Who’s new? A dozen players to watch next fall

[Eric the Red]

Who’s new? A dozen players to watch next fall

 

By DAVE MATTER of the Tribune’s staff

Published Sunday, May 27, 2007

 

There’s only 95 days left until another college football season officially begins in the Big 12 Conference - Iowa State kicks things off Aug. 30 against Kent State - so, it’s time to start previewing what lies ahead this season.

 

For the second year in a row, the Tribune brings you the Big 12 Countdown, a weekly preview of everything you’ll need to know to follow the league this season.

 

We’ll start with some introductions. Here’s a look at the league’s top 12 newcomers, a category that includes true freshmen, redshirt freshmen and eligible transfers - essentially anyone who will take the field for the first time at their current school this fall.

 

12. Ryan Miller, OT, Colorado (true freshman): No team in the Big 12 needs offensive line help like the Buffaloes. Enter Miller, one of the country’s top five O-line recruits. Considering CU’s line issues - the Buffs opened spring camp with only six available - the 6-foot-8, 310-pound Miller could earn a starting job immediately. The Littleton, Colo., native, who stayed close to home despite offers from Miami, Notre Dame and USC, might be the most important recruit in Dan Hawkins’ short time at CU.

 

"You have a kid from in-state that views us as a big-time, marquee program," Hawkins said in February. "I totally see him as a guy that can come in here and be an All-American and help us win a national championship and get drafted by the Broncos. That guy could be another John Elway-type guy."

 

No pressure there, Ryan.

 

11. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri (redshirt freshman): Maclin made this list last summer, but a torn knee ligament shelved him for the season. The Tigers have more receiver depth than any team in the league, but if Maclin plays to his potential, he should crack the rotation and become a playmaker.

 

10. Michael Machen, QB, Baylor (graduate): Tracking Machen’s last few years sounds like MapQuest’s greatest nightmare. He grew up in Mobile, Ala. Spent two years with the Atlanta Braves organization and one with the Baltimore Orioles. Quit baseball and joined the football team at Alabama. Transferred to Coffeyville, Kan., Community College and started in 2004. Transferred to Kent State and started 11 games from 2005-06. Graduated from Kent State and transferred to Baylor with one year of eligibility remaining. By the time Machen turns 26 in October, he could be starting under center for the Bears.

 

9. Lamark Brown, WR, Kansas State (true freshman): The St. Louis native is expected to energize a passing game that sorely needs some playmakers, but there has been speculation that Brown could head to junior college if he fails to qualify academically. Brown has told reporters in Manhattan he expects to be on campus this summer, but rumors persist that Brown could be an academic casualty.

 

"This is a player with some very unusual physical characteristics for somebody this age," Wildcats Coach Ron Prince said on signing day. "We had to make sure and let our defensive coaches know he was off limits. He’s there to try to help with the passing game."

 

8. Larry Asante, S, CB, Nebraska (transfer): Described as a violent hitter, the transfer from Coffeyville, Kan., Community College stepped right in this spring at the strong safety position. The Cornhuskers’ rebuilt secondary will depend heavily on Asante and fellow junior college transfer Armando Murillo, a cornerback.

 

7. Richetti Jones, DE, Oklahoma State (true freshman): The crown jewel in OSU’s promising recruiting class is a freakishly fast pass-rusher with enough size (6-3, 240) to make immediate contributions. When third-year Cowboys Coach Mike Gundy plucked the player nicknamed "The Machete" out of Dallas, the South Division heavyweights took notice. Or at least they should have.

 

Jones suffered a hip injury that cost him part of his senior prep season, but he’s expected to recover in time to contend for playing time this fall.

 

6: Chykie Brown, CB, Texas (redshirt freshman): As poorly as Texas defended the pass last season, three Longhorn defensive backs were taken in the NFL draft, including two in the first round. If the Horns get their secondary in order, they’ll be touted as dark horse national title contender. ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit said just that on the air last week.

 

Much will depend on the development of Brown, who was considered a top-five corner when he joined Texas last year but redshirted while seniors Aaron Ross and Tarell Brown manned the position. He’ll have a chance to start and figure into the return game.

 

5. Mike Reed, LB, Oklahoma (transfer): Meet the next great Oklahoma linebacker. Reed, a midyear transfer from Yuba College in Marysville, Calif., won a starting job at middle linebacker after a spectacular spring.

 

"That’s the guy we recruited … He’s knocked the snot out of a bunch of guys since he’s been here," OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables said after the spring game.

 

4. Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma (transfer): The Sooners lose All-Big 12 left tackle Chris Messner but reload with "The Load." The 6-foot-8, 350-pound Loadholt, a transfer from Garden City, Kan., Community College, has already been called the biggest player in OU history. A foot stress fracture limited him to only five spring practices, but he’ll likely start at left tackle on what could be the best offensive line in the Big 12. Whoever wins OU’s quarterback derby should have his backside kept clean.

 

3. DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma (redshirt freshman): Three Sooners in the top five? That’s how well Oklahoma has recruited lately. If not for Oklahoma’s ridiculous wealth of running back talent, Murray might be considered one of the country’s most exciting players for 2007. He was certainly OU’s most explosive back during the spring, which concluded with his four-carry, 103-yard day in the final scrimmage. One local writer wrote that Murray’s spring performance might have been the most impressive spring by any OU player - ever.

 

Fighting a case of turf toe - plus a depth chart that included Adrian Peterson - Murray settled for scout-team duty last season. That will change this fall when OU leans on Allen Patrick and Murray to carry an offense that will start a new quarterback.

 

2. Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech (redshirt freshman): Academic issues sidelined Crabtree last year, but just as the Red Raiders lose veteran receivers Joel Filani, Robert Johnson and Jarrett Hicks, Crabtree emerged as Tech’s best player this spring. There’s no such thing as a featured receiver in Mike Leach’s offense, but you can count on Crabtree ranking among the Big 12’s leading receivers.

 

"Mike is not as much of a speed guy, but he’s a more physical player. He does some great things naturally, things you normally have to coach," Texas Tech wide receivers coach Lincoln Riley told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.

 

1. Sam Keller, QB, Nebraska (transfer): Perhaps the most discussed transfer in college football the last year, the former Arizona State starter has only one year of eligibility to grasp Bill Callahan’s West Coast offense and lift the Cornhuskers back into the national spotlight. There’s still no guarantee that Keller will win the starting job - junior Joe Ganz played well this spring, too - but Keller could have the biggest impact among Big 12 newcomers in the conference race. If Keller wins the job and develops quickly, the Cornhuskers will have an easier time replacing Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year Zac Taylor.

 

"He’s played big games against some of the top teams in the country," Nebraska offensive coordinator Shawn Watson told Rivals.com. "He faced LSU and USC and was successful and had great games. It helps to have a guy who has been in front of the lights and played in crunch time."

 

Six who just missed the cut

 

● Alesana Alesana, OT, Kansas State (transfer): Alesana grew up playing rugby in his native Western Samoa, but he developed into one of the nation’s best junior college linemen at City College of San Francisco. The mid-year transfer played well enough this spring to earn consideration for Kansas State’s starting left tackle job. He was excused from the spring game when his fiancée died after suffering from a lifelong heart condition.

 

● Bradley Stephens, RB, Texas A&M (true freshman): With Michael Goodson and Jorvorskie Lane stationed in the backfield, there might not be room for Stephens, who was widely considered the best prep running back in Texas last year.

 

● Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma (redshirt freshman): The Sooners thought McCoy would contribute last year, but the defensive line was loaded with experience, affording the blue-chip recruit a redshirt season. This year, McCoy could be a force along a less seasoned front four.

 

● Shukree Barfield, DT, Nebraska (transfer): The Huskers loaded up on defensive help, and this transfer from Garden City is expected to contribute immediately.

 

● Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State (true freshman): The Cowboys’ other high-profile recruit from Texas could have an instant impact.

 

● J.J. Bass, RB, Iowa State (transfer): New Cyclones Coach Gene Chizik might put the offense in the hands of his transfer from El Camino, Calif., Community College, who was one of the nation’s top juco backs last year.

 

Others worth mentioning: Earl Patin, LB, Baylor (true freshman); P.T. Gates, QB, Colorado (transfer); Cody Hawkins, QB, Colorado (redshirt freshman); Doug Dedrick, OL, Iowa State, (transfer); Kendrick Harper, CB, Kansas (transfer); Chet Hartley, OG, Kansas (transfer); Gary Chandler, S, Kansas State (transfer); Chris Patterson, LB, Kansas State (transfer); Justin Garrett, S, Missouri (transfer); Michael Keck, LB, Missouri (true freshman); Luke Lambert, LB, MU (true freshman); Armando Murillo, CB, Nebraska (transfer); Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma (redshirt freshman); Tonga Tea, DT, Oklahoma State (transfer), Tray Allen, OT, Texas (true freshman), Curtis Brown, CB, Texas (true freshman), Michael Huey, OT, Texas (true freshman), Derrick Stephens, LB, Texas A&M (true freshman); Cornell Tarrant, RB, Texas A&M (redshirt freshman); Detron Lewis, WR, Texas Tech (true freshman).

 

● CHANGING OF THE GUARD: Missouri released its postspring depth chart with only one significant change: Sophomore Kurtis Gregory has moved from offensive tackle to guard. Gregory didn’t participate in any full-contact spring drills while recovering from off-season shoulder and knee surgeries but was expected to replace All-Big 12 right tackle Joel Clinger this fall.

 

With Gregory out all spring, sophomore Dain Wise filled in at right tackle and was named the team’s most improved offensive lineman. Wise is listed No. 1 at the position, while Gregory slides over a spot at No. 1 right guard ahead of returning part-time starter Monte Wyrick.

 

Sophomore James Stigall had split time with Wyrick at right guard, but now he’s listed behind junior Ryan Madison at left guard.

 

Also, junior cornerback Trenile Washington is no longer listed on the team’s roster. The Marietta, Okla., native has dealt with injuries and personal issues and sat out the second half of spring drills.

 

Reach Dave Matter at (573) 815-1781 or dmatter@tribmail.com.

[chamrocck]

They nailed this one for me. Offense...obviously want to see Keller and our non-conference schedule will give us the real look at him early. Defense...I think I want to see Asante the most and his impact to the secondary. "Described as a violent hitter"...you gotta like that and I am hoping he can rub off on some others where we bring back swagger to the Blackshirts.

[zoogs]

"You have a kid from in-state that views us as a big-time, marquee program," Hawkins said in February. "I totally see him as a guy that can come in here and be an All-American and help us win a national championship and get drafted by the Broncos. That guy could be another John Elway-type guy."

 

I appreciate Dan Hawkin's fervor, but I have to say I'm surprised he made thse comments. They seem rather unbecoming of a coach...okay, so saying "future All American" is nothing unusual, and neither is "helping us win a national championship" (well, maybe it is for the Buffs coming off a 2-10 season, that may be a tad premature, unless the kid is planning on staying a decade...)

 

But then where does he go off on charting the kid's future as getting drafted as the Broncos...and then comparing him to John Elway? WTF? Those sound like a fan's wishful comments, not something a Coach says to the press about one of his guys. And...if I'm not mistaken, most OTs don't pan out to be all-pro QBs in the NFL. Could be wrong. I mean, hey, it's division I football!

[Blackshirt316]

One big thing here is that both Keller and Asante, as well as honorable mentions Barfield and Murillo are ALL transfers, none of them are red shirt freshmen or true freshman as many of the other candidates are. I'm not sure if that is good or if it points to a problem but it's worth noting.

 

 

Also, Hawkins is an idiot, I guess in his world his son Cody is shaping up to be the next Brian Urlacher.

[I am I]

i would see the transfers as a problem had not most of them came in the spring. they got a chance to become familiar with campus, see the city, the stadium, and most importantly bond and compete with teammates. dan hawkins is a sheer idiot. elway played at stanford, where is the comparison? where?

[Hunter94]

"You have a kid from in-state that views us as a big-time, marquee program," Hawkins said in February. "I totally see him as a guy that can come in here and be an All-American and help us win a national championship and get drafted by the Broncos. That guy could be another John Elway-type guy."

 

I appreciate Dan Hawkin's fervor, but I have to say I'm surprised he made thse comments. They seem rather unbecoming of a coach...okay, so saying "future All American" is nothing unusual, and neither is "helping us win a national championship" (well, maybe it is for the Buffs coming off a 2-10 season, that may be a tad premature, unless the kid is planning on staying a decade...)

 

But then where does he go off on charting the kid's future as getting drafted as the Broncos...and then comparing him to John Elway? WTF? Those sound like a fan's wishful comments, not something a Coach says to the press about one of his guys. And...if I'm not mistaken, most OTs don't pan out to be all-pro QBs in the NFL. Could be wrong. I mean, hey, it's division I football!

 

 

sh#t, Hawkins is on drugs! one guy can't carry him to the national title game! Hawkins' "alligator mouth" is overloading his "hummingbird ass!"

[indianahusker]

I have two words for you guys.

Marlon Lucky.

[Hunter94]

I have two words for you guys.

Marlon Lucky.

 

 

yes, but he isn't considered as new on the scene. i still worry about Marlon making it through a whole season. hope he will be fine, though his durability may be an issue.

[BIGREDIOWAN]

Man I can't wait to see what a real safety does in a game!!! I can't wait to see Asante just lay a m-f'r out trying to go across the middle of him!!! I want him to just lay a guy out and stand over his smoking body and throw the bones!!!!

[Hunter94]

i agree, if Asante is ANYTHING at all like i have heard, this guy will bring a real added deminsion to the DB's. he may well get burned a few times, but i am hoping some of the receivers will be hearing footsteps more than concerntrating on catching the ball.

[hack]

Also, Hawkins is an idiot, I guess in his world his son Cody is shaping up to be the next Brian Urlacher.

 

 

hawkins' will be lucky if he rates even as a steve urkel.

[Foppa]

i agree, if Asante is ANYTHING at all like i have heard, this guy will bring a real added deminsion to the DB's. he may well get burned a few times,

 

And this would be different from Grixby how???

[Alex 4.0]

i agree, if Asante is ANYTHING at all like i have heard, this guy will bring a real added deminsion to the DB's. he may well get burned a few times,

 

And this would be different from Grixby how???

 

you failed to read the end of the sentence, he already told you.

 

some of the receivers will be hearing footsteps more than concerntrating on catching the ball.

[Licensed to Ill]

I would just love to see Cody Hawkins get harassed all day long when he's playing against us.

[MCAT800]

What about Niles??