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We're moving on in our series on the Big 12 Blog pegging the single player each team in the Big 12 can't afford to lose. He's also the player that will be most responsible for the team's ultimate success.

STILLWATER, Okla. -- The similarities? Well, they're almost too uncanny.

A record-setting quarterback? Gone.

The best receiver in school history? Gone.

And that was in the spring of 2010.

Dez Bryant took a trek south after being drafted in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys. Zac Robinson took his ball and left for the NFL, too.

In the fall, Mike Gundy's Oklahoma State squad was picked to finish fifth out of six teams in something called the Big 12 South.

Instead, the Cowboys won 11 games for the first time, coming a defensive stop or two away from knocking off Oklahoma and playing for the Big 12 title, which also would have been unprecedented for the program.

There are more new faces in the spring of 2012. Could Oklahoma State overachieve again?

"I feel like it’s kind of the same. Gundy said that spring we were so good because we were scared," said sixth-year offensive lineman Jonathan Rush. "I wouldn’t exactly agree that we were scared, but I feel that urgency."

How could he not? Two-time All-Big 12 first-team quarterback Brandon Weeden is headed to the NFL. Two-time Biletnikoff Award winner Justin Blackmon is likely to hear his name called in the top 10 of tonight's first round of the NFL draft.

Oklahoma State's 23 victories in the past two years were the highest total of any two-year period in school history, and Weeden and Blackmon were the two biggest pieces of a team that captured the Cowboy's first Big 12 title.

"It’s real similar, except Weeden was an older guy. Weeden was 26 years old or however old he was back then," Gundy said.

Now, Oklahoma State is left to rely on three inexperienced quarterbacks without the minor league baseball experience that helped shape Weeden's even-tempered demeanor.

The similarities don't end at what's gone, either.

"We’ve got good running backs, good receivers and we’ll be as good on the offensive line as we’ve been," Gundy said.

All-American Kendall Hunter helped carry the 2010 team with a 1,500-yard season, the second of his career. In 2012, Joseph Randle is ready to carry the offense after rushing for 1,200 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2011. Jeremy Smith and Herschel Sims fill out the rest of the Pokes' deepest unit, which also features a fourth underrated, powerful runner in Desmond Roland.

"We’re further along on defense, because we recruited well the '09, '10, '11 and '12 seasons, so we’re further along athletically," Gundy said. "But offensively, it’s about the same."

Gundy is entering his eighth season in Stillwater this fall. In 2010, he credited a system that had been drilled into players for the surprising success. Knowing what was expected helped to soothe some of the growing pains new players would experience in a new system.

That's been drilled only deeper into this year's squad.

"They realize what they have to do personally. How to practice. They realize those things that are essential to be a good team. You have to work hard, show up on time. It’s not even so much a big thing," Rush said of the team's younger players. "They realize how essential little things are. Working hard, not quitting. Finishing."

Said receiver Isaiah Anderson: "I feel like we have a lot more leaders now than people know. It’s not just up to the seniors to lead. The young guys can step in and lead if they need to."

The biggest talents are gone. This year, OSU won't be picked near the bottom of the Big 12. Instead, it will be near the bottom of the top 25.

With the spotlight on teams above OSU, will 2012 be yet another Stillwater surprise for the Big 12?

"Be on the lookout, but they know we’re coming now," Anderson said. "We all know what it takes to get there and willing to do what it takes to get there again."

Time to continue our series breaking down each team's best and worst positions entering the 2012 season. Oklahoma State is up next.

More spring superlatives:

• Baylor
• Iowa State
• Kansas
• Kansas State
• Oklahoma

Strongest position: Running back

Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden threw the ball more than all but one quarterback (Case Keenum, Houston; Seth Doege, Texas Tech) in college football last year, but look for those pass-attempt numbers to dip a bit in 2011 for the Cowboys.

First, Weeden is gone. Second, Joseph Randle and Jeremy Smith have more than proved they're capable of producing big numbers. Look for the offense to lean on the junior duo next year a bit more as Oklahoma State breaks in a new quarterback, whoever wins the competition between Clint Chelf, J.W. Walsh and Wes Lunt.

The pass attempts may go down, but look for Randle's 1,216 yards (second in the Big 12 in 2011) to go up next season. He also ran for 24 touchdowns. Smith added 646 yards and nine touchdowns, and those numbers could go up, too. OSU won't suddenly shift to a completely different offense, but these two are going to make the QB transition much easier. Sophomore Herschel Sims should add even more depth after a strong freshman year with extremely limited touches.

Weakest position: Defensive line

Oklahoma State lost two great pass-rushers in Jamie Blatnick and Richetti Jones, who combined for 12 sacks last season and were first and second on the team. There are no elite pass-rushers or players with a ton of potential waiting in the wings. Getting a pass rush will have to be up to some crafty blitz packages. Cooper Bassett and Ryan Robinson, both seniors, will get the first crack at replacing Blatnick and Jones, but it's tough to see the duo coming close to what its predecessors did.

Inside, defensive tackle was a weakness for OSU last year, and Nigel Nicholas returns, but he's moved to defensive end. Power rushing attacks like Texas A&M, Stanford and Texas gave Oklahoma State tons of trouble last year. Anthony Rogers and Davidell Collins begin the spring as starters, but James Castleman and Christian Littlehead should be major contributors, too. We'll see if juco transfer Calvin Barnett can make an impact in a much-needed position.

We're continuing our look at the postseason rankings for each position in the Big 12. Here's a look back at where the running backs ranked in the preseason.

In this position, unlike quarterback, depth is a major, major factor in these rankings.

1. Texas A&M

The Aggies had the two most talented backs, and despite injuries to both, proved it through an otherwise frustrating 2011. Christine Michael suffered a torn ACL, but still managed 899 yards on just 149 carries. Cyrus Gray injured his shoulder late in the season, but secured his second consecutive 1,000-yard season and ranked third in the Big 12, despite carrying the ball just 198 times. This duo should have easily surpassed 1,000 yards, but even when they were injured, Ben Malena played well in the final two games.

2. Missouri

Mizzou dealt with injuries, too, first to Kendial Lawrence and De'Vion Moore. Cue Henry Josey. Josey became the best back in the Big 12 this year before suffering a major knee injury that included torn ligaments. He may not be back in 2012. His 1,168 yards were third most in the Big 12, despite carrying the ball just 145 times. Lawrence finished 12th with 566 yards.

3. Oklahoma State

Joseph Randle stole the show this year, rushing for 24 scores and ranking second in the Big 12 with 1,216 yards. Only Collin Klein ran for more touchdowns and Terrance Ganaway was the only player with more yardage. Still, Jeremy Smith had averaged more than 7 yards a carry, and he'd be able to start for anyone else in the league. Herschel Sims showed promise, too, with 242 yards on 31 carries.

4. Baylor

Ganaway led the Big 12 in rushing with huge performances late in the season, including a 200-yard, five-touchdown game in his final outing as a college athlete in the Alamo Bowl. He averaged more than 6 yards on his 250 carries and had 330 more yards than any other back in the league. Jarred Salubi added 331 yards, too.

5. Texas

Texas' Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron were banged-up late in the season, but Fozzy Whittaker played well until suffering a torn ACL against Missouri, too. Scatback D.J. Monroe was effective in the passing game as well. Four running backs topped 300 yards and Brown led the team with 742 yards, despite missing three games and having his carries limited early in the season.

6. Oklahoma

Oklahoma got great contributions from walk-on Dominique Whaley early on, and he proved to be the team's most effective runner and best runner between the tackles. He fractured his ankle in midseason, and finished with just 627 yards to lead the team. Roy Finch emerged late in the seasons after a quiet first half and added 605 yards.

7. Kansas

KU's James Sims led the team in rushing again with 727 yards. Darrian Miller was excellent, too, with 559 yards, though he was dismissed after the season. Freshmen Tony Pierson and Brandon Bourbon have plenty of promise, both averaging more than 5.5 yards a carry in 2011. The bad news: All their carries were limited by an awful defense that limited KU's chances to run the ball.

8. Kansas State

K-State's rushing attack centered around Klein, but John Hubert, a slippery back from Waco, Texas, had a good year. Hubert was seventh in the Big 12 with 970 yards. Bryce Brown offered basically nothing to K-State, and beyond Klein and Hubert, the Wildcats were pretty thin. Additionally, without Klein, would Hubert have duplicated his success?

9. Texas Tech

An awful knee injury derailed Eric Stephens' likely 1,000-yard season, and the rest of Texas Tech's backfield got banged-up, too. Stephens will probably return in 2012 from his dislocated knee, and finished with 565 yards, 17th in the Big 12. Aaron Crawford and DeAndre Washington both topped 300 yards.

10. Iowa State

ISU lost Shontrelle Johnson for the season early on, but James White filled in well. He finished with 743 yards, which ranked ninth in the Big 12. Jeff Woody had 380 yards and provided quality carries late, including the game-winning touchdown against Oklahoma State.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Oklahoma State's running backs don't quite get the same recognition as the Cowboys dynamic duo in the passing game. Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon hooked up 224 times in two seasons.

This, despite the team's top three backs combining for a 2,000-yard season on the ground and scoring 34 touchdowns.

For Cowboys offensive coordinator Todd Monken, he's not exactly losing sleep over the idea that guys like Joseph Randle, Jeremy Smith and Herschel Sims get overlooked in an offense stocked with weapons.

"[They] should," Monken said. "We’re a throw first team and, like I’ve said before, we don’t dictate when we run it, [opponents] do."

Oklahoma State's offense throws the ball about 60 percent of the time, racking up 553 attempts and leading the Big 12 in pass offense. Throwing the ball is the Cowboys' identity, and Monken's embraced that, with one of the Big 12's top passers running his attack.

"The times we want to run it are short yardage and goal line formation. That’s when we have to run it," Monken said. "Other times, they will decide when we run it."

Randle particularly has embraced a productive but often under-appreciated role in the offense, earning a 1,000-yard season in his first year as a starter.

"We have to be able to run it to take the pressure off Brandon. You can’t just line up and say, ‘Ok, if there’s too many in the box, we’ll throw to the perimeter.’" Monken said. "You just can’t do that and put everything on him. He’s capable of doing it, but we’re not going to do that."

Thanks to the Cowboys; offensive line and backfield, OSU doesn't have to.

It's always fun to keep track of the ESPNU 150, the list of the nation's top recruits. Last year, we took a look back at what each had done before the 2011 season, and now, with a year under their belts, here's how the 2011 ESPNU 150 did in their first year on campus, courtesy of ESPN Recruiting.

Also, here's how the last few years of Big 12 ESPNU 150 recruits shaped up:

• Big 12 signees in the 2006 ESPNU 150
• Big 12 signees in the 2007 ESPNU 150
• Big 12 signees in the 2008 ESPNU 150
• Big 12 signees in the 2009 ESPNU 150
• Big 12 signees in the 2010 ESPNU 150

2011:

No. 7: Malcolm Brown, RB, Texas: Brown led the Longhorns in rushing with 707 yards despite playing in just nine games because of various injuries. Brown averaged 4.4 yards per carry and scored five touchdowns. Clearly, Brown showed he can be a go-to tailback at Texas, but he'll need to get bigger and stronger to withstand a full season in the Big 12. Knee and toe injuries affected his productivity late in the season.

No. 21: Quandre Diggs, CB, Texas: Diggs led the Longhorns in interceptions with three and tied for the team lead in passes defended with 16. He also had 43 tackles, including four for loss, and two forced fumbles. Diggs was the Longhorns' kick returner, with 17 returns for 324 yards, and returned 8 punts for 181 yards and a 22.6-yard average "You just keep adding more and more [to Diggs' responsibilities], and he seems to be handling it all," secondary coach Duane Akina told the Austin Statesman. "All of this is on top of him being a very productive defensive player in a very explosive offensive conference."

No. 31: Desmond Jackson, DT, Texas: Jackson was originally planning to redshirt in order to add some size to his 6-foot-1, 280-pound frame but ended up playing in all 11 games. Jackson had a big fall camp and was able to get into the rotation at tackle, although he was never able to crack the starting lineup. He finished the year with eight tackles and a sack and is expected to compete for a starting job next fall.

No. 35: Brandon Williams, RB, Oklahoma: Williams was able to graduate high school early and enrolled at OU in time for spring ball. His playing time increased each game this year and he finished the year with 46 carries for 219 yards, averaging almost 5 yards a carry. He had his breakout game against Iowa State, rushing 11 times for 80 yards.

No. 51: Trey Metoyer, WR, Oklahoma: Metoyer, who committed to Oklahoma, was declared academically ineligible for the 2011 season and played at Hargrave Military Academy this fall.

No. 55: Steve Edmond, LB, Texas: Playing in 10 games, Edmond was an ace on Texas' special teams. He made five tackles on the unit, which was fourth on the team. He also forced a fumble and had two tackles for loss this season for the Longhorns.

No. 64: Danzel Williams, ATH, Oklahoma: Ranked as an athlete, Williams is at Oklahoma playing running back, a position the Sooners have always stockpiled with talent. Fellow freshman back Brandon Williams did see some time this season for the Sooners, so Danzel Williams will be a little behind the eight ball, as the Sooners aren't scheduled to lose any of their backs going into next season.

No. 87: Josh Turner, ATH, Texas: Turner was recruited as an athlete, and he has found a home as a defensive back and special teams contributor. As a gunner, Turner has blocked a punt, which was returned for a touchdown, and has six tackles and a fumble recovery.

No. 93: Sedrick Flowers, OL, Texas: Flowers has played in three games for the Longhorns, and he is expected to compete for a starting job next season. It won't be easy, though, as Texas will lose only three of its 18 linemen to graduation at the end of the year.

No. 101: Nathan Hughes, DE, Oklahoma: Hughes redshirted for the Sooners.

No. 103: Jordan Wade, DT, Oklahoma: Wade was academically cleared in October and will be in Norman, Okla., in January.

No. 119: Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma: Phillips, who wasn't cleared to play until just before the start of the season, redshirted this year.

No. 124: Herschel Sims, RB, Oklahoma State: Sims played in eight games, and finished as the Cowboys' third-leading rusher with 242 yards and two touchdowns. He was also a standout on special teams.

No. 133: Leroy Scott, CB, Texas: Scott played in eight games, mostly special teams, and had 10 tackles and a blocked punt.

Time for the story of the Big 12 this week, as told by calculators.

50.1: Points scored on average by Oklahoma State.

49: Points scored on average by Oklahoma State in conference play.

68: Tackles in six conference games by Kansas linebacker Steven Johnson, 14 more than any player in the Big 12.

117.3: Opponent pass-efficiency rating in conference play for Oklahoma State, the best mark in the Big 12.

156.7: Opponent pass-efficiency rating in conference play for Kansas State, the worst mark in the Big 12.

2,253: Passing yards given up in six conference games by Kansas State, 345 more than any Big 12 team.

2: Kickoff returns each for touchdowns by Kansas State's Tyler Lockett and Texas' Fozzy Whittaker in conference play.

1: Kickoff returns for touchdowns by the rest of the Big 12 in conference play. (Justin Gilbert)

0: Number of Big 12 players with one kickoff returned for a touchdown this season. Gilbert, Whittaker and Lockett all have two.

2: Field goals missed by Texas A&M kicker Randy Bullock last week in a loss to Oklahoma.

1: Field goals missed by Bullock in his first eight games.

49.4: Fewer yards per game given up by Texas (310.8) than any Big 12 team. The Longhorns have led the Big 12 in total defense in each of the past four seasons.

24: Difference in turnovers gained between Oklahoma State (31) and Texas A&M (7). Both began the season in the top 10. OSU is undefeated and ranked No. 2. Texas A&M is unranked and has four losses.

1: Big 12 team that has converted fewer than 50 percent of its fourth-down attempts. Texas A&M is 1-of-6.

44: Plays longer than 10 yards for OSU receiver Justin Blackmon. Only Missouri's Henry Josey (47) has more among Big 12 players.

2: Plays longer than 80 yards this year, both runs by OSU's Herschel Sims and Baylor's Terrance Ganaway.

10: Plays longer than 80 yards for Big 12 teams in 2010.

1: Punt return longer than 40 yards in 2010. (E.J. Gaines, Missouri)

34: Runs longer than 10 yards for Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein. Only Josey (43) has more.

STILLWATER, Okla. -- Wednesday afternoon, Oklahoma State safety Markelle Martin and linebacker Shaun Lewis were trying to mind their own business, working out on their own time outside of scheduled team workouts.

They looked up ... and got fired up.

"No D in Stillwater" read the TV report while talking heads laid out the case that Martin and Lewis' unit could be the reason an Oklahoma State national title run ran off the rails.

Martin and Lewis relayed the analysis to their teammates.

"That fire was lit," Martin said. "And we shined."

Said Lewis: "You don't need a pep talk after that."

And for the Cowboys' defensive rebuttal?

"They said everything they needed to say out there on that field," Lewis said.

Just ask Baylor, a team Oklahoma State beat 59-24 on Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium. The Bears entered Saturday as the nation's No. 2 team in total offense and a squad scoring 44 points a game.

When the third quarter ended, Baylor trailed 49-3.

Five times in the first half, Baylor reached Oklahoma State territory. It didn't score, thanks to a goal-line stand on the opening drive, two interceptions, a turnover on downs and a missed field goal.

Coach Mike Gundy said he's "not sure" why his team is so good on its side of the field, but not all the time. Martin says it boils down to matchups.

"We do a good job of communicating, and at that point, we understand it's not so much space we're worried about, it's just 1-on-1, you versus the guy in front of you," he said. "Our guys have a lot of pride about themselves and we do a good job of staying sound and staying physical at that point."

Oklahoma State forced five turnovers from an offense that had turned it over just 10 times in six games before Saturday. The Cowboys won't cede their national lead in turnover margin at plus-19 after Saturday's win, but don't cry coincidence. It's too common to be crazy.

This same team forced 12 more turnovers than it committed in an 11-win season a year ago, too.

"They harp on it in practice; that's literally all you hear in practice," said quarterback Brandon Weeden, who threw for a casual, clean 274 yards and three touchdowns while his running backs rolled for 327 yards and five touchdowns on 27 carries. "Get the ball out! Get the ball out! That or, attack the football! Coach Gundy's done an unbelievable job of training our corners to go up and get it, to play the ball like a receiver. That's where it comes from. It's unbelievable."

Slowing the offensive wrecking ball that is Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III is unbelievable, too. Griffin somehow had never scored a rushing or passing touchdown against the Cowboys until a 72-yard fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Terrance Williams against Oklahoma State's second-team defense.

He'd thrown just two interceptions in Baylor's first six games. Oklahoma State picked him off twice Saturday.

"If he'd come out early, we wouldn't have to worry about [stopping him] for one more year," Gundy joked.

That touchdown cut Oklahoma State's lead to 56-17 and came after the Cowboys' third one-play touchdown drive of the game, an 81-yard run from reserve freshman running back Herschel Sims.

The touchdown was Griffin's only one of the day, despite entering Saturday's contest with 22 touchdown passes in six games.

Oklahoma State's raw defensive numbers aren't gorgeous. OSU's defense gave up 622 yards, including 446 through the air. But lots of them were late, and turnovers can change a likely win into a blowout in a flash.

"Statistically, on paper, we're not very good," Gundy said. "But productivity, scoring-wise, against teams we play? We're pretty good."

Baylor ran 14 plays inside Oklahoma State's 5-yard line. It didn't score until the very last one, when Oklahoma State led, 59-17.

The Cowboys are the only Big 12 team that hasn't given up 30 points this season, and with arguably the nation's top offense, that's plenty good enough to keep from waking up from this dream season in Stillwater.

"There'll be a day, hopefully not in the near future, when our offense will struggle, and we can't be doing what we're doing defensively," said defensive coordinator Bill Young.

When (if?) that day comes, is Oklahoma State up to the task?

Uh, well, it did come. The Cowboys scored just three points in the first half against Texas A&M this year, a team that averages just fewer than 40 points a game this year.

It didn't give up a second-half point until the Cowboys had already turned a 20-3 deficit into a 30-20 lead with just more than two minutes left in their 30-29 win.

Whether the defense is down big or backed up in its end zone, it's done what's necessary to keep the Cowboys undefeated. Saturday against Baylor was no different.

Doubt the Cowboys if you must, especially their defense. That's easy.

Beating them isn't.

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.

Yesterday, we offered a first look at the ESPNU 150 for 2012, but fans will have to wait eight months to see those players officially become future players, and over a year before any of them take the field.

But the wait will only be a couple of more months for the top recruits in the 2011 class. We took a brief look at this group on signing day to cap our review of the ESPNU 150's history, but a few have made headlines even since signing.

Since you won't have to wait long to see these guys, here's where each sits as they begin summer workouts at their respective campuses:

Texas (Seven signees)

• No. 7: Malcolm Brown, RB, Texas -- The incessant hype has increased the intrigue for Brown, but we'll see what kind of impact he can make when he joins the Longhorns this fall.
• No. 21: Quandre Diggs, CB, Texas -- Diggs, the younger brother of NFL corner Quentin Jammer, made a big impact this spring with his instincts, and it wouldn't surprise anyone if he opened 2011 as a starter.
• No. 31: Desmond Jackson, DT, Texas -- The Longhorns are well stocked on the defensive line, but Jackson joins the team this fall.
• No. 55: Steve Edmond, LB, Texas -- Edmond will have a chance to learn from two good ones this year: Keenan Robinson and Emmanuel Acho, both leaders on Texas' team.
• No. 87: Josh Turner, ATH, Texas -- One of the top players in Oklahoma, Turner kept his future position coach, Duane Akina, who came back to Texas after taking a job at Arizona this offseason.
• No. 93: Sedrick Flowers, OG, Texas -- Flowers, meanwhile, will have a new coach in Stacy Searels when he arrives to campus. The Longhorns' coaching shake-up cost them just one commit, OT Christian Westerman, an Arizona native who signed with Auburn.
• No. 133: Leroy Scott, CB, Texas -- Like Turner, Scott will try to become the next great at Texas, where Akina has turned the program into DBU.

Oklahoma (six signees)

• No. 35: Brandon Williams, RB, Oklahoma -- Williams was the nation's No. 5 running back, and turned heads after he enrolled early this spring. He's already a likely contributor in the Sooners' rotation, alongside Roy Finch and Brennan Clay.
• No. 51: Trey Metoyer, WR, Oklahoma -- Metoyer hasn't officially qualified yet, but could add more depth to Oklahoma's receiving corps, among the best in the nation.
• No. 64: Danzel Williams, ATH, Oklahoma -- Williams is expected to play running back when he starts camp this fall.
• No. 101: Nathan Hughes, DE, Oklahoma
• No. 103: Jordan Wade, DT, Oklahoma
• No. 119: Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma -- Hughes, Wade and Phillips should give Oklahoma some solid depth on the defensive line in the future.

Oklahoma State (one signee)

• No. 124: Herschel Sims, RB, Oklahoma State -- Sims was the Cowboys' lone ESPNU 150 signee, but he'll join a crowded backfield behind Jeremy Smith and Joseph Randle when he arrives this fall.

• Mack Brown did his job on the recruiting trail. Now, writes Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Stateman, it's time for his recruits to follow his lead.
• Is Malcolm Brown the guy to resurrect Texas' running game? Randy Riggs profiles the blue-chipper and tries to find out.
• Steve Sipple of the Lincoln Journal Star says Nebraska's signing day was awkward and uncomfortable, thanks to some unanswered questions.
• Oklahoma State's top recruit, Herschel Sims, shrugged off a late offer from national champion Auburn to stay with the Cowboys, reports Bill Haisten of the Tulsa World.
• Andrew Logue of the Des Moines Register checks in with Iowa State's possible immediate contributors from the 2011 class.
• What do we know about Colorado's first recruiting class under Jon Embree? Exactly nothing, writes Woody Paige of the Denver Post.
• Not excited about Missouri's 2011 class? The same was true about the Tigers' 2006 class, which ended up being full of underrated talent, writes Mike DeArmond of the Kansas City Star. DeArmond also reports that top recruit Sheldon Richardson is expected to arrive this summer.
• One of Oklahoma's top signees might already be switching positions, writes Jake Trotter of The Oklahoman.
• Embree is happy he was able to flip eight players to Colorado from other BCS-level schools, and every newcomer should compete for a job next season, reports Tom Kensler of the Denver Post.
• Nebraska lineman Ryne Reeves was finally able to realize his dream on Wednesday: Playing football for Nebraska, writes Nick Rubek of the Omaha World-Herald.
• Defensive line and quarterback are the two big spots Kansas State tried to improve this year, writes Kellis Robinett of the Kansas City Star.
• Kansas is chasing objective No. 1 with its new class: Speed, writes J.Brady McCollough of the Kansas City Star.
• Texas Tech's class was boosted by some late help up front, writes Don Williams of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
• Baylor's recruiting class is loaded in the trenches.
• Mike Sherman explains his recruiting philosophy to Robert Cessna of the Bryan-College Station Eagle.
• Signing day was quite a bit different this year than it was last year, writes Brandon Chatmon of The Oklahoman.

OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS

The class

Signees: 28 (four junior college, six enrolled early)

Top prospects: Running back Herschel Sims is the class' only ESPNU 150 commit, but quarterback J.W. Walsh and Sims are both in the top 10 nationally at their respective positions. Known best for offense, Oklahoma State also snagged Josh Stewart and Miketavious Jones, two top 20 cornerbacks, and linebacker Nico Ornelas, the nation's No. 16 outside linebacker.

Needs met: Sims could help contribute immediately at running back alongside rising sophomores Jeremy Smith and Joseph Randle to help replace Doak Walker Award finalist Kendall Hunter. Ashaad Mabry and James Castleman will help fill in on the defensive line for the Cowboys, who lost three starters up from from their 2010 team. The Cowboys added four athletes who could be very versatile and Travis Cross and Devin Davis could play in 2012 after the Cowboys lose four starters on the offensive line.

Analysis: Oklahoma State has to feel really good about this class. Skill position talents Walsh and Sims have been longtime commitments and provided very little drama down the stretch. Walsh is already on campus and in classes and could be a factor in replacing Brandon Weeden after 2011. An extra few practices this spring certainly help his chances. The Cowboys' class ranks No. 21 nationally and third in the Big 12, behind just Oklahoma and Texas. That's a good spot for the Cowboys, who proved they can hang with both teams on the field in 2010, and would like to beat both with consistency in the future. Ascending up the recruiting rankings is a good way to do it.

ESPN recruiting grade: B

We've taken a look the past few days at what's happened to the best recruits across the Big 12 the past four years. Here's a refresher:

• Big 12 signees in the 2006 ESPNU 150
• Big 12 signees in the 2007 ESPNU 150
• Big 12 signees in the 2008 ESPNU 150
• Big 12 signees in the 2009 ESPNU 150
• Big 12 signees in the 2010 ESPNU 150

And signing day has arrived, so here's who'll begin their career with plenty of hype and expectation next fall.

No. 7: Malcolm Brown, RB, Texas

No. 11: Aaron Green, RB, Nebraska

No. 21: Quandre Diggs, CB, Texas

No. 31: Desmond Jackson, DT, Texas

No. 35: Brandon Williams, RB, Oklahoma

No. 50: Jamal Turner, ATH, Nebraska (QB)

No. 51: Trey Metoyer, WR, Oklahoma

No. 55: Steve Edmond, LB, Texas

No. 64: Danzel Williams, ATH, Oklahoma

No. 87: Josh Turner, ATH, Texas

No. 93: Sedrick Flowers, OG, Texas

No. 101: Nathan Hughes, DE, Oklahoma

No. 103: Jordan Wade, DT, Oklahoma

No. 109: Charles Jackson, CB, Nebraska

No. 115: Bubba Starling, QB, Nebraska

No. 119: Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma

No. 124: Herschel Sims, RB, Oklahoma State

No. 133: Leroy Scott, CB, Texas

Nobody knows how any of these players' careers will play out, but as we've seen in the past, there might be some guys from this group who never see this field, and there might be a Heisman winner. Right now, you never know.

I learned quite a bit in going over the past five years in recruiting across the Big 12, so I'll have some thoughts and observations later this week from what I saw from the ESPNU 150 from 2006-11.

A few notes and nuggets from the offseason weekend that was:

Before Mack Brown began his coaching search that eventually required him to make six offseason hires, he met with the Texas Board of Regents to discuss coaching salaries. It sounds like they were, uh, receptive to what he had to say.

After a shocking and disappointing 5-7 season in 2010, Brown's assistants received hefty raises. Brown is expected to meet with the media in Austin later today for the first time since the season finale, a home loss to Texas A&M. Texas already sat comfortably at the top of the heap in assistant coaches' pay, and these latest raises only accentuate that. No one is making what defensive coordinator Will Muschamp made ($907,000) in 2010, but you definitely won't hear any complaints coming from the football facilities any time soon.

Here's a breakdown of last year and this year's salary among the coaching staff, courtesy of the Austin American-Statesman.

Defensive coordinator

• 2011: Manny Diaz - $625,000 (made $260,000 at Mississippi State in 2009)
• 2010: Will Muschamp - $907,000 (took Florida head coach job)

Offensive coordinator

• 2011: Bryan Harsin (will call plays) - $625,000 (made $259,520 at Boise State in 2009)
• 2011: Major Applewhite (also coaches running backs) - $500,00 (made 269,509 in 2010)
• 2010: Greg Davis - $477,084 (resigned after season)

Tight ends

• 2011: Bruce Chambers - $200,000
• 2010: Bruce Chambers - $187,039

Defensive ends

• 2011: Oscar Giles - $200,000
• 2010: Oscar Giles - $162,451

Defensive backs

• 2011: Jerry Gray - $425,000 (previous NFL salary unknown)
• 2010 Duane Akina - $318,509 (left for Arizona)

Offensive line

• 2011: Stacy Searels - $425,000 (made 301,200 at Georgia in 2010)
• 2010: Mac McWhorter - $292,759

Receivers

• 2011: Darrell Wyatt - $315,000 (made 250,000 at Kansas in 2010)
• 2010: Bobby Kennedy - 212,519 (took receivers coach job at Colorado)

Life as a Longhorn right now? Well, last season's struggles aside, it's clearly pretty good.

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Huskers find a new kicker

Nebraska will need a lot of new faces on special teams, after punter/kicker Alex Henery and kickoff specialist Adi Kunalic both exhausted their eligibility following the 2010 season.

The Huskers had a commit for their 2011 class, Niklas Sade, but he decommitted and pledged to North Carolina State last month.

The solution: Nebraska went after Mauro Bondi, a Boca Raton, Fla. native and (former) Wake Forest commit who has an impressive YouTube highlight reel and sounds ready to replace Henery.

"I definitely followed him, so I have to live up to that and maybe do even better," he told the Lincoln Journal Star.

Bondi gives Nebraska 18 commits for its 2011 class. ESPN.com ranks the Huskers' class No. 14 nationally.

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Cowboys' top commit 'solid'

One player who doesn't sound like he's decommitting or recommitting anywhere is ESPNU 150 member and running back Herschel Sims, Oklahoma State's top commit.

The Cowboys' running backs coach, Robert Gillespie, left Oklahoma State to join former offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen at West Virginia. Sims had reportedly been wavering earlier in the recruiting season, but took his official visit to Stillwater in January and his high school coach told the Tulsa World that Sims is solid with the Cowboys and ready to sign on Wednesday, adding that there isn't "any doubt about it."

Lectures about libertarianism really are best delivered while grilling in one's office.

• Aldon Smith says he's pretty happy with the results of his workout regimen preparing for the draft in his diary for Sporting News.
• Aaron Williams wrote an entry of his own, and says the competition from others has driven him to work harder.
• The Oklahoman caught up with Matt Green, Oklahoma State's new kicker.
• Colorado coach Jon Embree added another assistant to his staff.
• He also believes the kickers on his team might have been 'over kicked' and become 'leg weary' last year.
• Kansas State coach Bill Snyder hired his son, Sean Snyder, to coach Wildcats special teams. He'll also be the team's associate head coach and director of football operations.
• A former Oklahoma player told Jenni Carlson of The Oklahoman that recruiting wasn't always the dirty game it is today.
• She also has more with Cowboys' top commit Herschel Sims, who is more impressive off the field than on it, which isn't easy in his case.
• Oklahoma State booster Boone Pickens says he sympathizes with the Connecticut booster who demanded his $3 million be returned after the Huskies coaching search.
• Shame on Texas Tech for canceling its game against TCU, writes Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman.
• Jeff Legwold of the Denver Post catches up with Colorado's three likely NFL Draft picks.
• Nebraska is upping season ticket prices next season, but only by two dollars.