Big 12 Players Fans Do Not Hear Enough About, But Will

Big 12 media days have come and gone. What have we learned? Well, nothing new. Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy are still the names on everyone’s lips. Baylor is a team on the rise. Missouri is a team that looks to take a small step backwards. Nebraska or Kansas are teams most experts are picking to represent the north in Arlington this December.

So in an effort to break from the Big 12 norm of talking about those who get all the hype, even though it is justified hype (McCoy, Bradford). I have generated a list of players and up-&-comers on each team that fans around the Big 12 should hear more about this upcoming season and in the near future.

ENJOY!!

BAYLOR: Jay Finley, Jr RB

Overshadowed by freshman of the Year Robert Griffin, Finley did nothing but put up solid yardage on a 4-8 team expected to be even better this fall. The 205 lb Junior average 72 yards per game last season and helped Baylor finish 3rd in the Big 12 and 21st in the nation in rushing offense. Hitting pay-dirt 9 times last season (7 rush, 2 receiving) didn't hurt the Bears much either. (Also look for: Junior Transfer DT Phil Taylor)

COLORADO:  Jeff Smart, Sr LB

The SR linebacker registered 109 tackles and finished fourth in the conference. Expect those numbers to rise since the Buffs had some key losses among their defense. The biggest loss is George Hypolite which leaves a huge hole along Colorado's defensive line. Expect Smart to be one of CU's high points this season and for him to challenge Missouri’s Sean Weatherspoon and Oklahoma's Travis Lewis for the the title of the Big 12's best tackler. (Also look for: So DT's Curtis Cunningham & Eugene Goree)

IOWA STATE:  Sedrick Johnson, So WR

The former Texas A&M Commit enters his sophomore season as capable replacement for R.J. Sumrall, Austen Arnauds "go-to" guy last year. Even though Soph WR Darius Darks and SR WR Marquis Hamilton are expect to be WR's 1 & 2 on the Depth Chart, look for Johnson to use his 6' 4" frame to be a quality possession receiver. (Also look for: So Corners Ter'ran Benton and Leonard Johnson)

KANSAS:  Artist Wright, Sr LB

The Jayhawks lost three very experienced and talented linebackers this offseason. This season expect the 6' 0" 226 pound senior to step in and make the best of his senior season. As a junior, Wright played in 12 games, started 2, and notched 33 tackles. Expect his numbers to vastly improve as he and Jr LB Justin Springer try to fill void left by the vacated seniors. (Also look for: Jr LB Justin Springer)

KANSAS STATE: Carson Coffman, Jr QB

Carson Coffman has a very good football bloodline. His father played tight end at K-State in the 70's and his brother is the former Missouri standout and the Cincinnati Bengals third round pick, Chase Coffman. If his family is any indication, Carson could be a very good QB for Bill Snyder these next two years (Provided he beats out JC transfer QB Daniel Thomas for the job). The trouble for either QB could be the offensive line. The Wildcats lost a few starters, but its far from being an inexperienced group. Also take note that K-State returns some talent at the skill positions that can help Coffman become more comfortable his first year as a leader in the huddle. (Also Look For: Sr RB Keithen Valentine and Jr. WR/RB Lamark Brown)

MISSOURI: Andrew Jones, So TE

Tight Ends have seen tons of success in recent years. Of Course, they had Heisman finalist throwing to them. Jones will not be that lucky. However, he will benefit as the safety valve for a young first year starter Blaine Gabbert. According to jones recruitment evaluations he is very tough and hard to bring down. That will serve Mizzou very well, since yards are not going to come as easy they have in recent years. (Also Look For: So QB Blaine Gabbert)

NEBRASKA:  Sean Fisher, Fr LB

Nebraska's defense has been headlined by DT Ndamukong Suh this offseason, and rightfully so. But the loss of Sr. LB Cody Glenn has made room for the HUGE redshirt freshman to come in and make some noise on a team looking to regain "Blackshirt" status. At 6-6 and a listed 230 pounds, Fisher runs a legit 4.6 40. Anything that big, moving that fast is bound to steal a few headlines in the near future! (Also look for: WRs Niles Paul and Menelik Holt)

OKLAHOMA:  Travis Lewis, So LB

Oklahoma never ceases to amaze me when it comes to the talent they recruit year in and year out. So on a team jam packed with stars I have to pick someone. Therefore, I pick Lewis. The Texas native was second in the conference in tackles, recording 143 of them. That’s only 6 less than Missouri's standout LB Sean Weatherspoon, and a cool 15 more than the third place finisher. Oh, and did I mention he was a freshman. I guarantee you will hear this guys name for the next three years A LOT. (Also Look for: So SS Sam Proctor and Jr FS Quinton Carter)

 

OKLAHOMA STATE: Hubert Anyiam, So WR

With the decimation of the Pokes WR corps, I really could have picked anyone for this spot. Fact is someone needs to step up to take some attention of stud receiver Dez Bryant. Anyiam was a fairly high profile recruit in Big 12 country with offers from Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Texas Tech. Though Sr DeMarcus Conner and So Josh Cooper are named to fight for the starting role, keep an eye out for Anyiam. He could make a very good possesion receiver and safety valve for Robinson. A role that assisted in making TE Brandon Pettigrew the standout he had become. (Also Look For: Sr WR DeMarcus Conner)

 

TEXAS: Brandon Collins, Jr WR

Like Oklahoma, Texas is always overloaded with talent. So it is hard to pick a player that is NOT heavily mentioned but I did my best. Collins is expected to replace the very talented Quan Cosby as an option for Heisman watch QB Colt McCoy. Collins has appeared in 19 games in his first two seasons at Texas, starting in the final three games last year. He was pretty productive in his backup role posting 35 catches for 430 yards and three scores. Expect opposing teams to double team WR Jordan Shipley when they can, thus making Collins a very effective number two look for McCoy. (Also Look For: So WR Malcolm Williams)

 

TEXAS A&M: Trent Hunter, So FS

Widely known and heralded in the Aggie community, Trent Hunter became a local star over night. Due to many injuries in the Aggie secondary last year, Trent Hunter was given the start against Army and responded with 17 tackles in one game. He further cemented his local stardom by nabbing two interceptions to help seal the win against Colorado. Hunter and fellow safety Jordan Pugh have taken the reigns of a defense in search of leaders and production. Hunter set the tone for all incoming freshman. He proved to freshman can have a legitimate and immediate impact when given an opportunity to play. Aggies should see some definite improvement this coming season. (Also Look For: So LB Kyle Mangan)

 

TEXAS TECH: Detron Lewis, Jr WR

Okay, so this is a cop out pick. Lewis has been getting the hype all offseason. However, he was largely over shadowed by two time Belitnikoff winner and first round draft pick Michael Crabtree. With Crabtree gone, Big 12 fans will become tired of hearing "Touchdown: Detron Lewis." Aggies will be shaking their head, if they are not already, as to how a kid this talented in their own back yard got away from them. Lewis is going to put up some solid numbers and will give incoming starting QB Taylor Potts a great "go-to" guy. (Also Look For: Jr Linebacker Brian Duncan)