Big 12 teams’ spring prospects, in order of 2009 division finishes:
NORTH DIVISION
NEBRASKA
Last year: 10-4, 6-2 (1st North).
Starters back: 19.
Spring goals: Cornhuskers plan to run the quarterback more. Taylor Martinez and Cody Green fit the bill and will push incumbent starter Zac Lee. Offensive line was tweaked, with LT Mike Smith and former D-lineman Cole Pensick getting look at C. Defense must replace star lineman Ndamukong Suh, and Baker Steinkuhler looks like he’s the guy.
MISSOURI
Last year: 8-5, 4-4 (T-2nd North).
Starters back: 17.
Spring goals: The Tigers love QB Blaine Gabbert, but they want more from the offense, especially from TB Derrick Washington. Mizzou also must improve in red zone after scoring touchdowns on 21 of 41 trips inside the opponent 20-yard line. New pass coverage schemes could help improve league’s 11th-ranked pass defense.
KANSAS STATE
Last year: 6-6, 4-4 (T-2nd North).
Starters back: 12.
Spring goals: The Wildcats’ QB battle has narrowed to Carson Coffman and Collin Klein. WR is a focal point, and the hope is that transfers Chris Harper (Oregon) and Brodrick Smith (Minnesota) can help right away. Defense has big gaps to fill on line and at linebacker.
IOWA STATE
Last year: 7-6, 3-5 (4th North).
Starters back: 12.
Spring goals: Cyclones looked to fill three LB openings and improve a pass rush that recorded just 16 sacks. They also need to find a backup to 1,200-yard rusher Alexander Robinson. Jeff Woody leads a large group of candidates after a strong spring. Most improved positions are WR and CB.
COLOARDO
Last year: 3-9, 2-6 (5th North).
Starters back: 16.
Spring goals: The Buffaloes went back to basics, simplifying an offensive system that generated just 314 yards a game. They’ll go into fall yet to decide between Tyler Hansen or Cody Hawkins at QB. Buffs have to replace two LBs, but defense should be the strength of the team. Punting and place-kicking remain an issue.
KANSAS
Last year: 5-7, 1-7 (6th North).
Starters back: 17.
Spring goals: New coach Turner Gill is auditioning QBs, with Kale Pick, Jordan Webb and Quinn Mecham top contenders to replace the record-setting Todd Reesing. Gill wants to be more aggressive on defense, and young safeties Prinze Kande and Lubbock Smith could be a couple playmakers the Jayhawks sorely need.
SOUTH DIVISION
TEXAS
Last year: 13-1, 8-0 (1st South).
Starters back: 14.
Spring goals: Garrett Gilbert, who was thrust into the spotlight when Colt McCoy got hurt in the BCS championship game, cemented himself as the new starting QB and the leader of an offense that’s trying to improve its unreliable ground game. Texas must also replace Jordan Shipley, who set the school record with 248 career receptions.
OKLAHOMA STATE
Last year: 9-4, 6-2 (2nd South).
Starters back: 8.
Spring goals: Brandon Weeden has taken over for three-year starter Zac Robinson at quarterback and the Cowboys are adjusting to new offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen’s attack, which led the nation in total yardage and passing and tied for the most points in the nation last year at Houston. Along with that, there are wholesale changes along the offensive line—including the loss of NFL prospect Russell Okung—and in the defense’s back seven.
TEXAS TECH
Last year: 9-4, 5-3 (T-3rd South).
Starters back: 14.
Spring goals: With the ugly departure of Mike Leach still lingering in court, new coach Tommy Tuberville went to work installing a new 3-4 defense and an offense that’s more run-oriented than in recent years. In the process, he lost Taylor Potts and Steven Sheffield—who split time as the starting quarterback last season—to injuries. During a 138-play spring game, Tech ran the ball 62 times for 137 yards.
OKLAHOMA
Last year: 8-5, 5-3 (T-3rd South).
Starters back: 17.
Spring goals: The Sooners are rebuilding a defense that gave up the seventh-fewest points and eighth-fewest yards in the nation last season but loses top NFL prospect Gerald McCoy at defensive tackle along with five other starters. The most flux comes at cornerback, where starters Dominque Franks and Brian Jackson are both gone and Willie Martinez was brought in as the new position coach.
TEXAS A&M
Last year: 6-7, 3-5 (5th South)
Starters back: 22.
Spring goal: With Jerrod Johnson limited by arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder, the Aggies got a chance to see which of three recruits—Clay Honeycutt, Matt Joekel and Jamiell Showers—has the best chance of becoming the team’s QB of the future. New coordinator Tim DeRuyter also installed a 3-4 scheme in hopes of improving a defense that gave up the most points and yards in the Big 12 last season.
BAYLOR
Last year: 4-8, 1-7 (6th South).
Starters back: 12.
Spring goals: With star quarterback Robert Griffin III still sidelined after season-ending knee surgery, the Bears boosted the Big 12’s worst rushing offense with the addition of California junior college transfer Isaac Williams. He ran for 71 yards and a touchdown in the spring game. Baylor must also replace All-America center J.D. Walton, plus defensive standouts Joe Pawelek and Jordan Lake.
