ESPN College Football

STILLWATER, Okla.-- Oklahoma State holds the distinction of improving or equaling its previous record in every season under Mike Gundy.

During that run, the Cowboys have done it on the back of their offense.

There have been new faces at quarterback, running back, receiver and the offensive line. In the middle, there's been one constant as the Cowboys ranked in the top three of the offense-laden Big 12 in four of the past five seasons.

"We might not have always been winning as many games as we have now, but offensive line has always been a constant in this program," said offensive lineman Jonathan Rush, a sixth-year senior who's seen plenty in Stillwater.

Russell Okung put OSU's offensive line on the map after being drafted sixth in the 2010 NFL draft, but the past two seasons, Joe Wickline's coached the Big 12's best offensive line, headlined by center Grant Garner and tackle Levy Adcock.

"Every year, he’s always produced quality linemen. He always has them prepared," Rush said. "He’s just a crazy guy. He eats, sleeps and breathes football. I don’t know how his family feels about that, and at times, it may be a little much or whatever, but after being hear, this'll be my sixth year, I’ve been able to appreciate how much he puts into it and how much work he does for us."

For young talents, the new experience can be a bit jarring. If they've never been challenged by a coach, Wickline changes that fast.

"He’s a tough son of a [expletive]. If he’s not, then he’s a phony son of a [expletive], but he sure seems like one," offensive coordinator Todd Monken said. "That’s a tough position. That’s a no nonsense position, and I think it fits his personality. I sit in on a few of their meetings and I think just his personality and the way he goes about it with those guys is the No. 1 reason."

Wickline's penchant for shuffling his offensive line groups during practices is infamous. Don't show up to practice and lose a spot? If the man who replaced you does it better, you might never get it back.

"Wick’s way of coaching can be a bit abrasive at times. He teaches you how to be able to take it. If you can take it from Wick, you can take it from anybody and just focus down on your mistakes and getting better," Rush said. "In the end, after being here for so long, it’s pretty funny. You can’t even put in words. You’d just have to sit in on one of his meetings. You might be a little bit shocked."

However abrasvie, Wickline's approach is working. Oklahoma State's enjoying the fruits of his labor.

"He spends ungodly hours up here watching film. His view of the game is a lot different. All he does is offensive line. He knows his stuff," Rush said. "If I could get half of Wick’s brain in offensive line-wise, that’ll be more than I’ll ever need."

Finally, these two lovebirds made it official.

Really, though, it was a matter of time. Flirtations with A&M? An eventual breakup?

Please.

Mike Gundy loves Oklahoma State. Oklahoma State loves Mike Gundy.

They'll be together for eight years and Gundy will be paid among college football's top 10 coaches after agreeing to a contract extension and a big raise. As it should be.

That's what happens when one pays for the other's education and hires him as a 23-year-old assistant coach and 27-year-old offensive coordinator.

And that's what happens when a 44-year-old head coach (yes, he's a man) guides his alma mater to the two best seasons in school history in consecutive years.

These two belong together. Gundy, who hired agent Jimmy Sexton, grew uncomfortable as the process dragged on during his team's preparations for its Fiesta Bowl date with Stanford.

The Cowboys won to cap the first 12-win season in school history, which coincided with the school's first BCS appearance ever.

Uncomfortable or not, it shouldn't have come to this. "This," though is in the past and Gundy's gotten what's coming to him.

How many coaches have held the same job for seven years and had an equal or better record every season?

Not many, and Gundy's being paid like one. His deal reportedly averages out to about $3.75 million per year, up from $2.1 million this past season.

Kansas' Turner Gill and Texas A&M's Mike Sherman were paid more in 2011. They were both fired after the season. Now, only Texas' Mack Brown and Oklahoma's Bob Stoops are paid more in the Big 12.

Gundy was the 29th-highest paid coach nationally this season, according to USA Today's coaching salary study. His new raise puts him at sixth, ahead of guys like Bobby Petrino at Arkansas, Chip Kelly at Oregon and Bret Bielema at Wisconsin.

Gundy kicked off his career with a four-win season and two seven-win seasons. For some who saw those years, its hard to see Gundy, who first burst on the scene with his polarizing rant, as a coach who has ascended to the coaching elite.

But consider also: Gundy has as many BCS wins now as Petrino and Kelly, who both have earned reputations as offensive virtuosos. He has one more than Bielema, who is 0-2 in two Rose Bowl appearances.

He's developed offensive talent with the best of anyone in the country, sending stars like Dez Bryant, Kendall Hunter, Zac Robinson, Russell Okung and soon to be Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon to the NFL. On the way, he collected bushels-full of wins that Oklahoma State has never seen before.

This has been the best four-year period in the history of Oklahoma State football. Gundy is the biggest reason why.

This took too long. Why Oklahoma State wouldn't want to pay up for as long as possible, especially with more Big 12 money on the way, I have no idea.

But it's done now.

Oklahoma State paid up. Gundy is paid like one of college football's best coaches.

With a résumé like he's put together, with 41 wins, a Big 12 title, a BCS bowl win and a share of the Big 12 South all in the past four years, how else should he be paid?

For just the second time ever, the first round of the NFL draft will be the only part of the draft's first day, set for primetime on Thursday night.

This year, the Big 12 could have as many as five first-round picks, and five players from the league are in New York for the draft.

So, let's take a look back. Since the first NFL draft of the Big 12 era, who has the most first-rounders?

Texas: 16

• 2010: S Earl Thomas, 14th overall, Seattle Seahawks
• 2009: DE Brian Orakpo, 13th overall, Washington Redskins
• 2007: S Michael Griffin, 19th overall, Tennessee Titans
• 2007: CB Aaron Ross, 20th overall, New York Giants
• 2006: QB Vince Young, third overall, Tennessee Titans
• 2006: CB Michael Huff, seventh overall, Oakland Raiders
• 2005: RB Cedric Benson, fourth overall, Chicago Bears
• 2005: LB Derrick Johnson, 15th overall, Kansas City Chiefs
• 2004: WR Roy Williams, seventh overall, Detroit Lions
• 2004: DT Marcus Tubbs, 23rd overall, Seattle Seahawks
• 2002: OL Mike Williams, fourth overall, Buffalo Bills
• 2002: CB Quentin Jammer, fifth overall, San Diego Chargers
• 2001: OL Leonard Davis, second overall, Arizona Cardinals
• 2001: DT Casey Hampton, 19th overall, Pittsburgh Steelers
• 1999: RB Ricky Williams, fifth overall, New Orleans Saints
• 1997: CB Bryant Westbrook, fifth overall, Detroit Lions

Oklahoma: 12

• 2010: QB Sam Bradford, first overall, St. Louis Rams
• 2010: DT Gerald McCoy, third overall, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• 2010: OT Trent Williams, fourth overall, Washington Redskins
• 2010: TE Jermaine Gresham, 21st overall, Cincinnati Bengals
• 2007: RB Adrian Peterson, seventh overall, Minnesota Vikings
• 2006: OL Davin Joseph, 23rd overall, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• 2005: OL Jammal Brown, 13th overall, New Orleans Saints
• 2005: WR Mark Clayton, 22nd overall, Baltimore Ravens
• 2004: DT Tommie Harris, 14th overall, Chicago Bears
• 2003: CB Andre Woolfolk, 28th overall, Tennessee Titans
• 2002: S Roy Williams, eighth overall, Dallas Cowboys
• 2001: Stockar McDougle, 20th overall, Detroit Lions

Oklahoma State: 6

• 2010: OL Russell Okung, sixth overall, Seattle Seahawks
• 2010: WR Dez Bryant, 24th overall, Dallas Cowboys
• 2009: TE Brandon Pettigrew, 20th overall, Detroit Lions
• 2004: WR Rashaun Woods, 31st overall, San Francisco 49ers
• 2003: DE Kevin Williams, ninth overall, Minnesota Vikings
• 1998: CB R.W. McQuarters, 28th overall, San Francisco 49ers

Missouri: 4

• 2010: LB Sean Weatherspoon, 19th overall, Atlanta Falcons
• 2009: WR Jeremy Maclin, 19th overall, Philadelphia Eagles
• 2009: DT Ziggy Hood, 32nd overall, Pittsburgh Steelers
• 2001: DE Justin Smith, fourth overall, Cincinnati Bengals

Kansas State: 3

• 2009: QB Josh Freeman, 17th overall, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• 2003: CB Terence Newman, fifth overall, Dallas Cowboys
• 1997: DB Chris Canty, 29th overall, New England Patriots

Texas A&M: 2

• 2003: DT Ty Warren, 13th overall, New England Patriots
• 2003: DB Sammy Davis, 30th overall, San Diego Chargers

Texas Tech: 1

• 2009: WR Michael Crabtree, 10th overall, San Francisco 49ers

Kansas: 1

• 2008: CB Aqib Talib, 20th overall, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baylor: 1

• 2009: OL Jason Smith, 2nd overall, St. Louis Rams

Iowa State: none since 1973 (George Amundson)

A few thoughts and observations:

• I doubt many would be surprised that this list is also a reasonably accurate reflection of overall success since the Big 12's inception in 1996. Obviously, Texas and Oklahoma have dominated. Since 2000, Texas has the nation's fourth-most first-rounders. Oklahoma is No. 6. Their success has paralleled that, along with recruiting rankings.
• In that same breath, it's impossible to look at this list and not once again be impressed with what Mike Leach did. He obviously has the reputation as an overachiever, but looking big picture, he was able to do it with one first-round pick. Nobody beat Texas and Oklahoma more and Leach helped put together what is still the Big 12's longest bowl streak.
• Texas' consistency sticks out, too. Since just 2001, Texas has had two first-rounders in six different seasons. If you've got two first-rounders on your team, you're probably going to be pretty good. The Longhorns, if you haven't noticed, have been. Those two first-rounders in six seasons are more or as many as half the league has in the history of the Big 12. What else you should note? Texas is unlikely to have a first rounder this year, and after Aaron Williams is drafted, Sam Acho probably will be the next to go, which won't be until the third or fourth round.
• Oklahoma State and Missouri's rise over the past three seasons has paid off in the NFL draft. Missouri had three first-rounders in the last two seasons and figures to add two more this year after having just one in the 12-year history of the league before 2009. That's quite a streak, and even more proof of what Gary Pinkel has built at Missouri. One more piece of evidence? Despite losing those two first-rounders, Missouri should be back in the preseason polls next year after losing two of its top players. That's definitely something new in Columbia. The Cowboys figure to add more soon with Justin Blackmon at least. As long as Pinkel and Gundy are at the helm for their respective programs, expect them to continue to rise.
• Don't be surprised by Texas A&M's swoon following R.C. Slocum's departure. From 1990-1998, the Aggies won nine games every season but one. From 1990-96, the Aggies had eight first-round picks. Since 1998? Two seasons with at least nine wins and just two first-round picks.
• More evidence you can't underestimate the importance of having first-round picks? None for Baylor in the history of the Big 12 before Art Briles. In just three years, Briles may have three if the Bears add two more this year with Phil Taylor and Danny Watkins. Taylor and Watkins both came from unlikely sources. Taylor was a Penn State transfer and Watkins a juco transfer that formerly worked as a fireman in Canada.

You might have heard something about this, but 2010 is the last season of the Big 12 as we know it. To commemorate the league's run as a 12-team conference, a panel of 20 media members compiled their all-time Big 12 team. Here's who made it, and you can see the full votes here.

All-time Top Offensive Player: Vince Young, QB, Texas

All-time Top Defensive Player: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

All-time Coach: Bob Stoops, Oklahoma

OFFENSE:

QB: Vince Young, Texas

RB: Ricky Williams, Texas and Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma

WR: Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech and Rashaun Woods, Oklahoma State

TE: Chase Coffman, Missouri

OL: Dominic Raiola, Nebraska; Jammal Brown, Oklahoma; Aaron Taylor, Nebraska; Justin Blalock, Texas; Russell Okung, Oklahoma State

DEFENSE

DL: Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska; Tommie Harris, Oklahoma; Grant Wistrom, Nebraska; Brian Orakpo, Texas

LB: Derrick Johnson, Texas; Dat Nguyen, Texas A&M; Rocky Calmus, Oklahoma; Teddy Lehman, Oklahoma

DB: Roy Williams, Oklahoma; Terence Newman, Kansas State; Derrick Strait, Oklahoma; Michael Huff, Texas

SPECIAL TEAMS

All-purpose: Darren Sproles, Kansas State

K: Mason Crosby, Colorado

P: Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor

Here's how it breaks down by team:

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

Who got snubbed? Who doesn't belong?

All the pieces were in place. Zac Robinson was the senior franchise quarterback who would eventually leave as the program's all-time leader in total offense. Kendall Hunter was the running back coming off the All-American season and ready to run past his 1,555 yards as a sophomore. Receiver Dez Bryant was the playmaker like no other, one that would eventually leave as a first-round pick in the NFL Draft.

Best of all, they'd be operating behind an experienced offensive line headlined by a four-year starter protecting Robinson's blind side, Russell Okung, who eventually was selected sixth in the NFL Draft.

The next in a line of triplets at Oklahoma State that have included greats like Barry Sanders, Rashaun Woods and Mike Gundy looked ready to compete for a Big 12 title -- maybe more.

But Hunter suffered an ankle injury early on and didn't look like the same back until the season's final game. Bryant was suspended for the season after the third game for lying to NCAA officials about a visit with Deion Sanders. Robinson suffered a shoulder injury and wasn't himself in a shutout loss to Oklahoma to close the regular season, when a win would have sent the Cowboys to a BCS bowl.

They settled for 2nd in the South, the highest finish ever for the program, and an appearance in the Cotton Bowl.

This year, a new group of unsuspecting triplets have emerged.

Brandon Weeden, a 27-year-old first-time starter, leads the Big 12 in passing yards, completion percentage, touchdowns (his 26 are tied for No. 1 nationally) and passer rating. Hunter is better than ever as a senior, leading the Big 12 in rushing and ranking third nationally.

And Justin Blackmon, a sophomore with 20 career catches that no one outside the Big 12 had ever heard of before the season, has emerged as the favorite for the Biletnikoff Award and a possible Heisman finalist. He leads the nation in receiving yards per game by a wide margin, and is tied for the most touchdowns with 15.

Together, they have the No. 10 Cowboys (8-1) on top of the Big 12 South and in position to reach the Big 12 title game for the first time ever. With a win at Texas on Saturday, Oklahoma State would come home from Austin as winners for the first time in 11 tries since 1944.

"This is what you play for. Every game gets bigger as you go and this one is a big one," Weeden said.

Even an offensive line with four new starters has become a strength.

"I thought we had a pretty good product to work with," said new offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen. "You never know how kids are going to develop, but that’s why you get out there and practice every day and put guys in a position to improve."

The hype surrounding the team wasn't there when the season began, but attention on the Cowboys -- picked fifth in the Big 12 South in the preseason -- has grown as the wins have piled up.

"It’s only a factor if you start to listen to it," Gundy said. "I’ve said this for four or five weeks now. If you start to think you’re a pretty good player and that your team is better than they really are, you just need to look around the country every Saturday and you will see teams get knocked off. I’m a firm believer in that. We have some good players who have made a lot of good plays this year. And we have a good football team. But we’re not beyond practicing well and keeping the right frame of mind in order to win our football game."

Josh Cooper, WR

Any of the Oklahoma State receivers probably make sense here in a new pass-happy offense. But Cooper, at 5-foot-11 and 192 pounds, will take over as a slot receiver and could be a consistent target for new starter Brandon Weeden. Cooper caught 20 passes for 234 yards and a score last season, but he'll get a lot more opportunities in the Cowboys four and five-receiver sets under new offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen. Hubert Anyiam could blossom into a star, but look out for Tracy Moore and Justin Blackmon, too.

Brodrick Brown, CB

Call Brown the silver lining of cornerback Perrish Cox's suspension from January's Cotton Bowl. Brown replaced the star cornerback and finished with three tackles and a pass breakup, gaining experience that could prove valuable in 2010. He earned the starting spot after the spring and the 5-foot-8, 190-pound sophomore will help solidify a secondary headlined by safety Markelle Martin.

Nick Martinez, LT

Faces don't get much fresher than Martinez at left tackle for the Cowboys. Russell Okung protected the quarterback's blind side for almost four full seasons before being selected No. 6 by the Seattle Seahawks in this year's NFL Draft. Martinez, a junior who's played just 18 career snaps from scrimmage, emerged from the spring as the starter at left tackle. Okung was 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds. Martinez is 6-foot-4 and weighs 317. He has Okung's size. We'll find out this fall how much of Okung's skill Martinez has.

More Fresh Faces:

• Texas Tech
• Texas A&M
• Texas
  

David in Austin, Texas, writes: Given the "regime change" down in Austin this offseason (GG for Colt) and Mack Brown's professed desire to bring GG help in the form of a tried and true running game, how long would you give it until they revert back into the "forget strategy, let's just give it to our best player"-strategy?

David Ubben: Technically, that's what they're doing now. For all the talk about Garrett Gilbert, they've got two experienced running backs in Tre' Newton and Fozzy Whittaker, so even though they've got to find three new offensive linemen, Brown's giving those guys a chance to carry the team. But you've got a point. If Gilbert's completion percentage starts floating toward 70 percent and he's taking care of the ball, you might see the Longhorns start to spread it out a little more.

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Ben in Atlanta asks: David, last week I asked if the Big 10's public jockeying for expansion was nothing but circus publicity and you didn't agree, then curiously every one of your fellow ESPN bloggers inexplicably voted the Big 10 the second best conference behind the SEC. Coincidence? I think not, pure expansion hype has been good for business for the Big 10... agree?

DU: Sorry, Ben. Still not biting. And, for the record, my boy Ted Miller out West put the Big 12 as his second-best conference. I think the perception of the conference comes down to the amount of talent that left. While having nine first-round draft picks looks good in April, it doesn't bode well for the preseason prognostication in the following months. It doesn't help that the Big 12 doesn't have a player you could even come close to arguing as the best in the country, a major departure from last season. Texas and Oklahoma in apparent "down" years (i.e. 10 wins, rather than 11+) has more to do with people putting the Big Ten ahead of the Big 12 than any of the expansion talk.

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Luke Hood asks: Whats up?

DU: Not much, man. Just bloggin'.

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John in Denver asks: Do you think Dan Beebe will give a deadline next week during the Big 12 conference meetings for members to commit to the conference? If so, when do you think that deadline will be established and can he provide a solution to encourage Nebraska to stay?

DU: I'd be surprised if we hear a firm deadline to make a commitment, but the conference definitely wants to move in that direction. Beebe clarified his comments last week, so don't expect to hear an ultimatum to Nebraska, Missouri or Colorado. He says he has some ideas to rectify the instability -- perceived or real -- within the conference, and we might hear some of those in Kansas City next week. But my guess is we're more likely to see them enforce some sort of negative consequence for leaving, rather than a positive consequence for staying. I could be wrong, though. Either way, I'll be there next week and let you guys know what's up when we know.

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Scott in Lubbock, Texas, asks: Here's a hypothetical. Its the Big 12 coaches meeting, and the coaches are kind of bored. The Big 12 South coaches challenge the Big 12 North coaches to a game of pick up basketball. How do you see this game play out?

DU: Lots of plays being called. Few being executed. Gary Pinkel and Mike Gundy keep trying to spread everyone out and go play hoops on the grass outside. Bo Pelini keeps packing everyone inside the paint and ordering them not to shoot. In short, it would be a mess. In the end, they all decide to stick to football.

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Dan in Hanover, N.H., writes: Just a heads up on your college HoF article. Barry Alvarez, while he'll go for what he's done at Wisconsin was, in fact, a linebacker at Nebraska in the 1960s under the late Bob Devaney.

David Ubben: Ten or so folks wrote in about this. I'm aware, but Alvarez was inducted as a coach, and though Gene Stallings was better known at Alabama, his induction explicitly mentions his work at Texas A&M. So, sorry Nebraska fans, Alvarez doesn't count as another in the Hall of Fame. And here's a little more on Tommie Frazier, whose exclusion prompted a few e-mails as well.

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Jeff in Shakopee, Minn., asks: Every five years a Big 12 team wins a National Title. 2005- Texas 2000 Oklahoma 1995- Nebraska 1990- Colorado 1985- Oklahoma. Who from the Big 12 is going to win it this year?

DU: Interesting observation, but last year would have been the next in the five-year cycle. Might as well not even bother to play this season. But those mid-90s Nebraska teams prove it's possible for a Big 12 team to win the title in other years, so I guess we'll hold off on canceling the next three seasons. As for this year, Nebraska, Texas and Oklahoma wouldn't completely shock anyone by winning the title.

(3:26 p.m.) EDIT: Whoops. The January crossover keeps the confusion coming. I'm an idiot. Jeff's right.

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Randy in McKinney, Texas, asks: I'm curious as to why so many people think OSU will take such a huge nosedive next year. 64th in one poll, seriously? Ranked behind Kansas and Tech, both of which had a complete coaching overhaul? I know that preseason polls aren't reliable, but still. What gives?

Chance Cole in Charleston, S.C., asks: With Dez Bryant suspended, Zac Robinson playing injured the last few games (and throwing inconsistently when healthy), and Toston bearing the load for an injured Hunter, the Ok. State Cowboys still put together a decent season. So with a mature gunslinger like Weeden, a healthy Kendall Hunter, a blossoming Hubert Anyiam, and a new O-coordinator, why so sour on the Cowboys for 2010? Can the defense be that bad?

DU: I was really surprised to see them that low in that ranking. I'm not sour at all on the Cowboys, I think they'll be solid. But the South is still going to be tough, and Texas and Oklahoma will be much better; Texas A&M will be slightly better. Oklahoma State and Tech are kind of on a similar rung, and Baylor is drawing some hope from their potential, which is very real. Replacing four linemen, including Russell Okung, doesn't help the Cowboys' case, and they have to figure out who they can count on at the skill positions. With Dana Holgorsen's quick-release scheme, they could probably manage if the offensive line plays poorly, but those guys playing well is obviously going to make it a lot simpler.

Here, we'll take a look at a couple of key players going, staying and coming for each team in the Big 12.

Going:

Zac Robinson, QB

Robinson had a firm grasp on the starting job for most of the past three seasons, and was drafted in the seventh round by the New England Patriots as one of the most productive quarterbacks in school history, running and passing for 7.7 yards per play over his career, second-most nationally. With 7,786 total yards, he was the school's career leader in total offense and scored 66 touchdowns. He rushed for 847 yards as a sophomore in 2007, but in 2008, had the fifth-highest passer rating at 166.8.


Russell Okung, OT

Like Robinson, Okung has been a staple of the Cowboy offense for the past few seasons. Okung was a four-year starter on the Oklahoma State offensive line, and his talent and experience -- along with his 6-foot-5, 307-pound frame -- convinced the Seattle Seahawks to draft him No. 6 overall in last month's draft. Okung landed was a first-team All-American at tackle for the past two seasons, and was named the Big 12's Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2009. After taking over a starting role as a freshman, Okung finished his career with an astounding 47 consecutive starts.

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Staying:

Kendall Hunter, RB

Hunter and the other player on this list might need their own "Returning" heading, rather than "Staying." An ankle injury kept Hunter out of five games, and by the time he returned, senior Keith Toston had proved to be more than a serviceable replacement. Though Hunter isn't likely to equal his 1,555 yards (sixth-most nationally) from 2007, he'll get plenty of touches in new offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen's version of the "Air Raid" offense that racked up over 1,000 yards more than No. 2 offensive team. Hunter will still carry the ball, but might be more productive getting his touches in space, allowing him to use his lateral quickness to shake defenders.


Orie Lemon, LB

Lemon missed all of last season with a torn ACL, but impressed coordinator Bill Young enough this spring to have Young campaigning for Lemon as the nation's best middle linebacker. Along with defensive end Ugo Chinasa, Lemon will help give the Cowboys a good amount of talent in their front seven. In 2008, Lemon was second on the team in tackles in his first year as starter, with 90.

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Coming:

Shaun Lewis, LB

Lewis signed with Oklahoma State as its only ESPNU 150 member, but was ranked the No. 4 outside linebacker and the No. 75 overall prospect. Lewis, a Missouri City, Texas native, picked the Cowboys over Big 12 teams Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Nebraska, along with SEC powers Alabama, LSU and Florida.

Caleb Lavey and Kris Catlin, LBs

Lavey and Lewis, along with Kris Catlin, should add a solid influx of talent into Young's linebackers. Lavey ranked as the No. 9 inside linebacker and was rated by ESPNU as Oklahoma State's second-highest recruit. Catlin was the No. 13 inside linebacker and both bring impressive size to the middle of the defense as they learn from Lemon, possibly providing depth. Lavey measures at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, and Catlin is 215 pounds and stands 6-foot-2.

More Revolving Door:

• Baylor
• Colorado
• Iowa State
• Kansas
• Kansas State
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• Oklahoma
  

2009 overall record: 9-4

2009 conference record: 6-2

Returning starters: Offense (4), Defense(4) P/K (2)

Top returners: DE Ugo Chinasa, RB Kendall Hunter, WR Hubert Anyiam, S Markelle Martin, K Dan Bailey, P Quinn Sharp

Key losses: QB Zac Robinson, OL Russell Okung, RB Keith Toston, WR Dez Bryant, LB Donald Booker, CB Perrish Cox, LB Andre Sexton, LB Patrick Lavine, S Lucien Antoine

2009 statistical leaders (*returners)

Rushing: Keith Toston (1,218 yards)

Passing: Zac Robinson (2,084 yards)

Receiving: Hubert Anyiam (515 yards)

Tackles: Donald Booker (99)

Sacks: Ugo Chinasa* (6.5)

Interceptions: Patrick Lavine (5)

Three spring answers

1. Learning the offense: Oklahoma State looks on schedule in learning new offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen’s spread attack, one he used to coordinate the best offense in college football at Houston last season. Brandon Weeden is the unquestioned starter after the spring, including a nice finish in the spring game when the junior threw four touchdown passes.

2. Kendall Hunter: New ends, different means. Coach Mike Gundy estimates Hunter will touch the ball around 250 times next season, but he won’t be doing it on the ground. Instead, he’ll be catching the ball in space, using his shiftiness to make defenders miss and pile up yards for the Cowboys. Holgorsen says Hunter is even better than he thought, and they’ll both want to prove it in the fall after Hunter’s disappointing 2009 season.

3. He’s no Lemon. Defensive coordinator Bill Young believes linebacker Orie Lemon is the best middle linebacker in the country, and Lemon had one of the best springs of any player on the Cowboy defense. He missed the entire 2009 season after tearing his ACL in fall camp, and will be ready to get back on the field this fall.

Three fall questions

1. Will Weeden be the next Keenum? At Houston under Holgorsen, Case Keenum threw for almost 1,500 more yards than the second-best in football in 2009. No one’s expecting Weeden to throw for 5,600 yards in 2010 (or throw it almost 700 times), but if he can elevate his status to one of the conference’s best quarterbacks, Holgorsen will have another impressive bullet on his resume and the Cowboys will have a few more wins.

2. Can the O-line assert itself? Will it have to? The offensive line is replacing the NFL Draft’s No. 6 pick and four-year starter Russell Okung, along with three other starters. Will they be good enough to get Holgorsen’s offense humming? With the system’s quick-release passing, it might not have to hold for long.

3. Can the Cowboys exceed expectations in a rebuilding year? After falling short of the South title in 2009 with Zac Robinson, Dez Bryant (at least part of the time) and Okung, expectations are measured in what’s somewhat of a rebuilding year for the Cowboys. They have a great chance to parlay a 4-0 non-conference record into a bowl game, but how many more wins will the Cowboys have in conference? Only the fall knows.

• Matt Tait of the Lawrence Journal-World looks back on Turner Gill's day at the race track.
• Oklahoma fans got an inside look at the football facilities over the weekend, writes Guerin Emig of the Tulsa World.
• Prince Amukamara wanted to be a running back when he came to Nebraska. Obviously, moving to cornerback has worked out well, writes Brian Christopherson of the Lincoln Journal Star.
• Former Baylor DL Trey Bryant signed a free agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons.
• Four Big 12 teams are in colleague Mark Schlabach's post-spring Top 25, including newcomer Texas A&M.

Realignment

• Austin Murphy pens a story for Sports Illustrated outlining three expansion scenarios.
• Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star says expansion could hurt Kansas and Kansas State the most.
• There are lots of expansion questions surrounding Nebraska, and Tom Shatel of the Omaha World-Herald is trying to answer them.
• Dave Sittler at the Tulsa World says commissioner Dan Beebe needs to fend off the conference's raiders, or else its fate won't be a good one.

A few reports from the rookie mini-camps that a couple of the Big 12's first-rounders attended over the weekend:

• Dez Bryant is ready to move on in Dallas after controversy about his pre-draft interview with the Dolphins.
• Bryant also turned his ankle yesterday in practice.
• Nicholas J. Cotsonika at the Detroit Free Press says the Lions' rookies need to get in shape. Except for one. You know who. Suh.
• Warren Sapp wants to help Gerald McCoy become a star.
• Matt Baker of the Tulsa World reports on Sam Bradford's debut in the blue and gold.
• Russell Okung and Earl Thomas are teammates in Seattle now.
• Hurricane Rita had a big impact on Falcons rookie Sean Weatherspoon, writes D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
• Joe Reedy at the Cincinnati Enquirer reports Bengals coach Marvin Lewis has been impressed with the early effort of tight end Jermaine Gresham.

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):

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)

Thursday's first round was relatively free of surprises (apologies to Tyson Alualu and Jimmy Clausen) to Big 12 teams.

The first four picks came from the Big 12, three from Oklahoma, and the conference added five more through the rest of the first round.

"This was historic night, a statement for our program," Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said in a release. "Everyone associated with our program should be proud of what was accomplished in this draft. I am just overwhelmed and feel privileged to have had the opportunity to get to know these guys and coach them." Stoops also added a fourth first-rounder in Jermaine Gresham, who went to the Bengals at No. 21.

"To think that four guys who came in as members of the same recruiting class went in the first 21 picks is amazing."

The Sooners were the first team to have three of the first four picks since Notre Dame in 1946, which bodes well for the Sooners' future, even after losing its talent. The Fighting Irish won national titles in 1947 and 1949.

They also won in 1946 with their three draft picks, but the Sooners played most of 2009 without 2008 Heisman winner Sam Bradford and Gresham.

Plenty of critics said Bradford made a mistake by coming back. Their volume only grew after Bradford suffered a shoulder injury that eventually required surgery in a season-opening loss, derailing the Sooners' second chance at a title. Thursday night, Bradford proved them wrong by becoming the first name off the board.

"I also want to salute these guys for staying in school," Stoops said, adding that each of the four players has or nearly has a degree. "I don’t know how you could look at this draft and think that these players did anything but improve themselves by staying for another year."

Here's where each of the Big 12's nine first-rounders were drafted.

1. St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

2. Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

4. Washington Redskins: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

6. Seattle Seahawks: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

14. Seattle Seahawks: Earl Thomas, DB, Texas

19. Atlanta Falcons: Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

24. Dallas Cowboys: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

We're only a few hours away from tonight's first round of the NFL draft, one that could be unprecedented for the conference.

As many as five of the first six picks could come from the Big 12.

Oklahoma's Sam Bradford is the assumed first pick. Defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy should follow. As will offensive tackles Trent Williams (Oklahoma) and Russell Okung (Oklahoma State).

Considering where the conference has been in recent years, that's not a surprise to the coaches sending those players to the next level.

"I don’t think there’s any question it’s been excellent, evidenced by what, us and Texas in the last couple national championship games," said Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, who was forced to play most of 2009 without Bradford, the 2008 Heisman winner. "And year in and year out we’ve been there. I’ve known that for a long time and it’s obvious the talent in this league is second to none and its throughout the league and it’s exciting."

Texas coach Mack Brown could also have a pair of Longhorns go in the first round: defensive back Earl Thomas and defensive end/linebacker Sergio Kindle. Both are Texas natives, with Thomas hailing from Orange and Kindle from Dallas.

"More of the kids are staying at home and wanting to play in the Big 12 area, where one of our schools is traditionally playing for the national championship, so we’re in the mix each year," Brown said. "And I also feel like since we’ve won in this league and we’ve been in the final game more often, that more national kids are starting to look at our schools more readily than before."

Missouri's program has reached new heights in the last few years, winning 12 games in 2007 and another 10 in 2008. Missouri's two first-round draft picks last season, receiver Jeremy Maclin and defensive tackle Ziggy Hood, helped make those seasons possible. The Tigers also had safety William Moore drafted in the second round of last year's draft.

"I remember Don James, my mentor who I worked for at Washington, he told me about three or four years ago, he says, ‘When you start getting more players drafted, a lot more high draft choices, you’re going to win a lot more games.’ And at this level, as it was at Washington, that’s the way it is," Pinkel said. "You’re not going to get six drafted every year, but certainly, if you’re going to win at this level, you’re going to get more players that go on and play in the NFL."

He could add another first-round pick, his third in two seasons, tonight in linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, giving the Big 12 as many as 10 selections among the first 32 picks.

"It shows schools are recruiting quality young men and good football players," said Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy.

Hope you all enjoyed the spring games over the weekend. We'll be breaking down each of those later this week.

• Here's the video Nebraska played at the spring game to announce Ndamukong Suh's $2.6 million gift to the athletic department and university.
• Dirk Chatelain of the Omaha World-Herald reaches way back into Suh's past as the former Nebraska star readies for his future.
• Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman may know who his new left tackle will be: early enrolling true freshman Luke Joeckel, reports David Harris of The Dallas Morning News.
• Danario Alexander's knee is keeping him from his dream, but he's still fighting, writes Robert Mays of the Columbia Missourian.
• Oklahoma State quarterback and early enrollee Johnny Deaton went from "overwhelmed" to "No. 2" in his first set of spring practices, reports Bill Haisten of the Tulsa World.
• Russ Lande at The Sporting News breaks down Russell Okung's draft profile.
• Jake Trotter of The Oklahoman breaks down seven things he learned at Oklahoma's spring game.
• Chuck Carlton at The Dallas Morning News says Texas Tech may be the Big 12's biggest wild card.

ESPN's resident draft experts, Mel Kiper and Todd McShay, posted their fourth mock draft in preparation for the real deal on April 22. You might remember this year's draft will be stretched over three days, with the first round scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

As you might expect, there's plenty of Big 12 talent across several schools in the conference.

Head over to ESPN Insider to check out the full draft, including where and when each player's drafted. Here are the Big 12 players they have being drafted in the first 32 picks.\.

Mel Kiper

• Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
• Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
• Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
• Russell Okung, OL, Oklahoma State
• Trent Williams, OL, Oklahoma
• Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
• Earl Thomas, DB, Texas
• Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
• Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas
• Sean Weatherspoon, OLB

Todd McShay

• Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
• Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
• Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
• Russell Okung, OL, Oklahoma State
• Trent Williams, OL, Oklahoma
• Earl Thomas, DB, Texas
• Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas
• Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
• Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
• Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri