After sorting through the Group-of-Five and Independent teams, we are on to the big dogs of the college football landscape. The Power Five Conferences of the NCAA have the gold-standard teams. Alabama, Texas, USC, Clemson, Ohio State etc… all reside here; with the idea of super conferences looming large we may not have the Power Five much longer, so we should enjoy these classic rivalries and conferences while we still have them.
The Big 12 is a conference in a period of transition and turmoil. Texas and Oklahoma, the two gold-standard programs for the conference will be leaving for the SEC in 2024. Add this to them welcoming four new programs in the next two years and the landscape of the conference will be very different than it is now.
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Baylor
Siaki Ika DT
6’4 350 lbs
Siaki Ika looks like a clone of Jordan Davis, the 13th overall pick in last years NFL Draft, if he can have an ascension in his final year the way Davis did it wouldn’t be surprising for him to move up draft boards and into that top 25 discussion.
Ika transferred to Baylor after two years at LSU and went from role player to defensive stalwart. His massive frame allows him to anchor down and eat up gaps, regularly requiring a double team to be moved off his spot. He flashes quick and powerful hands, latching on to the guy across the ball and imposing his will on him.
Ika flashed a little bit as a pass rusher last year for the first time in his career, netting four sacks on the season. He has an impressive first step and uses incredible lower body strength to bullrush his way into the backfield. Even when he wasn’t the one getting him he regularly collapsed the pocket, giving his teammates free run at the opposing QB.
Ika needs to really work on two things to round out his game. He needs to improve his pad level on a play to play basis, he can sometimes get out of his stance high and will lose the leverage battle. His raw strength and burst out of his stance help him overcome it, but that won’t fly against higher levels of competition. Secondly he needs to work on his conditioning. He gets winded and comes out of the game far too often.
All together he’s a tantalizing prospect, you can’t teach that size. If he can improve his conditioning and refine some small parts of his game he could be a force in the NFL.
Iowa State
Will McDonald Edge
6’4 248 lbs
Will McDonald is a story of the results you get when putting the work in. McDonald was a three star recruit in high school and came to Iowa State as a raw but talented recruit. Every single year of his time at Iowa State he’s become a better player, if he stays on that trajectory he’s in for a huge year.
McDonald has increased his production in tackles, sacks, TFLs and forced fumbles in each season; last year it culminated in a season where he logged 11.5 sacks, 13 TFLs and 5 forced fumbles. Im unsure how he could get much better, but you have to believe he will.
The senior edge rusher brings a great blend of skills to his game. He wins in a variety of ways, equipped with a mean streak when bull-rushing and a deep bend when taking the edge it’s hard for offensive lineman to get a hand on him. When his bull or speed rush is stymied he has a handful of secondary moves he can use to free himself.
He can rush anywhere from the 5T to the 9T, standing up or with his hand in the dirt, he has even dropped into zone coverage a few times. That positional versatility, matched with an incredible first step and elite straight line speed for the position is incredibly valuable to a team.
McDonald has improved as a tackler but he is still prone to making mental mistakes in the open field. He will dip his head and lunge as opposed to breaking down and driving through his man. His natural aggression and desire to hunt down the QB will get him a bit over aggressive at times. He vacates gap responsibility and will have the play go right by him.
McDonald is one of the most exciting front seven prospects in a draft class filled to the brim with talent in the front seven. He could end up falling into the middle part of day two this year when in a normal year he would be a top 25 pick.
Kansas
Kenny Logan S
6’0 198 lbs
The junior Jayhawk has been one of the lone bright spots on an otherwise bad Kansas defense. Starting off his career as a cornerback and return specialist, he has been helping to make an impact from the time he arrived on campus.
As a kick returner, he averages 25 yards per return and has taken one back for a score. Across three seasons as a cornerback and safety he has collected over 180 tackles, 9 PBUs, and created 6 turnovers (3 INTs and 3 FF).
He isn’t afraid to dip his shoulder and lay out a receiver coming across the middle. He has exceptional ball tracking skills, often getting to the spot he needs to be at and breaking up the pass. Playing as a safety he is able to show off his skills in zone coverage and his willingness to come up and make a tackle. This is why his move to safety full time seems like a perfect fit for his particular set of skills and strengths.
He isn’t the strongest player in man coverage, lacking top end acceleration to start, stop and change direction. He can also be a bit handsy when he thinks he’s beat, getting his fair share of holding and PI calls. He has the requisite size to play safety but could stand to get a little stronger, he is a good open field tackler, but sometimes gets lost in the muck.
He could follow last years lone Jayhawk draft pick Kyron Johnson, and be picked up somewhere in the late part of the draft.
Kansas State
Deuce Vaughn RB
5’6 175 lbs
Deuce Vaughn is a prime example of big things coming in small packages. He’s one of the most explosive and dynamic play makers in the nation, despite standing at a generous 5’6. This isn’t the first time in recent memory K-State had a diminutive dynamo at running back, Darren Sproles went on to three Pro-Bowls and win a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles; Vaughn will be looking to follow in his footsteps.
Deuce lit it up for the Wildcats in 2021. He ran for over 1,400 yards at a 6 yard per carry clip, getting into the endzone 18 times. He hides behind his offensive line until he finds his seam and dashes through. He uses quick feet, incredible burst and that low center of gravity to put defenders on skates.
He is an extremely gifted receiver. Unlike most running backs at the NCAA level, he doesn’t just catch the ball out of the backfield on check downs. He has lined up in the slot and outside on numerous occasions and is a particular menace in the screen game. He runs crisp routes and catches the ball with his hands. In his two years at Kansas State he’s got 75 catches for 900 yards and 6 touchdowns.
The glaring weakness in his game is obviously going to be his size. The Darren Sproles parallels from a height and production standpoint are clear but Sproles had about 25 pounds on Deuce. He’s gonna need to hit the weight room to be a viable option on Sundays.
Oklahoma
Marvin Mims WR
5’11 180 lbs
Marvin Mims hasn’t had it easy in his time at Oklahoma. The promising player is about to be on his 3rd QB and second head coach in three seasons. His talent level is undeniable, but he has struggled to achieve the production needed to be viewed as a top tier wide receiver.
Mims isn’t an imposing presence but has enough size to play inside and outside. He is a threat to take off the top but where Mims really thrives is in catch and run situations. He is dynamic with the ball in his hands, using a blend of burst and agility to shake defenders out of their socks. His leaping ability and body control make him a threat to catch anything within his range.
Mims has plenty of room for growth physically and at the position. He has trouble releasing against the press sometimes and needs to use his hands and feet better to create that separation off the line. He has had struggles with the players getting him the ball, but his lack of production is troublesome. Playing as the primary target in a dynamic Lincoln Riley offense should’ve produced some big numbers, but has only put up 600 and 700 yards in his two seasons.
Mims has the physical gifts, maybe with another year of growth and the presence of stat machine Dylan Gabriel at QB, he can have that big breakout year.
Oklahoma State
Brock Martin Edge
6’3 250 lbs
Brock Martin isn’t the biggest, fastest or strongest edge rusher in the nation; he may not even be the most talented edge rusher on his own team, but when it comes to skill and heart there aren’t many above him.
Martin is going into his fourth season at Oklahoma State and has gotten better with every year. In 2021 he really arrived on the scene, logging 9 sacks and 14 TFLs. He has a nice blend of burst and power coming off the edge and uses great technique to get home. What he lacks in raw physical ability to he makes up for with tenacity, motor and skills. He has great gap discipline and is always keeping his eyes on the ball, rarely over pursuing or getting baited into a bad play.
He isn’t going to blow anyone away with his athletic traits and is a bit undersized to play with his hand in the dirt. His arms aren’t quite long enough to engage and win against some of these 6’5+ offensive tackles he faces. He has great burst off the line but lacks that closing speed to chase down ball carriers from the backside or get downfield to make tackles.
Martin may not be on anyones All-American team but he’s got a motor that doesn’t stop and miles of heart. Those are traits that can’t be coached up. What he brings from a leadership standpoint is incredibly valuable and it makes everyone around him better.
TCU
Quentin Johnston WR
6’4 215 lbs
Nine TCU receivers have been drafted since 2000. None of them have made the successful transition from the NCAA to the NFL. They are to wide receivers what Ohio State has been to quarterbacks. As the old adage goes “don’t scout the helmet”.
I’m unsure if any of the previous TCU receivers had the natural gifts that Johnston possesses. He gets open in a multitude of ways. Whether it’s using his physicality off the line to create space underneath or blow by his man going deep, he is far from one dimensional. He can go up and get it with the best of them. His 6’4 frame and leaping ability make it hard for your average cornerback beat him on jump ball situations.
The versatility he brings to the field might be his biggest strength. He is able to line up on the outside or inside in the slot and find ways to get open. He is a strong route runner, with a smooth stride and gets into his breaks with a purpose. An oft overlooked part of the wide receiver position is run blocking and there may not be a better run blocker in this class.
Johnston needs to work on a few things to really solidify himself as an elite prospect. Firstly he tends to catch with his body when uncontested. I’ve seen a few balls bounce off his pads by letting get into his chest. He loses his size advantage when he’s not using every inch of his length to attack the ball. He doesn’t have much elusiveness to his game in the open field so he’s not much of a threat to make a big play after the catch.
Texas
Bijan Robinson RB
6’0 220 lbs
The Longhorns are looking to get back on track and once more be a powerhouse program. They have been in the national spotlight a lot this off-season with the transfer of star prospect Quinn Ewers and the teams impending move to the SEC, but everything is Austin starts with Bijan Robinson.
Called the best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley by some, he has lived up to all of the hype surrounding him. Bijan seemed to be the only thing really working for Texas last season, generating 1,422 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns in only ten games last year.
He is a home run threat every time he touches the ball. He makes the players around him better because opposing defenses need to scheme their defense around him, regularly keeping eight players in the box just to contain him.
Robinson has a rare blend of speed, shiftiness and power. At a solid 220 pounds he can run through you as easily as he can run around you. He thrives on contact and the first man to the ball rarely brings him down. In the open field he uses his elite change of direction and agility to make guys miss, making hard cuts and getting up field where corners and safeties are forced to tackle him one on one.
He is a smart and efficient runner, not spending much time dancing in the backfield, he sees a hole and hits it. He lets his elite agility and balance through contact do most of the work when fighting through the trenches, more times than not he ends up bursting forward for 5+ yards. The back of his jersey isn’t dirty very often.
He is also a feature in the passing game. Always a threat to take a screen or swing pass for six. He has 42 receptions for 491 yards and six touchdowns so far in his career, and if incoming QB Quinn Ewers lives up to the hype that number might double this year.
I try to avoid hyperbole as much as possible, nobody is without flaws in their game; but Robinson doesn’t have one glaring weakness. I guess he could get his running style more under control, he occasionally bounces his way right into traffic instead of trusting his speed to take the edge. I love a physical running back, but he welcomes contact a little too frequently for a guy with his dynamic agility. I’d hate to see him get banged up by seeking out someone to truck.
All together, Robinson is one of the best prospects at the position I’ve watched. He is the next great Texas running back in a program with a rich history at the position; and could very well be a top ten pick despite the value of the position declining almost daily.
Texas Tech
Baylor Cupp TE
6’7 253 lbs
This selection is more about what the player can be than what he has already shown us. Baylor Cupp was the number one ranked tight end in the 2019 recruiting class. After committing to Texas A&M, everything possible got in the young man’s way. Injuries and star tight end Jalen Wydermyer prevented Cupp from ever seeing the field at College Station.
Cupp is absolutely elite from a measurable standpoint. At a whopping 6’7 and 250 pounds, the young man is quite impressive on profile alone. For hmmm you wouldn’t expect him to be able to run like a wide receiver, but he does just that. It was reported that he ran a sub 4.6 40 yard dash coming out of high school. A size and speed combo that doesn’t grow on trees.
Unfortunately with the injuries and being blocked on the depth chart their isn’t too much else we really know about him. If he can get on the field for The Red Raiders, he will immediately be a huge, soft handed, matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. He’s one of the players I’m looking forward to seeing the most in 2022.
West Virginia
JT Daniels QB
6’3 210 lbs
Name a more frustrating player than JT Daniels…. Go ahead I’ll wait. The guy had talent in spades, with NFL size, an NFL arm, and NFL mind for the game. He’s been handed the keys to two prestigious universities, and has fumbled the rock both times around.
Call it bad luck, call it tough breaks, call it what you want; but his tumultuous career certainly isn’t the product of a lack of talent. JT Daniels has all the tools to be a successful player he just can’t seem to put it together for a whole season.
He started his journey as a true freshman at USC, and while the results were a mixed bag, he showed enough promise to get the starting job out of the gate in his sophomore year. Unfortunately, he tore his meniscus and ACL out of the gate, lost his job to Kedon Slovis and never really got a chance to get the job back.
He transferred to Georgia and showed some promise in limited action in 2020, but ultimately couldn’t get the job done in 2021. He started four games last year and the offense was anemic, bolstered by a historic defense; and the keys were given to Stetson Bennet. This prompted Daniels to transfer for the second time in three years, this time to West Virginia.
Daniels has the arm strength to make almost every throw on the field. He can throw off platform and still get the ball where it needs to go, and delivers a really nice deep ball. He has the size required to stand in the pocket and deliver it, and he’s got a little mobility to improvise when things break down.
Daniels does have some accuracy issues, he can be erratic with the football leading to some mistakes that have really cost him. He throws to the player more than the spot, not really giving his targets a chance to make anything happen after the catch. JT Daniels pre-snap is not the same processor of information as he is mid-play. He has troubles identifying the blitz, coverage schemes and changing things accordingly at the line.
Maybe this is the year Daniels puts it all together, maybe this can finally be his team and he can capitalize on his natural talent. If he can be the best version of himself the Mountaineers can make noise in a weak conference, but it’s hard to put a lot of faith in that happening.