Sergio Kindle's going to have to fly pretty high to replace Brian Orakpo. Just not literally fly. Like he's doing here.
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We’ve told you about the teams. We’ve told you about the conferences, and the coaches, and the championship games, but any head man worth his weight in Gordon Bombay coaching loafers will tell you that it’s easy to look good when you’ve got the right players. So here they are, the 15 athletes you have to know this season conference-by-conference.
We’ve got the five best each league has to offer. The stars, the frontmen, the cover boys. These are the guys that you’ve already heard of, and they’re likely to wallow in the limelight for at least one final season before rocketing to the NFL.
Then there are the shoe-fillers. The players who might be stepping up into the role of a guy who fit in the first category last season. When one star departs, it’s up to these athletes to stop the gap and keep the wins coming. They may be the most pivotal of the young men listed here. It’s the stars that will get the glory, but these are the players who will create the subtle differences between 9-3 and 12-0.
And finally, just because we’re such seers, we’ve gone ahead and listed five players likely to live on the tongues of every pundit around by the end of the year. The players who either flashed just enough potential as freshman, or are heading into a perfect collegiate situation with a deadly blend of talent and opportunity.
Today, we take a look at the Big 12’s 15 Players to Know. So go ahead, and you know, know them.
The Best
1.) Colt McCoy, QB, Texas — This ought to cause some controversy, but McCoy is the top player in Big 12, and he’s got some stiff competition. The SEC may be a better league, and I still think that USC might be a step above the top squads in the southwest, but it’s hard to find a conference with bigger names. McCoy doesn’t have the array of insane playmakers that Sam Bradford or Tim Tebow has at his disposal, and he probably did more for his team individually last season than his Red River Rival. Anytime a guy can lead his team in rushing (561 yards, 11 TDs) and still pass for 3800+ and 34 scores you know he’s integral to their success. McCoy put this team on his shoulders last season and managed to beat the guys who replaced his guys in the national title. He gets his roommate and new favorite target, Jordan Shipley, back for 2009, and a better statistical campaign isn’t out of the question. In fact, it’s probably the correct answer.
2.) Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma — It’s not like Sam Bradford is some kind of schlub. Any other conference outside of the SEC and his own, and he takes the number one spot. According to the national panel of “voters who send in their ballots a month early” he was the elite athlete in the nation last season, and his stats prove his deservedness. 4700+ passing yards, 50 TDs through the air to only eight INTs, and even a few scores on the ground. His moxie nearly knocked off the Gators in the BCS championship game, and if it hadn’t been for perhaps the most violent defensive unit in recent memory, the Sooners might have added a crystal football to Bradford’s Heisman case. I’m a little concerned with his two turnovers in each of the Sooners’ losses, but with a talented group backing him, he could steal another stiff arm.
3.) Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska — How many defensive tackles intercept two passes in one season? Better yet, how many return both picks for touchdowns? The answer here is one, and it’s a good thing because one is a hell of a lot easier to pronounce than Ndamukong (En-dom-ah-ken). The Nebraska defense struggled at times in 2008, but when they were good, they were great, and it started with the senior defensive tackle. He’s the most disruptive D lineman in the country, and he’s only going to get better with Bo Pelini running the show in Lincoln. Suh gave all of those invincible Big 12 offenses a frightening taste of what’s to come in 2009 with his insane closing ceremony in the Gator Bowl win over Clemson — eight tackles, four TFL, and two sacks for -19 yards. That’s a hell of a standard for an encore, but you can bet that all the fans in the sea of red will be chanting his impossible moniker all autumn long.
4.) Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma — It seems like a common trend, but the Big 12 has a couple of guys who were barely bested by conference counterparts. What I mean is that McCoy is a top talent who would be the top DT in any other league in the nation. He’s been on the national radar since his freshman season when he was named the Big 12’s defensive newcomer of the year. Since his first day on campus, he’s racked up eight sacks, including six last season despite missing two games. Of course, his numbers tell only half the story. He’s a dominant terror who changes the way opponents play their Saturday dates with the Sooners. His BCS interception of Tim Tebow ought to tell you something considering it was only Tebow’s fourth pick of the entire season. If you’re wondering why Big 12 offenses insist upon throwing the ball so often, it might be because there’s no running the ball with McCoy clogging the middle.
5.) Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State — Once again we find a new position with the same old story. Bryant gets the nod here in the fifth spot, but only slightly over fellow Big 12 pass-catchers Jermaine Gresham, Dezmon Briscoe, Kerry Meier (completely underrated guy), and Jordan Shipley. But if you’re looking at production, and I am, then it’s hard to argue with what Bryant accomplished last fall. 87 catches, 1480 yards, and 19 TD grabs. Not a bad start, but while he’ll take some heat due to the fact that a large chunk of his numbers came against subpar defenses, you can’t argue with the fact that he found the endzone at least three times in four different games. With Brandon Pettigrew gone to the Detroit graveyard, Bryant will likely garner more attention, but at 6-02 210 pounds, he should be able to muscle his way into the endzone once again. Actually, not once, much much more than once.
The Shoe-Fillers
1.) Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma — I’ve been over this before, but what the hell, I’ll mention it again. Williams has a big job ahead of him. The Sooners’ blocking scheme will allow Trent to swing over to the left side without much change in his personal responsibilities, and he showed last season that he could perform at a high level on a talented O line. But the caliber of pass rushers he’ll face protecting Sam Bradford’s blindside is head-and-shoulders above what he was up against last season. Fans constantly underestimate the importance of continuity on the offensive line, and while I think Oklahoma has the talent and experience to make another serious run at the national title, they won’t do it if they can’t keep the franchise upright. Williams’ play is going to be an enormous factor in whether or not Oklahoma can win yet another Big 12 title.
2.) Sergio Kindle, DE, Texas — Will Muschamp is one of the best defensive minds in the country, especially when it comes to generating a pass rush in unique and confusing ways. And he proved his mettle last year by turning Brian Orakpo into one of the most feared athletes around. Overlooked in all of Orakpo’s hype, however, was the production of linebacker Sergio Kindle. Kindle did some damage of his own, racking up 10 sacks from a stand-up spot. But now Kindle is moving down, taking over for the departed Orakpo on the defensive line. He’s got the talent, and it finally showed in 2008, but this is a big move, and if the Longhorns want to knock off the Sooners for the second time in a row, he’ll have to adapt quickly to playing so much closer to all those massive Big 12 OTs.
3.) Taylor Potts, QB, Texas Tech — There’s going to be a lot of pressure on the Red Raiders’ receivers to replace Michael Crabtree, but the guys stepping in have at least some starting experience. The pivotal position in Mike Leach’s offense isn’t wideout, it’s quarterback, and that’s where Potts will try to accomplish what just about every Texas Tech quarterback has done since Leach’s arrival — wild passing success. Potts has better height and arm strength than most of Lubbock’s recent former QBs, but he won’t have the same luxuries that Harrell had, mainly Crabtree. He’s breaking in a small receiving corps that enjoyed moderate success hiding behind big Mike. I’m not saying Potts can’t get it done, but there’s a lot of heat on fresh face at the most important position after an amazing 11 win season in 2008.
4.) Bill Young, DC, Oklahoma State — Here’s the deal. The Cowboys were one of the most dynamic offenses in the nation last season. They fielded a 3000 yard passer, a 1500 yard rusher, and a receiver that we’ve already talked about in Dez Bryant. What they didn’t have was any semblance of a stop unit. They gave up 37+ points on four occasions and ranked near the bottom in every major defensive category. Don’t believe me? Check this out: 52nd against the run, 109th against the pass, 76th in scoring, and 93rd overall. Young did a nice job with the Miami Hurricanes last season (28th overall), and while the offenses in the ACC aren’t really comparable to what he’ll face here, even twice as bad as he did in Coral Gables will be a huge improvement in Stillwater.
5.) Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri — Just like the situation at Texas Tech, there are going to be plenty of fans questioning the replacement for WR Jeremy Maclin. But the real situation to watch here is at quarterback. Funny how quickly people forget what Chase Daniel did for this program, and how he finished fourth in Heisman ballotting in 2007. But Gabbert is heading into a better situation. There’s more exposure for the program, the level of talent is higher, and the Big 12 North is still the South’s little brother. Plus, and this is a big point here, Gabbert was the top-rated pro-style passer in the 2008 recruiting class. He’s coming in with loads of expectations, and if Missouri wants to prove they weren’t just a flash in the pan, Gabbert will have to live up to his immense potential.
The Next Superstars
1.) Mossis Madu, WR, Oklahoma — Call me crazy, but I have a feeling that the OU receivers are going to outperform their abilities. It happened recently with Juaquin Iglesias and Manny Johnson. Sure, they weren’t exactly scrubs, but they were stars because of that Bradford guy. Now both are gone, and two new starters are stepping in. Jermaine Gresham gets all the attention at the tight end spot, and Ryan Broyles is being tapped as the next big thing in OU receiving, but I have a feeling Madu will put up better numbers. He’s got two more proven talents to steal the defense’s attention after moving over from running back, and he’s already the Sooners’ sixth-leading returning receiver without ever lining up wide. With Gresham garnering the focus of opposing defenders near the goal line, I fully expect Bradford to look for the slightly taller Madu over Broyle in the red zone.
2.) Robert Griffin, QB, Baylor — The only reason Griffin is sitting at second and not first is because he’s already somewhat of a known commodity. As a freshman, Griffin grabbed the starting job from day one and didn’t look back while avoiding throwing a single interception until November. In fact, he only threw three all season. Then there’s his threat as a runner. Griffin led the Bears with 846 yards and 13 touchdowns. But the really scary thought here? The reason he’ll be even more of a star in 2009? He recently gave up track (where he was an Olympic hopeful) to concentrate fully on football. That’s evidence enough for me to believe that he’ll lead Baylor to their first bowl in 15 years.
3.) Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor — Here’s part two of the whole “Baylor’s headed to the postseason” argument. Joe Pawelek is a nasty linebacker, and Jordan Lake is one of the most underrated safeties in the sport, but despite big seasons from both in 2008, this unit still finished 85th in total defense. Enter Taylor, a Penn State transfer who was kicked from the Nittany Lions’ team after his part in an on-campus brawl. It may not be acceptable etiquette between English and Chemistry buildings, but that attitude and his massive size (6-04 355) should be a major coup for the Bears. If he can help slow opposing rushing attacks (53rd against the run last season) and free Pawelek up to roam the field, this defense could finally give Griffin some help in the quest for a bowl appearance.
4.) Keith Toston, RB, Oklahoma State — Toston probably won’t ever get the recognition he deserves while Kendall Hunter is wearing orange and white, but he deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Chris Brown, Demarco Murray, and Jake Sharp. The problem is, Toston’s a senior this season and Hunter is only a junior. So he’ll have to keep plodding along in the shadows. And near the goal line. Toston became quite a punishing red zone threat as a junior reaching paydirt nine times. He’s got better size than Hunter (Toston is 6-01 210, Hunter is 5-08 190), and his speed is deceptive. So while the smaller of the two backs will get the glory, Toston can only hope that he continues to get the rock inside the five where he’ll batter opposing defenders and keep the Cowboys’ scoreboard on fire.
5.) Darrell Scott, RB, Colorado — Yeah, I just heard all the sighs. And I realize that Texas fans are now jubilant over losing out on a guy many people have deemed “Ricky Williams Part II.” And when they say that, I know they’re not referring to his punishing running style, but more to his reported struggles upstairs. Scott might get the last laugh. He showed up overweight last season, and admittedly bought into his own hype before getting injured in a system that he didn’t fully understand. But now he’s a year older, has a season of experience under his belt, a chip on his shoulder, and still possesses all the talent in the world. If he can stay healthy, along with the rest of the Buffaloes, he should finally start to realize his immense potential. 1000+ yards aren’t out of the question.
