The Big 12 always recruits some of the top talent in the country -- and the 2003 classes were no different. Even though Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas State are ranked in the Top 5 and Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and Missouri are expected to make some noise this year, some talented freshmen will make an impact in the Big 12 this year.

Two defensive linemen top my list of freshmen to watch: Oklahoma State's Xavier Lawson-Kennedy and Oklahoma's Moe Dampeer. The Cowboys have a need on the defensive line and Lawson-Kennedy can step right in. He's a destructive force up the middle and a great run-stopper with explosive moves in a limited space. Moe Dampeer has almost the same kind of ability that current Sooner star Tommie Harris had as a freshman. He's big, gets good leverage and loves to mix it up.

The Longhorns have Cedric Benson and Selvin Young coming back, but running back Eric Hardeman's combination of great strength, explosive moves and terrific vision could get him on the field. Watch out for another running back too, but this newcomer is from the JUCO ranks. RB Damien Nash from Coffeyville Community College is an impact player and should add depth right away and be a big-play guy for Missouri. He led his team to the state title as a sophomore QB and is super fast.

Around the Big 12
Baylor
Brandon Whitaker has good moves at running back and should hit the field quickly. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State came after Whittaker, but the opportunity to play early brought him to Waco. Wide receiver Derrick Jones can really stretch a defense with his speed. Nick Fellows is a good pure cover corner with good speed and could also earn early playing time.

Colorado
The Buffaloes made a good catch with DB Chris Russell from Tennessee. His great speed and hitting ability could allow him to be a big surprise as a freshman. Linebacker Walter Boye-Doe from Texas has the size and strength to make an immediate contribution. WR Stephone Robinson could also help early as a return man and/or third receiver. He was the most exciting high school player in Colorado last year. RB Terry Washington, who I thought was the most underrated player in Missouri last year, could also vie for time.

Iowa State
When talking about freshman contributors, normally offensive linemen are not in the mix, but the Cyclones signed two very good OL prospects. Aaron Brant and Brandon Cook have the talent to push for playing time. Linebacker Ron Prelow from Florida should also make the field. He's quick to the ball and has great instincts.

Kansas
Wide receiver Tony King is a tall, deceptively fast receiver and should contribute immediately for the Jayhawks.

Kansas State
The impact players for the Wildcats will once again come from the JUCO ranks. Malcolm Woolridge from Harper JC should earn time right away on the defensive line. He's a run-stopping noseguard and very strong at the point of attack. LB Marvin Simmons from Compton College runs like a defensive back, but hits like a defensive lineman. DB Corey Reddick from Garden City CC is a good cover corner and will contribute.

Missouri
Defensive back Nino Williams from Tyler Community College should also step right in. He was a JUCO All-American with great range and hitting ability. (Darnell Terrell is probably the Tigers' best freshman. A great two-way player and terrific athlete, Terrell will surely contribute at least on special teams.)

Nebraska
QB Joe Dailey should come in and battle for a two-deep spot right away for the Cornhuskers. Nebraska usually doesn't go the JUCO route, but DE Wali Muhammad and CB Donald DeFrand should fight for starting spots right away. DeFrand is a tall, active corner with good recovery speed. Muhammad is explosive off the ball and quick to the quarterback.

Oklahoma
Besides Dampeer, WR Tristen Ross is a blazer with good hands and could contribute right away for the Sooners. Free safety Tony Cade, the hardest hitting secondary player in Texas last year, has great range and loves contact. OU is loaded on defense, but Cade could make an impact on special teams. TE Joe Jon Finley also has a chance to play. RB Courtney Tennial is muscular, runs well between the tackles and has a good burst to the outside.

Oklahoma State
The Cowboys corralled their best recruiting class in a long time. In addition to Lawson-Kennedy, QB Donovan Woods, brother of OSU WRs Rashaun and D'Juan, is a tremendous athlete and a great catch for Oklahoma State. He won't knock out Josh Fields, but his pure athletic ability could get him on the field. WRs Eddie Brown, Eric Allen and Chijuan Mack all have the ability to play as freshmen. Brown has great hands and good separation speed.

Texas
Besides Hardeman, defensive backs Tarell Brown and Michael Griffin should have a good shot at playing as a freshman. Brown has everything teams look for in a corner: size, speed, agility, body control and flexibility. Griffin is a superior athlete and can get to the ball in a hurry.

Texas A&M
Linebacker Justin Warren has the skills to play right away for the Aggies. Warren's a terror off the end with his great speed and quickness. Earvin Taylor is a big-play receiver with good size, leaping ability and strong hands. TaTa Thompson could also see some time if he is healthy. OL Jorrie Adams is the Aggies' most talented 2003 recruit, but might not be ready to hit the field this year. DB Erik Mayes is another player to watch

Texas Tech
QB Phil Daugherty has great potential and might be able to contribute as a freshman. He was very productive in high school and has the smarts to pick things up quickly. Corner Antonio Huffman from Garden City CC should fight for a playing time right away. He shows good instincts and range. Chauncey Clark is another player to watch. He's strong, fast and has good experience from CC of San Francisco.

Early look at 2004
1. Texas: The Longhorns are ahead of everyone once again. Texas has commits from three good receivers (George Walker, Jordan Shipley and Nathan Jones) and is ahead of OU because of the numbers -- UT has 17 commits.
2. Oklahoma: The Sooners are right behind Texas and the commitment of QB Rhett Bomar is huge -- probably OU's biggest catch in 10 years. The Sooners have 11 early pledges.
3. Texas A&M: The Aggies have some great commits with QB Stephen McGhee, DL William Morrisey and DL Chris Smith. Coach Fran has Texas A&M very close to Texas and OU.
4. Colorado: The Buffaloes have done very well with getting recruits interested in heading to Boulder. Colorado's name is popping up on top prospects lists from Texas to California.
5. Kansas State: There is a big drop from CU to K-State, but the Wildcats are solidly in the fifth spot because they do such a great job attracting top JUCO talent.
6. Oklahoma State: The Cowboys have big commits from DL Nathan Peterson and QB Robert Reid. OSU could make a big move up this list.
7. Nebraska: The Cornhuskers have some pretty good players out of Nebraska, including OL Seth Olsen, but that's about it right now.
8. Missouri: The Tigers have seven early commits all from Missouri.
9. Iowa State: The Cyclones have three or four good pledges from Iowa natives.
10. Texas Tech: The Red Raiders are way behind neighbors Texas and Texas A&M, but Mike Leach has a knack for finding guys to fit their system.
11. Kansas: The Jayhawks have three early commits, but are not making much noise.
12. Baylor: The Bears don't have the early commitments they need and aren't making much buzz with top recruits.