American-Statesman
There is a decided regional theme developing for April's NFL draft: Scouts are smitten with the stars produced by the Big 12 Conference.
They can't decide whether Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford or a pair of defensive tackles — Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh or Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy — should go No. 1.
And now Oklahoma State offensive tackle Russell Okung, despite straining a hamstring at the combine, has made a jump to the top four of the draft.
With the six-day scouting combine now over, early mock drafts are listing at least nine Big 12 players among the top 32 selections. At least three more players, including Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, have chances to crack the first round, depending on their on-campus workouts later this month.
"Wow, that's a lot," marveled Kansas State running back Brandon Banks, who was one of 48 conference players invited to the NFL combine.
