ESPN College Football

Schedule: Oklahoma opens spring practice Monday at 4:40 p.m. ET and will play its spring game on April 16. The first 15 minutes of Monday's practice are open to the media, but the remainder of the practices until the spring game will be closed.

What’s new: Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson, responsible for the highest-scoring offense in college football history in 2008, took the head coaching job at Indiana. Replacing him for the Sooners are co-coordinators Josh Heupel and Jay Norvell. Heupel has been with the program since 2006 as the quarterbacks coach, and won a national title at OU in 2000. Wilson was with the team for its Fiesta Bowl win, but Heupel called the plays for the Sooners and will do so in 2011. Norvell has coached receivers at Oklahoma since 2008.

On the mend: Running back Roy Finch looks like the favorite to replace DeMarco Murray as Oklahoma's featured back, but surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot suffered during bowl practices will keep him out during the spring. Starting fullback Trey Millard is also out for spring practices after minor surgery.

On the move: Defensive back Aaron Colvin played some in spot duty as a true freshman in 2010, but opens the spring as the Sooners' starting strong safety. He was expected to replace last season's starting corner, Jamell Fleming, who is not enrolled and won't be back until the fall semester at the earliest after reported academic misconduct. The corner job went to Gabe Lynn, who enters the spring with little on-field experience.

New faces: Running back Brandon Williams enrolled early and will start the spring at No. 2 on the depth chart at running back. Quarterback Kendal Thompson is also in camp as an early enrollee alongside Marquis Anderson, a third signee from the 2011 class.

Breaking out: Nickel back Tony Jefferson. You could make the argument that he's already broken out as the co-Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2010, but he's hardly a household name across the country or even the conference. That could change fast for Jefferson, who looks like his sophomore year could mean dropping the "rising" from his status as a rising star.

Don’t forget about: Sophomore receiver Kenny Stills. His teammate Ryan Broyles gets all the headlines, but Stills showed plenty of potential in his first season on the field, giving Oklahoma a much-needed second option in the passing game. He started all 14 games as a true freshman and broke Broyles' freshman receiving record with 786 yards and five touchdowns on 61 receptions.

All eyes on: The defensive lines and secondary. It's a "National Championship or Bust" kind of year for the Sooners, who may well debut at No. 1 in the preseason polls next fall. If one thing stops them from winning it all, it will be a lack of experience up front or troubles defending the pass without their top corner, Fleming. Stacy McGee, Jamarkus McFarland, Daniel Noble and Casey Walker will be in the rotation at defensive tackle, and have to help collapse the pocket and stop the run. Junior Demontre Hurst played well as a sophomore, but if Fleming doesn't return, Lynn and Colvin will have to be solid alongside experienced safeties Javon Harris and Sam Proctor to slow the prolific Big 12 passing offenses.

• If you haven't already had your fill of "Black and Yellow" remixes, Oklahoma safety Tony Jefferson busted out his "Boomer Sooner" version, blogs Jake Trotter of The Oklahoman.
• Trotter also asks a fairly heated question within the state of Oklahoma: Between Kendall Hunter and DeMarco Murray, who is better?
• Texas got its sixth commitment for the 2012 class on Wednesday, a defensive end from Mansfield, Texas.
• Dave Matter of the Columbia Tribune breaks down Missouri's future along the offensive line.
• Kellis Robinett of the Kansas City Star catches up with former K-State receiver and Super Bowl star Jordy Nelson, who talks about the game.
• Stewart Mandel at SI.com has a list of his coordinators who will have a big impact on the 2011 season, and names from Texas, Texas Tech and a former Oklahoma State coach made the list.
• Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman pays homage to Wishbone creator and former Texas A&M coach and UT coordinator, Emory Bellard, who died last week.
• Kansas announced its team awards on Wednesday. Jake Laptad, Daymond Patterson and Alonso Rojas all won the major awards.
• New Oklahoma quarterback Kendal Thompson went back to his high school on Wednesday for a signing ceremony, reports Robert Przybylo of The Oklahoman.

Yo, who's the grillmaster, dog?

• Vahe Gregorian of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch takes you behind the scenes of the training facility in Phoenix that's preparing Missouri's Blaine Gabbert and Aldon Smith for the NFL draft. Other prospects at the facility include Nebraska's Prince Amukamara and Texas' Aaron Williams, as well as Julio Jones, Christian Ponder and A.J. Green.
• Oklahoma State added a new transfer, Tulsa native and safety Shamiel Gary.
• Has Nebraska found what it wants to do offensively? Perhaps, reports Tom Shatel of the Omaha World-Herald. More like Oregon. Less like "the Big Ten."
• Texas A&M running back Bradley Stephens is forgoing his senior season as an Aggie to go pro ... in something other than sports, reports Brent Zwerneman in the Houston Chronicle.
• William Wilkerson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram has a list of winners and losers from the weeks following the bowls. Among the winners: Texas, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. Baylor tops the list of losers.
• This could throw a wrench into Oklahoma State's search for a new OC: Cowboys receivers coach Gunter Brewer is leaving to be the receivers coach and passing-game coordinator under Houston Nutt at Ole Miss
• Sorry, K-State fans: Rumored new defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt has joined the San Francisco 49ers staff as a linebackers coach under Jim Harbaugh.
• Why did new Oklahoma quarterback Kendal Thompson choose OU? To finish his father's unfinished business, writes John Hoover of the Tulsa World.
• Oklahoma announced its spring practice start time and spring game date.
• The Sooners also lost a commitment to TCU. Brandon Carter is heading to TCU for a chance to play receiver, reports Travis L. Brown of ESPNDallas.com.
• Colorado added its fourth commitment in five days.
• File this under Holy Cow!: UConn may lose $2.5 million by going to the Fiesta Bowl.
• Former Kansas running back Jake Sharp is still chasing his NFL dreams, writes Candace Buckner of the Kansas City Star.

The semester is just beginning. Last week in some places, today in others. Some programs have welcomed in new members, new college freshmen that are eager to get their careers started after being in high school just a month ago.

It's perhaps most valuable among quarterbacks -- notable in the case of Florida's Tim Tebow and Baylor's Robert Griffin, to quickly name a couple -- but here's who checked in to campus early and will likely take part in spring practice in a few months.

Keep an eye out for possible future stars among this group.

Colorado

• Alex Lewis, OL (grayshirt)

Iowa State

• Steele Jantz, QB

Kansas

• Dylan Admire, OL
• Brock Berglund, QB
• Darrian Miller, RB

Missouri

• Michael Boddie, OL
• Gerrand Johnson, DL
• Wesley Leftwich, WR

Oklahoma

• Brandon Williams, RB
• Kendal Thompson, QB
• Marquis Anderson, DT

Oklahoma State

• Kris Catlin, LB
• Travis Cross, OL
• J.W. Walsh, QB

Texas A&M

• Donnie Baggs, LB
• Joseph Cheek, OL
• Johnny Manziel, QB

Texas Tech

• Marcus Kennard, WR
• Michael Brewer, QB
• Blake Dees, LB
• Ronnie Daniels, ATH

For the first time since Dec. 17, there won't be a bowl game on television tonight. That doesn't mean there won't be football.

The Under Armour All-American will be on ESPN tonight at 7 p.m. ET, and there's plenty of talent taking the field that you'll see in the Big 12 next year. Here's an overview of commits to keep an eye on that plan to sign with their respective schools in February.

The game will be played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Nebraska (Yes, I know he'll never play in the Big 12. But we're still covering them here.)

• Jamal Turner, QB

Oklahoma

• Kendal Thompson, QB
• Nathan Hughes, DE
• Jordan Phillips, DT
• Brandon Williams, RB
• Danzel Williams, ATH

Texas

• Quandre Diggs, CB
• Desmond Jackson, DT
• Josh Turner, WR/ATH
• Christian Westerman, OL

Texas A&M

• Taylor Bertolet, K

Texas Tech

• Le'Raven Clark, OT

Andy, look, all I know is that if I was a girl, and I had to choose between the tall dude who loved Asia, and the you looking dude who loves sweaters and wearing sweaters ... I'd choose you.

• New Kansas athletic director Sheahon Zenger's top three priorities should all be improving football, writes Blair Kerkhoff of the Kansas City Star.
• Kellis Robinett of the Wichita Eagle pegs his best and worst of 2010 for Kansas State football.
• By not inviting TCU to join the conference, the Big 12 proved it was shortsighted and not looking to thrive long term, writes Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman.
• Is Mike Leach a legitimate candidate for Oklahoma State's new offensive coordinator? Bill Haisten of the Tulsa World examines the question.
• Leach told the Associated Press that he doesn't believe his pending lawsuits are preventing him from landing a job.
• Mitch Sherman of the Omaha World-Herald takes a look at Jamal Turner, one of Nebraska's two incoming quarterbacks for 2011.
• Justin Harper of The Oklahoman does the same for the Sooners. Kendal Thompson will enroll early at Oklahoma.
• Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller explains to Chuck Carlton of the Dallas Morning News how he shook off a slow start to rebound and win the Butkus Award.
• Former Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert has officially signed with an agent.
• New Colorado Jon Embree coach won't be taking the same national approach to recruiting as former coach Dan Hawkins, writes Kyle Ringo of the Boulder Daily Camera. He wants to focus westward.

Conference realignment means we live in even tougher times for the numerically inclined in regards to conference names. So no one should pull a double take at 12 high school quarterbacks taking part in the "EA Sports Elite 11" exhibition and camp for the top quarterbacks across the country, which also hosted 12 for the past two summers.

But Big 12 fans -- specifically those in Oklahoma -- might want to keep an eye on the proceedings out in Aliso Viejo, Calif., where three future Big 12 quarterbacks are among the nation's top recruits.

Oklahoma has a pair of 2011 quarterback commits taking part: Archie Bradley of Broken Arrow, Okla., and Kendal Thompson from a few miles up the road in Moore, Okla. Oklahoma State commit J.W. Walsh, a Denton, Texas, native you heard a bit about last week, is also showcasing himself at the camp.

The camp finishes with little consequence other than relationships built and young quarterbacks learning from their older counterparts, but the list of alumni -- even just in recent years -- is impressive.

Oklahoma was the only Big 12 school with a 2010 signee at last year's camp in Blake Bell. Texas' Garrett Gilbert, who you may have heard of recently, attended the 2008 camp.

Other notable alums include current Big 12 quarterbacks Landry Jones and Blaine Gabbert, who is back out in California this week as a college quarterback helping run the camp. So is another Big 12er who never took part in the camp as a high schooler.

1. 
   
   
   JerrodJohnson1 Just had a good day out here in cali, elite 11 is the real deal for quarterbacks 20 Jul 2010 from TweetCaster

Side note: Jerrod Johnson should have more than 358 followers on Twitter.

A few other Elite 11 members you might recognize: Texas' Vince Young, Missouri's Chase Daniel, Kansas State's Josh Freeman and Colorado's Cody Hawkins.

Here's a few notes on all the quarterbacks on the West coast this week. Additionally, colleague Bruce Feldman is providing periodic updates from the site via Twitter. His blog from earlier today is all about his experiences on Day 1.

Writes Feldman:

Truth be told, [Jerrod] Johnson speaks better than almost every college guy I've ever covered; he is a better speaker than most of the coaches and most of us who cover them, too. Listening to him talk about how he had to mature after his father, a former Aggies' receiver-turned-school principal, died, you find yourself thinking about how proud his family must be about how he's turned out. He walked back to his seat to applause. I felt bad for the guys who had to speak after him.

The 2011 ESPNU 150 was finalized this week, and four Big 12 teams have secured a handful of commits from the list.

Texas has the most of any team in the nation, with eight of the nation's top 150 recruits pledged to the Longhorns eight months before signing day.

Oklahoma has the nation's second-most, with six commits. Here's how the Big 12 stacked up.

Texas (8):

• No. 4 Christian Westerman, OT
• No. 17 Quandre Diggs, CB
• No. 25 Desmond Jackson, DT
• No. 51 Steve Edmond, ILB
• No. 70 Sedrick Flowers, OG
• No. 120 Sheroid Evans, CB
• No. 133 Leroy Scott, CB
• No. 140 Garrett Greenlea, OT

Oklahoma (6):

• No. 58 Trey Metoyer, WR
• No. 60 Danzel Williams, ATH
• No. 73 Brandon Williams, RB
• No. 89 Nathan Hughes, DE
• No. 102 Jordan Wade, DT
• No. 146 Kendal Thompson, QB

Nebraska (1):

• No. 55 Jamal Turner, ATH

Oklahoma State (1)

• No. 100 Herschel Sims, RB

Signing Day is approaching. Sure, it's doing it at the same speed as the other 364 days of the year, but it's approaching nonetheless. And ESPN.com's Gerry Hamilton broke down the top early recruiting classes for next season. (That link'll cost ya.) A friendly reminder: verbal commitments are non-binding, of course, and these players won't be able to sign with their respective schools until next February, 10 months from now.

Texas is sitting atop the Big 12 with 19 commits, after its most recent commit, defensive tackle Quincy Russell of San Antonio, got cold feet and de-commited from the Longhorns a day after pledging to the burnt orange. Though Russell reneged yesterday, offensive lineman Christian Westerman committed, giving the Longhorns another ESPNU 150 member.

Of those 19 commits, 14 made the ESPNU 150, a list of the top 150 recruits in the country.

Two players, defensive tackle Desmond Jackson and athlete Quandre Diggs are also Under Armour All-Americans.

Oklahoma sits in second with seven total commits, but six who belong to the ESPNU 150. Six of those commits hail from Texas, but one, quarterback Kendal Thompson, comes from just a few miles to the north of Norman, Southmoore High in Moore, Okla.

Hamilton puts Texas Tech third on his list, after the Red Raiders snatched four commits at a junior day recently. That gave Tommy Tuberville seven 2011 commits, and two are members of the ESPNU 150.

The Red Raiders, already stacked at running back, will add to their depth with ESPNU 150's Kenny Williams of Pflugerville, Texas.

Nebraska is fourth, with five total commits, and two ESPNU 150 recruits, athlete Jamal Turner and offensive lineman Ryne Reeves.

Missouri will hope to recoup 2009 commit Sheldon Richardson, who went the juco route after not qualifying academically, but left high school two seasons ago as the No. 8 defensive tackle in the country, and as No. 108 on the ESPNU 150. Missouri has seven total commits.

Veteran talent analyst JC Shurburtt of ESPN Recruiting has listed the top 11 programs with the fastest start on their 2011 recruiting classes. Both Nebraska and Oklahoma made the unranked list.

Nebraska has already received commitments from three players, including two selections on the ESPNU 150 watch list. Both of Oklahoma's early commitments made the ESPNU 150 watch list.

The Cornhuskers already have received verbal commitments from two of the nation's top linemen, continuing a tradition that is a bedrock of the Nebraska program. Tyler Moore, a 6-foot-6, 270-pounder from Countryside High School in Clearwater, Fla., is joined by Ryne Reeves, a 6-foot-3, 287-pound center from Crete, Neb. Along with those two on the ESPNU 150 watch list with quarterback Jamal Turner of Sam Houston High School in Arlington, Texas.

And the Sooners have garnered two on the 150 list, including wide receiver Kameel Jackson who is Turner's major receiving target at Sam Houston High School. He is joined by quarterback Kendal Thompson of Southmoore High School in Moore, Okla.

Here's a quick look at what other schools in the conference have gotten an early start (Note: * indicates an ESPNU 150 watch list player):

• Baylor: None.
• Colorado: C Shaun Simon (Hutchinson Community College)
• Iowa State: None.
• Kansas: None.
• Kansas State: OT Cody Whitehair (Abilene, Kan.), DT Olukayode Akinmoladun (Independence Community College), WR Marcus Kennard (Butler County Community College), QB Angelo Pease (Hutchinson Community College), DE Meshak Williams (Hutchinson, Kan.)
• Missouri: *QB Corbin Berkstresser (Lee Summit, Mo.); WR Wesley Leftwich (Hickman, Mo.); ATH Anthony Pierson (Gateway, Mo.), DT Sheldon Richardson (College of the Sequoias).
• Nebraska: *OT Tyler Moore (Clearwater, Fla.), *C Ryne Reeves (Crete, Neb.), QB Jamal Turner (Arlington, Texas).
• Oklahoma: *WR Kameel Jackson (Arlington, Texas), *QB Kendal Thompson (Moore, Okla.)
• Oklahoma State: *QB J.W. Walsh (Denton, Texas), T Travis Cross (Plano, Texas), S Isaac Maselera (Glenpool, Okla.)
• Texas: None.
• Texas A&M: *T Joseph Creek (Seguin, Texas).
• Texas Tech: *WR Javares McRoy (Lakeland, Fla.)

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

I'm officially feeling old this morning.

Scouts Inc.'s Tom Luginbill informs us that Charles Thompson's son has committed to the Sooners.

Doesn't it seem like yesterday when his dad was playing for Barry Switzer and the Sooners?

But I digress. Here are some Big 12 recruiting tidbits provided by Luginbill.

QB Kendal Thompson

Moore, OK

Southmoore H.S.

Class of 2011 ESPNU 150 Watch List quarterback Kendal Thompson (Moore, Okla./Southmoore) gave his pledge to coach Bob Stoops Monday, ESPN affiliate Web site OUInsider.com reports. He is the son of former Oklahoma quarterback Charles Thompson.

"It is a great feeling because being a little kid growing up here, I was probably the biggest OU fan. Now, I get a chance to wear it on the field and maybe be the starting quarterback some day," said Thompson.

This fall, he's thrown 23 touchdowns and only five interceptions, while leading his team to a 9-1 record and No. 4 ranking in Oklahoma's highest class.

Thompson, who hopes to graduate early, joins teammates Austin Haywood and Julian Wilson, who will be a part of OU's 2010 class.

TE Austin Haywood

Moore, OK

Southmoore H.S.

Scouts Grade: 40

Haywood told ESPN affiliate Web site OU Insider, "I have always dreamed of playing at OU, and now I am finally going to be a Sooner."

Haywood also claims scholarship offers from Oklahoma State, Kansas, Arizona, Baylor and Colorado State.

Through eight games, Haywood has accounted for an impressive 16 touchdowns - 10 receiving, five rushing and one passing. He has caught 26 passes for 411 yards and rushed for 55 yards on 16 carries. Defensively, he has recorded four sacks and two interceptions.

Additionally, his high school teammates, 2011 ESPNU 150 Watch List quarterback Kendal Thompson and 2010 athlete Julian Wilson, have also committed to Oklahoma.

DE Kony Ealy

New Madrid, MO

New Madrid County Cent H.S.

Scouts Grade: 40

Productive 6-foot-4, 230-pound defensive end Kony Ealy of New Madrid County School (New Madrid, Mo.), has accepted a Class of 2010 offer from Missouri.

Ealy also has offers from Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Mississippi, Nebraska, Memphis and Arkansas State.

"He's done. He's finished," Ealy's coach, Arlen Pixley told the Columbia Daily Tribune. "I've been on the horn talking to coaches, telling them, 'Thanks but no thanks.'"

The Tigers have 15 pledges.

WR O.J. Ross

Daytona Beach, FL

Mainland H.S.

Scouts Grade: 80

Position Rank: 32

Mainland (Daytona Beach, Fla.) pass-catcher O.J. Ross has committed to the Boilermakers of the Big Ten for the Class of 2010.

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound receiver also considered North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Rutgers. Among many others were Texas Tech, Cincinnati, Syracuse, Michigan, Arkansas and Nebraska.

Two Mainland teammates, cornerback Ricardo Allen and receiver Chevin Davis, have also picked Purdue. The Boilermakers have seven commitments from Florida.

Luginbill reports: "Danny Hope continues to add more speed and athleticism to this class and upgrade Purdue's team speed with the addition of O.J. Ross. So much so that Ross should play as a true freshman. Hope obviously knows that moving his recruiting efforts further south will enhance his chances of competing for a Big Ten championship."

As a junior, Ross caught 34 passes for 693 yards (20.4 average) and 10 touchdowns.

The Boilermakers now have 18 pledges.

WR Chevin Davis

Daytona Beach, FL

Mainland H.S.

Scouts Grade: 76

Position Rank: 118

Boilermakers gain Daytona Beach WR Chevin Davis, two teammates

Wideout Chevin Davis of Mainland (Daytona Beach, Fla.) has accepted a Class of 2010 offer from Purdue over Mississippi.

The 6-foot, 180-pound prospect also had offers from Illinois, Nebraska, Michigan State, Cincinnati, Iowa State and Louisville.

Two Mainland teammates, receiver O.J. Ross and defensive back Ricardo Allen, have also picked Purdue.