College Football 2011: 11 Players in Big 12 That Will Reach Another Level

It's a transition year for the Big 12.

With the defections of Nebraska to the Big Ten and Colorado to the Pac-12, it would be easy to just assume the conference will suffer a decline in talent.

Instead, the conference boasts some of the nation's best players.

How about Justin Blackmon and Brandon Weeden at Oklahoma State, Ryan Broyles and Landry Jones at Oklahoma and Jeff Fuller at Texas A&M?

Those players reached another level in 2010 and should be stars again this season.

But who are the guys that will reach another level in 2011?

(Big thank you to Jay Beck at Turfburner.com for his insight into the Big 12.)

11. Bryce Brown, RB (Kansas State)

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LEXINGTON, KY - NOVEMBER 28: Bryce Brown #11 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs with the ball during the SEC game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on November 28, 2009 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Everyone knows the story of Bryce Brown.

He was the top running back recruit in 2008 and saw considerable time as a true freshman at Tennessee in 2009.

Lane Kiffin bolted, and so did Brown.

He had a nice spring for the Wildcats, and he has the talent to make a major impact this year.

10. Damontre Moore, LB (Texas A&M)

Why Damontre Moore?

He was a nice contributor as a freshman and amassed 40 tackles for the Aggies in 2010.

If he steps up his game like his coaches anticipate, he could be the guy who fills the void left by Von Miller.

He may never be Miller, but even being compared to him means he could be a huge breakout player in 2011.

9. Tony Jefferson, S (Oklahoma)

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Tony Jefferson #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners reacts while taking on the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/

Tony Jefferson lived up to the hype last year and went on to be named the Big 12 co-Defensive Newcomer of the Year.

One of his big highlights of the season came in the Fiesta Bowl, when he picked off a pass and returned it 22 yards for a score against Connecticut.

While you have to worry about a sophomore slump, don't count on it with Jefferson.

He's a physical specimen and will improve on his outstanding first season with the Sooners.

8. T.J. Moe, WR (Missouri)

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COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 13: Receiver T.J. Moe #28 of the Missouri Tigers carries the ball as Tre Walker #50 and Terrance Sweeney #16 of the Kansas State Wildcats defend during the game on November 13, 2010 at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mi

Before T.J. Moe arrived on the Missouri campus, he was one of the best high school quarterbacks in the state.

His brains and overall ability have allowed him to become the Tigers' No. 1 receiver, and that's a nice honor to have when you play for a team that likes to throw the ball like Missouri.

The change at quarterback could potentially hurt his overall production in 2011, but Moe is a gamer and will produce.

7. Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)

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WACO, TX - NOVEMBER 14: Inside receiver Kendall Wright #1 for the Baylor Bears pull in a pass against defensive back Clark Ford #29 for the Texas Longhorns in the second half on November 14, 2009 at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas. The Longhorns beat

Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin loves Kendall Wright because he is both a deep threat and a guy who'll run the tough routes over the middle.

Wright set the Baylor single-season record for catches with 78 last season, but he could improve on that mark this season.

He has the speed (4.4) to outrun most defenders, so this just might be the season he moves into the upper echelon of Big 12 receivers.

6. Kelechi Osemele, OT (Iowa State)

Kelechi Osemele isn't a household name, but over the past three seasons at Iowa State he has developed into a potential first-round draft pick.

He is 6'5", 300 pounds and could elevate from all-conference to All-American in 2011.

Because he plays for Iowa State he may remain under the radar, but he has already caught the attention of every NFL scout.

5. Levy Adcock, OT (Oklahoma State)

Levy Adcock is another standout offensive lineman in the Big 12 who has a great chance of being a first-round selection.

With one of the nation's most explosive offenses in the nation, Adcock will benefit from that production.

That's not to say he isn't talented. At 6'6", 320 pounds, Adcock is a load who moves defensive linemen and provides great pocket protection for Brandon Weeden.

4. Cyrus Gray, RB (Texas A&M)

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COLLEGE STATION, TX - NOVEMBER 26: Tailback Cyrus Gray #32 of the Texas A&M Aggies is tripped up by a Texas Longhorns defender in the second half at Kyle Field on November 26, 2009 in College Station, Texas. The Longhorns defeated the Aggies 49-39. (Photo

Cyrus Gray wasn't even Texas A&M's starting running back when the 2010 season began.

Still, he rushed for 1,133 yards and 12 touchdowns as he established himself as a serious threat.

He'll still split time with Christine Michael, but Mike Sherman loves what he saw from Gray, and he'll feed the guy the ball all season.

Gray is going to be fun to watch.

3. Michael Egnew, TE (Missouri)

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LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 30: Tight end Michael Egnew #82 of the Missouri Tigers takes a hit from cornerback Prince Amukamara #21 and teammates of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during second half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Linc

Maybe this is way too high for a tight end, but Michael Egnew is possibly the best at his position in the country.

He had 90 catches and was an All-American.

His weakness is easily his blocking skills, but that gets overlooked when you keep pulling down eight to 10 passes every game.

2. Robert Griffin, QB (Baylor)

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WACO, TX - OCTOBER 04: Quarterback Robert Griffin #10 of the Baylor Bears drops back to pass against the Oklahoma Sooners at Floyd Casey Stadium on October 4, 2008 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Honestly, Robert Griffin has already had breakout seasons.

Despite missing most of the 2009 season, the Baylor quarterback has thrown for about 6,000 yards.

While Griffin may be lucky to even make all-conference this season, he is likely to show off his amazing athletic ability and solid quarterback skills.

This could lead to a better than expected season for the Bears, but also more attention from the NFL.

1. Travis Lewis, LB (Oklahoma)

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Travis Lewis #28 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates the Sooners 48-20 victory against the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Phot

Travis Lewis is a star player, but the physical linebacker is primed for a season that gets fans all around college football talking.

Lewis is good for about 90 to 100 tackles this season, and he'll provide outstanding leadership for what could be a top-10 defense in 2011.

He has the size and speed to be a star in the NFL.