Shawn Oakman's Return Makes Baylor Strong Big 12 Contenders for 2015

Baylor coach Art Briles has built a Big 12 powerhouse that annually produces one of the most exciting offenses in college football. So, naturally, the Bears' success in 2015 could be based on their defense. 

On Monday, Baylor junior defensive end Shawn Oakman announced that he was returning for his senior season. 

"It's what you're supposed to do. It's not my time. I've got unfinished business," Oakman told David Ubben of Fox Sports Southwest. 

There's no doubt that Oakman, at a well-documented 6'9" and 280 pounds, has the athleticism to be a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft. What Oakman will be able to do with another year of coaching is refine his skills and grow as a player. 

By this time a year from now, Oakman could be in the conversation as the No. 1 overall pick. 

In the meantime, he's a crucial returning piece for Baylor. Defensive coordinator Phil Bennett called it the "first win of the week," with the Cotton Bowl against Michigan State taking place Thursday. Oakman brings a matchup problem to opposing offensive coordinators and demands constant attention. 

Nine of Baylor's starting 11 from this season should return in 2015. The major losses will be senior linebacker Bryce Hager, who led the team with 101 tackles, and nickelback Collin Brence. Beyond that, the Bears' defensive two-deep is made up of mostly sophomores and freshmen. 

Baylor's defensive line, perhaps the best in the Big 12 this season, played a big role in the Bears giving up only 2.94 yards per rush—tied for third nationally. Baylor also finished second in the Big 12 with 3.0 sacks per game and 7.67 tackles for loss per game. 

Unless Beau Blackshear declares for the draft, Baylor will return its entire D-line with Andrew Billings and K.J. Smith. And, yes, that's a terrifying thought. Ohio State, Clemson and Texas had some of the best D-lines in the country this season. Baylor could assume that identity in 2015 with all the returning talent. 

Couple Oakman's return with the Bears' offensive firepower, and this team should once again be favored to finish at or near the top of the Big 12.

Like Hager's departure on defense, Baylor loses key pieces on offense: quarterback Bryce Petty and receivers Antwan Goodley and Levi Norwood. From a roster standpoint, though, Baylor is in as good a position as it's ever been under Briles. Seth Russell has been excellent in relief of Petty, and freshman KD Cannon was second on the team with 833 receiving yards. 

The player with the biggest impact beyond Oakman would be junior offensive lineman Spencer Drango, should he return. 

It's a tribute to how Baylor is humming along as a program. Many teams follow the "next man up" philosophy, but few actually pull it off successfully. For example, Baylor has actually won more games since losing quarterback Robert Griffin III, a once-in-a-generation player for the Bears, than it did with him from 2008-11. 

What Baylor loses for 2015 seems far less concerning now. Rather, what the Bears have coming back, highlighted by Oakman, should be cause for excitement in Waco. If Oakman is the first victory, many more should be coming. 

Ben Kercheval is a lead writer for college football. All stats courtesy of CFBStats.com.