Oklahoma and Texas were founding members of the Big 12, but news of their leaving for the SEC rocked the future of the conference. As for the upcoming season, everything is going as usual. The Big 12 had no reps in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but that shouldn’t be seen as the norm. Here are the Big 12’s top 10 prospects heading into the regular season, including one of the best running backs in recent memory:
10. Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB, TCU
The nephew of former NFL power running back LaDainian Tomlinson has been incredibly productive for the Horned Frogs. In 2021, he had two forced fumbles, two interceptions and a touchdown. On the smaller side, the Texas native changes direction with ease. Hodges-Tomlinson shows a quick burst to make plays on the ball. A lack of traditional size suggests a move inside covering the slot is likely.
9. Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
Johnson is a tall, narrow-built wide receiver who uses soft hands and long arms as an advantage in ball-hopping situations. He displays good hand-eye coordination and an ability to follow the ball on the pitch. In his second season with TCU, he recorded 33 receptions for 612 yards and six touchdowns.
Johnson ranked sixth in air yards per target (18.70) among pass catchers with at least 30 receptions, according to TruMedia.
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8. Cooper Beebe, OG, Kansas State
Beebe plays the game with an average streak. He played at left tackle for the Wildcats last season, but is destined to transition inside to the next level. Active, violent hands and a strong upper body allow him to create movement in the running game. According to TruMedia, the Kansas City native allowed just eight pressures on 348 pass blocks last season.
There is a future in the NFL for Beebe and his path continues this fall as the lead tackle for one of college football’s most exciting running backs – Deuce Vaughn.
7. Eric Gray, RB, Oklahoma
Gray was traded to Norman from Tennessee ahead of the 2021 season. He entered a situation where he was a compliment to Kennedy Brooks rather than the bell cow; that should change this season as he takes on a bigger role. A member of Doak Walker’s preseason watch list, Gray has made progress as a blocker and is an effective contributor in the passing game. Among players with at least 75 rushes last season, Gray ranked sixth in percentage of tackles avoided (44.9%), according to TruMedia.
The Sooners have had four running backs drafted since 2017.
6. Noah Daniels, CB, TCU
Injuries disrupted an otherwise impressive career for Daniels. In the past three seasons, he has only played nine games, including five last season. Daniels has a good size to translate into a next level man cover role. He does a good job of staying in tune and transitioning on the pitch. However, he has limited ball production for the Horned Frogs and talent evaluators are hoping the Texas senior can stay healthy in 2022.
5. Siaki Ika, DT, Baylor
At 6-foot-4 and 350 pounds, Ika is a traditional nose tackle in the NFL. He displays a lot of power in his hands and constantly draws double teams. There is some stacking and laying ability in his game. While sacks are of little importance to 0-technical players, the Salt Lake City native finished the most recent campaign with four.
Originally an LSU Tiger, Ika followed Dave Aranda to Baylor after the 2020 season.
4. Anton Harrison, occupational therapist, Oklahoma
Harrison has a bus-like physique first. He uses good upper body strength to absorb contact. In a small sample, Harrison appears to be more effective in the running game by using his physique to lean on his opponents. There are offensive tackle prospects in this class with limited playing experience, but the Washington DC native is not in that boat. He played 22 games at left tackle over the past two seasons, amassing 966 offensive snaps.
Oklahoma’s offensive line has become a pipeline for the NFL. Seven former Sooner offensive linemen have been drafted to the NFL since 2018.
3. Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State
Anudike-Uzomah uses first step speed and an endless motor to complete games. Developing more counter moves would allow him to become a more indispensable passing thrower, but the 2021 season has been off to a good start. In his first real playing time, Anudike-Uzomah had 11 sacks and six forced fumbles for the Wildcats. According to TruMedia, he created pressure on 13.9% of his passing rushes.
2. Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma
The Texas native has been consistent in his first two seasons as a varsity athlete, but is only scratching the surface of his potential. Mims shows soft but strong hands and fluid speed to make plays after the catch. He does a great job of tracking the ball down the pitch and uses great body control to finish plays.
Mims ranked first among all pass catchers with at least 30 receptions in first downs per target. According to TruMedia, he converted 61% of his first down receptions last season. He also ranked 12th in aerial yards per target (17.61).
He recorded 32 receptions for 705 yards and five touchdowns in 2021. The Sooners will look very different this fall with former head coach Lincoln Riley now residing in Southern California and first and second quarterbacks Spencer Rattler and Caleb Williams in South Carolina and USC, respectively.
1. Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
Robinson was the No. 1 running back in the nation out of high school. Barring an unforeseen outcome, the Tucson native will go wire to wire as the top-rated running back. Robinson is an effective and efficient runner who exhibits great brilliance and good balance. He is able to slow his feet in traffic and redirect himself at a moment’s notice. The third-year runner avoided 88 tackles last season, which was fifth most, according to TruMedia.
Adding to his ability on the field, Robinson contributed 26 receptions for 295 yards and four touchdowns. The only obstacle standing between Robinson and hearing his name called in the first round of the NFL Draft is positional value. The 2022 NFL Draft was the first without a running back selected in the first round for the first time since 2014.