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Oklahoma overcame Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship last season, and both teams should be in the mix for the conference crown again this year. Kansas opens the 2021 season against South Dakota on Friday, Sept. 3, and all other teams in the conference kick off the following day. The 2021 campaign marks the first since Oklahoma and Texas have made their intentions to leave for the SEC public. Here are the 2022 NFL Draft prospects to know in the proud conference:

Baylor

Jalen Pitre is a physical safety with good burst and recovery speed. His specialty is playing downhill but he struggles to get off blocks in the box. The Texas native is certainly in the conversation to be taken on Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft. His teammate, linebacker Terrel Bernard, is another rangy player. He has a smaller frame but plays with maximum effort. 

Iowa State

Running back Breece Hall has cemented his claim as one of the top running backs available. In 2020, he registered over 1,500 yards on the ground and 21 touchdowns. 

Edge rusher Will McDonald IV is one of the more intriguing talents at his position but he has a really slim frame. If he adds some bulk, the former high school basketball player of the year and Division I state track and field discus champion will likely be off the board on the first two days of the draft. 

The secondary boasts three possible top 150 prospects: safety Isheem Young, cornerback Anthony Johnson Jr. and safety Greg Eisworth II. Young is the most gifted of the bunch. He is quick and physical. His effectiveness in coverage is what I am curious to see more of this season. 

Kansas

After having zero draft choices in 2020, the Jayhawks have a clean slate once again. The stage is set for someone to rise to the occasion and catch the nation's attention. Kansas finished a winless 0-9 a year ago. 

Kansas State

It does not appear that Kansas State has much going on from a draft perspective right now. Second year running back Deuce Vaughn will be one of the most exciting players in college football but his draft ceiling should be limited by his stature (5-foot-6, 172 pounds). Vaughn scored nine touchdowns last season averaging 5.2 yards per carry and 17.4 yards per reception. 

The Wildcats have been active in the transfer portal adding Louisville safety Russ Yeast, Illinois tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe and Iowa safety Julius Brents, among others.

Oklahoma

Spencer Rattler is one of the most heavily discussed potential first-round quarterback selections. Rattler has a lot of natural arm talent that should be showcased in Lincoln Riley's system again this season. The Sooners also welcomed a trio of Tennessee transfers, including offensive tackle Wanya Morris and running back Eric Gray. The ex-Volunteers are talented enough to hear their names called in next year's draft. 

Oklahoma also added Arkansas wide receiver Mike Woods, but lost running back T.J. Pledger (Utah), wide receiver Charleston Rambo (Miami), wide receiver Theo Howard (Utah) and cornerback Brendan Radley-Hiles (Washington). The defense is the supreme example of potential waiting to meet opportunity. Defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey looks like a first-round pick. Isaiah Thomas has an impressive frame but condensed inside primarily last season to accommodate the team's other pass rushers. He finished the year with eight sacks. Edge rusher Nik Bonitto is another to watch. He simply flies around the field making plays. Linebacker Brian Asamoah is an athletic player that needs to play a little more controlled. 

Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch's squad was fun to watch last season. They showed multiple fronts and were interchangeable in the secondary. It will be interesting to see who takes on a larger role following the loss of draft choices Tre Norwood and Tre Brown, as well as the transfer of Radley-Hiles. 

Oklahoma State

Spencer Sanders is a naturally gifted quarterback capable of throwing from unique arm angles. However, he gets stuck on his first read a lot and his accuracy is sporadic. Only a sophomore, it will be interesting to see how he develops. The offensive line added Miami (Ohio) transfer Danny Godlevske to a solid unit that already included Josh Sills and Hunter Woodard.

Edge rusher Trace Ford is a bit undersized but no less productive. His style is more winning with his speed and agility moreso than his hands at this stage. The Cowboys used him more as a linebacker at times but he looks more defined as an edge rusher; a similar situation to what Joseph Ossai faced at Texas. 

Over the past two seasons, safety Kolby Harvell-Peel has recorded seven interceptions. Few defensive backs across the country can boast that level of production. 

TCU

The Horned Frogs are churning out defensive back prospects at an impressive rate over a three year period. After producing top 50 selections Jeff Gladney and Trevon Moehrig, TCU is blessed with cornerbacks Noah Daniels and Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, as well as incoming Memphis safety transfer T.J. Carter. Those players should benefit from the pressure of edge rusher Ochaun Mathis. The sophomore shows good speed around the edge and likes to set up tackles before looping inside. He has to do a better job of holding his ground in the run game but has the fiery type of play style that suggests it is possible.

On offense, look out for running back Zach Evans and wide receiver Quentin Johnston. Neither is eligible for the 2022 NFL Draft but they have the profiles to take the Big 12 by storm.

Texas

Steve Sarkisian enters his first season as the head coach in Austin. They lost running back Keontay Ingram to USC via the transfer portal but added Alabama running back Keilan Robinson. They also picked up one-time top 10 overall prospect Ben Davis from Alabama and Notre Dame edge rusher Ovie Oghoufo. The Longhorns did suffer the loss of defensive back Jalen Green to Mississippi State.  

DeMarvion Overshown is a thin linebacker who shows great sideline to sideline ability and burst. I would like to see him play more instinctually, but there is a place for him in today's NFL where versatility is at a premium. On the offensive side of the ball, wide receiver Joshua Moore oozes potential. He is a long, lean prospect that has to become more physical but the ability to make plays with the ball in his hands is evident. He is a crisp runner with good speed. 

Texas Tech

The Red Raiders welcomed Oregon quarterback transfer Tyler Shough, who is tough and throws with touch to all three levels. He is prone to make some poor decisions and his pocket mobility is limited but he possesses an effortless release. One of his favorite targets should be wide receiver Erik Ezukanma. Ezukanma has great size (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) but his endearing traits are the effortless speed and great body control with which he wins at the catch point. His release and breaks can be cleaned up but the outlook on the Fort Worth native is high. His contributions are vital following the departure of wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk to Washington via the transfer portal.

West Virginia

West Virginia lost defensive tackle Darius Stills and linebacker Tony Fields II, but return the former's twin brother, Dante Stills. He is longer than his brother and showed the ability to win with his hands and power. His ceiling is higher. 

The Mountaineers have faced an exodus through the transfer portal with cornerback Dreshun Miller going to Auburn and safety Tykee Smith off to Georgia. They did add Penn State linebacker Lance Dixon and Tennessee defensive tackle Darel Middleton.