In this week's Big 12 roundtable, we review Wednesday's national signing day.
Who is your favorite Big 12 signee?
Brandon Chatmon: I’m not going to go with one of those names everyone has been talking about, like Baylor’s Devin Duvernay or Texas’ Jeffrey McCulloch. We know those guys will be fun to watch in the future. I’m really intrigued by TCU tight end signee Artayvious Lynn. As Big 12 defenses get smaller and faster to try to match up with explosive offenses, guys like Lynn could end up being a nightmare for secondaries. He’s 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds with good speed and athleticism. He could add a different dynamic to the Horned Frogs offense as a big target who must be accounted for.
Jake Trotter: I'm excited to see four-star K-State quarterback signee Skylar Thompson, and whether he can factor into the position battle as a true freshman. With Thompson and Alex Delton, the Wildcats should be in great shape at QB over the next three or four years. Defensive end Jon-Michael Terry was a signee Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops couldn't stop raving about Wednesday. The versatile Tulsa native could be the sleeper in this Sooner class. I'm also looking forward to watching what West Virginia safety Kyzir White can do. There's a reason why so many blueblood programs went after him hard right up until signing day. The younger brother of Kevin and Ka'Raun White, Kyzir looks like he can flat play, and should slot in nicely in the Mountaineer secondary alongside fellow safety Dravon Askew-Henry.
Max Olson: If we’re talking freshmen, there are a few very freaky dudes out there from the state of Texas whom I’ve been following for a few years. I can’t wait to watch guys like Baylor defensive end Brandon Bowen, TCU RB/LB Sewo Olonilua and pass-rushers Mark Jackson (Oklahoma) and Erick Fowler (Texas) when their times come. The kid who might be at the top of my list, though, is Baylor’s insanely productive new WR Tren’Davian Dickson.
Who is your 2016 impact true freshman from this class?
Chatmon: It would be easy to make a long list of Texas signees here. Earlier this week Max suggested Brandon Jones would be an immediate impact player, and I agree the ESPN 300 safety will see the field in 2016. But, I’m going with Jordan Elliott as the signature impact player for the Longhorns. Texas could use some added quality at defensive tackle, especially with Hassan Ridgeway’s early departure, and Elliott can help fill the void. He’s incredibly explosive, strong and athletic, thus I expect him to see the field early and make an impact during his freshman season.
Trotter: The final addition to Oklahoma's class, ESPN 300 OLB Caleb Kelly, is going to play a bunch next season, and will have a shot to eventually start. Both of Oklahoma State's incoming running backs, Justice Hill and L.D. Brown, will have a chance for significant carries, especially if the Pokes miss out on Stanford transfer Barry J. Sanders. But the freshman who could make the biggest impact is Texas QB Shane Buechele. Texas' finish to signing day was impressive. And Charlie Strong has had two straight classes now loaded with star power. But let's face it, none of that will amount to much unless Texas gets significantly better QB play. Buechele could be the quarterback who finally kicks Strong's rebuild into hyperdrive.
Olson: I’d look to the wide receiver position, because the good ones usually get on the field quickly. Besides the great ones Baylor signed, I’d watch out for West Virginia’s Steven Smothers. The 5-foot-9 speedster should cause a lot of problems in the slot. Two wideouts who aren’t getting enough hype are Texas’ Collin Johnson and Texas Tech’s T.J. Vasher. Both are big, long, athletic targets who can go up and get it.
Years from now, the top player in the Big 12 will be who?
Chatmon: Duvernay will go down as one of the top players in this class and a real difference-maker for Baylor. I’d expect him to have an immediate impact as a freshman, in the mold of KD Cannon, using his incredible speed to cause problems, and then as his career progresses develop into a multi-dimensional threat, in the mold of Corey Coleman. Stars and rankings matter only up to a point, but there’s a reason Duvernay is one of the highest-rated players in the nation (No. 42 in the ESPN 300). Expect him to live up to that lofty billing in Waco.
Trotter: Given the systems they're walking in to, it's difficult to bet against Duvernay or TCU's Isaiah Graham offensively. Defensively, I'll be looking for big things from Kelly, and the dynamic Longhorn duo of safety Jones and linebacker McCullough, which along with linebacker Malik Jefferson figures to give the Texas defense three young foundation pieces.
Olson: Two guys who look like can’t-miss stars to me are Baylor offensive lineman Patrick Hudson and Jones, the Texas safety. I think Hudson has the potential to have as memorable a career at Baylor as guys like Cyril Richardson and Spencer Drango, because he’s already so solid and he ought to start a whole lot of games in Waco. Jones brings a level of athleticism to the safety spot that Texas hasn’t had since Earl Thomas. If these two don’t make a few All-Big 12 teams, I’ll be shocked.