The Big 12 has seen true freshmen take the conference by storm over the past few years.
Karl Joseph earned a reputation as one of the Big 12's best hitters during his first year at West Virginia in 2012. Andrew Billings began to make his mark at Baylor while starting the final two games for the Big 12 champions in 2013. Samaje Perine transformed Oklahoma's offense in 2014. KaVontae Turpin brought explosiveness to TCU's offense in 2015.
Year in and year out, true freshman step on campus and make an immediate impact. With that in mind, we're going to take a team-by-team look at the most intriguing freshman on each Big 12 roster.
Today, we conclude the series with Baylor:
QB Zach Smith: Jarrett Stidham's decision to leave Baylor has catapulted Smith into the spotlight. The true freshman quarterback went through spring football at Baylor, which should help him be better prepared for a backup role behind Seth Russell. Seeing Smith hit the field to take meaningful snaps would not be the ideal scenario for Baylor, yet Smith is the main option behind Russell heading into 2016.
LB Deonte Williams: The Bears don't necessarily need immediate help at linebacker but Williams could force his way onto the field anyway. He stuck with his choice and attended Baylor after Art Briles' departure. He could become a key special teamer or even play a complementary role in the defense behind Taylor Young and Aiavion Edwards and the rest of Baylor's returning linebackers. A superb talent, Williams projects to be the ideal Big 12 linebacker thanks to his instincts against the run and comfort in pass coverage, so his versatility could make him an intriguing option as a true freshman.
DT Bravvion Roy: Baylor's depth chart at defensive tackle means Roy should get every opportunity to play immediately. Andrew Billings left a major hole in the middle of Baylor's defense and Jeremy Faulk left the program after rising to the top of the depth chart during the spring. Thus, Roy -- who brings terrific bulk at 285 pounds -- may well get the opportunity to become a rotation player as the Bears look to solidify the defensive interior.