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This time last year, we broke down which Big 12 players would most likely reach the benchmarks for their positions in 2011.

The benchmark for receivers is clearly 1,000 yards. Here's what I wrote about the Big 12's 1,000-yard receivers.

It's time to revisit those projections.

College football had 40 players top 1,000 yards receiving. The Big 12 had four. Here's who I picked to do it:

1. Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma: Don't read much into Broyles being over Blackmon. They'll both clear the 1,000-yard mark easily, barring injury. Broyles, though, has done it twice already and has more guaranteed touches in Oklahoma's short passing game.

Final 2011 yardage tally: 1,157 yards

Thoughts: Ugh, it's hard to read that "barring injury" part from last April, but Broyles cleared the 1,000-yard mark and set the FBS career record for receptions before tearing his ACL against Texas A&M. Broyles probably had the inside track at the Biletnikoff Award over Blackmon, but settled for finalist status after the injury.

2. Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State: Blackmon won't come from nowhere this year, but teams were well aware of him after a few games last year. Look for Blackmon and Broyles to clear the 1,500-yard mark like they did last year, when they ranked second and third nationally in receiving yards. Both were finalists for the Biletnikoff Award won by Blackmon, and both have a decent chance to be Heisman finalists next year.

Final 2011 yardage tally: 1,522 yards

Thoughts: Called that 1,500-yard mark on the button, no? Only three receivers in the country topped that mark, and Blackmon was one of them. He also repeated as the nation's top receiver, becoming the second Big 12 player to take home the Biletnikoff Award in consecutive seasons. Heck of a career for Blackmon.

3. T.J. Moe, Missouri: Missouri could help out Moe quite a bit by finding a deep threat to soften up defenses for his underneath routes, but he should be a nice safety blanket for the Tigers' new quarterback. Like we wrote earlier this week, Missouri is the only team in the Big 12 without a quarterback on the roster who has started a game.

Final 2011 yardage tally: 649 yards

Thoughts: Much of the step back was anything but Moe's fault. For one, Mizzou never really found a deep threat to help stretch the field and open things up for Moe, and though quarterback James Franklin played well, he carried the ball almost 200 times. Moe doesn't have eye-popping straight-line speed, and his ability to get open was marginalized by defenses that could afford to show a lack of respect for the long ball.

4. Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M: Fuller became the first Texas A&M receiver to ever reach the 1,000-yard mark last season, and there's no reason to believe he won't do it again. He's experienced, a good route-runner and near impossible to cover on the fade route.

Final 2011 yardage tally: 828 yards

Thoughts: Who knows what went wrong with Fuller last season? He struggled early on with a hamstring injury, but coach Mike Sherman said Fuller was healthy late in the season, and just never turned it on. Fuller is physically gifted, but to me, looked like he was lazy in his route-running, and struggled with drops, too. As a result, he went undrafted.

6. Alex Torres, Texas Tech: Torres was slowed last year by a back injury, but Texas Tech loses its top two receivers from last year's team, and Torres is likely the beneficiary.

Final 2011 yardage tally: 639 yards

Thoughts: Nope. Injuries got Torres again, capped by a torn ACL late in the season. He was banged up for much of the season, and had just two games with at least 100 yards receiving.

I almost picked Kendall Wright to have more than 1,000 yards, but narrowly decided not to. He'd never had 1,000 yards in a season before exploding for 1,663 yards in 2011, but I thought the depth of Baylor's offense would prevent him from hitting quadruple digits. Nope.

The other player I missed? Texas A&M's Ryan Swope, who emerged as a the top receiver in College Station while Fuller struggled. Never, ever saw that one coming.

How would you grade my projections?

With the spring in the Big 12 over, it's time to hand out some awards.

Best newcomer: Brandon Moore, DT, Texas. Moore and offensive lineman Donald Hawkins were the first two juco transfers at Texas since 2002. This spring, Moore showed why, and Hawkins should start on the offensive line. Moore, a 330-pound force in the middle of the defense was reportedly "unstoppable" this spring. Conditioning may be an issue, but that could get better over the summer. If he's busting up offensive lines, Texas' defense is going to be terrifying. Honorable mention: Blake Jackson, WR/TE, Oklahoma State, Dayne Crist, QB, Kansas

Biggest shocker: Wes Lunt, QB, Oklahoma State. OSU OC Todd Monken said himself he'd be "shocked" if Lunt came in and won the QB job. Well, consider him shocked. Junior Clint Chelf didn't distance himself from his competition, and Lunt learned enough to surpass dual-threat J.W. Walsh and win the job. Chelf and Walsh don't sound like they're itching to transfer, which is a welcome sign for OSU's coaches, but Lunt could begin a storied career in Stillwater this fall, even if there are growing pains in the immediate future.

Best quote: Todd Monken, OC, Oklahoma State. Monken got the Sooners fired up with his take on how quickly things can change for a quarterback when it comes to confidence. "It didn’t take long when ol’ (Oklahoma receiver Ryan) Broyles went down and (OU) started running the dozer to think, 'Do we have our guy?' That didn’t take long," Monken said. "Landry Jones went from like, 'I’m the man,' to all of a sudden, 'I haven’t thrown a touchdown pass, I'm fumbling it over my head at Oklahoma State. I gotta go back and see my quarterback guru." Monken later apologized, and even though he made an example of a rival player, it wasn't explicit criticism. Out of line? Maybe. Definitely not what Mike Gundy wanted to hear. Above all, though, it was fact. Even Oklahoma fans who watched the Sooners in 2011 would admit that. It's the truth. Nice move to apologize, and Oklahoma can call it disrespect if it wants. I'll call it what it is: the truth.

Second-best quote: Glenn Gronkowski, FB, Kansas State. On the light-hearted side of things, the youngest of the Gronkowski boys explained his family slogan, "Get Gronk'd" on his bracelet ("It basically just means beasting as much as possible. It's about beasting and going as hard as possible at all times and in everything you do.") and what it was like growing up with his older brothers, notably New England Patriots' TE Rob Gronkowski. "We'd just break stuff, man. We were into WWE when we were little. One time, we got an old table and pulled it out into the living room. We got Rob and choke-slammed him through it. That thing broke right in half." Mrs. Gronkowski, you are a saint.

Biggest black eye: TCU drug scandal. TCU had a squeaky-clean image before this spring, but there's no doubt the newcomers picked a bad time to have it end. Not the best first impression. Four players were arrested in a campus drug sting, including former All-American linebacker Tanner Brock, who would have been the team's top defender. There's some debate about how widespread the problem was, but the impact, scope and attention of the scandal were a bigger problem for the schools than players at Baylor and Iowa State being under investigation for sexual assault. Isn't that a problem in itself?

Best spring-game performance: Collin Klein, QB, Kansas State. Klein was going up against second-teamers, sure. Other K-State quarterbacks have put up crazy numbers in this game, but Klein bested them all with an eye-popping stat line. He completed 47-of-56 passes for 480 yards and six touchdowns, though he threw an interception on the final drive with the game tied at 42. Most impressive? He called all the plays, as K-State QBs traditionally do in the spring game. Honorable mention: Charlie Moore, WR, Oklahoma State

Best viral video: Charlie Weis, Kansas. Weis allowed media access to one open practice, and at the end, ripped into his team for not being enthusiastic enough while celebrating what was supposed to be a game-winning field goal to beat TCU and go 3-0, he told them. "I can tell you guys aren’t used to winning. ... Winning a football game is not supposed to be an uncommon occurrence. I know that’s a novel concept around here," Weis yelled. "When you win a football game, there’s supposed to be a celebration that looks like a celebration. And that was a pile of crap." Was it legitimate? Was it a media stunt? I don't care. It was compelling.

2011 overall record: 10-3
2011 conference record: 6-3 (T-3rd)
Returning starters: Offense: 8; defense: 7; kicker/punter: 2

Top returners

QB Landry Jones, RB Dominique Whaley, FB Trey Millard, WR Kenny Stills, OG Gabe Ikard, LB Tom Wort, CB Demontre Hurst, CB/S Aaron Colvin, FS Tony Jefferson

Key losses

WR Ryan Broyles, LT Donald Stephenson, TE James Hanna, DE Ronnell Lewis, DE Frank Alexander, LB Travis Lewis, CB Jamell Fleming

2011 statistical leaders (*returners)
Rushing: Dominique Whaley* (627 yards)
Passing: Landry Jones* (4,463 yards)
Receiving: Ryan Broyles (1,157 yards)
Tackles: Travis Lewis and Aaron Colvin* (84)
Sacks: Frank Alexander (8.5)
Interceptions: Tony Jefferson* (4)

Spring answers

1. Trey Metoyer is the real deal: The true freshman had the best spring of any wide receiver on the OU roster, then capped it by leading the Sooners in receiving in the spring game. Metoyer has all but solidified a starting spot at wide receiver, and should help fill the massive production gap left by the graduation of Ryan Broyles.

2. Secondary on right path: Defensive coordinator Mike Stoops wasted no time revamping the secondary, sliding Tony Jefferson to free safety while inserting Javon Harris back into the starting lineup at strong safety. Stoops liked what he saw there in the spring, and if Harris can continue to bounce back from a shaky 2011 season, Stoops will have the flexibility of bumping Aaron Colvin to cornerback opposite three-year starter Demontre Hurst, solidifying the Sooners there, too.

3. O-line could be OU’s best in years: Not since 2008 have the Sooners been this deep and talented on the offensive line. Even with center Ben Habern rehabbing from offseason neck surgery, the line didn’t miss a beat grinding out OU’s defensive front most of the spring. Gabe Ikard has proved he can excel at either guard or center, guard Tyler Evans is entering his fourth year as a starter, and Adam Shead could be OU’s top interior run-blocker since All-America Duke Robinson. The tackles remain a little bit of a question mark. But Daryl Williams all but locked down the starting job on the right side with a great spring. On the left side, Tyrus Thompson is pushing to beat out 2011 starting right tackle Lane Johnson.

Fall questions

1. The No. 2 QB battle: Head coach Bob Stoops is no hurry to name a backup quarterback, a competition that figures to extend through August. Blake Bell, who shined running the ball out of the Belldozer formation last season, outplayed Drew Allen in the spring game, but Allen had his moments, too, and has another year of experience in the offense. Whoever wins the No. 2 job could have a leg up on the 2013 derby to replace Landry Jones.

2. The defensive line: Bob Stoops has had a first-team all-Big 12 defensive lineman every year since 1999. That streak, however, could be in jeopardy. Gone are sack machines Frank Alexander and Ronnell Lewis, leaving the Sooners without a proven difference-maker up front. The top five players in the rotation across the front will all be seniors, making it the most experienced in the conference. But for the Sooners to win the Big 12 and contend for a national title, someone must emerge as that difference-maker.

3. The backfield rotation: The Sooners have options in the backfield, but it’s unclear how running backs coach Cale Gundy will use them. It’s also unclear how effective 2011 leading rusher Dominique Whaley will be after missing half of last season with a fractured ankle. Roy Finch can be electric with the ball, but has not earned the trust of the coaching staff in his pass protection. Brennan Clay, banged up the past two seasons, finally looks healthy and had a solid spring. Then there’s touted junior-college transfer Damien Williams, who was also recruited by USC, and fullback Trey Millard, who warrants at least a handful of carries a game. Will someone emerge as the feature back? Or will Gundy go with a backfield by committee?

We've already gone over my thoughts on the Big 12's first round of the draft. What about the rest? Here are some thoughts:

• [+] Enlarge
  Brian Spurlock/US PresswireThe Lions saw enough from Ryan Broyles to take a risk on him in the second round.
  Absolutely fantastic to see Ryan Broyles find a home in Detroit in the second round. Broyles is a second-round talent, and it was great to see him recognized as such -- with NFL teams seeing enough out of his newly-rehabbed knee to know he's a solid prospect. No player in the history of college football had more receptions. I like his chances for a productive career, especially on a building Detroit team with a lot of talent, especially at the offensive skill positions.
• I've written about it in the past, but I'm intrigued to see what Missouri tight end Michael Egnew does at the next level. He was less productive than his predecessors at Mizzou, Martin Rucker and Chase Coffman, but supposedly is a more talented blocker. Coffman got stuck in a franchise that didn't seem willing to use him for what he is -- a receiving tight end -- but can Egnew shed the Mizzou tight end stereotype? We'll find out in Miami.
• Really happy to see things work out well for Oklahoma's Frank Alexander, who was drafted in the fourth round by Carolina. He had a scare at the combine. Doctors thought he had a heart condition and his playing career was in jeopardy. Turns out, he was fine. Glad the mixup didn't cost him more than it could have.
• Allow me to join in the chorus of folks asking, "What the heck is Washington doing drafting Kirk Cousins?" Nothing against Cousins, who I actually think will do well at the next level (or could elsewhere, at least), but this isn't even about bringing in a fellow rookie to "compete with" Robert Griffin III. Washington has plenty of other holes. The Redskins couldn't try to draft and fill it, while finding a backup quarterback in free agency? Seriously. Good grief. And you wonder why Washington hasn't won anything in a long while.
• Ronnell Lewis' fall from top-25 prospect to fourth-rounder is intriguing. Did NFL teams see him up close and get spooked by his lack of a true position? In my book, he'd be a great defensive end, but if NFL teams think he's too small, I have major, major doubts about his ability to play the linebacker spot. The mental part of the game didn't come easily to Lewis at OU, but his career will be fascinating to watch. He's got a high motor, and if it doesn't work out, it won't be because of a lack of effort.
• Good on A&M's Randy Bullock, who went in the fifth round. Prepare for a similar fate in 2011, Quinn Sharp.
• Interesting to see OU's Travis Lewis fall all the way to the seventh round. How much did his broken toe in 2011, which he rushed back from to help his team, hurt his NFL stock? His tape from senior season was underwhelming, no doubt. NFL teams had to be scared about his lack of progression from freshman to senior year, at least not what you'd expect from a guy who topped 140 tackles as a freshman.
• A year ago, A&M folks were rejoicing a future Big 12 title run when Jeff Fuller announced his intention to return. The Aggies went 7-6 and Fuller went undrafted. I hate to see when guys who make decisions to come back get hurt by them, but Fuller's season started with a hamstring injury, and his production never recovered, even when he got healthy. Almost the exact same scenario with A&M corner Coryell Judie, who couldn't get healthy in 2011 and didn't get drafted, even though he was one of the Big 12's top players in 2010.
• Meanwhile, Bryce Brown was drafted, and his 2011 tape included three total carries, one of which was a fumble on his own goal line that nearly cost 10-win Kansas State a game early in the season. Take a bow, Mr. Brown.
• Adding Josh Cooper to the Browns to play with Brandon Weeden? Well played, Cleveland. Well played.
• How did Leonard Johnson go undrafted? I have no idea. Seemed like a solid middle rounder to me, and he proved his worth plenty of times this year against some great Big 12 receivers. His physical skills don't wow you, but he's instinctive at the position, and was physical and productive.

Former Sooners receiver Ryan Broyles writes about his thoughts leading up to NFL draft on SoonerNation.

My toughest time since the injury was those few weeks right after my injury. I didn't like the fact that I couldn't finish the season. It was tough for me to see my teammates finish what we had started without me. On a lighter note, I hated the fact that I couldn't run for a while! I took that for granted.

My biggest supporter was my fiancé, Mary Beth. She was there every step of the way! I also got many calls from close friends and family throughout the process which was great!

I feel truly blessed that life has turned out this way. I always wanted to play in the NFL and I'm finally going to get a chance.

Read more from Broyles on SoonerNation .

This is real. Beware if you produce nightmares easily.

• The Big 12 may have its new commissioner in place by spring meetings at the end of April, reports Chuck Carlton of the Dallas Morning News.
• As each day goes by, it becomes clearer how big a mess Charlie Weis inherited at KU, writes Tom Keegan of the Lawrence Journal-World.
• Kansas is naming a few streets on campus after legendary coach Don Fambrough, who recently passed away.
• Look for a four-team playoff to take shape this week at the BCS meetings, writes Matt Hayes of Sporting News.
• Kansas removed two players from the roster after an incident at a local bar.
• Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman asks: What if Landry Jones had gone pro?
• WVU coach Dana Holgorsen talks about the plans for OC Shannon Dawson, who'll open up the offense soon, writes Mike Casazza of the Charleston Daily Mail.
• Oklahoma receiver Ryan Broyles worked through his injury, and it may pay off soon, writes Mike Baldwin of The Oklahoman.
• RG3 and Andrew Luck will be the first two picks in the NFL draft on Thursday night, but they were almost college teammates.
• How will West Virginia handle the Big 12 transition?
• Coach Bill Snyder weighed in on the kickoff rule changes for 2012.
• Remember Oklahoma transfer Brandon Williams? Sounds like he's tearing it up at A&M this spring.

Miss Oklahoma's spring game? We've got you covered.

What happened:

• The offense beat the defense, 22-21, in a game with modified scoring swiped from Boise State coach Chris Petersen.
• Reserve QB Blake Bell completed 14-of-19 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown. Landry Jones completed 4-of-8 passes for 23 yards in his only series. Drew Allen completed 10-of-18 passes for 72 yards.
• Freshman receiver Trey Metoyer caught six passes for a game-high 72 yards. Receiver Jaz Reynolds hauled in a 60-yard touchdown from Bell.
• Corey Nelson and Julian Wilson tied for a game-high eight tackles. Wilson had two for a loss totaling 13 yards.

What we learned:

• All that hype about Trey Metoyer? For now, consider it validated. He's physically imposing, a presence Oklahoma has needed for some time to muscle up on secondaries. Dejuan Miller had the size but didn't have the production. Metoyer looks every bit the total package. Covering him one-on-one could become impossible very fast with his size and once he learns the small stuff that separates really good receivers from great ones. You kind of have to wonder if he would have been really well served spending a season with Broyles, an undersized guy who got open better than anybody else in the Big 12 last season. Either way, expectations will be sky high for Metoyer, a much-needed addition to the Sooners receiving corps that gets even more help with three of the nation's top 10 receivers arriving on campus before fall camp.
• Blake Bell can throw the ball, y'all. His recruiting tape made that clear, but as the namesake to the Belldozer through the second half of last season, people wanted to pigeonhole him as a runner. He finally got a chance to show what he could do, and the backup QB race should be really intriguing during preseason camp. Remember, in 2009, Jones narrowly beat out Allen for the right to backup Heisman winner Sam Bradford. Next thing you knew, the first chapter of Jones' legacy at OU was being written at Cowboys Stadium. That'll be something to keep an eye on, and fans will remember Saturday when Jones is gone.
• How is Mike Stoops' defense progressing? Well, Javon Harris had earned his starting spot at safety back during the spring, but gave up the 60-yard score to Reynolds that surely renewed the same frustrations for all involved from his struggles late last season that cost him the starting job.
• A couple more drops for Kenny Stills in the game, while Metoyer reportedly didn't drop a single pass in team drills for the entire spring. That's got to be a concern by now for Stills, who struggled with drops late last season. Whatever the issue is, OU needs it to be fixed by fall. He's got to lead the group, and setting the example is a good place to start.

They said it:

Coach Bob Stoops on Metoyer: "He just has got incredible hands and the ability to make plays. He has a knack for adjusting to the football; just all the things you saw today. He can run. He really relishes the moment. He is a competitor for a young guy. He is a player. He just has a natural feel for it, on spacing and how to make plays and get to the ball."

Offensive coordinator Josh Heupel on Metoyer: "It's what you hoped he would do because he's practiced in that fashion for 14 days. He's continuing to get a better understanding of our offense routes, timing, adjustments that he has to make, mechanics of getting a signal and getting lined up and playing with speed at times. Is it something that was out of the ordinary for him today? No, it wasn't. Was it a nice step to see him do it in front of a lot of people and in a game situation? Yes, it was."

It had been five months since we've seen the FBS career leader in receptions (349) take the field and catch a pass.

That ended on Thursday when Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles stepped on the turf for 13 NFL scouts at the Sooners' Everest Indoor Training Center.

Broyles weighed in at 188 pounds, ran a 4.57-second 40-yard dash and showcased a 32.5-inch vertical leap in his first showcase for scouts since tearing his left anterior cruciate ligament late in a November victory over Texas A&M.

"I feel like today I showed up and showed I've been working hard. I have definitely been timing well. The scouts said the same thing," Broyles told reporters. "They don't expect me to be full speed and I don't expect the same. Being competitive, I wish it was in the 4.3 range. That's not the scenario. It just shows that I am working hard. I am getting my lateral movement back as well."

Typically it takes six to nine months to recover fully from a torn ACL.

Broyles should get faster as his recovery progresses, but as a fan of the game of college football, it was great to see video of one of the smartest receivers to come through the Big 12 back on the field running routes. Scouts cut his workout short, too, after seeing him cut and catch just a handful of passes.

They'd seen enough.

"I wanted to keep going. I have been working for months doing all my routes. So for them to cut it short shows that they have respect for me as a ball-catcher. I have been working for it," Broyles said. "I have been working hard these past few months just to show that I am a competitor. I am going to compete. I am going to be ready for camp. I am on my way."

The knee injury virtually assures that Broyles won't be going in the second round of the draft, as he might have if he were healthy. Instead, he projects more likely as a middle- to late-round pick.

That said, whichever NFL team selects him will be getting a steal. He's undersized, sure, but guys as quick as Broyles can come back and be the same player after knee injuries these days, and there's no question his work ethic will allow him to do that.

I'll be looking forward to seeing him back on the field soon.

NORMAN, Okla. -- Even with its best player on the sidelines in tears, Oklahoma didn't know how bad it could get in the season's final month.

No player in the history of FBS caught more passes than Ryan Broyles. When the Sooners' receivers lost their leader and most productive member, one-loss Oklahoma went from Big 12 title contender gunning for an NCAA-most ninth BCS bowl appearance to Insight Bowl participant.

"I just felt like we didn’t know what to do once Ryan went down, to tell you the truth," receiver Kenny Stills said. "We never really saw that coming, and it hit us really hard."

After the loss, quarterback Landry Jones was shut out of the end zone for the season's final three games along with five interceptions. Oklahoma's sure-handed unit suddenly turned shaky, dropping passes more frequently than it had all season.

The Sooners started slow in a win over Iowa State, but were embarrassed in the regular season finale at Oklahoma State with the conference title hanging in the balance.

"We’re disappointed at the way we finished last season, I don’t think there’s any question," said co-offensive coordinator and receivers coach Jay Norvell, "and I think that’s motivated our guys to come out and really prove themselves and to step their game up."

That's been the task for Oklahoma's receivers this spring. After Broyles' injury, Stills moved to an unfamiliar slot position, and his discomfort showed. Despite Broyles' presence, Stills managed to top 100 yards receiving three times in his first six appearances of the season.

When the Sooners' needed him to replace Broyles' production, he didn't top 75 yards receiving.

"We were figuring out what to do with different people in different positions and now I feel like the spring’s helped us figure out what we want to do," Stills said.

He's playing some inside and some outside during the spring, but his preference is simple.

"Wherever the ball’s coming, I want to go," Stills said.

He'll get this offseason to learn how to live life without Broyles, whether it's leading off the field or producing on it. He'll also have plenty of reinforcements. Freshman Trey Metoyer has turned heads in the spring and coach Bob Stoops said he could "absolutely" start.

Come fall, freshmen Durron Neal, Sterling Shepard (two of the nation's top 10 receivers in the 2012 class) and Derrick Woods will join the team, along with highly touted juco transfer Courtney Gardner.

"Competition is the best motivator that you have. That’s Oklahoma," Norvell said. "You hear stories about back in the day when all the running backs were here and coach [Barry] Switzer was here, and there’d be another guy come in, and the way guys looked at each other.

"Good players, they have a lot of pride. And I just think we’ve tried to create that environment. We have a lot of guys that can make plays and that also push each other. I think guys get excited when they see somebody come in that has ability like that and it can help the team."

Norvell's message to his receivers this spring was accountability. Replacing Broyles is up to more than just Stills.

"We’ve talked a lot about (accountability), and I think we have to do a better job of that as a unit and as a team, playing hard for each other, and I don’t think we always did that, especially at the end of last year," Norvell said. "That’s what being a part of a team is, it’s the most special thing you can ever be a part of, especially because you know somebody has your back, and that’s exactly where we started this spring."

Kenny Stills is a proven playmaker.

During his first two seasons, the Oklahoma receiver has threatened defenses with his speed, acceleration and ball skills. Stills has shown he can run past speedy defensive backs -- see his touchdown catches against Florida State or Nebraska -- or make difficult catches while he’s covered like he did in the 2010 Red River Rivalry against Texas.

Heading into his junior season, Stills is looking to progress from playmaker to difference-maker for the Sooners offense. And he understands that the biggest steps forward he can make in the next few months will come off the field.

“I felt like I need to be that guy who does that, I need to be a leader for these guys,” Stills said. “We were in the shadows with the older guys, who had played for a national championship, [but] I was ready to step in the role and I had to go out and show them, not just talk about it.”

Replacing Ryan Broyles' production has been a focal point for the Sooners since OU’s all-time leading receiver suffered an ACL injury on Nov. 5. But replacing Broyles in the meeting room, on the practice field and on the sideline during games could be just as important.

While Broyles' production was unmatched -- he averaged 7.3 receptions for 95.5 yards and nearly one touchdown per game during his 48-game career -- his injury showed just how important he was to the team’s overall success. The Sooners went 2-2 without Broyles and had three of their four lowest-scoring games with him on the sidelines.

In other words, Broyles was a difference-maker. So, it’s easy to see why Stills is looking to duplicate Broyles in every way possible.

“I feel like you have to lead by example, that’s what Ryan did half of the time,” Stills said. “It wasn’t about just telling people, you have to go out and do it. And they have to see you do it, every day. That’s what I’m trying to do for these guys throughout the spring and summer.”

Co-offensive coordinator Jay Norvell has noticed the difference. Also serving as OU’s receivers coach, Norvell has watched Stills mature in the past few months and he’s seen an example of Stills’ maturation process in the way he has interacted with spring enrollee Trey Metoyer.

“I think it’s a maturation of Kenny Stills,” Norvell said. “He sees a young guy coming in who doesn’t really understand everything, going through similar things he went through not that long ago. All of a sudden you look around and you’re one of the older guys and you have a different role, different way of looking at things. He has to become more of a leader by example.”

Durron Neal, Sterling Shepard, Derrick Woods and Courtney Gardner will join Metoyer as additions to the Sooners receiving corps this summer and those newcomers will be searching for someone to mentor them and ease their transition into Big 12 football.

“I have a lot to prove to myself,” Stills said. “We [Coach Norvell and I] talked about the great players do the little things well. One of those things, for me, was to come back and be able to lead the guys who are coming back and the guys who are coming in, so that’s what I’m hoping to do.”

When it comes to quarterback, Bob Stoops lives a charmed life these days.

Not many coaches can boast a bona fide Heisman contender -- Landry Jones -- with 37 career starts to his name entering the 2012 season. Stoops can.

But looking at both of the Sooners' rivals, it's a different picture.

Texas is engrossed in a two-man derby between David Ash and Case McCoy. North of the Sooners, Oklahoma State is playing host to a battle between junior Clint Chelf and a pair of freshmen, J.W. Walsh (redshirt) and Wes Lunt (early enrollee).

Texas nearly has its man; Ash is handling the majority of the first-team snaps.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma State is still splitting first-team reps evenly and doesn't have much separation between the three. Neither Texas or Oklahoma State has named a starter.

Stoops will have to replace Jones next season, but if he were in Mike Gundy or Mack Brown's shoes, he wouldn't hurry to name a quarterback.

"There's so much that can happen from the end of spring," Stoops told ESPN in Norman this week. "Just think about the amount of time before you take a snap in a game. So, I always felt having our guys continue to remain very competitive was the best thing."

Brown didn't name Garrett Gilbert his starter until the week before the Longhorns' opener against Rice last season. Texas' spring ended with Sunday's spring game and once again, Brown didn't name a starter.

Gundy, meanwhile, has seven practices remaining in the spring and wants separation. What about the notion that a team needs a commanding presence during the summer, when coaches can't oversee player workouts and it's up to a team leader to organize?

"I think that's overrated," Stoops said. "What, Ryan Broyles can't do that? A big-time receiver can't orchestrate it? Or the two (quarterbacks) can't say, 'Hey, we're meeting at this time.'?

“Or your team pride. What, I need the quarterback to tell me I need to come in here and work hard? You've got 100 guys on a team … they oughtta all be pushing each other to get in here and work. Heck, (former OU tight end) Jermaine Gresham could have grabbed everybody by the throat and made sure they were here."

Gundy and offensive coordinator Todd Monken see it quite differently.

"I don’t think it’s overrated," Gundy told ESPN in Stillwater this week. "I think it needs to be there. Can you have a lineman do it? Yeah. It’s not the same. This’ll be a big summer for us, because whoever we feel like is going to be our quarterback, he has to develop some leadership and I feel like that’s all part of it."

Said Monken: "You’re staring at two guys who played quarterback, Mike and I. So from our end of it, that’s how we’re going to see it. Stoops, he played DB, so he doesn’t care. He sees it a different way, and he’s right, anybody can organize it, but that’s not usually the case."

Monken's biggest reason? Quarterbacks need it more than anyone else. OSU receiver Justin Blackmon lived with a walk-on quarterback during his career, and anytime he wanted to get some work, he had an arm who could throw him balls at full speed.

Quarterbacks, though? Work is work, but throwing to walk-ons or friends isn't the same as throwing to targets with sub-4.5 speed like they will in live games.

"Quarterbacks need those guys to function," Monken said. "I don’t blame anybody for their opinion. That’s their opinion, but the reality is that the guys that are usually in charge of the summer workouts are the QBs because it affects them the most."

He added: "There’s something to be said for the guy that leads your team being the organizer. It doesn’t have to be, but it certainly helps."

Oklahoma State doesn't know who its quarterback will be. It would love to name him by spring. But even with the stakes high during the summer, they have no plans to force a decision.

"If we don’t know, then we won’t do it, but if we do, then we’ll do it," Gundy said. "That’s as important as anything we do in the offseason."

Oklahoma receiver Ryan Broyles hasn't been heard from much since tearing his ACL in November, weeks after setting the FBS record for career receptions.

That's especially been true as the pass-catcher has been unable to work out for NFL scouts, leaving Broyles in danger of being overlooked in favor of numerous other receivers who lacked his production.

Two weeks before the draft and five months after injuring the knee, Broyles will give scouts a chance to see what he can do with a workout on April 12, according to The Sports Xchange.

"I'm feeling confident and I feel great," Broyles told the site. "I can't give you a percentage, it's not 100 percent but the left leg is getting closer to being as strong as the right leg."

The fluky, non-contact injury left Broyles in tears and OU's receiving corps in shambles as the Sooners lost two of their final three games in the regular season. Broyles has become a likely sixth-round selection after being seen as a possible second- or third-round pick before the injury.

"My dream has always been to play in the NFL, not be a first-round draft pick, just to be a pick," Broyles said. "It's not about where you get picked. It's not about how much money you make. It's about how much you save. I've heard that a lot. I'm on my saving kick already."

Broyles' feel for space was unrivaled in the Big 12 last season and was the biggest reason for his production, but Broyles looked the part of speedster at times, too. It'll be interesting to see what he can do this soon, and if he can help his stock with the very late workout.

The 5-foot-10, 192-pounder is undersized for the position, but it's hard to imagine he won't land in an NFL camp and earn a living as a slot receiver at the next level. Here's hoping he's at least healthy enough to get a fair shot.

NORMAN, Okla. -- Expect plenty from Oklahoma in the days and weeks to come, but here's a few spare notes and thoughts from my time on campus Tuesday.

• The hype machine shows no signs of slowing around incoming receiver Trey Metoyer. Coach Bob Stoops said the incoming freshman "absolutely" could start for the Sooners; co-offensive coordinator Jay Norvell, who coaches receivers, laughed when he was asked if Metoyer could start. Look for more on him from SoonerNation soon. Metoyer will be a big piece for the Sooners. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder is speedy with great hands and jumping ability, a rare combo. Oklahoma needs a big, productive receiver, and Metoyer's proving early on that he could have the same kind of impact as a freshman that Kenny Stills did in 2010, when he broke the school's freshman record for receiving yards, with 786.
• Trey Millard's best known for his work at fullback, but he's earned the nickname "Slash" from Stoops for his work at tight end, H-back and tailback, too. "I don't even know how he remembers it all, but he does," Stoops said. New defensive coaches Mike Stoops and Tim Kish have told stoops on multiple occasions that Millard "may be the best player on the team." His role reminds me a bit of Brody Eldridge's during the injury-plagued 2009 season. Eldridge was mostly a tight end, but played some fullback and about every position on the offensive line -- despite being just 260 pounds -- for the Sooners. You heard similar praise thrown his way.
• Dominique Whaley was the team's top rusher a year ago before his season ended with a fractured ankle. Stoops called Whaley's progress to this point "very encouraging," adding he didn't know how exactly to quantify the senior-to-be's healing process from the injury.
• What does Norvell think about younger receivers having to compete with a possible impact player in Metoyer? "That's Oklahoma," he said. Despite having four inches on the elder receiver Trey Franks, it's Metoyer who's earned the nickname "Little Trey." Such is life as a young gun. "That's how it goes," laughed fellow receiver Stills.
• Stills also opened up about life after losing team leader Ryan Broyles, the FBS career leader in receptions. Stills' production slowed and the whole receiving corps suddenly started dropping passes as the Sooners lost two of their final three regular-season games. "Everything without Ryan was hard. I feel like everybody saw that," Stills said. "I hope that I can go in and step up and make the plays Ryan did."
• Coverage wasn't different on Stills, but he was playing an unfamiliar slot position and struggled to maintain his production, much less fill the void Broyles left behind. "I was in a position I'd never played and then it was like, 'Kenny didn't step up,' which was true," he said. "I've got to make the plays when the ball comes to me."

Across our little blog village here at ESPN, we're taking a look at the top newcomers in college football this year. You (probably) don't know their names yet, but here's who you need to watch this fall in the Big 12.

Will Smith, LB, Texas Tech: The Red Raiders only found Smith while recruiting another possible impact transfer, running back SaDale Foster. The California juco transfer stepped on campus this winter and by the end of spring, coach Tommy Tuberville called him the team's best linebacker. He started playing outside, but Tuberville moved the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder to starting middle linebacker in the middle of camp so he'd be on the field even during passing downs. He'll be important to Tech's new 4-3 scheme. Think K-State's Arthur Brown, a Miami transfer who's almost the exact same size.

Dayne Crist, QB, Kansas: You probably know this name, but Crist started nine games in 2010 for Notre Dame and appeared in 17 career games. He began 2011 as the starter, but was benched and transferred to KU to play his final season of college football for Charlie Weis, the coach who recruited him to South Bend as the nation's No. 2 quarterback and No. 22 overall prospect in the 2008 class. He threw 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2010.

Brandon Moore, DT, Texas: Moore is part of a changing world in Austin, thanks to a revamped coaching staff with some SEC sensibilites. He and OT Donald Hawkins were the first juco transfers to sign with Texas since 2002 and Moore may be the lynchpin of the Big 12's best defense this year. Teammates have described the "full-grown man" as "unstoppable." Such is life at 6-6 and 330 pounds. Moore has to work on his conditioning, but he's going to wreak havoc on Big 12 offensive lines when he's on the field this year. Look for him to collapse a pocket or two early and often this season.

Trey Metoyer, WR, Oklahoma: Metoyer spent a year in military school after not qualifying academically, but he's already made an impact this spring after finally arriving at Oklahoma. He was the nation's No. 8 receiver in the 2011 class and offers the Sooners some much-needed sure hands. The unit came down with the dropsies late last season, and the FBS career leader for receptions, Ryan Broyles, is NFL-bound. Metoyer is exactly what the Sooners need to keep their offense on pace with the league's best, and he'll be catching passes from a Heisman candidate in Landry Jones.

Lache Seastrunk, RB, Baylor: Seastrunk's short-lived career at Oregon was marred by a recruiting scandal, but he's back home, 30 miles north of his hometown in Temple, Texas, and ready for a fresh start. Baylor needs a replacement for Big 12 rushing champ Terrance Ganaway, and Seastrunk, the nation's No. 6 running back and No. 40 overall prospect in the 2010 class, is battling Glasco Martin and Jarred Salubi for the chance to be the man.

West Virginia and TCU: Have y'all heard about this? It's gonna be kind of crazy. After losing four teams since June 2010, the Big 12 poached the Big East and added the former Southwest Conference-dwelling Frogs and the Mountaineers, badly in need of a home away from the weakened Big East. Here's how we welcomed the Frogs and did the same for WVU earlier this year.

Thanks for all the emails this week. Here's where you can reach me if you've got more to say.

Robert Powell in El Paso, Texas writes: David, Good article on Tech. Other than 'coaching cliche's', how can Leach's players not be near good enough for Tuberville's teams? Leach always had good/decent depth and playmakers. Now none of them can play (2011 season)? I know the defensive systems are different, but players play, no matter the system. Also, injuries happen, but Tech's apocalyptic injuries had to be among the most in all of CFB. How do Tech's number of injuries compare with other teams from '11 and in previous years? Keep up the great work!

David Ubben: Players play, yes, and the talent's been there on offense. Defensively, though? No way. Tuberville is right on. The Red Raiders' linebackers have been really underwhelming under Tuberville, because the upperclassmen haven't had the kind of talent you need to field a good defense in this league.

The corners have been bad, but they've been young, too. Tech hasn't had the kind of pass-rushers you need to compete in this league, and the best of the bunch, Scott Smith, missed most of 2010 and 2011 with a coach-imposed suspension. When was the last time under Leach that Texas Tech had a defender that really wowed you? For me, Colby Whitlock was the last I really remember.

Tuberville has stacked his team with some athletes like Leon Mackey and Delvon Simmons that haven't been at Tech for a long while. Those guys have to mature now.

Making matters worse have been the injuries. Tech's been hurt more by those the past two seasons than anyone else, especially on defense. Call it an excuse if you must, but it's the truth. I've been surprised at how slow the improvement on defense has been for Tuberville, who made his career on having great defenses, but there's no question he's been hamstrung by poor depth, and having that poor depth tested quickly by a ton of injuries.

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Daniel in Waco writes: What do u think about adding air force as a way to recapture the Denver market?

DU: Not a fan of that idea for several reasons. Chief among those, Air Force does not capture the Denver market. Neither did Colorado in the same sense that, say, Texas or Texas A&M captured a market.

Here's the bottom line: All the true home run expansion possibilities are gone. A&M and Nebraska have massive fan bases that move the needle and provide a lot for any league. None of that is around anymore, but West Virginia was somewhat along that line.

Bigger than that, though, is the reasons why WVU and TCU punched tickets to the Big 12: Greatness on the football field. You don't want to count on a big fan base carrying TV ratings. What carries even more TV ratings? Nationally relevant games. You get nationally relevant games by having top 25 teams playing. Air Force doesn't have that.

To me, teams like Louisville and BYU are big question marks in that area, though BYU has the biggest fan base left. Either way, Air Force won't fit either of those. Not a fan of the Falcons in the Big 12. Louisville should be No. 1 if the Big 12 looks to expand, and BYU supposedly comes with plenty of other complications in terms of wanting to do things its way in the boardroom. They love independence. WVU wanted out of the Big East, and TCU's dreams came true with a Big 12 invite. For now, the league should stand pat.

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Bob in Crab Orchard, W. Va., writes: Do you think that if Geno or Tavon Austin either one has standout seasons in the Big 12 that they have a shot at being front runners in the heisman running.

DU: Geno definitely does. I've written that a few times. Austin, though? He's going to have to do a lot in the special teams to truly differentiate himself. And even then, it's going to be tough. We've seen some amazing receivers come through this league, especially Justin Blackmon and Ryan Broyles the past two seasons. Neither had a real chance to win the Heisman. It's too difficult for receivers, and honestly, I think that's how it should be. Great players, yes, but receivers don't have the level of impact to win games like quarterbacks and running backs do. They just don't touch the ball enough. That said, Austin should be a candidate for the Biletnikoff Award.

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Joshua Atkins in Tyler, Texas, writes: Ubben! You're Famous! No wait, this photo is supposed to be about Justin Blackmon kissing his girlfriend!

DU: That was only the second-best photo of the Fiesta Bowl, behind this one. A few of you sent me that photo from The Atlantic on Twitter this week. It cracked me up. And you know I can't see a player lay a big one on a cheerleader and not write about it, right?

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Jack Thompson in Valdosta, Ga., writes: Hey David, Mountaineer till way after I die! I'm curious as to how well the other schools travel. I know we are well on our way to selling out every game this season and I know a portion of it can be attributed to the Big 12 folks coming to Morgantown. Really what I want to know is, if theres going to be a big ole (insert any B12 school ) motorcoach sporting team colors parking next to ours?!

DU: Well, that's a complex question. When Nebraska left, so did the only team in the Big 12 that completely swarms a city regardless of how big a game is. If it's a huge game, you'll see plenty of Big 12 fans in your city. Texas and Oklahoma obviously have the biggest fan bases, and they'll be, to quote one Big and Rich, comin' to your citaaay.

If I had to pick one team you could count on to travel regardless of the magnitude of the game, I'd probably say Kansas State. The Wildcats don't have the biggest fan base, but it's one of the most loyal. The Cats love them some Bill Snyder.

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Seth in Kansas City, Mo. writes: I've got a plan for you to follow. How about, until the 2012-2013 academic year starts, you continue to report on the Mizzou Tigers and A&M Aggies. You know, what your job entails? Maybe I am misunderstanding your position here. You are a college football reporter for the BIG12 for ESPN correct? And the realignment does not take effect until 2012-2013 correct? Now that you have a complete understanding of the situation maybe you'll start to do your job.

DU: Glad to see you're one of our most loyal readers, Seth! Thanks for checking us out every day!