Oklahoma has been the class of the Big XII since the bottoming out
of the Texas football program. Texas has the talent and is recruiting at a
level that should facilitate a rebound, but the program just isn’t their yet.
TCU has officially transitioned well to the power 5 after being a contender in
the Big Twelve consistently for the past couple of seasons and should be good
once again. The middle is good with just about everyone, except Kansas and
Baylor being relevant.
Team
|
Adj.
2017
W/L
|
%
Yards
Ret.
|
%
Touches
Ret.
|
%
Line
Starts
Ret.
|
%
Tackles
Ret.
|
%
Passes Def.
Ret.
|
247
Sports
Score
|
Total
Points
|
Oklahoma
|
21.77
|
43.03%
|
37.52%
|
64.38%
|
56.17%
|
60.47%
|
254.42
|
20.95
|
TCU
|
15.05
|
36.20%
|
36.76%
|
18.18%
|
65.08%
|
57.14%
|
211.17
|
11.63
|
Oklahoma State
|
11.5
|
47.41%
|
57.73%
|
29.38%
|
57.02%
|
53.33%
|
192.43
|
9.6
|
Texas
|
4.55
|
82.57%
|
82.90%
|
61.08%
|
56.72%
|
60.38%
|
260.79
|
8.05
|
Iowa State
|
4.44
|
63.50%
|
66.12%
|
51.00%
|
56.54%
|
71.05%
|
173.8
|
4.6
|
Kansas State
|
2.38
|
66.36%
|
70.54%
|
100.00%
|
59.10%
|
52.83%
|
164.71
|
3.79
|
Texas Tech
|
2.06
|
26.44%
|
33.59%
|
81.19%
|
91.39%
|
94.44%
|
184
|
3.52
|
West Virginia
|
2.71
|
72.83%
|
68.65%
|
58.56%
|
48.12%
|
52.73%
|
190
|
0.92
|
Kansas
|
-12.02
|
91.46%
|
90.51%
|
65.22%
|
88.44%
|
86.49%
|
152.49
|
-6.46
|
Baylor
|
-12.17
|
71.33%
|
70.00%
|
77.36%
|
70.34%
|
82.22%
|
199.23
|
-8.43
|
As for this season Oklahoma must replace a bunch, but the coaching
has been their consistently and the talent is there to step in and keep the regression
minimal. TCU is a tier onto themselves both in the ratings and in recruiting
where they’re the only non-UT/OU to top 20 weighted recruiting ratings. After
those top two Oklahoma State and Texas should be good and challenge, especially
Texas who has to replace a considerable amount less than OSU. The middle then are
the usual suspects (KSU and TTU), the best returning QB (WVU) and the up-and-comers
(ISU). The bottom will be bad again with Kansas and Baylor, but neither returns
less than 65% production from any of the five categories recorded.
Top Returning Offensive Producers (Above Average Production)
Quarterbacks (Minimum 120
Pass Attempts)
|
||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
AY/A
|
AY/R
|
Comp%
|
Sack%
|
Will Grier
|
4
|
WVU
|
74
|
214
|
9.29
|
5.12
|
64.43%
|
3.50%
|
Charlie Brewer
|
2
|
BAY
|
73
|
190
|
7.82
|
5.46
|
68.14%
|
6.80%
|
Jacob Park
|
4
|
IaSt
|
76
|
210
|
6.97
|
10.73
|
61.73%
|
3.00%
|
Dru Brown
|
4
|
OkSt
|
72
|
200
|
6.73
|
8.2
|
61.65%
|
6.80%
|
Shane Buechele
|
3
|
TEX
|
73
|
205
|
6.39
|
6.61
|
64.32%
|
9.70%
|
Sam Ehlinger
|
2
|
TEX
|
74
|
230
|
6.59
|
4.97
|
57.45%
|
3.80%
|
Zach Smith
|
3
|
BAY
|
75
|
225
|
6.3
|
5.25
|
52.24%
|
8.60%
|
Peyton Bender
|
4
|
KAN
|
73
|
190
|
4.95
|
1.75
|
54.21%
|
5.90%
|
Carter Stanley
|
3
|
KAN
|
74
|
196
|
4.7
|
3.77
|
54.59%
|
6.10%
|
Running Backs (Minimum 12
Touches)
|
||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Tou
|
AY/R
|
AY/T
|
RBP>12
|
Rodney Anderson
|
3
|
OKLA
|
74
|
218
|
205
|
7.45
|
17.98
|
24.11
|
Justice Hill
|
3
|
OkSt
|
70
|
185
|
299
|
6.5
|
4.83
|
21.23
|
David Montgomery
|
3
|
IaSt
|
71
|
219
|
294
|
5.23
|
6.43
|
18.97
|
Trey Sermon
|
2
|
OKLA
|
72
|
222
|
137
|
6.91
|
8.88
|
11.83
|
Darius Anderson
|
3
|
TCU
|
71
|
205
|
137
|
7.15
|
5.18
|
10.64
|
Alex Barnes
|
3
|
KSU
|
73
|
227
|
151
|
6.49
|
3.22
|
10
|
Tre King
|
4
|
TTU
|
71
|
190
|
148
|
5.46
|
5.47
|
9.43
|
Kennedy McKoy
|
3
|
WVU
|
72
|
201
|
135
|
5.8
|
4
|
8.43
|
Khalil Herbert
|
3
|
KAN
|
69
|
200
|
128
|
6.14
|
3.17
|
8.06
|
Abdul Adams
|
3
|
OKLA
|
71
|
205
|
64
|
9.5
|
14.19
|
7.97
|
Daniel Young
|
2
|
TEX
|
72
|
220
|
94
|
5.29
|
11.49
|
7.5
|
Wide Receivers (Minimum
18 Targets)
|
||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Tar.
|
AY/T
|
Cat%
|
WRP>12
|
Marquise Brown
|
3
|
OKLA
|
71
|
162
|
82
|
14.92
|
69.51%
|
16.49
|
David Sills V
|
4
|
WVU
|
76
|
203
|
101
|
13.14
|
59.41%
|
14.39
|
Gary Jennings
|
4
|
WVU
|
73
|
210
|
133
|
8.39
|
72.93%
|
13.88
|
CeeDee Lamb
|
2
|
OKLA
|
73
|
173
|
67
|
14.17
|
68.66%
|
13.53
|
Dillon Stoner
|
2
|
OkSt
|
72
|
198
|
57
|
12.14
|
77.19%
|
11.79
|
Jalen McCleskey
|
4
|
OkSt
|
70
|
170
|
66
|
11.27
|
75.76%
|
11.76
|
Denzel Mims
|
3
|
BAY
|
75
|
197
|
116
|
10.7
|
52.59%
|
11.5
|
Steven Sims Jr
|
4
|
KAN
|
70
|
176
|
94
|
10.17
|
62.77%
|
11.17
|
Dalton Schoen
|
3
|
KSU
|
73
|
205
|
32
|
16.5
|
71.88%
|
10.98
|
Hakeem Butler
|
3
|
IaSt
|
78
|
219
|
69
|
12.06
|
59.42%
|
10.16
|
Marcus Simms
|
3
|
WVU
|
72
|
196
|
60
|
12.66
|
58.33%
|
9.59
|
Jalen Reagor
|
2
|
TCU
|
71
|
185
|
57
|
12.81
|
57.89%
|
9.33
|
Mykel Jones
|
3
|
OKLA
|
71
|
186
|
21
|
15.68
|
76.19%
|
9.31
|
Collin Johnson
|
3
|
TEX
|
78
|
220
|
99
|
8.12
|
54.55%
|
8.04
|
Tight Ends (Minimum 12
Targets)
|
||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Tar.
|
AY/T
|
Cat%
|
TEP>12
|
N/a
|
N/a
|
N/a
|
N/a
|
N/a
|
N/a
|
N/a
|
N/a
|
N/a
|
At QB Will Grier is by far the best QB back this season, at least where
production is regarded. Grier produced 9.29 AY/A while completing 64% of his
passes and only getting sacked on 3.5% of his drop-backs. Grier is joined by deep
threat David Sills V (13.14 AY/T) and possession receiver Gary Jennings (8.39 AY/T
72.93% catch rate). Add is junior Marcus Simms and his 12.81 AY/T and you have
one of the nastiest passing games in the nation, let alone the conference.
Baylor brings back sophomore Charlie Brewer, who completed 68% of his passes
for 7.82 AY/A. The only other notable returner
for Brewer is receiver Denzel Mims. Mims was targeted 116 times last season for
an AY/T of 10.7 and a catch rate of 52.6%. If the deep passing game can become more
efficient Mims and Brewer will be right back atop this list next year. Iowa State
might have the most well-rounded offense returning next year not only is Jacob
Park back after a solid season passing (6.97 AY/T and 3% sack rate) and electric
season on the ground (10.73 AY/R), but so is standout running back David
Montgomery. Montgomery was the 3rd most productive of the returning
producers but he was the most well rounded with 5.23 AY/R and 6.43 AY/T. Add in
junior receiver Hakeem Butler who had 69 targets and 12.06 AY/T. If Butler and
Park grow into a more efficient combo this offense is going to be sneaky
explosive and crazy efficient. Oklahoma State loses Mason Rudolph, Marcel
Ateman, and James Washington and may not take too big of a step back. Dru Brown
transferred in from Hawaii where he threw for 2785 yards (6.73 AY/A), 61.65
completion percentage, and 8.2 AY/R. Brown at worst should be a high floor stop-gap
between Rudolph and freshman Spencer Sanders. At running back Justice Hill is
back after nearly 300 touches for 6.5 AY/R and 4.83 AY/T. Joining Hill and QBX
to fill in for Washington and Ateman are Dillon Stoner and Jalen McCleskey who combined
for 124 targets and 12.14 and 11.27 AY/T respectively, while both catching over
75% of their targets. If Hill can be more of a factor in the pass game and the WR
duo keeps most of their efficiency it’ll come down QB to determine the Cowboys
success on the offensive side of the ball. At Texas, Shane Buechele (Jr.) and
Sam Ehlinger (So.) are both back after varying levels of success on the field
in 2017. Buechele was good both through the air and on the ground with 6.39
AY/T, 64% comp%, and 6.61 AY/R. Buchele did take far too many sacks, 9.7%, but
a higher sack rate isn’t overly unusual for a QB who’s good at running the ball.
Ehlinger was much more of the prototype for a pocket passer, with 4.97 AY/R and
6.59 AY/A but his accuracy was an issue (57.45% comp%). Both are relatively
young, and good options, but I would lean Buechele. As we move to the top
returning guys at the other two positions it’s notable, if unsurprising, that
we haven’t mentioned Oklahoma. With Baker gone there is still “all” of the
talent. Starting at RB you have Rodney Anderson (Jr.) and Trey Sermon (So.). Both
were strong in the run game with 7.45 and 6.91 AY/R respectively, and although
Sermon was good in the pass game (8.88 AY/T), Anderson was spectacular (17.98
AY/T). Anderson took 21 targets for 281 and 5 TDs. That duo is going to make
life considerably easier for Kyler Murray, so are receivers Marquise Brown
(14.92 AY/T), CeeDee Lamb (14.17), and Mykel Jones (15.68). Both Brown and Lamb
brought in over two thirds of their 149 targets. The efficiency is sure to drop
on this offense, but there is plenty of talent and returning production to keep
the ball moving downfield while replacing a Heisman winner. Let’s go back to RB
for a moment and hit on TCU’s Darius Anderson. Anderson had 137 touches last season
as a sophomore, but he will need to continue to be one of the best on the ground
in the conference (7.15 AY/R). At Wide Receiver, we’ve hit on most of the top
returners, but there are still Kansas receiver Steven Sims Jr, who brough in 94
targets for 10.17 AY/T, and Kansas State receiver Dalton Schoen. Schoen was
dynamite last year, with 16.5 AY/T on 32 targets, if he can keep 80% of his
explosiveness as he gets more targets, he’s going to be one of the breakout
stars of 2018.
Top Returning Defensive Producers (Above Average Production)
Interior Defensive
Linemen (Minimum 12 Points)
|
|||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Tkls
|
TFLs
|
Sacks
|
PDs
|
Points
|
Daniel Wise
|
4
|
KAN
|
75
|
290
|
43.5
|
17.5
|
6.5
|
1
|
214.25
|
Eli Howard
|
3
|
TTU
|
76
|
260
|
23.5
|
8.5
|
5.5
|
3
|
155.5
|
Ira Lewis
|
4
|
BAY
|
75
|
290
|
27
|
11.5
|
5.5
|
0
|
141.38
|
Ezekiel Rose
|
4
|
WVU
|
75
|
265
|
21.5
|
5
|
5
|
3
|
126.63
|
Kolin Hill
|
4
|
TTU
|
74
|
245
|
38
|
6
|
2
|
4
|
125
|
Adam Shuler II
|
3
|
WVU
|
76
|
268
|
31.5
|
8
|
3
|
0
|
95.13
|
Charles Omenihu
|
4
|
TEX
|
79
|
280
|
24
|
7
|
4
|
0
|
93
|
Kenneth Mann
|
3
|
OKLA
|
75
|
265
|
21
|
6
|
5
|
0
|
92
|
L.J. Collier
|
4
|
TCU
|
76
|
279
|
13
|
4.5
|
4
|
1
|
86.75
|
Trey Dishon
|
3
|
KSU
|
72
|
311
|
18.5
|
4
|
1
|
3
|
83.38
|
Darrion Daniels
|
4
|
OkSt
|
75
|
300
|
21.5
|
5
|
0.5
|
2
|
75.25
|
Ross Blacklock
|
2
|
TCU
|
76
|
326
|
20.5
|
6.5
|
2
|
0
|
72.63
|
James Lynch
|
2
|
BAY
|
76
|
285
|
17.5
|
5
|
3
|
0
|
67.63
|
Malcolm Roach
|
3
|
TEX
|
76
|
270
|
27
|
4
|
2
|
1
|
67.25
|
Enoch Smith Jr
|
4
|
OkSt
|
74
|
295
|
13
|
5.5
|
2.5
|
0
|
66.63
|
Reese Donahue
|
3
|
WVU
|
76
|
263
|
30.5
|
6
|
1
|
0
|
63.38
|
Edge Rushers (Minimum 12
Points)
|
|||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Tkls
|
TFLs
|
Sacks
|
PDs
|
Points
|
Ben Banogu
|
4
|
TCU
|
76
|
245
|
39
|
16.5
|
8.5
|
1
|
259.78
|
JaQuan Bailey
|
3
|
IaSt
|
74
|
260
|
26.5
|
11
|
7
|
3
|
197.28
|
Jordan Brailford
|
4
|
OkSt
|
75
|
250
|
45.5
|
11
|
5
|
1
|
167.22
|
Tony Jones
|
4
|
TTU
|
74
|
225
|
27
|
7
|
4
|
2
|
109.13
|
Cole Walterscheid
|
4
|
OkSt
|
77
|
260
|
18.5
|
6.5
|
1
|
0
|
106.88
|
Off-Ball Linebackers
(Minimum 12 Points)
|
|||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Tkls
|
TFLs
|
Sacks
|
PDs
|
Points
|
Joe Dineen Jr
|
4
|
KAN
|
74
|
230
|
113
|
23
|
2.5
|
2
|
178.88
|
David Long Jr
|
3
|
WVU
|
71
|
222
|
65
|
15.5
|
3.5
|
6
|
141.96
|
Justin Phillips
|
4
|
OkSt
|
72
|
230
|
53
|
9.5
|
2.5
|
4
|
133.64
|
Marcel Spears Jr
|
3
|
IaSt
|
73
|
215
|
81.5
|
8.5
|
1
|
5
|
131.34
|
Willie Harvey
|
4
|
IaSt
|
72
|
222
|
56
|
11.5
|
4
|
6
|
131.14
|
Dakota Allen
|
4
|
TTU
|
73
|
235
|
80
|
6
|
2
|
6
|
111.13
|
Ty Summers
|
4
|
TCU
|
74
|
242
|
50
|
8
|
4
|
6
|
110.65
|
Breckyn Hager
|
4
|
TEX
|
76
|
245
|
22
|
9
|
4
|
4
|
80.43
|
Clay Johnston
|
3
|
BAY
|
73
|
220
|
44
|
9
|
1
|
0
|
78.84
|
Kenneth Murray
|
2
|
OKLA
|
74
|
242
|
59
|
7.5
|
1
|
0
|
77.53
|
Caleb Kelly
|
3
|
OKLA
|
75
|
229
|
46
|
3.5
|
1
|
2
|
74.95
|
Gary Johnson
|
4
|
TEX
|
73
|
220
|
49
|
6
|
2
|
1
|
71.83
|
Calvin Bundage
|
3
|
OkSt
|
74
|
205
|
45
|
5.5
|
3
|
1
|
55.58
|
Keith Loneker Jr
|
4
|
KAN
|
74
|
225
|
39.5
|
3.5
|
1.5
|
1
|
54.47
|
Eric Ogor
|
3
|
BAY
|
71
|
205
|
23
|
6.5
|
2
|
1
|
50.34
|
Cornerbacks (Minimum 12
Points)
|
|||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Tkls
|
TFLs
|
Sacks
|
PDs
|
Points
|
A.J. Green
|
3
|
OkSt
|
73
|
180
|
43
|
4.5
|
0
|
9
|
83
|
Kris Boyd
|
4
|
TEX
|
72
|
200
|
47.5
|
0.5
|
0
|
17
|
80
|
Duke Shelley
|
4
|
KSU
|
69
|
178
|
54.5
|
4
|
1
|
13
|
78.75
|
Brian Peavy
|
4
|
IaSt
|
69
|
190
|
68.5
|
6
|
0
|
11
|
75.5
|
Parnell Motley
|
3
|
OKLA
|
72
|
175
|
56
|
4.5
|
0
|
11
|
71
|
Hasan Defense
|
3
|
KAN
|
71
|
180
|
38
|
1
|
0
|
11
|
60.5
|
Grayland Arnold
|
3
|
BAY
|
69
|
190
|
30.5
|
3
|
0
|
8
|
46.5
|
Jeff Gladney
|
3
|
TCU
|
72
|
187
|
25.5
|
0
|
0
|
7
|
43.5
|
Harrison Hand
|
2
|
BAY
|
72
|
190
|
36.5
|
0.5
|
0
|
9
|
42.5
|
DeAnte Ford
|
3
|
KAN
|
70
|
175
|
14
|
1.5
|
0
|
10
|
39.5
|
Rodarius Williams
|
2
|
OkSt
|
72
|
180
|
40
|
1
|
0
|
10
|
38
|
Damarcus Fields
|
2
|
TTU
|
72
|
200
|
44.5
|
0
|
0
|
8
|
37.5
|
Free Safeties (Minimum 12
Points)
|
|||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Tkls
|
TFLs
|
Sacks
|
PDs
|
Points
|
Jah'Shawn Johnson
|
4
|
TTU
|
70
|
185
|
82.5
|
4
|
0
|
5
|
132.72
|
Ridwan Issahaku
|
4
|
TCU
|
73
|
196
|
55.5
|
6
|
2
|
6
|
113.72
|
Denzel Goolsby
|
3
|
KSU
|
71
|
192
|
71.5
|
2
|
1
|
6
|
104.72
|
D'Andre Payne
|
4
|
IaSt
|
70
|
180
|
43.5
|
6
|
0
|
3
|
103.03
|
Bryce Torneden
|
3
|
KAN
|
70
|
190
|
53.5
|
5
|
2
|
1
|
77.84
|
P.J. Locke III
|
4
|
TEX
|
72
|
205
|
31.5
|
2.5
|
0
|
2
|
73.56
|
Niko Small
|
4
|
TCU
|
70
|
194
|
34
|
1
|
0
|
5
|
73.38
|
Mike Lee
|
3
|
KAN
|
71
|
176
|
64
|
2
|
0
|
3
|
71.81
|
Tyrone Miller Jr
|
4
|
KAN
|
72
|
182
|
42.5
|
2
|
0
|
3
|
59.72
|
Strong Safeties (Minimum
12 Points)
|
|||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Tkls
|
TFLs
|
Sacks
|
PDs
|
Points
|
Justus Parker
|
3
|
TTU
|
72
|
210
|
38
|
2.5
|
0
|
8
|
120.81
|
Kendall Adams
|
4
|
KSU
|
73
|
221
|
57
|
1
|
0
|
6
|
97.43
|
Kenny Robinson
|
2
|
WVU
|
74
|
202
|
39
|
2
|
0
|
6
|
95.1
|
Innis Gaines
|
3
|
TCU
|
74
|
201
|
29.5
|
6
|
2
|
4
|
71.14
|
Dravon Askew-Henry
|
4
|
WVU
|
72
|
200
|
49.5
|
2.5
|
0
|
5
|
66.63
|
Davante Davis
|
4
|
TEX
|
75
|
200
|
24.5
|
1
|
0
|
5
|
65.74
|
Vaughnte Dorsey
|
4
|
TTU
|
71
|
200
|
49.5
|
1.5
|
0
|
4
|
57.83
|
Octavious Morgan
|
4
|
TTU
|
72
|
205
|
34.5
|
1
|
0
|
8
|
52.36
|
Dylan Tonkery
|
2
|
WVU
|
72
|
222
|
38.5
|
7
|
2.5
|
1
|
50.91
|
Brandon Jones
|
3
|
TEX
|
73
|
205
|
56
|
4
|
0
|
2
|
47.45
|
Desmon Smith
|
3
|
TTU
|
74
|
190
|
27
|
1
|
0
|
4
|
47.18
|
Willie Sykes
|
3
|
TTU
|
72
|
185
|
12
|
2
|
1
|
3
|
42.05
|
On the defensive side of the ball Kansas… Yes, Kansas looks to be
in pretty solid shape returning production-wise, starting up front with Daniel
Wise. Wise had 17.5 TFLs and 6.5 sacks as a junior at 6’3”, 290 pounds. Wise is
joined by the leading returning producer at linebacker Joe Dineen Jr. Dineen had
113 tackles, but he wasn’t just an accumulator he was force in the backfield as
well with 23 tackles for loss. The Jahawks aren’t as prolific in the secondary,
but they have five returning producers on the list, corners Hasan Defense and
DeAnte Ford and safeties Bryce Torneden, Mike Lee, and Tyrone Miller Jr, who
combined for 212 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, and 28 passes defensed. Kansas won’t have
a shutdown defense, but they’re experienced and productive and that should
help. Our next group to look at, because they have the next best interior producer,
is Texas Tech. Tech wasn’t horrible on defense last year, they weren’t good
either, but they’ve had years where they were in the 120s and last year in per
play and opponent adjusted metrics they were in the low 80s. That poor, not
putrid, defense brings back production at just about every level this season,
starting up front with Eli Howard (INT), Kolin Hill (INT), and Tony Jones
(Edge). Howard, Hill, and Jones combined for 88.5 tackles, 21.5 TFLs, and 9
sacks. None was spectacular, but they all made an impact. At linebacker, Tech
gets Dakota Allen back, and with him 80 tackles, 6 TFLs, and 6 PDs. At DB Tech
has the top returning safety in both groups, and five other DBs of note who return
for another good round of good enough defense in an offensive nightmare. Corner
Damarcus Fields had 44.5 tackles and 8 PDs as a freshman, safeties Jah’Shawn Johnson
and Justin Parker had 82.5 tackles, 4 for a loss, and 5 PDs, and 38, 2.5, 8
respectively, and the remain quartet of Dorsey/Morgan/Smith/Sykes combined for
123 tackles and 19 PDs. Next on our list is Baylor, led up front by Ira Lewis.
Lewis had 11.5 TFLs and 5.5 sacks and is joined by sophomore James Lynch who had
a promising 5 TFls and 3 sacks. On the second-level, juniors Clay Johnston and
Eric Ogor combined for 67 tackles, 15.5 TFLs, and a trio of sacks. Meanwhile, in
the secondary, junior Grayland Arnold (8 PDs and 3 TFLs) and sophomore Harrison
Hand (9 PDs and 36.5 tackles) are back at corner, but they stand alone. All-in-all,
Baylor has some young pieces, but it will probably be another rough year in the
transition to the Rhule era. We head east to Morgantown where the Mountaineers
are led by a trio of returning producers in the front seven. On the interior of
the line Ezekiel Rose is the standout after a 5 TFL/5 sacks/3PD junior season.
Joining Rose is Adam Shuler II and his 31.5 tackles, 8 TFLs, and 3 sacks.
Behind those two is linebacker David Long Jr, who got in on the backfield part with
15.5 TFLs and 6 PDs. Lastly for West Virginia are the safeties, Kenny Robinson,
Dravon Askew-Henry, and Dylan Tonkery. That trio combined for 127 tackles, 11.5
TFLs, and 12 passes defensed. As we move on to the notable returners edge rushers
we come to the standout producer Ben Banogu of TCU. Banogu had 8.5 sacks and
16.5 TFLs. He’s joined in the front seven by L.J. Collier (INT), Ross Blacklock
(INT), and Ty Summers (OBLB) who combined for 73.5 tackles, 19 TFLs, and 10
sacks which should give them a solid, if unspectacular front seven. Behind
those four is another quartet led by elite safety Ridwan Issahaku (55.5 tackles,
6 TFLs, and 6 PDs). Joining Issahaku are Jeff Gladney (CB), Innis Gaines (SS),
and Niko Small (FS) who combined for 89 tackles, 7 TFLs, and 16 PDs. Iowa State
is lead on defense by Edge JaQuan Bailey. Bailey produced 11 TFLs, 7 sacks, and
a trio of PDs. He’s joined in the front seven by OBLBs Marcel Spears Jr and
Willie Harvey. That duo combined for 137.5 tackles, 20 TFLs, 5 sacks, and 11 passes
defensed. They are the best pair of returning linebackers in the conference. On
the back end standouts are sparse with only Brian Peavy (CB) and D’Andre Payne
(FS) returning. The two DBs combined for 112 tackles, 12 TFLs, and 14 PDs which
all-in-all isn’t a bad base on which to build a secondary. Oklahoma State is
the only school with a pair of returning producers in each of the three front
seven groupings. At Edge, Jordan Brailford and Cole Walterscheid combined for
17.5 TFLs and 6 sacks, they are joined by interior linemen Darrion Daniels and Enoch
Smith Jr who add in their own 10.5 TFLs and 3 sacks. Behind those four you have
two corners and what should be a pair of great young bookends to build a
secondary around. A.J. Green had 43 tackles, 4.5 for a loss, and 9 passes
defensed in his sophomore season and is joined by sophomore Rodarius Williams
who returns after 40 tackles and 10 passes defensed himself. So, the Cowboys
have bookends on the line, at linebacker, and at corner and production returning
at DT as well. As we move to the elite returning producers at corner we finally
get to take a look at Texas. Corner Kris Boyd is back after a 47.5 tackle and
17 PD season and is joined by a trio of other DBs in P.J. Locke III, Davante
Davis, and Brandon Jones. The trio of Locke III, Davis, and Jones combined for
92 tackles and 9 passes defensed. In front of that quartet are a pair of interior
linemen and a pair of OBLBs. The quartet of Charles Omenihu (INT), Malcom Roach
(INT), Breckyn Hager (OBLB), and Gary Johnson (OBLB) combined for 122 tackles,
26 TFLs, 12 sacks, and 6 PDs. As for Kansas State and Oklahoma, they each have
their collection of players here in the secondary and front seven respectively.
No comments:
Post a Comment