Tilting at Windmills - An Oklahoma Sooners Blog
2013 Recruiting Update 3-6
Verbal Commitments: 1 (class size 20 to 24)
Keith Ford 5-11, 200, 4.5. Certainly looks like Ford is the best RB in Texas. He shows good combination of speed, power, and moves. In fact, watch Ford move up the rankings this year as he receives more attention. Wouldn’t shock me if Ford is as highly ranked as Gray from last year. http://www.hudl.com/athlete/609932/keith-ford
Overall Update:
Calm down Sooner fans. OU is being very cautious in recruiting with their offers and their overall strategy. In addition, OU is being very aggressive nationally with offers. Sooner fans need to stop freaking out over Texas recruiting. OU could easily end up with 10 to 12 big time recruits from Texas. This OU staff has annually found gems in Texas later in recruiting. OU is also trying to leverage their staff connections in Arizona and California. There are talented kids in those regions and OU’s football brand has national power. While UT is making offers to instate kids who want to be longhorns, OU is going after prospects where the decision process will likely be longer. These kids won’t be able to make it out for a junior day and committing before taking a visit isn’t likely to happen. And with some of the national prospects OU will be battling other power programs. OU has close to 70 offers out there, and will likely make 20 to 30 more. The hit percentage doesn’t matter. OU just needs the right 20+ kids when it’s February 2013. Only UT worries about stats like getting 20 kids out of 23 offers. It’s a meaningless stat from a recruiting standpoint. If OU does not have 10 or more verbals by June then really start to worry.
Position Updates: (projected number)
QB: 1
Take Swoopes off the board. He’s chosen UT which is odd since he’s being sold on being VY/RG3 like, but the UT offense is miles away from the scheme that UT used with VY. OU seems completely focused on Max Browne, the awesome looking QB from the Seattle area. Browne appears to have a legit high interest in OU and should visit during Spring Ball which should clarify where OU stands. But for right now, OU is all in on Max Browne. OU appears to have Scott or Johnson waiting to see what happens with Browne.
Max Browne 6-5, 210, 4.8 Seattle, WA – Amazing passing QB. Sam Bradford like accuracy. Works the whole field. Best passing QB prospect in country. Talking up OU, talking about visiting in spring.
2013 Recruiting Update 2-4
Verbal Commitments: (class size 20 to 24)
None
Possible targets by position
QB: 1
OU will take at least one QB. Landry graduates and the possibility that one of the backups might bolt if they determine that they are behind on the depth chart is quite valid. So while OU has 5 QBs right now. It could easily be 2 or 3 by the time this QB enrolls.
Tyrone Swoopes 6-5, 220, 4.6 Texas – Had a great junior year. Very mobile run pass QB. The comparisons to VY are obvious. But I see a lot more than of Cam Newton in his game. Appears to have real interest in OU. Visited Norman last year and was just up for a Junior Day event.
Max Browne 6-5, 210, 4.8 Seattle, WA – Amazing passing QB. Sam Bradford like accuracy. Works the whole field. Best passing QB prospect in country. Talking up OU, talking about visiting in spring.
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/574112/max-browne
2012 Recruiting Signing Day Wrapup
PDF version if you prefer to read offline. Recruiting Wrapup PDF
Position by Position Review
QB
Trevor Knight QB 6-3, 200, 4.7
It looked like for most of February/March that Gunner Kiel would be the OU QB of choice. He looked like a perfect fit. I’ll admit his passing highlights showed a very accurate QB. OU’s distance and QB depth led Kiel to drop OU, and Josh Heupel went back to his original QB list. However, Heupel rallied by getting Trevor Knight to decommit from ATM and choose OU. I’ll leave the misadventures of Mr. Kiel’s choice for Less Miles to describe. Suffice it to say, Josh is very happy with Trevor being the future Sooner leader. In terms of a comparison, Trevor to me looks like a bigger Colt McCoy with a better arm. Now pretend we can objectively talk about McCoy skills. Knight is very mobile, accurate, does a great job throwing on the run, does a great job continuing to look for WRs before picking up “move the chains” yards rushing. Trevor had a great senior year with an awesome TD to INT ratio throwing for 27 touchdowns and 2,092 yards with just three interceptions as a senior with 943 yards rushing with 15 TDs on the ground
Quality Rating: A (so much talent and ability for Josh to develop. Based on the all-star games, Knight should have been there instead)
Quantity Rating: A (sign a QB a year)
no comments2011 Preseason Storylines
- First time that I can really recall under Stoops that OU is waiting this late in the year for updates on academic issues. Ronnell Lewis in particular is rumored to be in some sort of academic danger. OU is still waiting on word on Trey Metoyer and Jordan Wade. OU really does not need Metoyer being a free agent all fall and able to sign with anyone else. Especially if OU gets a verbal from DGB, Metoyer could be convinced by another program that OU is too deep at WR. You can never have enough DTs so losing Jordan Wade would be a disappointment, plus it’s not a great year for DTs in OU’s regular recruiting regions.
- Connected to the Ronnell Lewis issue, OU’s weakest point with the reinstatement of Jamell Fleming is at DE. OU really only has a known quantity in Frank Alexander, and if Ronnell Lewis is out the only other DEs with playing time are David King and RJ Washington. King and Washington so far have struggled to make any real impact in their Sooner careers to date. Future DE stars Geneo Grissom and Nathan Hughes haven’t played a snap yet. With the passing threats in the Big 12, a lack of an outside pass rush could become a serious issue. no comments
2012 Recruiting Update 7-17
Verbals for 2012
Kyle Marrs OL 6-6, 310, 5.2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MHrkW314AM
Alex Ross RB 6-2, 205, 4.5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLBp2ScFBL0
Sterling Shepard WR 5-10, 180, 4.4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2ZGfrXpG_A
Duron Neal WR 6-1, 190, 4.45
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYitnjYO3l0
Ty Darlington OC 6-3, 285, 5.0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8UFzdkwL-k
John Michael McGee OL 6-4, 265, 4.9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsyTDcgQMOY
Devante Harris 5-11, 165, 4.4
Daniel Brooks ATH 5-9, 180, 4.4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1fzCKKEKbU
Trevor Knight QB 6-3, 190, 4.7
Eric Striker DB/OLB 6-0, 195, 4.6
Laith Harlow TE 6-5, 235, 4.8
Connor Knight TE/DS 6-5,215, 4.7 (recruited walk-on)
no commentsRecruiting Update 3-1
Verbals for 2012
Kyle Marrs OL 6-6, 310, 5.2 -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MHrkW314AM
Alex Ross RB 6-2, 205, 4.5 -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLBp2ScFBL0
Sterling Shepard WR 5-10, 180, 4.4
OU’s added their 3rd verbal commitment with the predicted commitment of Sterling Shepard. Sterling as an OU legacy seemed to be just a matter of time after OU offered. And fortunately Shepard jumped on the offer before too many other offers at his position got sent out. Shepard had a great junior campaign and when Barry Sanders JR went down with an injury, Shepard as the foundation of the whole offense kept Heritage Hall going. The comparisons to Ryan Broyles are going to be hard to contain, and are obvious., the ability to make defenders miss, make after the catch yards. Looking at Shepard’s highlight reel, though you see one big difference mainly Shepard appears to have better breakaway speed, he appears to be faster overall. What you cannot tell is if Sterling can develop Ryan’s hands or ability to find gaps in coverage. But there’s a lot of skill for the OU coaches to develop at WR or even CB down the road. Right now Shepard is a WR prospect and will be given every shot at that position. He’s too good with the ball in his hands.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2ZGfrXpG_A
While OU added Shepard, some of OU’s targets have verbaled elsewhere
Jordan Richmond LB chose ATM (a real blow, hopefully OU can fill their LB spot with their top targets or come back to Richmond later in the year)
Thomas Johnson WR chose UT as did Cayleb Jones WR. UT’s new WR coach Darryl Wyatt is a good recruiter, and UT was obviously pitching immediate playing time with their desperate situation at WR (no playmakers beyond Mike Davis).
Bralon Addison chose OSU. OSU could commit to playing Addison exclusively at WR where was OU was looking at Addison at CB. OU wants to be very clear with ATH type prospects after losing Brandon Carter and Darius Jones late in recruiting when they decided to be WRs.
OU appears to be focusing on some national prospects right now in their evaluations and seeing what level of interest is out there. This wave of national offers is holding up some offers in Texas as OU evaluates their chances with some elite national kids.
Based on rosters numbers, OU is looking at a class of around 15. So how are those 15 ships going to be distributed?
QB: 1
RB: 1 (Ross)
OL: 4 (Marrs, any attrition and OU signs at least 5)
TE: 1 (If the right prospect can be found)
WR: 2 (Shepard and ideally DGB)
DT: 1
DE: 2
LB: 2
DB/Ath: 2
Top Ten to Watch (realistic kids who are listing OU, and fit OU’s needs)
1. Dorial Beckham- Green 6-5, 215. 4.5 Missouri - He’s only the best junior prospect in the country. Julio Jones but bigger or AJ Green but more explosive. Everyone in the world wants Dorial, but OU with Coach Norvell has been there all along for the last two years giving OU a great shot at his difference making WR.
http://youtu.be/nab_Kdaoqws
2.Gunner Kiel QB 6-4, 210, 4.6 Indiana - Elite 11 attendee as junior last summer. Has elite passing skills based on his highlight reel, excellent accuracy and good mobility to extend plays or get scrambling yards. Going to be tough to pull him away from ND and the Big Ten schools but he’s already visited OU unofficially. Heupel has to be getting pretty close to naming his shots in terms of recruiting QBs. If you were a young QB prospect where else would you want to go to get ready for the NFL.
http://youtu.be/dfc9oZRNPfQ
3. Derek David LB 6-3, 225, 4.5 Texas - I don’t know what the Texas rivals guys are smoking ranking David outside the top ten. David who is technically verbaled to Texas Tech is looking around at other colleges and appears to have a high interest in OU. David is probably the best defender in Texas not named Mario Edwards (who right now is not listing OU). Some rumors about David’s academic woes but signing day is a year away. Lots of time for kids to patch up academics holes if the commitment is there.
http://youtu.be/Os9oGkiNBS0
4. Avery Young OL 6-6, 270, 5.1 Florida – Best OL prospect in Florida, and a potential top 30 player nationally. Young’s been up front in listing OU as a favorite. Stealing him from the SEC and Florida State seems almost impossible, but right now OU is in the hunt.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdTge9OnY08
5. Royce Jenkins-Stone LB 6-2, 225, 4.6 Michigan – I cannot remember the last time OU signed a player from Michigan (I’m afraid it’s Bernard Hall), but Stone has been offered and has been very clear that OU is a favorite and will make his top five list.
http://youtu.be/3c7Tgk9bCMM
6. Ty Darlington OC 6-3, 260, 4.9 Florida – You can never have too many OL and since OU didn’t sign a center prospect last year, signing a pure center prospect this year makes a lot of sense. I think a good foundation to avoiding down OL years like 2005/2009 is avoiding a freshman at Center. Darlington is a listed as a top 30 player in Florida and might be the best center prospect in the country, and could figure in the battle to replace Habern/Ikard down the road.
http://youtu.be/Y8UFzdkwL-k
7. Geno Smith CB 6-0, 170, 4.5 Georgia – Top five player in Georgia which puts Smith as a top 100 player nationally. Only a matter of time only Coach Martinez’s connection to Georgia pays off for the Sooners in recruiting. Smith would be a great start, an elite CB which OU missed out on last year.
http://youtu.be/JreV2AvRzvQ
8. Jordan Watkins DT 6-5, 275, 4.8 Georgia - A top defensive tackle prospect in the state of the Georgia and the SEC. Watkins would be ideal for OU since he could play 3-4 DE or 4-3 DT. OU will have to battle the entire SEC to get a visit but Willie Martinez has connections at Woodward Academy and kids from that Atlanta private school choose universities from around the country so it’s not all UGA./Bama/Auburn. His highlight reel is pretty awesome.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBN4ldz1lNA
9. LaDarren McNeil DB/S 6-1, 185, 4.5 Texas – Best safety in Texas according to some rankings and OU did not sign a pure safety last year if Franklin Shannon moves to OLB. McNeil has great range in coverage to be a Brodney Pool type center field safety for OU. Listing OU, UT and others.
10. John Micheal McGee OG 6-4, 265, 4.9 Texas – Top OL prospect in Texas projects at OG but also has the mobility to play OG and OC down the road. Has camped at OU and Patton has done a great job building that relationship. HS is a big time UT pipeline traditionally.
Others to watch:
- Charles Tapper 6-4, 245, 4.7 DE Maryland - OU’s top target at DE? He’s listing OU among a bunch of other schools.
- Laith Harlow 6-5, 230, 4.7 TE Florida – TE offers have not really been going out, but Harlow might be the first offer. He looks like an excellent TE working middle of the field and shows excellent quickness on some TE screens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeSN9oGp6lM
- Noor Davis 6-4, 225, 4.6 OLB Florida – Noor is the type of OLB who could be fit into either a 3-4 scheme for OU or in a 4-3 where on 3rd down he’s a stand up pass rusher like Ronnell Lewis. Great range and speed in his highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exPBpMurISk
- Evan Boehm 6-3, 290, 5.0 OG Missouri – After McGee, Boehm is the best OG on OU’s board. He’s really close to the top 10.
- Simon Goines 6-7, 270, 5.0 OT Texas – An OT prospect with a huge upside at the position. Only Avery Young being on OU’s radar kept him out of the top 10. His potential is that high.
- Reginald Davis 6-1, 185, 4.4 ATH/WR Texas - New name that just appeared. Has an OU offer, highlight footage is very impressive in terms of top end speed.
- Michael Starts 6-6, 270, 5.0 OT Texas – Starts and Goines are great OT prospects. Goines seems more interested in OU right now while Starts might be the better prospect. It’s a great year for OL in Texas.
- Blake Belcher 6-6, 275, 5.1 OT OK – Best OL prospect in state, OU is still evaluating Belcher and OU’s number crunch might be an impact here.
- Devonte Fields 6-4, 220, 4.7 DE Texas – One of the several players vying for the ranking as the second best DE in Texas behind Mario Edwards. Great speed off the corner. His Rivals footage at DE is just awesome. OU should be going all out for this kid by my amateur opinion.
- Brian Nance 6-3, 220, 4.6 OLB Texas – Teammate of recent OU signee Nila Kneubuhl, Nance has attended OU summer camps and is definitely in the LB mix for the Sooners. His list of offers is becoming very big and with a lot of national and Pac 10 interest.
- Trevor Knight 6-3, 190, 4.7 QB Texas – Mobile QB with a very good arm. OU is evaluating Knight and if things slow down with Kiel watch the Sooners to offer.
no comments
Verbals for 2012
Kyle Marrs OL 6-6, 310, 5.2
Alex Ross RB 6-2, 205, 4.5
OU is off to a great start in 2012 recruiting with two early verbals.
Kyle Marrs verbaled literally right after signing day and has been an OL target for OU since last fall. Marrs has the size and mobility to play either inside at RG or outside at RT. Marrs verbal probably allows OU to focus on pure OG and OT kid with their remaining OL slots.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MHrkW314AM
Alex Ross might be the best player in the state of Oklahoma for 2012. Barry Sanders JR has the name value, but Ross is bigger and faster and could easily end up as a top five national RB if his continues to progress as a RB after playing the position part time as a junior. Ross could be the big power back to compliment the other RBs that OU has signed lately.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLBp2ScFBL0
So OU once again appears to be scholarship limited unless some wave of massive attrition happens. Based on rosters numbers, OU is looking at a class of around 12 to 15. So how are those 15 ships going to be distributed?
QB: 1
RB: 1 (Ross)
OL: 4 (Marrs, any attrition and OU signs at least 5)
TE: 0 (don't really see any prospects right now)
WR: 2
DT: 1
DE: 2
LB: 2
DB/Ath: 2
Top Ten to Watch (realistic kids who are listing OU, and fit OU's needs)
1. Dorial Beckham- Green 6-5, 215. 4.5 Missouri - He's only the best junior prospect in the country. Julio Jones but bigger or AJ Green but more explosive. Everyone in the world wants Dorial, but OU with Coach Norvell has been there all along for the last two years giving OU a great shot at his difference making WR.
http://youtu.be/nab_Kdaoqws
2. Gunner Kiel QB 6-4, 210, 4.6 Indiana - Elite 11 attendee as junior last summer. Has elite passing skills based on his highlight reel, excellent accuracy and good mobility to extend plays or get scrambling yards. Going to be tough to pull him away from ND and the Big Ten schools but he's already visited OU unofficially. Heupel has to be getting pretty close to naming his shots in terms of recruiting QBs. If you were a young QB prospect where else would you want to go to get ready for the NFL.
http://youtu.be/dfc9oZRNPfQ
3. Derek David LB 6-3,225, 4.5 Texas - I don't know what the Texas rivals guys are smoking ranking David outside the top ten. David who is technically verbaled to Texas Tech is looking around at other colleges and appears to have a high interest in OU. David is probably the best defender in Texas not named Mario Edwards (who right now is not listing OU). Some rumors about David's academic woes but signing day is a year away. Lots of time for kids to patch up academics holes if the commitment is there.
http://youtu.be/Os9oGkiNBS0
4. Avery Young OL 6-6, 270, 5.1 Florida – Best OL prospect in Florida, and a potential top 30 player nationally. Young's been up front in listing OU as a favorite. Stealing him from the SEC and Florida State seems almost impossible, but right now OU is in the hunt.
5. Royce Jenkins-Stone LB 6-2, 225, 4.6 Michigan – I cannot remember the last time OU signed a player from Michigan (I'm afraid it's Bernard Hall), but Stone has been offered and has been very clear that OU is a favorite and will make his top five list.
http://youtu.be/3c7Tgk9bCMM
6. Ty Darlington OC 6-3, 260, 4.9 Florida – You can never have too many OL and since OU didn't sign a center prospect last year, signing a pure center prospect this year makes a lot of sense. I think a good foundation to avoiding down OL years like 2005/2009 is avoiding a freshman at Center. Darlington is a listed as a top 30 player in Florida and might be the best center prospect in the country, and could figure in the battle to replace Habern/Ikard down the road.
http://youtu.be/Y8UFzdkwL-k
7. Geno Smith CB 6-0, 170, 4.5 Georgia – Top five player in Georgia which puts Smith as a top 100 player nationally. Only a matter of time only Coach Martinez's connection to Georgia pays off for the Sooners in recruiting. Smith would be a great start, an elite CB which OU missed out on last year.
http://youtu.be/JreV2AvRzvQ
8. Thomas Johnson WR/CB 5-11, 185, 4.5 Texas – The latest Skyline prospect and the ideal slot WR replacement down the road for Broyles/Franks/Stills. Would be a great WR combo with DGB and Metoyer in the future. Seems down to OU and UT with both teams having Skyline alums doing recruiting.
http://youtu.be/wFGqrEFi618
9. LaDarren McNeil DB/S 6-1, 185, 4.5 Texas – Best safety in Texas according to some rankings and OU did not sign a pure safety last year if Franklin Shannon moves to OLB. McNeil has great range in coverage to be a Brodney Pool type center field safety for OU. Listing OU, UT and others.
10. John Micheal McGee OG 6-4, 265, 4.9 Texas – Top OL prospect in Texas projects at OG but also has the mobility to play OG and OC down the road. Has camped at OU and Patton has done a great job building that relationship. HS is a big time UT pipeline traditionally.
http://youtu.be/dsyTDcgQMOY
Others to watch:
Sterling Shepard 5-11, 175, 4.5 WR/ATH OKC – OU legacy and has been offered by OU. Talked about taking some time to visit other campuses in recent Newsok.com interview. I hope that he doesn't wait too long. OU has at least two other offers to similar players and limited scholarship room (Bralon Addison and Reginald Davis).
http://youtu.be/M2ZGfrXpG_A
Evan Boehm 6-3, 290, 5.0 OG Missouri – After McGee, Boehm is the best OG on OU's board. He's really close to the top 10.
http://youtu.be/dj-qmUGaQnE
Simon Goines 6-7, 270, 5.0 OT Texas – An OT prospect with a huge upside at the position. Only Avery Young being on OU's radar kept him out of the top 10. His potential is that high.
http://youtu.be/7QBekg23kfM
Cayleb Jones 6-2, 195, 4.5 WR Texas – Only DBG keeps Jones from the list. In any other year, Jones would be an awesome number one WR on OU's board.
http://youtu.be/NeUYnyBXqnc
Jordan Richmond 6-2,225, 4.7 LB Texas - Teammate of Mario Edwards, Richmond looks like a great every down MLB for the OU defense. ATM is probably OU's biggest competition here.
http://youtu.be/FxZ4DNq8New
Bralon Addison 5-10, 180, 4.5 ATH Texas – Brother of Jasmine Hartman, Addison could be a lock down cornerback or an excellent slot WR.
http://youtu.be/9UrKeWdGflA
Reginald Davis 6-1, 185, 4.4 ATH/WR Texas - New name that just appeared. Has an OU offer, highlight footage is very impressive in terms of top end speed.
http://youtu.be/iHm97ftWQ1g
Michael Starts 6-6, 270, 5.0 OT Texas – Starts and Goines are great OT prospects. Goines seems more interested in OU right now while Starts might be the better prospect. It's a great year for OL in Texas.
Blake Belcher 6-6, 275, 5.1 OT OK – Best OL prospect in state, OU is still evaluating Belcher and OU's number crunch might be an impact here.
Devonte Fields 6-4, 220, 4.7 DE Texas – One of the several players vying for the ranking as the second best DE in Texas behind Mario Edwards. Great speed off the corner. His Rivals footage at DE is just awesome. OU should be going all out for this kid by my amateur opinion.
Brian Nance 6-3, 220, 4.6 OLB Texas – Teammate of recent OU signee Nila Kneubuhl, Nance has attended OU summer camps and is definitely in the LB mix for the Sooners
Trevor Knight 6-3, 190, 4.7 QB Texas – Mobile QB with a very good arm. OU is evaluating Knight and if things slow down with Kiel watch the Sooners to offer.
http://youtu.be/vabh2IWq5lI no comments
Here's the link to the player bios on the official site. It has their stats and various rankings from the myriad of services. In addition, that site has highlight videos. As I review the positions, I'll provide links to the youtube videos available for the new Sooners.
QB:
Kendal Thompson 6-2, 175, 4.6
Archie Bradley 6-4, 210, 4.7
Thompson is the son of former OU QB Charles Thompson but brings a different QB game than his option/wishbone dad. Thompson was the first verbal in OU's class offered before signing day 2010 was in the books. Heupel identified Kendal as his QB for 2011 very early and Heupel's been tutoring Kendal at OU's summer camps for at least 3 years. So Josh knows Kendal very well. Kendal was hurt part of his senior year and lost several key play makers (current Sooners Julian Wilson and Austin Haywood), so his numbers are not going to dazzle you. However, his junior year was great, Kendal completed 166-of-259 passes for 2,793 yards and 29 touchdowns while rushing for 466 yards and 10 touchdowns. Kendal is a pass first, run to keep a play alive, then run QB. He'd be deadly in a goal line offense with run/pass options out of a spread look, especially the Sooners 3 back "Pony" offense. Thompson is already on campus and will go thru spring workouts which is great because Thompson badly needs to add some weight to his frame. Thompson was a huge pickup giving OU for the first time since Bomar "left" 4 scholarship QBs for spring ball. Thompson is also depth protection against a QB transfer depending upon the backup battle this spring.
I'm going to link to the youtube footage of his game against Jenks last year in the state playoffs, Kendal to me looks like a Pat White type play maker at QB.
The wildcard at QB is Archie Bradley from Broken Arrow, like Kendal Bradley was an Elite 11 QB recruit. But Bradley is also a top 10 project pick in the MLB draft. So Bradley will sign with OU to play baseball this spring, wait to be drafted and if he does enroll he will redshirt in football and play baseball. Now, Bradley is going to be looking at a big signing bonus, but at the Elite 11 camp a number of counselors/coaches told Bradley to stick with football and he has an elite NFL QB arm (can make every throw) and frame. MLB probably wins out here, but it won't be until August we know which way Bradley decides. One last note, Bob's only signed two in state QBs, Jason White and Sam Bradford (another multi-sport athlete), both Bradley and Thompson are in state QBs.
Kendal Thompson State Semis v Jenks
Quality Grade: A (both QBs have massive untapped potential)
Quantity Grade: A (even if OU only ends up with Thompson getting a QB a year is vital to OU's program)
RB:
Brandon Williams 6-1, 200, 4.4
(going to list Danzel Williams under Athletes)
Last year OU signed two great RBs and both guys had their moment their freshman year for OU. It seems impossible to think that OU would be able to sign another difference making RB with the talent already on campus but that's what OU did. Right after signing day 2010, it appeared that OU's RB choice would come down to Herschel Sims or Malcolm Brown with OU never really a player for Aaron Green the other big time RB for 2011. However, as February turned into March it was clear that OU felt like Brandon Williams was the best RB in Texas. OU aggressively pursued Williams even after his early verbal to Baylor and after getting Williams, RB was effectively shut down (OU realized that Malcolm Brown was leaning to UT and not worth pursuing in case Williams decided to open things back up). Williams had a ridiculous senior year, and is now regarded as one of the top five RBs in the country by just about every service. What separated Williams from 5 to 6 very good RBs in Texas this year? His home run speed. Williams has that kind of burst that OU has not had at RB since Demarco Murray broke his knee cap in the most expensive failed on side kick in Sooner history (derailed Adron Tennell's career and adjusted the course of Murray's career). In addition, he's an excellent receiver out of the backfield, and runs without excellent power. He's not going to be AD, but in a year or two when he's up to 210 how does Darren McFadden like sound?
Brandon Williams Highlights
Quality Grade: A+
Quantity Grade: A+ (Williams is already on campus developing giving OU a tremendously talented young RB core)
WR:
Trey Metoyer 6-3, 200, 4.45
Kameel Jackson 6-1, 190, 4.48
OU's already impressive WR core gets two more weapons. The headliner of the entire class is either Metoyer or Williams. Trey is easily the best WR in Texas, and arguably the best WR prospect in the country. OU's Jay Norvell did a great job recruiting Metoyer since his sophomore year and Trey's family early on realized that OU's offense is a great attack for WRs (hello Rueben Randle??). Metoyer is the big elite WR that OU's amazing passing attack the last 3 years has been missing. Metoyer despite double and triple teams posted sick numbers as a junior and a senior. Metoyer has Malcolm Kelly like hands and better overall speed and quickness. OU's WR core better improve over spring and summer because Metoyer is coming for a starting spot. A starting WR rotation of Stills, Broyles, and Metoyer has been going thru recruitniks minds all January when not thinking about a hypothetical Stills, Metoyer, Dorial Green-Beckham rotation in 2012, Beckham at 6-5, 215, 4.5 is the best WR for 2012 and OU is right there. Jackson was actually OU's second verbal after Kendal Thompson. Kameel had a great sophomore year but has been battling injuries his last two season when healthy last summer Jackson dominated combines and looked great at OU's summer camp. If Metoyer is Malcolm Kelly, then Kameel Jackson is Iglesias. He's a potential inside WR or a potential outside WR.
Trey Metoyer Highlights
Kameel Jackson Highlights – All Star Game
Quality Grade: A+ (Metoyer could be as impactful as Crabree or Dez Bryant)
Quantity Grade: A+ (OU already had excellent WR depth, now two more pieces have been added)
TE:
Max Stevenson 6-6, 235, 4.6
Dan Tapko 6-5, 235, 4.7
TE recruiting for OU this year was just wild. OU had targeted Chris Barnett as a potentially Gresham like TE, and he verbaled to OU very early. Then he started talking about taking other visits, and he was sort of verbaled to OU. Meanwhile, Kevin Wilson found Max Stevenson at Klein Oak HS. Stevenson had a huge frame, excellent downfield speed and while not a great blocker showed some ability. Stevenson appears to be a bigger Trent Smith if we are looking for an example. OU also had been heavily recruiting Dan Tapko from Rockhurst who seemed to be more developed as a blocker but also had a great frame and excellent speed. OU parted ways with Barnett (who went thru a weird transferring HS roulette search in the spring), and received verbals from Stevenson and Tapko. Stevenson had a huge year receiving only reduced by a mid season knee injury without the injury he would have broken the 1000 yard mark probably. Tapko in a run focused attack and had less chances to shine but showed a tremendous ability to block. Comparison to Brody Eldridge are already being thrown around, but it would appear that Tapko is a much better receiving target than Eldridge (Brody was a DE/OLB in HS). OU added two end TEs which was important with the graduation loss of James Hanna next year, and we only need to look back to 2009 to see how important the tight end position is to OU's no huddle attack. OU needs power players who establish the threat of the pass and the run without OU tipping off intent by personnel changes.
Max Stevenson Highlights
Quality Grade: A
Quantity Grade: A+ (OU now has 3 young TEs Haywood, Stevenson, Tapko)
OL:
Dylan Dismuke 6-6, 290, 5.1
Derek Farniok 6-9, 320, 5.3
Nila Kneubuhl 6-5, 290, 5.0
OU's OL recruiting was a struggle with a limited number of targets in the state of Texas and in state. OU targeted 3 elite OL in Garrett Greenlea (chose UT), Matt Hegarty (ND), and Brey Cook (Ark), and missed on all 3 targets. OU moved on and focused on two kids that had just attended OU summer camps. Dylan Dismuke has a great upside as a LT due to his great mobility, and has been to OU summer camps so he's a known quantity to Coach Patton. Derek Farniok had been to OU summer camp since his sophomore year and went from project to offered prospect. Farniok is just a massive RT prospect who is the biggest Sooner OT since Phil Loadholt, the 6-9, 320 listing is accurate. Now, there are definitely doubts about both kids, but Farniok was recruited by both Wisconsin and Iowa (two excellent OL programs). And Dismuke has a tremendous upside based on his elite athleticism for his size. Now that's the positive side, the negative side is both kids are two years away from contributing. Neither kid is projected to challenge Tyrus Thompson or Darryl Williams for starting OT jobs in 2012. So OU added depth down the road, but missed out on a OT who might help in 2012. Now the last OL recruit was really of out left field. Until 3 days ago I'd never heard of Nila Kneubuhl, and had no idea he was verbaled to Baylor. Nila played TE for the dominant Euless Trinity team that featured former OU verbal Brandon Carter. OU quietly had Nila visit in the last week of recruiting and made a serious push for him. NIla projects at OG probably for OU and has great feet. The Euless coaching staff thought that Nila might be the best OL prospect on their team. Wouldn't surprise me if Nila had a role as a freshman in short yardage as a blocking TE or big H-Back in a jumbo set (imagine Nila leading the way for 250LB FB Trey Millard).
Derek Farniok Highlights
Quality Grade: B- (OU missed out on their top targets. Some real concern about the project tag on Nila and Farniok and Dismuke's desire to develop his power/strength to go with his mobility)
Quantity Grade: B+ (2 OTs, 1 OG added to the 5 OL kids from last year is pretty good depth in the development pipeline.)
DT:
Jordan Wade 6-4, 290, 4.9
Jordan Phillips 6-6, 290, 4.8
Marquis Anderson 6-2, 270, 4.8
The best group of DTs signed by OU in a while (maybe since Adrian Taylor and Gerald McCoy were signed back in 2006 or the vintage Dvoracek/Harris combo of 2001). OU needed to add depth, talent and competition to the DT after an uneven performance at DT by the Sooners this year. The star of the class is Jordan Phillips. Phillips has the potential to be another Gerald McCoy. He's upside at DT or even possibly 3-4 DE is that high. Marquis Anderson is already enrolled at OU, and will get a chance to add weight/strength while going through spring football. He's the classic 3 technique DT. He's Tommie Harris like, but will need some time to reach that potential. But he has the same explosive burst off the line. Jordan Wade is probably a 1 technique/nose guard prospect, he's a huge kid who has focused primarily on baseball before this year, and has a frame that could easily carry 310. He has excellent mobility and was a big time playmaker for Round Rock the last two years. I expect at least one of the DTs to play this year depending upon how the rest of the DTs develop on the team. Phillips might be too good redshirt unless OU decides that his potential at OT is too high to ignore, but I'm not sure that Jackie Shipp is going to let his next Gerald McCoy switch to offense. Wade will probably redshirt, and Anderson has the best chance to really impact OU next year.
Marquis Anderson Highlights
Jordan Phillips Highlights including an unreal punt block by a 6-6 290 DE
Jordan Wade Highlights
Quality Grade: A (All 3 DTs are ranked in the top 15 at their position. Phillips is probably right on the edge of five star status. He could be OU's next great DT.)
Quantity Grade: A (This grade could slide if Phillips becomes an OL, but then the OL grade would increase to a B+/A -. Phillips potential at OL is five star level.)
DE:
Nathan Hughes 6-5, 260, 4.7
The last three years OU has lost long time verbal commitments late in recruiting but OU has always been able to turn that loss around and sign someone else, usually at that same position. This time OU lost a verbal on signing day. The Sooner themed posters at Cooper Washington's signing day celebration are ironically hilarious since he signed with Texas Tech. Washington was not a super blue chip but he was a tall rangy athletic DE prospect similar to Dan Cody in HS. However, Hughes is the real star here. Hughes started the Under Armour All American game while playing with a broken wrist. Hughes can play in either 4-3 or 3-4 scheme for the Sooners and is a definite threat to play next year providing depth for the Sooners.
Nathan Hughes Highlights
Quality Grade: A (Hughes according to some folks watching him at the Under Armour game felt he might have been a top 3 DE in the nation)
Quantity Grade: B (OU ideally needed two DEs. OU in this next class will need to add at least 2 DEs)
LB:
PL Lindley 6-2, 220, 4.5
Londell Taylor 6-3, 225, 4.6
OU finally has depth at the LB position with Wort/Nelson working behind Travis Lewis and Austin Box with Rod Favors and Aaron Marshall coming off redshirt years. So LB was not a huge need, and it was not a great year in Texas save for Steve Edmond (UT) and OU was involved with Anthony Wallace for a while before he chose Oregon. OU very early offered P.L. Lindley, teammate of Jordan Wade. Now, Lindley biggest asset is his ability to play in space and provide pass coverage from the MLB spot. There are mixed opinions on his ability to be physical enough to be a factor in the run game. A name from the past has reappeared, Londell Taylor. Taylor signed with OU back in 2007 before deciding to sign a baseball contract. Like a number of football players, Taylor wasn't making enough progress in the game and has returned to football. Taylor is projected to be a LB for OU. Now, Quan Cosby and Brandon Weeden are examples of this return to football working, but OU's last example Vernon Maxwell didn't last one year.
PL Lindley Highlights
Quality Grade: B (Lindley was offered by OU very early and seems to be an ideal LB for dealing with spread attacks, but he's not going to make an impact this year and you wonder if he will get over recruited in 2012)
Quantity Grade: B (Presuming Taylor can stay around, two LBs is decent depth. OU really needed an every down Mike LB prospect but couldn't ever agree on a prospect)
DB:
Franklin Shannon 6-3, 205, 4.5
Bennett Okotcha 6-0, 175, 4.5
OU signed a big DB class last year and the year before so OU didn't need a lot of prospects at all at this position. OU's offered Franklin Shannon early and the big safety from Dallas Skyline verbaled to the Sooners continuing OU's pipeline to that school. Shannon could be a OLB or Nickel LB in OU's scheme, the positions are extremely similar. He has the size and speed to play either position. I think Shannon might be the most under rated player in the OU class. The CB search for OU was a long winding road that started and ended at OU's summer camp. After OU realized that Josh Turner was going to leave the state and attend UT, OU offered Brandon Carter who along with Bennett Okotcha actually outplayed Turner at OU's summer camp. In fact, at that time Bennett looked like the most polished CB. Now, OU projected Carter at CB when he was initially offered, and Carter jumped on the OU ship, and OU only had one ship available for the CB position. Carter had an awesome senior year on offense playing WR/RB/QB for Euless Trinity and late January decided to switch his commitment to TCU who were guaranteeing him playing time at WR. OU's WR depth was probably a big reason why Carter chose TCU. With Carter gone, OU now had a ship available and wanted to make sure it went to the CB position. Bennett verballed to Wisconsin,then to ND. I like to think Bennett's indecision was the fact that OU was where he really wanted to go. Bennett might end up being the super steal/sleeper of the class.
Franklin Shannon Highlights
Quality Grade: B
Quantity Grade: B
ATH
Danzel Williams 5-9, 185, 4.5
I'm listing Danzel Williams as an ATH because it's hard to really see him staying at the position that he prefers which is RB. However, Danzel will redshirt and perhaps the Sooners' RB rotation will look vastly different in 2012 justifying keeping him at RB. Even then, the Sooners seem a lock to sign another blue chip RB again in 2012 (Alex Ross 6-1, 205, 4.5 from Jenks or Donovan Roberts 6-0, 200, 4.5 from Norman being the likely suspects). At the Under Armour All American game, Danzel played CB and from all reports looked great at that position, so perhaps a move to DB is in his future or even Slot WR. At RB, Williams doesn't add much to the Sooners' class, but at WR/CB Danzel could be a major contributor.
One highlight run by Danzel Williams
Summary:
This was a smaller class for OU only signing 17 kids after last year's mega class of 28. Most of the rankings systems are heavily weighted to quantity over quality. So this class is going to be ranked 13th or 17th by some services after having been ranked in the top 5 going into December. However, if you adjust Rivals rankings and use stars per recruit, OU's class is 3rd in the nation. ESPN which doesn't use a strict number system like Scout and Rivals, ended up signing day ranking OU 11th just behind LSU who signed 4 more kids.
The star power of this class is Trey Metoyer and Brandon Williams. These guys are elite talents that could have a huge impact next year for OU. OU is almost a unanimous preseason number one and these two playmakers could put the OU offense into a 2008- Sam Bradford like stratosphere. Metoyer could make OU's passing game unstoppable, while Williams gives OU a home run TD threat on the ground.
The next group of difference makers are Jordan Phillips and Nathan Hughes. These two DL kids could also provide key depth for the Sooners DL next year and be the next wave of elite defenders for the Sooners.
After those 4 stars, OU got great prospects in Jordan Wade, Marquis Anderson, Max Stevenson, Dan Tapko, Kendal Thompson.
In the next group, I'd put Franklin Shannon, Kameel Jackson, and Bennett Okochta. The weakness is no blue chip LBs or OL. OU could hit here with the kids signed (and OL is clearly the hardest HS position to evaluate) but it's possible that some of these kids end up getting recruited over by better prospects in 2012 ( especially OL where Patton has done a great job recruiting kids for 2012 already)
Freshman projected to play next year
Brandon Williams
Trey Metoyer
Nathan Hughes
Jordan Phillips
Londell Taylor (special teams at the very least)
Nila Kneubuhl (short yardage blocking tight end)
The only other storyline with this class was due to the lack of scholarship throughout December, OU was not able to aggressively go after any UT verbals during the UT coaching search meltdown (not a huge issue with Steve Edmond and Christian Westerman being the main targets, Edmond never wavered and Westerman bailed to Auburn). Hopefully OU is able to take advantage of the reorganization of UT's coaching staff in 2012 recruiting, although OU again appears to be somewhat scholarship limited.
Class Quality Grade: A - (Super prospects at QB, RB, WR, TE, DE, DT, 4 or 5 potential 5 Star type contributors)
Class Quantity Grade: B+ (OU missed out on adding a MLB, and could have used one more OL and one more DE. The late additions helped solidify this B+ grade) no comments
A list that is so heavily skewed to the offense due to Blackmon, Fuller, and Broyles all returning to play college football along with veteran QBs Weeden, Griffin, Jones, and Tannehill, in addition the defensive losses were huge with Sam Acho, Von Miller, Jeremy Beal, Aldon Smith, Quinton Carter, Aaron Williams, as well as the losses of the NU defense to the Big Ten (Lavonte Smith, Cameron Meredith). It could be a huge year for Big 12 offenses with the disparity in returning talent so heavily leaning to the offenses.
Some may call his list a total homer list, but it's based on All Big 12 teams, returning stats leaders, and player stats (JosephRandle for instance).
This is not the list to argue that Jackson Jeffcoat is going to have a huge year that may be true but his stats from last year don't put him on this list. It's not
the impact freshman of the year list either.
1. Justin Blackmon: Returning national award winner. Amazing sophomore year from relative obscurity.
2. Ryan Broyles: Stunned and amazed Sooner fans with his return for his senior year. Has a chance at every Div 1 WR record in the books.
3. Jeff Fuller: Fuller has been playing in the shadow of WRs like Shipley, Iglesias, Broyles, Blackmon, and Bryant since his freshman year. Can he finally break out and be the number one WR in the conference?
4. Cyrus Gray: It's sad it took an injury to Christine Michael but Gray is the best returning RB in the league. Gray was a huge reason for the ATM late season surge.
5. Landry Jones: How do you slot the 4 returning QBs in the Big 12? It's hard to evaluate, but Landry had the best end of the season and won his head to head matchup with Weeden in Stillwater, and beat the NU defense in Dallas. Plus he did win the Sammy Baugh trophy as the best passing QB in the country.
6. Brandon Weeden: Weeden had a great junior year, and with Blackmon returning will look to try and lead OSU to their first Big 12 Title ever.
7. Jamell Fleming: Led the Big 12 in interceptions and passes defended. Also a huge asset in run support with 8 tackles for loss. Completely overlooked for All Big 12 status. With the departure of Amakamura and Aaron Williams, Fleming is the best CB in the pass happy Big 12.
8. Ryan Tannehill: Saved ATM's season and Mike Sherman's job. Tannehill has one last season to help ATM win the Big 12 for the first time since 1998.
9. Travis Lewis: Stunned Sooner fans by coming back for his senior year. Best returning LB in the Big 12. Just look at his 2010 Big 12 Title game performance for an idea of his big play capability.
10. Robert Griffin: Griffin could end the year number one on this list. He improved his passing game, but to be elite Griffin will need to bring back that big play running game.
11. Michael Egnew: Best returning TE in the country. Who is going to get him the ball?
12. Brad Madison: Aldon Smith got a lot of the publicity, but Madison one of the few players in the top ten of both sacks and tackles for loss.
13. Frank Alexander: High ankle sprain early in the year limiting his effectiveness, but had an amazing surge to end the year with double digit tackles for loss and 6 sacks.
14. Kheeston Randall: With the departures of Williams and Acho, Randall is the only playmaker returning on the Horn defense. If he can get some help at DT, Randall could have a huge year.
15. Ryan Swope: Posted over 800 yards and was a great second target for the ATM passing attack.
16. TJ Moe: After Egnew, Moe was the best target for the Missouri passing game. Only the uncertainty at QB for Missouri has him this low.
17. Jake Knott: All everything stats LB for ISU. Tackles, Ints, passes defended, forced fumbles.
18. Kenny Stills: Should have been co Offensive Freshman of the Year with Taylor Martinez. Despite a slow start (50 yards in first two games), Stills posted 786 yards receiving yards showing great versatility as a both a deep threat and a target across the middle. Could easily break out with a 1,000 yard season. Best games came against the best competition.
19. Joseph Randle: Kendall Hunter is gone, but OSU fans shouldn't worry. Randle is a big time threat in the passing game with over 400 yards last year, and averaged 5.5 yards as Hunter's primary backup.
20. Kendall Wright: Robert Griffin's favorite target. Wright has serious homerun speed and had a huge clutch game against UT last year.
21. Shaun Lewis: Co Defensive Freshman of the Year. Lewis with graduation losses at LB will need to be the leader of the OSU defense. Tackles for loss and INTs highlight his playmaking ability.
22. Tony Jefferson: Co Defensive Freshman of the year. Jefferson will need to fill the void left by Quinton Carter to lead the Sooner secondary. Jefferson is a force as a blitzer with sacks and tackles for loss while also making plays in the secondary with passes defended and ints.. Could take a huge step in being the next great Sooner safety.
23. Eric Stephens: Rushed for over 700 yards for Texas Tech. With graduation losses at QB and WR, look for Stephens to be an offensive focus for the Raiders.
24. James Sims: KU was bad last year, just awful. Somehow James Sims managed to rush for over 700 yards and average 4.4 a carry. An amazing achievement.
25. David Garrett: KSU DB led the Wildcats in tackles, passes defended, and fumble recoveries.
So by team:
OU: 7 (there's a reason why OU is looking like a unanimous preseason national number 1 team for 2011, and Trey Millard All Big 12 second team FB was left off this list)
OSU: 4
ATM: 4
Missouri: 3
Baylor: 2
UT: 1 (Horn fans may complain that Emmanuel Acho was left off the list, and he was in line near the end but at 5-7 with as many RBs that had 100 yards rushing days on UT their LB play last year doesn't justify putting Acho or Keenan Robinson on here.)
KSU: 1
KU: 1
Tech: 1 no comments
Until Spring games are played, and you assess new stars, new injuries, there's very little to go from save for depth chart counting and some arbitrary shuffling of really good teams from last year who have massive depth chart holes.
I'm going to try and use some criteria to objectify the process.
Just like an NFL team with uncertainty at QB, it's hard to rank a college team high that does not have a starting QB. Stanford for instance with Luck returning is a top five team, without him somewhere in the top 20.
Returning OL starters for the most part are also worth their weight in preseason rankings gold. (Auburn had a senior OL and will be replacing 4 starters. Coincidence? Doubtful).
A dominant returning DL would also receive heavy consideration (I cannot think of one right now)
Proven Star/elite skill folks will be considered heavily – Ryan Broyles, Justin Blackmon, Michael Dwyer, Lamichael James, Ashlon Jefferies,
As will proven elite defenders- Travis Lewis, Nigel Bradham, Tank Carder, Janoris Jenkins,
1. Oklahoma
Why? 17 returning starters (including 4 OL starters and one part time starter). Best WR core in the nation. Best QB returning not named Andrew Luck. Defensive gets leader Travis Lewis back and productive players returning at every level Frank Alexander at DE, Austin Box at LB, Jamell Fleming at CB, Demontre Hurst at CB.
Why not? RB position has unreal depth and recruited talent, but none of the RBs have proven that they can replace Murray in all facets of the game. Kicking game is still a huge question mark, both FG kicking and kickoff coverage.
2. Alabama
Why? Only Julio Jones is a real loss for the tide. They have depth at RB, DL, and McCarron at QB does not have to make the plays that most new QBs will have to make with Bama's powerful running attack.
Why not? Bama's secondary was suspect last year and didn't really improve over the season. Teams able to exploit that matchup with the loss of Dareus at DE still could give Bama trouble.
3. Stanford
Why? Andrew Luck. The best QB in college football. In addition, Stanford returns a deep core of RBs to take the pressure of Luck. Fleeger at TE could be a Mackey Award winner after huge Orange Bowl
Why not? New WRs are needed, OL must be rebuilt (3 new starters), and defense loses Marecic at LB.
4. South Carolina
Why? Marcus Lattimore and Ashlon Jefferies. No one in college football returns such a powerful 1-2 offensive punch. SEC East is in rebuilding mode with UF retooling under new coach. Have already proven that they can beat the Tide. Defense returns 7 starters
Why not ? Stephen Garcia is a pretty limited QB and their bowl loss was not a step in the right direction.
5. Oregon
Why? Darron Thomas and a core of fast RBs return. Defense loses a bunch of playmakers but Oregon played a lot of backups quality minutes due to blowouts and no huddle attack.
Why not? Best WR has to be replaced, OL must be rebuilt. Few defensive playmakers save for Cliff Harris return. Oregon will retool, but is the most vulnerable early to an upset (see Boise State game in 2009).
6. LSU
Why? LSU returns 4 OL starters along with 6 defensive starters. Jefferson had a great bowl game and has real competition in JUCO QB Zach Mettenberger. Defense returns a solid core but is missing stars Nevis and Peterson.
Why not? QB problems. Jefferson has this cycle of playing great in bowl games and then starts the season erratically. Top targets at WR need to be replaced. Offense has not been sharp the last two seasons and the loss of Ridley early is real blow to that offensive attack.
7. Ohio State
Why? Ohio State returns their QB along with their top RB and top WR. No one else in the Big Ten has that kind of returning firepower.
Why not? None of that firepower will play the first five games, and despite excellent recruiting Ohio State loses 7 defensive starters who must be replaced. Ohio State could lose two games before the players return and then end the year as a top three team locked out of the BCS title due to the suspension based early losses.
8. FSU
Why? FSU returns part time starter EJ Manuel at QB, and a host of defensive starters in their second year in Mark Stoops scheme. Nigel Bradham might be the best LB in the country. Top RBs also return.
Why not? OL must be rebuilt and FSU does not appear to have a difference maker at RB or at WR right now.
9. Oklahoma State
Why? OSU returns their QB and Biletnikoff Winner Blackmon at WR. There's excellent talent at RB. OL is solid.
Why not? Defense was bad last year, and loses the bulk of their front seven. OSU will have to win shootouts again. But they have the talent on offense to do that.
10. West Virginia
Why? They return the best QB, Geno Smith, in the Big East, and have recruited the best speed in the conference. The addition of Holgerson calling plays with that level of returning talent makes WVU a threat to run the table.
Why not? Coaching controversy derailed the team's bowl prep, and could derail the season. Defense must be rebuilt.
11. ATM
Why? QB Ryan Tannehill, Jeff Fuller, and Cyrus Gray return as does a young developing OL
Why not? Team speed on defense without Von Miller looks very suspect in a conference loaded with passing attacks.
12. Arkansas
Why? Returning talent at WR, TE, RB. New QB Wilson has looked good in limited time
Why not? Defense struggles against the pass and run.
13. Nebraska
Why? Pellini is building a program on great defensive speed and pressure. Taylor Martinez has a huge upside at QB along with veteran RBs.
Why not? Offensive line and secondary needs retooling, and passing game targets are suspect.
14. Boise State
Why? Kellen Moore.
Why not? Boise loses 15 starters including both top playmakers on defense and both WRs.
15. Wisconsin
Why? Great running back core returns.
Why not? New QB, OL must be rebuilt and defense loses top playmakers
16. Miss State
Why? Huge momentum off bowl win. Miss State returns their improving QB Chris Relf and core of their defense.
Why not? Still missing playmakers in passing game and at RB.
17. Auburn
Why? Return an excellent group of WRs and RBs.
Why not? OL loses 4 starters, there's no one with experience at QB, and defense must be completely rebuilt.
18. TCU
Why? TCU returns some key defensive pieces. Casey Paschall in limited action appears ready to take over at QB.
Why not? TCU loses their QB, their biggest playmaker Kerley, and their entire secondary.
19. Virginia Tech
Why? Four starters return on the OL with RB departures David Wilson will now get his shot at feature back.
Why not? No Tyrod Taylor.
20. Michigan State
Why? Returns their offensive core including QB Cousins and top RBs
Why not? Did you watch the bowl game defense and that was with All American LB Greg Jones no comments
