Throughout the years, college football teams have been vying for titles like "Linebacker U" or "Wide Receiver U" based on their success of producing talent at a certain position.
Well, in 2008 the entire Big 12 conference earned the right to be called "Quarterback U."
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If you needed a reliable Fantasy quarterback, you went to the Big 12 in search of an able gunslinger. By season's end, the Big 12 had the nation's top passing offense (Texas Tech), three of the top 5 (Oklahoma, Missouri), half of the top 10 (Texas, Kansas), six in the top 15 (Nebraska), seven in the top 20 (Kansas State), eight in the top 30 (Texas A&M) and 10 in the top 40 (Iowa State, Oklahoma State).
The only two schools out of the top 50 were Colorado (194.0 ypg) and Baylor (180.7 ypg).
The household names in Fantasy circles were Heisman winner Sam Bradford, Texas Tech's Graham Harrell, Missouri's Chase Daniel, Colt McCoy of Texas, Oklahoma State's Zac Robinson, Todd Reesing of Kansas and Nebraska's Joe Ganz.
While graduation and NFL aspirations took its fair share of casualties, there is still plenty of pickings left at quarterback in 2009.
Bradford and McCoy opted to return for a final year as they battle again for the Heisman.
Reesing has racked up more than 7,700 total yards of offense and 72 total touchdowns the last two seasons.
Robinson wasn't fazed in '08 after losing offensive coordinator Larry Fedora. He still passed for a career-high 3,064 yards and 25 touchdowns, while adding another 562 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground.
Baylor's Robert Griffin continues to emerge as one of the nation's most electrifying dual-threat quarterbacks.
Iowa State's Austen Arnaud looks to improve in his second year as a full-time starter after his inaugural season ended on a high note. Arnaud had 766 passing yards, 94 rushing yards and five touchdowns in his final two games in '08. The news gets even better as former Rice offensive coordinator Tom Herman has brought his no-huddle, spread offense to Ames, Iowa. Herman was the same architect that turned Chase Clement into a Fantasy stud.
But the talent doesn't end under center in the Big 12. There are plenty of other players that Fantasy owners need to make part of their Draft Day plans.
Top Players to Target
Taylor Potts, QB, Texas Tech: Before we totally abort the quarterback chatter we can't forget about the guy -- Potts -- who is slated to replace the NCAA's second all-time leading passer. We have all come to know Tech head coach Mike Leach as a genius of the spread offense. Ever since 2000, his starting quarterback hasn't passed for less than 3,400 yards or 20 touchdowns in a season. Since 2002, none of Leach's starting quarterbacks have passed for less than 4,100 yards and 30 touchdowns. The odds of Potts succeeding in his first year as a starter are very high.
Detron Lewis, WR, Texas Tech: Sticking with the Red Raiders' high-flying offense, Lewis had his breakout year in '08 after replacing Danny Amendola as Tech's 'Y' receiver. Lewis, who totaled 76 catches for 913 yards and three touchdowns in '08, should be one of the leaders in the Tech receiving corps again in '09. Aside from the 'Z' receiver, the 'Y' option is usually the second most used receiver in Leach's passing tree. Tech definitely needs a go-to-guy after losing Michael Crabtree to the NFL.
Jake Sharp, RB, Kansas: Jayhawks coach Mark Mangino made the fatal flaw in '08 of not trusting Sharp as his primary back after losing 2007 leading rusher Brandon McAnderson. By season's end, Mangino was calling Sharp a savior. After totaling just 28 touches (24 carries) through the first four games, Sharp ended the season as Kansas' leading rusher with 860 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also added 25 catches for 283 yards and one score. Mangino isn't likely to pass over Sharp in '09.
Dezmon Briscoe and Kerry Meier, WRs, Kansas: Most might not have realized that Kansas had one of the best receiver rotations in the country last season, led by Briscoe and Meier. Briscoe really took center stage after Dexton Fields was limited by a nagging foot injury for most of the season. Briscoe set single-season school records with 1,407 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. Meier, who also is listed as KU's backup quarterback to Reesing, wasn't far behind. He led the Jayhawks with 97 receptions last season. He finished with 1,045 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Reesing should continue to find comfort in throwing to both players in the fall.
DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown, RBs, Oklahoma: Bradford wasn't the only standout in the Oklahoma backfield on its run to the national championship game last season. The team had a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in Murray and Brown. Murray missed the Big 12 championship and national title game due to a hamstring injury, but he still finished the year with 1,002 rushing yards, 395 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns (14 rushing). This coming after totaling 13 rushing touchdowns the year before. Murray says his rehab is going great and will once again be ready to pair with Brown, who led OU with 1,220 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns in '08. Brown has been a touchdown vulture for the Sooners the last three seasons and should continue to plow his way into the end zone in '09. It's not often we find two high-end Fantasy running backs in the same backfield.
Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma: The '08 season proved to be great learning ground for Broyles. After missing the opener against Chattanooga, the then redshirt freshman had a breakout debut against Cincinnati with seven catches for 141 yards and one score. He followed that up with two more scores in his second college game against Washington. While Broyles wouldn't touch 100 yards or have a multi-touchdown game again in '08, he still finished third on the team with 46 catches, fourth with 687 yards and fourth with six receiving scores. OU lost the likes of Juaquin Iglesias, Manuel Johnson and Quentin Chaney, so Broyles now becomes the Sooners' top returning wide receiver. The chemistry he developed with Bradford should go a long way.
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma: While millions of dollars waited for him in the NFL, Gresham opted to return to school in the fall and try to leave Oklahoma as not only the most decorated tight end in school history, but one of the top receivers. With just six more touchdown receptions, he tops Mark Clayton's school record of 31. Gresham, a favorite to win the Mackey Award (NCAA's top tight end), took home All-American honors in '08 while racking up 66 catches for 950 yards. His 14 touchdowns set an OU record for a tight end. Gresham is the team's top returning receiver after Iglesias (1,150 yards) graduated. The only other player in the country that will rival Gresham as the most drafted Fantasy tight end is BYU's Dennis Pitta.
Kendall Hunter, RB, Oklahoma State: Aside from losing their offensive coordinator (Fedora), Oklahoma State was also without 1,000-yard rusher Dantrell Savage last season. Hunter helped put State's rushing concerns to bed as he racked up nine 100-yard games, 1,555 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. He also had 198 receiving yards and one touchdown. Hunter has averaged 6.5 yards per carry in his first two seasons and already sits 11th all-time at OSU with 2,251 rushing yards. Hunter, who averaged 119.6 rushing yards per game in '08 (7th nationally), should continue to mesmerize the Stillwater, Okla., faithful in '09.
Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State: While much of the focus at wide receiver in the Big 12 heading into last season was on Crabtree, Bryant quickly drew attention to himself with a nine-catch, 236-yard, three-touchdown performance in the second game against Houston. Bryant would use that game to propel himself to All-American recognition. Bryant would finish with a pair of 200-yard games, six 100-yard games and 21 total touchdowns (two punt returns) last season. He amassed 87 catches for 1,480 yards after having 43 catches for 622 yards as a freshman in 2007. The loss of tight end Brandon Pettigrew could allow opposing defenses to double team Bryant until someone else steps up in the receiving game. However, the defense still has to respect Robinson and Hunter so the 6-2, 215-pound receiver should have some open space to make plays.
Brandon Banks, WR, Kansas State: He might be smallish in stature (5-7, 150 pounds), but Banks stands tall on the football field. Just ask the opposition. Banks was Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year in '08 as he burned the competition for 67 catches, 1,049 yards and nine touchdowns. KSU needed a go-to-guy after 2007 leading receiver Jordy Nelson matriculated to the NFL, and the Wildcats found that option in Banks, who was signed out of junior college. Kansas State has had a major overhaul of personnel -- losing both coach Ron Prince and Josh Freeman -- but head coach Bill Snyder is already raving about Banks' ability. Banks had six catches for 141 yards and one touchdown in the spring game and it looks as though his good fortunes will continue in '09.
Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas: After enduring plenty of injury hardship throughout his career, Shipley finally got to showcase his talents in '08. McCoy's roommate led the Longhorns with 11 touchdowns, while finishing second on the team with 89 catches for 1,060 yards. He had three games with 10 or more catches and three 100-yard receiving games. Shipley was awarded a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA after he missed the 2004 and 2005 seasons due to injury. No one is happier than McCoy, especially after '08 leading receiver Quan Cosby graduated.
Derrick Washington, RB, Missouri: Washington answered the call for the Tigers in '08 after they lost backfield staple Tony Temple to graduation. The then sophomore back made the Mizzou faithful forget all about Temple as he became the eighth player in school history to break 1,000 rushing yards (1,078). He also rushed for 17 touchdowns, which was one shy of tying the school's single-season record, and totaled 19 touchdowns, which tied the single-season school record. Washington also emerged as a viable pass-catching back with 29 receptions for 277 yards. The miraculous part was that Washington accomplished all this while playing on a bum knee in the second half of the season. Washington likely deserves to be on our bust list since he is coming off knee surgery, loses playmaking quarterback Daniel and offensive coordinator Dave Christensen, but he is still expected to be a feature player for Gary Pinkel's Tigers.
Jeff Fuller and Ryan Tannehill, WRs, Texas A&M: Fuller and Tannehill became just the second Aggie tandem to catch 50 or more passes in a season in '08. The duo was able to stand out in what was an otherwise bleak season for A&M (4-8). Tannehill led the way with 55 catches for 844 yards, while Fuller added 50 catches for 630 yards and a school single-season record nine receiving touchdowns. Fuller was one of coach Mike Sherman's crown jewels in his first recruiting class in '08 and was able to make an immediate splash. He looks to continue that trend in '09. Fuller had nine catches for 147 yards and one touchdown in the team's spring game. As for Tannehill, Sherman said he will get to compete with Jerrod Johnson at quarterback during fall drills, but in the end we believe Sherman will show Tannehill means more to the team at wide receiver.
Jamie McCoy, TE, Texas A&M: McCoy played the position carousel at A&M before Sherman slotted him in at tight end last season. Well done coach. McCoy was among the best tight ends in the Big 12. He finished third behind Missouri's Chase Coffman (90 catches for 987 yards) and Gresham (66 catches for 950 yards) with 43 receptions for 500 yards and five touchdowns. He had eight receptions of 20 or more yards and 30 of his 43 catches went for first downs. The 6-3, 224-pound tight end should once again be a top target for Johnson in the fall.
Top Sleepers
Adron Tennell, WR, Oklahoma: Calling it disappointing is probably taking it lightly when it comes to Tennell's college career thus far. After being one of the nation's most decorated prep receivers in 2006, the 6-4 Tennell has yet to live up to the hype. A torn ACL in 2007 threw a wrench into the plans, but now that Oklahoma graduated Manuel Johnson (714 yards, nine TDs), Juaquin Iglesias (1,150 yards, 10 TDs) and Quentin Chaney (504 yards, two TDs) at wide receiver, the chance for Tennell to be a key target for Bradford is on the horizon. Tennell is listed as a starting wide receiver heading into the season.
Brandon Collins, WR, Texas: Like Oklahoma, graduation robbed Texas of its top receiver -- Quan Cosby (92 catches, 1,123 yards, 10 TDs). While Shipley is back in the fold, there are plenty of yards to be had in the Longhorns' offense with McCoy slinging passes. Collins has showed continued growth at wide receiver since his freshman season in 2007. He finished fourth on the team in '08 with 35 catches for 430 yards. He also had three touchdowns. However, Collins really came on late in the year. He totaled nine receptions for 185 yards and three touchdowns in three starts down the stretch. It seems as though he was already throwing his name into the arena as the guy willing to pick up the slack for Cosby.
Sedrick Johnson, WR, Iowa State: We already talked about Arnaud taking his game to the next level in '09 with the arrival of Herman from Rice, but he is going to need some receivers to help with his progression. Enter Johnson. The 6-4 receiver had a standout spring learning Herman's no-huddle, spread offense. He burned the defense in the spring game with nine catches for 100 yards, and his numbers could have been even better had he not dropped a few passes. Johnson had 18 catches for 188 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman, but with the loss of leading receiver R.J. Sumrall, Iowa State is looking for a new go-to-receiver. Johnson could be the guy.
Lyle Leong and Alexander Torres, WRs, Texas Tech: As we talked about earlier with Detron Lewis, the 'Z' receiver usually has the most success in Leach's spread offense. Before Crabtree it was Joel Filani. Before him it Cody Fuller. And before him it was Carlos Francis. You get the picture. This year the battle is brewing between Leong and Torres. Leong, who had 18 catches for 206 yards and three touchdowns last season, missed spring practice for undisclosed reasons. That allowed Torres to really wow the coaching staff. If Leong is back in the fall, he will compete with Torres for the starting 'Z' job. He might also get some time at 'X' receiver with Edward Britton. It's kind of tough for Fantasy owners to pick one of these receivers on Draft Day with so much uncertainty at the position, but it will be one of the top position battles on our radar.
Biggest Bust:
Batch returned to the gridiron in '08 after sitting out the '07 season while still recovering from a ruptured Achilles' tendon suffered in 2006. It looked as though the extended rest helped as Batch emerged as Tech's top running back. He rushed for 758 yards and seven touchdowns on 113 carries, while adding 45 catches for 449 yards and one score. The reason he makes our bust list is that Harrell is no longer under center. While history suggests that Tech's offense should still be proficient under Potts in '09, he will still be a first-year starter. Harrell was a three-year starter in '08 and had the experience to keep drives going. He also knew when to check down to the running back. Potts could be a little hesitant initially as he adjusts to a full-time role. Also, Aaron Crawford and Harrison Jeffers are pushing for playing time out of the backfield.
Top Three Freshman/Newcomers
Christine Michael, RB, Texas A&M: Aggies head coach Mike Sherman pulled a rabbit out of his hat by landing Michael, widely-considered one of the nation's top running back recruits. But it's not hard to see why the Beaumont, Texas, native chose A&M. The Aggies lost the tandem of Jorvorskie Lane and Mike Goodson, who combined for more than 4,000 rushing yards and 60 touchdowns in their career. Michael saw the chance to make an immediate impact as a freshman and has the goods to do it. He totaled 20 or more rushing touchdowns in each of his final three prep seasons and is a threat for six points every time he touches the ball. His biggest competition will be Cyrus Gray and Bradley Stephens.
Eric Ward, WR, Texas Tech: Oklahoma doesn't lose many prospects to Texas Tech, but Ward pulled a fast one on the Sooners and now the Red Raiders have a talent that could help make up for the loss of Crabtree. Ward attributed two reasons for his switch -- a chance to be part of a pass-heavy offense and special teams coach Clay McGuire making Tech feel like home. Ward enrolled early and went through spring drills, which might only help his chances of getting on the field as a true freshman. He is a bit small at 5-11, 190 pounds, but in Leach's offense small receivers can succeed, and Ward certainly has the talent as one of the top wide receiver recruits out of talent-laden Texas.
Cameron Kenney, WR, Oklahoma: Sooners head coach Bob Stoops won't waste a ton of time worrying about losing Ward since he did bring in Kenney, a 6-1, 190-pound receiver from Garden City (Kan.) Community College. He is widely considered one of the top junior college recruits after totaling 86 receptions for 1,213 yards and eight touchdowns in two seasons at Garden City. He is fast off the line and can blow by corners with his 4.48 40-speed. He is also not a half bad placekicker and punter, but Oklahoma intends to line him up at receiver. He could help immediately in the fall after the Sooners lost three of their top receivers from '08.
