougher to duplicate.
9. Oklahoma State (10 starters back: 4 offensive, 4 defensive, 2 special teams). The Cowboys must find replacements for key players like Zac Robinson, Keith Tosten, four offensive linemen (including Outland finalist Russell Okung) and six of their back seven on defense. New offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen finds an uncertain quarterback situation but will lean heavily on a healthy Kendall Hunter. A manageable nonconference schedule should have them in bowl contention, but this should be a step back from Mike Gundy’s last two teams.
10. Kansas State (15 starters back: 7 offensive, 6 defensive, 2 special teams). The Wildcats missed out on a bowl trip last season only because they scheduled two FCS teams, but they surprisingly challenged for the Big 12 North title up to their last game of the season. It might be tougher to do that this season, although Daniel Thomas will provide the foundation on offense. Carson Coffman has the inside track at quarterback, but keep an eye out for Oregon transfer Chris Harper at either that position or wide receiver. Players like Jeffrey Fitzgerald and John Houlik will be missed on defense, but all four starters are back in the secondary.
11. Colorado (16 starters back: 8 offensive, 7 defensive, 1 special teams). Dan Hawkins’ seat is the hottest in the Big 12 and arguably in college football after missing a bowl for a second straight season last year. Tyler Hansen returns as the starting quarterback, but the Buffaloes need to find some help in the backfield with only three scholarship backs in spring practice. The defense was young last season and should be improved, but will miss the leadership provided by Jeff Smart and Cha’pelle Brown. A bowl trip likely will be necessary to save Hawkins’ job and a tough nonconference schedule featuring games at California and against Hawaii and Georgia will prove troublesome even before Big 12 play begins.
12. Baylor (14 starters back: 6 offensive, 6 defensive, 2 special teams). The Bears’ hopes of stopping the conference’s longest bowl drought will hinge largely on the health of Robert Griffin, who is recovering from knee surgery that forced him to miss the final nine games of the 2009 season. New offensive lineman “Big” Robert Griffin will have to protect his quarterback if coach Art Briles has any hope of making a bowl trip. Jay Finley and Kendall Wright are underrated offensive threats, but the Bears will miss key defensive leaders like Joe Pawelek and Jordan Lake who were stalwarts for several years.
1. Texas (14 starters back: 6 offensive, 7 defensive, 1 special teams). Garrett Gilbert got a head start on replacing Colt McCoy with his considerable playing time in the national title game, an invaluable learning experience for a young player. The Longhorns return most of the defense that improved in its second season under Will Muschamp. The biggest chores will be for offensive coordinator Greg Davis, who has to boost running game production and find a replacement for record-breaking wide receiver Jordan Shipley.
2. Nebraska (18 starters back: 8 offensive, 8 defensive, 2 special teams). Bo Pelini has the Cornhuskers positioned for a potential top-10 preseason ranking. Most of the offensive weapons will be back from a unit that sputtered down the stretch before breaking out in the Holiday Bowl victory. Quarterback Zac Lee will miss some of spring practice as he recovers from postseason surgery. Cody Green and Kody Spano will get most of the work until Lee returns. Nebraska coaches think the defense can be better this season, even without the up-the-middle strength of Ndamukong Suh, Phillip Dillard, Larry Asante and Matt O’Hanlon.
3. Oklahoma (15 starters back: 9 offensive, 4 defensive, 2 special teams). The Sooners overcame a debilitating run of injuries last season to finish with a flourish, knocking Oklahoma State out of a BCS game and winning the Sun Bowl in their final two games. Landry Jones will be infinitely better in his second season as a starter and Ryan Broyles and DeMarco Murray may be the best one-two receiving/running back combination in the conference. Bob Stoops will be facing a big renovation on defense where key players like Gerald McCoy and Dominique Franks left early for the NFL draft. Look for Travis Lewis to be the key to a defense that will need to improve by the time Big 12 play begins if the Sooners are to have any hope of claiming a seventh Big 12 title this season.
4. Missouri (19 starters back: 9 offensive, 9 defensive, 1 special teams). The Tigers will miss Danario Alexander and linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, who were arguably the best players at their positions in the conference last season. But Blaine Gabbert is back for a second season as starting quarterback and some talented recruits are expected to emerge on defense. A key for the Tigers’ success will be a more productive running game and consistency from the offensive line. Improvement on both will be critical for coordinator David Yost during the spring.
5. Texas Tech (15 starters back: 7 offensive, 6 defensive, 2 special teams). New coach Tommy Tuberville immediately will have to sort through a potentially difficult decision at quarterback between Taylor Potts and fan favorite Steven Sheffield. New coordinator James Willis hopes to install a 3-4 defense that should be a haven for athletic linebackers. But the group’s success will hinge on replacing Jamar Wall at cornerback and finding some pass-rushing threats to replace Brandon Sharpe, Richard Jones and Daniel Howard along the front.
6. Texas A&M (19 starters back: 8 offensive, 9 defensive, 2 special teams). With Jerrod Johnson, Jeff Fuller, Uzoma Nwachukwu and Christine Michael back, the Aggies shouldn’t have trouble scoring points, although the line needs to do a better job of protecting Johnson. But the Aggies’ success will depend on the returning starters quickly taking to new coordinator Tim DeRuyter’s teachings. The group was blistered for at least 35 points in seven games last season and allowed at least 30 points in two other games. So needless to say that even with nine starters back, DeRuyter has his work cut out.
7. Kansas (16 starters back: 7 offensive, 7 defensive, 2 special teams). New coach Turner Gill inherits an uncertain quarterback situation, but has the framework for a strong running attack with all of his starting linemen back, along with Toben Opurum and heralded back Brandon Bourbon as running threats. The Jayhawks will need to fill in for the loss of Darrell Stuckey in the secondary, but new coordinator Carl Torbush should find the elements for a blitzing, attacking defense among the returnees. But the biggest reason the Jayhawks might be bound for a bowl game in Gill’s first season is swapping Texas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma for Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and Baylor in their cross-divisional schedule.
8. Iowa State (13 starters back: 8 offensive, 4 defensive, 1 special teams). Paul Rhoads returns most of the offensive weapons that led the Cyclones to the Insight Bowl, most notably quarterback Austen Arnaud and running back Alexander Robinson. But the team loses all of its starting linebackers; veteran coordinator Wally Burnham will be challenged to cobble together a serviceable unit. The Cyclones could actually be a better team in 2010 but post a worse record. A tougher schedule featuring nonconference games against Utah, Iowa and Northern Illinois and the addition of South Division powers Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech will make last season’s bowl trip much tougher to duplicate.
9. Oklahoma State (10 starters back: 4 offensive, 4 defensive, 2 special teams). The Cowboys must find replacements for key players like Zac Robinson, Keith Tosten, four offensive linemen (including Outland finalist Russell Okung) and six of their back seven on defense. New offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen finds an uncertain quarterback situation but will lean heavily on a healthy Kendall Hunter. A manageable nonconference schedule should have them in bowl contention, but this should be a step back from Mike Gundy’s last two teams.
10. Kansas State (15 starters back: 7 offensive, 6 defensive, 2 special teams). The Wildcats missed out on a bowl trip last season only because they scheduled two FCS teams, but they surprisingly challenged for the Big 12 North title up to their last game of the season. It might be tougher to do that this season, although Daniel Thomas will provide the foundation on offense. Carson Coffman has the inside track at quarterback, but keep an eye out for Oregon transfer Chris Harper at either that position or wide receiver. Players like Jeffrey Fitzgerald and John Houlik will be missed on defense, but all four starters are back in the secondary.
11. Colorado (16 starters back: 8 offensive, 7 defensive, 1 special teams). Dan Hawkins’ seat is the hottest in the Big 12 and arguably in college football after missing a bowl for a second straight season last year. Tyler Hansen returns as the starting quarterback, but the Buffaloes need to find some help in the backfield with only three scholarship backs in spring practice. The defense was young last season and should be improved, but will miss the leadership provided by Jeff Smart and Cha’pelle Brown. A bowl trip likely will be necessary to save Hawkins’ job and a tough nonconference schedule featuring games at California and against Hawaii and Georgia will prove troublesome even before Big 12 play begins.
12. Baylor (14 starters back: 6 offensive, 6 defensive, 2 special teams). The Bears’ hopes of stopping the conference’s longest bowl drought will hinge largely on the health of Robert Griffin, who is recovering from knee surgery that forced him to miss the final nine games of the 2009 season. New offensive lineman “Big” Robert Griffin will have to protect his quarterback if coach Art Briles has any hope of making a bowl trip. Jay Finley and Kendall Wright are underrated offensive threats, but the Bears will miss key defensive leaders like Joe Pawelek and Jordan Lake who were stalwarts for several years.
NFL combine list dotted by Big 12 players
February, 3, 2010
2/03/10
8:08
AM ET
By Tim Griffin | ESPN.com
The NFL has released its final list of late additions to its annual pre-draft player combine, which will take place in Indianapolis from Feb. 24 to March 2.
The Big 12 is well represented on the list of invited players, with every team but Iowa State and Texas A&M having at least one representative.
Here's the final list. The late invitations, typically from underclassmen who declared for the draft, are listed in bold.
BAYLOR (2)
WR David Gettis
C J.D. Walton
COLORADO (1)
TE Riar Geer
KANSAS (3)
WR Dezmon Briscoe
WR Kerry Meier
S Darrell Stuckey
KANSAS STATE (3)
WR Brandon Banks
TE Jeron Mastrud
CB Joshua Moore
MISSOURI (4)
WR Danario Alexander
G Kurtis Gregory
WR Jared Perry
LB Sean Weatherspoon
NEBRASKA (4)
S Larry Asante
LB Phillip Dillard
C Jacob Hickman
DT Ndamukong Suh
OKLAHOMA (9)
QB Sam Bradford
RB Chris Brown
OLB Keenan Clayton
TE Brody Eldridge
CB Dominique Franks
TE Jermaine Gresham
CB Brian Jackson
DT Gerald McCoy
T Trent Williams
OKLAHOMA STATE (6)
S Lucien Antoine
WR Dez Bryant
CB Perrish Cox
T Russell Okung
QB Zac Robinson
RB Keith Toston
TEXAS (7)
DT Lamarr Houston
DE Sergio Kindle
QB Colt McCoy
LB Roddrick Muckelroy
WR Jordan Shipley
S Earl Thomas
T Adam Ulatoski
TEXAS TECH (2)
G Brandon Carter
CB Jamar Wall
The Big 12 is well represented on the list of invited players, with every team but Iowa State and Texas A&M having at least one representative.
Here's the final list. The late invitations, typically from underclassmen who declared for the draft, are listed in bold.
BAYLOR (2)
WR David Gettis
C J.D. Walton
COLORADO (1)
TE Riar Geer
KANSAS (3)
WR Dezmon Briscoe
WR Kerry Meier
S Darrell Stuckey
KANSAS STATE (3)
WR Brandon Banks
TE Jeron Mastrud
CB Joshua Moore
MISSOURI (4)
WR Danario Alexander
G Kurtis Gregory
WR Jared Perry
LB Sean Weatherspoon
NEBRASKA (4)
S Larry Asante
LB Phillip Dillard
C Jacob Hickman
DT Ndamukong Suh
OKLAHOMA (9)
QB Sam Bradford
RB Chris Brown
OLB Keenan Clayton
TE Brody Eldridge
CB Dominique Franks
TE Jermaine Gresham
CB Brian Jackson
DT Gerald McCoy
T Trent Williams
OKLAHOMA STATE (6)
S Lucien Antoine
WR Dez Bryant
CB Perrish Cox
T Russell Okung
QB Zac Robinson
RB Keith Toston
TEXAS (7)
DT Lamarr Houston
DE Sergio Kindle
QB Colt McCoy
LB Roddrick Muckelroy
WR Jordan Shipley
S Earl Thomas
T Adam Ulatoski
TEXAS TECH (2)
G Brandon Carter
CB Jamar Wall
Big 12 mailbag: Would Texas ever move to the Big Ten?
February, 2, 2010
2/02/10
8:06
PM ET
By Tim Griffin | ESPN.com
Happy day before National Signing Day.
I couldn’t jump into the recruiting hubbub, however, without taking care of some Tuesday afternoon correspondence.
Here goes.
Richard Sylvester from Houston writes: Tim, love your blog. Thanks for all of the diligent hard work you’re cranking out day after day. I read it every morning and throughout the day.
My question is whether you’ve been reading an excellent set of posts from Frank the Tank’s Slant about a potential move by Texas to the Big Ten. It lays out several well-researched reasons why the ultimate big fish out there – bigger than Missouri, bigger than Syracuse and way bigger than Notre Dame – is Texas.
Could you envision a scenario where the Longhorns would ever leave the Big 12 behind and jump to the Big Ten?
Tim Griffin; I have been reading Frank’s interesting posts on the subject. And he raises some interesting points about how much money the Longhorns could ultimately make by joining the Big Ten in one of his most recent missives.
Obviously, the Big Ten is one of the most tradition-rich conferences in the nation, if not the most. Adding Texas would give them, like Frank writes the ultimate free agent in terms of college sports.
Texas matches the research qualities that members of the Big Ten’s academia would demand when a new conference partner would be added.
And it would deliver a huge potential market for the fledgling Big Ten cable television network if the state of Texas would be added. Some estimates are that the population for the states in the Big 12 would account for more than 90 million people if Texas was added to the Big Ten.
It would also conservatively mean the Longhorns would make at least $10 million in new athletic revenue because of the new revenue sources the Big Ten’s whopping television network provides, compared with the Big 12's current deal.
But whether they would leave the traditional rivals from the Southwest Conference and the new ones from the Big 12 is debatable. The travel costs would be huge in all sports and the Longhorns would be jumping into a cauldron of potential new opponents like Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin and Iowa among others.
Texas would have to agree to a revenue sharing deal in place in the Big Ten that is different from the Big 12’s where the teams that appear in the most television games and make the most NCAA basketball tournament appearances earn more money.
And remember how the Texas Legislature became involved with news leaked that Texas was leaving for the Big 12 Conference. It basically paved the way for Baylor and Texas Tech to tag along with Texas and Texas A&M. It would be interesting to see what would happen if Texas announced it wanted to go to the Big Ten by itself.
The Big 12 has been good for Texas. Virtually every sports program is at a level where the Longhorns can legitimately contend for a national championship. It has an intriguing mix of local and regional rivals.
It makes for some fanciful thinking and has a lot of interesting points to think about Texas leaving the Big 12. But I just don’t see it happening – at least at this time -- because of so many obstacles that would exist in the move.
Meni of Manchester, N.H., writes: In regards to the link you had yesterday about the Oklahoma players who were likely first-round selections in the Class of 2011, the guy in College Football News listed Travis Lewis, DeMarco Murray, Quinton Carter and Dominique Franks on his list. I thought Franks declared for the NFL draft, didn’t he?
Tim Griffin: Meni, you are correct. Franks declared for the draft shortly before the deadline. Most draft analysts have him going in the third or fourth round. He’s a very determined player and I think his speed should help him make an NFL squad as a special-teams player, making him an intriguing sleeper pick.
Steve Sutton from Ozona, Texas, writes: Tim: Interesting story about players who exceeded recruiting expectations, showing how uncertain the recruiting process is. I was wondering if you might elaborate on some of the more celebrated misses during the time of your survey.
Tim Griffin: Steve, I hope I was able to showcase how inexact recruiting can actually be. But I think the player in the most celebrated Big 12 player in recent seasons who has failed to live up to expectations was Colorado running back Darrell Scott, who was the No. 2 running back in the nation in 2008 and had an 89 ranking by ESPNU. He played with the Buffaloes during his freshman season before leaving the team midway through the season in 2009. His next playing situation is unknown at this time.
Of course, the player ranked ahead of him at running back has been a bust as well. Jermie Calhoun of Oklahoma was the No. 1 running back in the 2008 class, but redshirted and then gained only 220 yards and scored a touchdown in his redshirt season. Calhoun had trouble getting a chance at playing time behind Chris Brown and DeMarco Murray last season. It will be interesting if he develops and gets more of a chance for a playing time in 2010 after Brown’s graduation.
Another player who hasn’t lived up to expectations has been Texas defensive end Eddie Jones, who had an 88 ranking and was the No. 2 defensive end in the nation in the 2006 class. He hasn’t started a game at Texas in his first three seasons, although he showed some flashes as a situational pass rusher with five sacks and seven tackles for losses in 2009.
Pete from Omaha, Neb., writes: Tim, great blog, I love reading every day. I noticed that ESPN Sports Nation did a poll that asked if recruiting or game planning was more important for a coach to succeed. The vote showed that most fans think recruiting is more important.
But I disagree.
Bill Callahan and Charlie Weis were great recruiters, but did they ultimately succeed? What about John Blake? Nope. Game planning is what wins. Take Pat Fitzgerald at Northwestern, Bo Pelini at Nebraska and Kirk Ferentz at Iowa. All of them are good recruiters, but they never attract top-five classes. Yet they have their programs at a consistent level. What’s your take on the issue?
Tim Griffin: Pete, you raise an interesting question. I think you ultimately have to have a combination of both, but I would lean to game planning as being just as important as recruiting in developing a contending program.
Like you mentioned, coaches like Pelini and Ferentz get good players, but they take them to high competitive levels thanks to their teaching and game planning.
The old recruiting adage has always described college football as “not being about the Xs and Os, but about the Jimmys and the Joes.”
But I think that’s changing as there’s more parity across the nation. When good coaches get good players, that’s when programs the foundations for really good programs start being built.
Cecil Wilson of Plano, Texas, writes: With recruiting coming to an end, I just noticed that Texas did not get a commitment from a tight end. Looking at the Longhorns’ roster, they have several, but I have not seen or heard of any of them, except for Blaine Irby. What do you think the Horns will do about this position in the upcoming season? With a new quarterback, either Garrett Gilbert or Case McCoy, they are going to need all the options they can have. Thank you for all your hard work. Hook 'Em.
Tim Griffin: The tight end hasn’t been a position of much relevancy for the Longhorns since Jermichael Finley left after the 2007 season. Irby was injured early in the 2008 season and didn’t play last season.
That left the Longhorns utilizing four-receiver sets in many occasions for many occasions. Greg Smith, a 260-pounder was the primary blocking tight end for most of the season. He was backed up by Ahmard Howard. Wide receiver Dan Buckner emerged at the flex tight end spot early in the season, but struggled getting the ball late in the season and has elected to transfer to Arizona.
The status of Irby is unknown at this time as he recovers from his injury. I look for D.J. Grant to have the best shot of emerging during spring practice. Grant was declared academically ineligible at the start of the season, but should be ready to go.
The tight end position will be of vital importance as Gilbert uses it for checkdown receptions. The question will be who will ultimately be catching passes from that position.
Thanks again for all of the good questions this week. I’ll check back again on Friday.
I couldn’t jump into the recruiting hubbub, however, without taking care of some Tuesday afternoon correspondence.
Here goes.
Richard Sylvester from Houston writes: Tim, love your blog. Thanks for all of the diligent hard work you’re cranking out day after day. I read it every morning and throughout the day.
My question is whether you’ve been reading an excellent set of posts from Frank the Tank’s Slant about a potential move by Texas to the Big Ten. It lays out several well-researched reasons why the ultimate big fish out there – bigger than Missouri, bigger than Syracuse and way bigger than Notre Dame – is Texas.
Could you envision a scenario where the Longhorns would ever leave the Big 12 behind and jump to the Big Ten?
Tim Griffin; I have been reading Frank’s interesting posts on the subject. And he raises some interesting points about how much money the Longhorns could ultimately make by joining the Big Ten in one of his most recent missives.
Obviously, the Big Ten is one of the most tradition-rich conferences in the nation, if not the most. Adding Texas would give them, like Frank writes the ultimate free agent in terms of college sports.
Texas matches the research qualities that members of the Big Ten’s academia would demand when a new conference partner would be added.
And it would deliver a huge potential market for the fledgling Big Ten cable television network if the state of Texas would be added. Some estimates are that the population for the states in the Big 12 would account for more than 90 million people if Texas was added to the Big Ten.
It would also conservatively mean the Longhorns would make at least $10 million in new athletic revenue because of the new revenue sources the Big Ten’s whopping television network provides, compared with the Big 12's current deal.
But whether they would leave the traditional rivals from the Southwest Conference and the new ones from the Big 12 is debatable. The travel costs would be huge in all sports and the Longhorns would be jumping into a cauldron of potential new opponents like Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin and Iowa among others.
Texas would have to agree to a revenue sharing deal in place in the Big Ten that is different from the Big 12’s where the teams that appear in the most television games and make the most NCAA basketball tournament appearances earn more money.
And remember how the Texas Legislature became involved with news leaked that Texas was leaving for the Big 12 Conference. It basically paved the way for Baylor and Texas Tech to tag along with Texas and Texas A&M. It would be interesting to see what would happen if Texas announced it wanted to go to the Big Ten by itself.
The Big 12 has been good for Texas. Virtually every sports program is at a level where the Longhorns can legitimately contend for a national championship. It has an intriguing mix of local and regional rivals.
It makes for some fanciful thinking and has a lot of interesting points to think about Texas leaving the Big 12. But I just don’t see it happening – at least at this time -- because of so many obstacles that would exist in the move.
Meni of Manchester, N.H., writes: In regards to the link you had yesterday about the Oklahoma players who were likely first-round selections in the Class of 2011, the guy in College Football News listed Travis Lewis, DeMarco Murray, Quinton Carter and Dominique Franks on his list. I thought Franks declared for the NFL draft, didn’t he?
Tim Griffin: Meni, you are correct. Franks declared for the draft shortly before the deadline. Most draft analysts have him going in the third or fourth round. He’s a very determined player and I think his speed should help him make an NFL squad as a special-teams player, making him an intriguing sleeper pick.
Steve Sutton from Ozona, Texas, writes: Tim: Interesting story about players who exceeded recruiting expectations, showing how uncertain the recruiting process is. I was wondering if you might elaborate on some of the more celebrated misses during the time of your survey.
Tim Griffin: Steve, I hope I was able to showcase how inexact recruiting can actually be. But I think the player in the most celebrated Big 12 player in recent seasons who has failed to live up to expectations was Colorado running back Darrell Scott, who was the No. 2 running back in the nation in 2008 and had an 89 ranking by ESPNU. He played with the Buffaloes during his freshman season before leaving the team midway through the season in 2009. His next playing situation is unknown at this time.
Of course, the player ranked ahead of him at running back has been a bust as well. Jermie Calhoun of Oklahoma was the No. 1 running back in the 2008 class, but redshirted and then gained only 220 yards and scored a touchdown in his redshirt season. Calhoun had trouble getting a chance at playing time behind Chris Brown and DeMarco Murray last season. It will be interesting if he develops and gets more of a chance for a playing time in 2010 after Brown’s graduation.
Another player who hasn’t lived up to expectations has been Texas defensive end Eddie Jones, who had an 88 ranking and was the No. 2 defensive end in the nation in the 2006 class. He hasn’t started a game at Texas in his first three seasons, although he showed some flashes as a situational pass rusher with five sacks and seven tackles for losses in 2009.
Pete from Omaha, Neb., writes: Tim, great blog, I love reading every day. I noticed that ESPN Sports Nation did a poll that asked if recruiting or game planning was more important for a coach to succeed. The vote showed that most fans think recruiting is more important.
But I disagree.
Bill Callahan and Charlie Weis were great recruiters, but did they ultimately succeed? What about John Blake? Nope. Game planning is what wins. Take Pat Fitzgerald at Northwestern, Bo Pelini at Nebraska and Kirk Ferentz at Iowa. All of them are good recruiters, but they never attract top-five classes. Yet they have their programs at a consistent level. What’s your take on the issue?
Tim Griffin: Pete, you raise an interesting question. I think you ultimately have to have a combination of both, but I would lean to game planning as being just as important as recruiting in developing a contending program.
Like you mentioned, coaches like Pelini and Ferentz get good players, but they take them to high competitive levels thanks to their teaching and game planning.
The old recruiting adage has always described college football as “not being about the Xs and Os, but about the Jimmys and the Joes.”
But I think that’s changing as there’s more parity across the nation. When good coaches get good players, that’s when programs the foundations for really good programs start being built.
Cecil Wilson of Plano, Texas, writes: With recruiting coming to an end, I just noticed that Texas did not get a commitment from a tight end. Looking at the Longhorns’ roster, they have several, but I have not seen or heard of any of them, except for Blaine Irby. What do you think the Horns will do about this position in the upcoming season? With a new quarterback, either Garrett Gilbert or Case McCoy, they are going to need all the options they can have. Thank you for all your hard work. Hook 'Em.
Tim Griffin: The tight end hasn’t been a position of much relevancy for the Longhorns since Jermichael Finley left after the 2007 season. Irby was injured early in the 2008 season and didn’t play last season.
That left the Longhorns utilizing four-receiver sets in many occasions for many occasions. Greg Smith, a 260-pounder was the primary blocking tight end for most of the season. He was backed up by Ahmard Howard. Wide receiver Dan Buckner emerged at the flex tight end spot early in the season, but struggled getting the ball late in the season and has elected to transfer to Arizona.
The status of Irby is unknown at this time as he recovers from his injury. I look for D.J. Grant to have the best shot of emerging during spring practice. Grant was declared academically ineligible at the start of the season, but should be ready to go.
The tight end position will be of vital importance as Gilbert uses it for checkdown receptions. The question will be who will ultimately be catching passes from that position.
Thanks again for all of the good questions this week. I’ll check back again on Friday.
All-Big 12 teams show recruiting hits and misses
February, 2, 2010
2/02/10
1:00
PM ET
By Tim Griffin | ESPN.com
As we all pore over the recruiting ratings of each school for the next few days, it's wise to take all of these rankings and ratings with a healthy grain of salt.
Recruiting is, always has been and always will be an inexact science. For every can't miss product, there are others who emerge out of nowhere to become standout players.
This trend was shown after I analyzed the first- and second-team All-Big 12 teams from the 2009 season and went back to check their original ESPNU grades. On some, the service hit. But on many others, it missed like Sean Weatherspoon and Danario Alexander.
Both had scores of 40 when they came out in their recruiting class. Weatherspoon weighed 195 pounds. Alexander was projected as a safety. And both put aside their dubious recruiting marks to develop into two of the best players in the country at their position over the course of their college career. I thought it was interesting to go back and look at the best players in the conference and see where they were ranked coming into college.
The ESPNU ratings database goes back only to 2006. That does not allow us to get ratings for players who took a redshirt year during their college careers. But it gives a pretty accurate picture about the crap shoot that college recruiting really is.
Here's a look at the Big 12's coaches' first and second teams for 2009. The positional rankings, typically listed second for most players, are national rankings.
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB: Colt McCoy, Texas: Class of 2005, no information available.
RB: Daniel Thomas, Kansas State: Junior college class of 2009.
RB: Keith Toston, Oklahoma State: 77 rating; ranked 44th among all safeties; ranked 73rd in state.
FB: Bryant Ward, Oklahoma State: Walk-on.
WR: Jordan Shipley, Texas: Class of 2004, no information available.
WR: Danario Alexander, Missouri: 40 rating (as safety), ranked 229th in state.
WR: Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas: 40 rating, ranked 363rd in state.
TE: Jeron Mastrud, Kansas State: 40 rating, ranked 13th in state.
OL: Russell Okung, Oklahoma State: 73 rating, ranked 61st among all tackles, 138th in state.
OL: Trent Williams, Oklahoma: 76 rating, ranked 22nd among all guards, 78th in state.
OL: Nick Stringer, Kansas State: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: Brandon Carter, Texas Tech: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: Nate Solder, Colorado: 40 rating (as tight end), ranked 48th in state.
PK: Grant Ressel, Missouri: Walk-on.
KR/PR: Brandon Banks, Kansas State: Junior college class of 2008.
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DL: Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska: Class of 2005, no information available.
DL: Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma: 89 rating, ranked 2nd among all defensive tackle, ranked first in state, ranked 21st in nation.
DL:Von Miller, Texas A&M: 77 rating, ranked 37th among all defensive ends, ranked 52nd in state.
DL: Brandon Sharpe, Texas Tech: Junior-college class of 2007.
DL: Jared Crick, Nebraska: 73 rating, ranked 86th among all defensive ends, ranked seventh in state.
LB: Jesse Smith, Iowa State: Class of 2005, no information available.
LB: Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri: 40 rating, ranked 294th in state.
LB: Travis Lewis, Oklahoma: 75 rating, ranked 86th among all running backs, ranked 96th in state.
DB: Earl Thomas, Texas: 71 rating, ranked 75th among all cornerbacks, ranked 170th in state.
DB: Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State: 77 rating, ranked 25th among all cornerbacks, ranked 57th in state.
DB: Dominique Franks, Oklahoma: 74 rating, ranked 53rd among all cornerbacks, ranked 15th in state.
DB: Prince Amukamara, Nebraska: 78 rating, ranked 31st among all running backs, ranked fifth in state.
DB: Larry Asante, Nebraska: Junior college class of 2007.
P: Derek Epperson, Baylor: 76 rating, ranked 15th among all kickers, ranked 87th in state.
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
QB: Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M: 79 rating, ranked first among all athletes, ranked 29th in state.
RB Roy Helu Jr., Nebraska: 73 rating, ranked 113th among all running backs, ranked 97th in state.
RB: DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma: 92 rating, ranked first among all running backs, ranked first in state, ranked sixth in nation.
FB: Jamie McCoy, Texas A&M: Class of 2005, no information available.
WR: Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma: 77 rating, ranked 58th among all wide receivers, ranked fourth in state.
WR: Kerry Meier, Kansas: Class of 2005 , no information available.
WR: Brandon Banks, Kansas State: Junior college class of 2008.
TE: Riar Geer, Colorado: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: J.D. Walton, Baylor: Class of 2005, no information available (transfer from Arizona State).
OL: Chris Hall, Texas: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: Kurtis Gregory, Missouri: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: Adam Ulatoski, Texas: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: Brody Eldridge, Oklahoma: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: Lee Grimes, Texas A&M: Class of 2005, no information available.
PK: Alex Henery, Nebraska: Walk-on.
KR/PR: Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State: 77 rating, ranked 25th among all cornerbacks, ranked 57th in state.
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
DL: Sergio Kindle, Texas: 92 rating, ranked first among all outside linebackers, ranked second in state, ranked seventh in nation.
DL: Lamarr Houston, Texas: 78 rating, ranked seventh among all fullbacks, ranked fourth in state.
DL: Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma: 80 rating, ranked 11th among all defensive ends, ranked 17th in state, ranked 137th nationally.
DL: Jaron Baston, Missouri: Class of 2005, no information available.
DL: Daniel Howard, Texas Tech: Junior college class of 2007
LB: Joe Pawelek, Baylor: Class of 2005, no information available.
LB: Roddrick Muckelroy, Texas: Class of 2005, no information available.
LB: Phillip Dillard, Nebraska: Class of 2005, no information available.
DB: Jamar Wall, Texas Tech: 72 rating, ranked 79th among all safeties, ranked 142nd in state.
DB: Quinton Carter, Oklahoma: 77 rating, ranked 39th among all safeties, ranked third in state.
DB: Brian Jackson, Oklahoma: Class of 2005, no information available.
DB: Jordan Lake, Baylor: Class of 2005, no information available.
DB: Cha’pelle Brown, Colorado: 40 rating, ranked 287th in state.
DB: Trent Hunter, Texas A&M: 68 rating, ranked 90th among all cornerbacks, ranked 250th in state.
P: Tress Way, Oklahoma: 78 rating, ranked sixth among all kickers, ranked sixth in state.
It's interesting to note that only four members of the two teams were ESPNU top 150 selections: Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy, DeMarco Murray and Jeremy Beal and Texas' Sergio Kindle.
Recruiting is, always has been and always will be an inexact science. For every can't miss product, there are others who emerge out of nowhere to become standout players.
This trend was shown after I analyzed the first- and second-team All-Big 12 teams from the 2009 season and went back to check their original ESPNU grades. On some, the service hit. But on many others, it missed like Sean Weatherspoon and Danario Alexander.
Both had scores of 40 when they came out in their recruiting class. Weatherspoon weighed 195 pounds. Alexander was projected as a safety. And both put aside their dubious recruiting marks to develop into two of the best players in the country at their position over the course of their college career. I thought it was interesting to go back and look at the best players in the conference and see where they were ranked coming into college.
The ESPNU ratings database goes back only to 2006. That does not allow us to get ratings for players who took a redshirt year during their college careers. But it gives a pretty accurate picture about the crap shoot that college recruiting really is.
Here's a look at the Big 12's coaches' first and second teams for 2009. The positional rankings, typically listed second for most players, are national rankings.
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB: Colt McCoy, Texas: Class of 2005, no information available.
RB: Daniel Thomas, Kansas State: Junior college class of 2009.
RB: Keith Toston, Oklahoma State: 77 rating; ranked 44th among all safeties; ranked 73rd in state.
FB: Bryant Ward, Oklahoma State: Walk-on.
WR: Jordan Shipley, Texas: Class of 2004, no information available.
WR: Danario Alexander, Missouri: 40 rating (as safety), ranked 229th in state.
WR: Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas: 40 rating, ranked 363rd in state.
TE: Jeron Mastrud, Kansas State: 40 rating, ranked 13th in state.
OL: Russell Okung, Oklahoma State: 73 rating, ranked 61st among all tackles, 138th in state.
OL: Trent Williams, Oklahoma: 76 rating, ranked 22nd among all guards, 78th in state.
OL: Nick Stringer, Kansas State: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: Brandon Carter, Texas Tech: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: Nate Solder, Colorado: 40 rating (as tight end), ranked 48th in state.
PK: Grant Ressel, Missouri: Walk-on.
KR/PR: Brandon Banks, Kansas State: Junior college class of 2008.
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DL: Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska: Class of 2005, no information available.
DL: Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma: 89 rating, ranked 2nd among all defensive tackle, ranked first in state, ranked 21st in nation.
DL:Von Miller, Texas A&M: 77 rating, ranked 37th among all defensive ends, ranked 52nd in state.
DL: Brandon Sharpe, Texas Tech: Junior-college class of 2007.
DL: Jared Crick, Nebraska: 73 rating, ranked 86th among all defensive ends, ranked seventh in state.
LB: Jesse Smith, Iowa State: Class of 2005, no information available.
LB: Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri: 40 rating, ranked 294th in state.
LB: Travis Lewis, Oklahoma: 75 rating, ranked 86th among all running backs, ranked 96th in state.
DB: Earl Thomas, Texas: 71 rating, ranked 75th among all cornerbacks, ranked 170th in state.
DB: Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State: 77 rating, ranked 25th among all cornerbacks, ranked 57th in state.
DB: Dominique Franks, Oklahoma: 74 rating, ranked 53rd among all cornerbacks, ranked 15th in state.
DB: Prince Amukamara, Nebraska: 78 rating, ranked 31st among all running backs, ranked fifth in state.
DB: Larry Asante, Nebraska: Junior college class of 2007.
P: Derek Epperson, Baylor: 76 rating, ranked 15th among all kickers, ranked 87th in state.
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
QB: Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M: 79 rating, ranked first among all athletes, ranked 29th in state.
RB Roy Helu Jr., Nebraska: 73 rating, ranked 113th among all running backs, ranked 97th in state.
RB: DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma: 92 rating, ranked first among all running backs, ranked first in state, ranked sixth in nation.
FB: Jamie McCoy, Texas A&M: Class of 2005, no information available.
WR: Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma: 77 rating, ranked 58th among all wide receivers, ranked fourth in state.
WR: Kerry Meier, Kansas: Class of 2005 , no information available.
WR: Brandon Banks, Kansas State: Junior college class of 2008.
TE: Riar Geer, Colorado: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: J.D. Walton, Baylor: Class of 2005, no information available (transfer from Arizona State).
OL: Chris Hall, Texas: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: Kurtis Gregory, Missouri: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: Adam Ulatoski, Texas: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: Brody Eldridge, Oklahoma: Class of 2005, no information available.
OL: Lee Grimes, Texas A&M: Class of 2005, no information available.
PK: Alex Henery, Nebraska: Walk-on.
KR/PR: Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State: 77 rating, ranked 25th among all cornerbacks, ranked 57th in state.
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
DL: Sergio Kindle, Texas: 92 rating, ranked first among all outside linebackers, ranked second in state, ranked seventh in nation.
DL: Lamarr Houston, Texas: 78 rating, ranked seventh among all fullbacks, ranked fourth in state.
DL: Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma: 80 rating, ranked 11th among all defensive ends, ranked 17th in state, ranked 137th nationally.
DL: Jaron Baston, Missouri: Class of 2005, no information available.
DL: Daniel Howard, Texas Tech: Junior college class of 2007
LB: Joe Pawelek, Baylor: Class of 2005, no information available.
LB: Roddrick Muckelroy, Texas: Class of 2005, no information available.
LB: Phillip Dillard, Nebraska: Class of 2005, no information available.
DB: Jamar Wall, Texas Tech: 72 rating, ranked 79th among all safeties, ranked 142nd in state.
DB: Quinton Carter, Oklahoma: 77 rating, ranked 39th among all safeties, ranked third in state.
DB: Brian Jackson, Oklahoma: Class of 2005, no information available.
DB: Jordan Lake, Baylor: Class of 2005, no information available.
DB: Cha’pelle Brown, Colorado: 40 rating, ranked 287th in state.
DB: Trent Hunter, Texas A&M: 68 rating, ranked 90th among all cornerbacks, ranked 250th in state.
P: Tress Way, Oklahoma: 78 rating, ranked sixth among all kickers, ranked sixth in state.
It's interesting to note that only four members of the two teams were ESPNU top 150 selections: Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy, DeMarco Murray and Jeremy Beal and Texas' Sergio Kindle.
Big 12 lunch links: Could Pitt be cutting Missouri off at the Big Ten pass?
February, 1, 2010
2/01/10
1:40
PM ET
By Tim Griffin | ESPN.com
It's cold and wet here in San Antonio today. Just a nasty day.
Perfect weather for some lunchtime links, if you ask me.
Enjoy them.
Perfect weather for some lunchtime links, if you ask me.
Enjoy them.
- Recent speculation from BenMaller.com linking Pittsburgh to the Big Ten is analyzed as to what it could mean to Missouri by the Kansas City Star’s Mike DeArmond. And the Oklahoman’s Berry Tramel opines that Missouri’s open flirtation with the Big Ten and the comments of Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon have made it the least popular member of the Big 12.
- The Austin American-Statesman’s Kirk Bohls reports that Texas and USC still are talking about future games for 2012-2014 and Jackson Jeffcoat’s fledgling college basketball career in his nine things and one crazy prediction for the week.
- With three key recruits apparently still in play in Owamagbe Odighizuwa, Corey Cooper and Brion Carnes, the Omaha World-Herald’s Mitch Sherman expects a signing day to remember for Nebraska.
- Top recruit Ahmad Dixon explains to the Waco Tribune-Herald’s John Werner why he picked Baylor’s scholarship offer over the nation’s other top football powers.
- Three players accepted scholarship offers from Colorado coach Dan Hawkins in a flurry of late activity on the final day that coaches were able to contact prospects, the Boulder Camera’s Kyle Ringo reports. That late run is coming as top prospects are leaving Colorado in droves this recruiting season, Ringo reports.
- Oklahoma players Travis Lewis, DeMarco Murray, Quinton Carter and Dominque Franks are the only Big 12 players listed on College Football News’ Pete Fiutak’s way-early 2011 first-round draft board.
- The Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s William Wilkerson explains what happens to top running back recruits after they end up at Texas.
- Samuel McKewon of the Nebraska State Paper.com lists five reasons he’s against an early signing day.
- Mack Brown at No. 5 was the only Big 12 coach to make the Orlando Sentinel’s Andrea Adelson’s list of top 10 college coaches.
- Jim Halley of USA Today reports that Texas closed Florida’s lead in the mythical recruiting championship with Friday’s commitments from Jeffcoat and Jordan Hicks.
- With signing day approaching, Oklahoma State is already working on its Class of 2011, the Oklahoman’s Brandon Chatmon reports.
Nine Big 12 players make PFW's first-team All-America squad
December, 21, 2009
12/21/09
6:18
PM ET
By Tim Griffin | ESPN.com
Nine Big 12 players were named to Pro Football Weekly's All-America team.
This group is a little different from most teams. The poll places premium on talent and draft ability as part of the selection process, along with having a strong season this year.
The Big 12's number matches the Southeastern Conference for most players on the team.
Here's a look at the Big 12's first-team selections on the All-America team.
QB: Colt McCoy, Texas
T: Russell Okung, Oklahoma State
T: Trent Williams, Oklahoma
DT: Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
DT: Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma
OLB: Sergio Kindle, Texas
OLB: Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri
S: Earl Thomas, Texas
KR: Brandon Banks, Kansas State
Players who received honorable mention included Texas A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson, Missouri wide receiver Danario Alexander, Oklahoma wide receiver Ryan Broyles, Texas wide receiver Jordan Shipley, Baylor center J.D. Walton, Nebraska defensive tackle Jared Crick, Texas defensive tackle Lamarr Houston, Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller, Oklahoma linebacker Travis Lewis, Nebraska linebacker Phillip Dillard, Oklahoma State cornerback Perrish Cox, Oklahoma cornerback Dominique Franks, Texas cornerback Curtis Brown, Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara, Nebraska safety Larry Asante and Missouri kicker Grant Ressel.
This group is a little different from most teams. The poll places premium on talent and draft ability as part of the selection process, along with having a strong season this year.
The Big 12's number matches the Southeastern Conference for most players on the team.
Here's a look at the Big 12's first-team selections on the All-America team.
QB: Colt McCoy, Texas
T: Russell Okung, Oklahoma State
T: Trent Williams, Oklahoma
DT: Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
DT: Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma
OLB: Sergio Kindle, Texas
OLB: Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri
S: Earl Thomas, Texas
KR: Brandon Banks, Kansas State
Players who received honorable mention included Texas A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson, Missouri wide receiver Danario Alexander, Oklahoma wide receiver Ryan Broyles, Texas wide receiver Jordan Shipley, Baylor center J.D. Walton, Nebraska defensive tackle Jared Crick, Texas defensive tackle Lamarr Houston, Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller, Oklahoma linebacker Travis Lewis, Nebraska linebacker Phillip Dillard, Oklahoma State cornerback Perrish Cox, Oklahoma cornerback Dominique Franks, Texas cornerback Curtis Brown, Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara, Nebraska safety Larry Asante and Missouri kicker Grant Ressel.
Brown, McCoy, Suh are major award winners
December, 1, 2009
12/01/09
4:13
PM ET
By Tim Griffin | ESPN.com
Texas coach Mack Brown, Texas quarterback Colt McCoy and Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh were announced today as the Big 12's coach of the year, offensive player of the year and defensive player of the year.
McCoy and Suh also were the only two unanimous first-team selections to the All-Big 12 team picked by coaches.
McCoy becomes the fourth Texas player to be selected as offensive player and the third Longhorn quarterback. Previous Texas selections included Ricky Williams (1997 and 1998), Major Applewhite (1999) and Vince Young (2005).
Suh becomes the second Nebraska defensive player to be honored, joining Grant Wistrom (1996 and 1997).
And Brown earns his second coach of the year honors after winning it in 2005.
One interesting note that shows the balance in the conference this season is that every team in the league was represented by at least one player on the first-team squad.
Coaches also announced their All-Big 12 teams. They were forbidden from voting for their own players.
Here's a list of the award winners, as selected by the league's coaches
Coach of the Year: Mack Brown, Texas
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Russell Okung, Oklahoma State
Defensive Lineman of the Year: Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
Offensive Freshman of the Year: Christine Michael, Texas A&M
Defensive Freshman of the Year: Aldon Smith, Missouri
Special Teams Player of the Year: Brandon Banks, Kansas State
Defensive Newcomer of the Year: David Sims, Iowa State
Offensive Newcomer of the Year: Daniel Thomas, Kansas State
Defensive Player of the Year: Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
Offensive Player of the Year: Colt McCoy, Texas
And here's a look at who the coaches chose for their first-team offensive and defensive units.
OFFENSE:
QB: Colt McCoy, Texas
RB: Daniel Thomas, Kansas State
RB: Keith Toston, Oklahoma State
FB: Bryant Ward, Oklahoma State
WR: Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas
WR: Jordan Shipley, Texas
WR: Danario Alexander, Missouri
TE: Jeron Mastrud, Kansas State
OL: Russell Okung, Oklahoma State *
OL: Trent Williams, Oklahoma *
OL: Nick Stringer, Kansas State
OL: Brandon Carter, Texas Tech
OL: Nate Solder, Colorado
K: Grant Ressel, Missouri
KR/PR: Brandon Banks, Kansas State
DEFENSE
DL: Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
DL: Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma *
DL: Von Miller, Texas A&M
DL: Brandon Sharpe, Texas Tech
DL: Jared Crick, Nebraska
LB: Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri *
LB: Jesse Smith, Iowa State
LB: Travis Lewis, Oklahoma
DB: Earl Thomas, Texas
DB: Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State
DB: Larry Asante, Nebraska
DB: Prince Amukamara, Nebraska
DB: Dominique Franks, Oklahoma
P: Derek Epperson, Baylor
Note: Bold notations are unanimous selections. Those selections with an asterisk are repeat choices from last season.
I was a little disappointed that the coaches can make a decision to pick a fullback as a specific positional choice and then not designate one of the picks specifically for a center. Every team in the league has a center. Not every team in the Big 12 has a true fullback that plays the majority of his snaps.
Also, it's an age-old pet peeve of mine that they don't break down the defensive choices into specific positions like ends, tackles, linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties.
Here's a link to the Big 12's web site for a complete listing of the first-team, second-team and honorable mention choices.
McCoy and Suh also were the only two unanimous first-team selections to the All-Big 12 team picked by coaches.
McCoy becomes the fourth Texas player to be selected as offensive player and the third Longhorn quarterback. Previous Texas selections included Ricky Williams (1997 and 1998), Major Applewhite (1999) and Vince Young (2005).
Suh becomes the second Nebraska defensive player to be honored, joining Grant Wistrom (1996 and 1997).
And Brown earns his second coach of the year honors after winning it in 2005.
One interesting note that shows the balance in the conference this season is that every team in the league was represented by at least one player on the first-team squad.
Coaches also announced their All-Big 12 teams. They were forbidden from voting for their own players.
Here's a list of the award winners, as selected by the league's coaches
Coach of the Year: Mack Brown, Texas
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Russell Okung, Oklahoma State
Defensive Lineman of the Year: Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
Offensive Freshman of the Year: Christine Michael, Texas A&M
Defensive Freshman of the Year: Aldon Smith, Missouri
Special Teams Player of the Year: Brandon Banks, Kansas State
Defensive Newcomer of the Year: David Sims, Iowa State
Offensive Newcomer of the Year: Daniel Thomas, Kansas State
Defensive Player of the Year: Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
Offensive Player of the Year: Colt McCoy, Texas
And here's a look at who the coaches chose for their first-team offensive and defensive units.
OFFENSE:
QB: Colt McCoy, Texas
RB: Daniel Thomas, Kansas State
RB: Keith Toston, Oklahoma State
FB: Bryant Ward, Oklahoma State
WR: Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas
WR: Jordan Shipley, Texas
WR: Danario Alexander, Missouri
TE: Jeron Mastrud, Kansas State
OL: Russell Okung, Oklahoma State *
OL: Trent Williams, Oklahoma *
OL: Nick Stringer, Kansas State
OL: Brandon Carter, Texas Tech
OL: Nate Solder, Colorado
K: Grant Ressel, Missouri
KR/PR: Brandon Banks, Kansas State
DEFENSE
DL: Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
DL: Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma *
DL: Von Miller, Texas A&M
DL: Brandon Sharpe, Texas Tech
DL: Jared Crick, Nebraska
LB: Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri *
LB: Jesse Smith, Iowa State
LB: Travis Lewis, Oklahoma
DB: Earl Thomas, Texas
DB: Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State
DB: Larry Asante, Nebraska
DB: Prince Amukamara, Nebraska
DB: Dominique Franks, Oklahoma
P: Derek Epperson, Baylor
Note: Bold notations are unanimous selections. Those selections with an asterisk are repeat choices from last season.
I was a little disappointed that the coaches can make a decision to pick a fullback as a specific positional choice and then not designate one of the picks specifically for a center. Every team in the league has a center. Not every team in the Big 12 has a true fullback that plays the majority of his snaps.
Also, it's an age-old pet peeve of mine that they don't break down the defensive choices into specific positions like ends, tackles, linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties.
Here's a link to the Big 12's web site for a complete listing of the first-team, second-team and honorable mention choices.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
David Ubben
Ubben joined ESPN.com in March 2010 after covering Big 12 football for two seasons at the Columbia Missourian and The Oklahoman. Ubben, a native of Springdale, Ark., lives in Dallas.
BIG 12 TEAM COVERAGE
RECRUITING NATION
Oklahoma: SoonerNation
Follow everything Oklahoma at SoonerNation: Oklahoma Sooners football, basketball, news, recruiting and more.
• SoonerNation | Blog | RecruitingNation
RECRUITING NATION
Texas: HornsNation
Follow everything Texas at HornsNation: Texas Longhorns football, basketball, news, recruiting and more.
• HornsNation | Blog | RecruitingNation
