Big 12 Notebook: Players leaving Oklahoma State's program at an alarming rate

Sixteen players have left the Oklahoma State program since last summer and 12 players from Mike Gundy's 2010 recruiting class are no longer in Stillwater, the Oklahoman's John Helsey points out these two alarming statistics.

"The majority of those guys who left didn't think they could compete at this level at an early enough stage in their career, so they didn't want to sit," Gundy said. "And we give them releases, because I don't want a guy to be here if he doesn't want to be here.

"It's not anybody's fault. If a guy wants to go play ball at another school, he should be able to go play ball at another school, instead of sitting around here miserable and causing problems."

Translation: Don't cry for the Cowboys.

Still, it's something to worry about, as Hensley writes, "there is an uneasiness over the loss of talent, inside the program and out." And if Oklahoma State is able to compensate for the losses this year, it could come to trouble the program next season when the 2010 class becomes seniors.

Other news and notes from around the Big 12

• From the alarming to the heart-warming... Neat story on Oklahoma State LB Alex Elkins, who never played organized football until he made the team through an open tryout at Blinn College. How Google, his mom and Cam Newton led him to playing linebacker for the Cowboys.
• Texas Tech WR Javon Bell had three catches for 80 yards in Saturday's scrimmage and continues to impress with his speed.
• The Oklahoman's Jason Kersey reminds Sooner fans of what happened the last time the Sooners had an inexperienced offensive line. What was once an experienced bunch, coach Bob Stoops is trying to piece this line back together after the loss of seniors Ben Habern and Tyler Evans. "A couple of tough breaks, but we've still got guys in there we really like," Stoops said. "But yeah, it makes you a little more thin."
• Your second warm and fuzzy story for the day ... How a certain OU women's basketball player made Landry Jones' decision to stay in school an easy one.
• K-State is trying to find a way to utilize FB Braden Wilson, who Mel Kiper has as the top NFL-style fullback in college football. "We need to [play him more]. We should. Hopefully we do," Snyder told the Kansas City Star's Kellis Robinett. "I tell our offensive coaches all the time, 'Look at him and look at how hard he plays. Do something with him.' "
• West Virginia FB Ryan Clarke is trying to earn the trust of his coaches and get some carries again after not touching it once last season, Clarke told Dave Hickman of the Charleston Gazette. Clarke had 140 carries his first two seasons but a new offense and some fumbles turned him into strictly a run blocker in 2011.
• TCU's cornerbacks are improved this season, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Stefan Stevenson writes, which will be key in the pass-happy Big 12.
• Kansas City Star columnist Kent Babb tried to figure out why Charlie Weis is at Kansas. Let's look to former Colorado coach Dan Hawkins for an answer: It's the Big 12! It ain't intramurals, brother.

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Big 12 bloggers C.J. Moore and Patrick Southern, follow @CBSSportsBig12.