2020 Players to watch in the Big 12
The Big 12 always has several intriguing players to to watch, especially on offense. This year, the conference returns many All Conference players on each side of the ball. Here are the players you should watch out for in 2020 in the Big 12.
Quarterback
In a conference known for explosive offenses, there are bound to be good quarterbacks. Iowa State's Brock Purdy was the leading passer last season and will try to solidify himself as a top pro prospect. Sam Ehlinger returns to Texas hoping to lead the Longhorns to the championship season some expected last year. Charlie Brewer is back at Baylor after earning honorable mention All Conference a year ago. Freshman of the Year Spencer Sanders will also be back for Oklahoma State, while Oklahoma has to replace their signal caller once again.
Running Back
The running back position in the Big 12 is undoubtedly headlined by Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard, who led the NCAA in just about every rushing category and finished 8th in Heisman voting last year. Also returning are thousand yard rushers Pooka Williams of Kansas and Kennedy Brooks of Oklahoma. Rhamondre Stevenson will replace transfer Trey Sermon as Brooks's partner in the Sooner backfield. Other RBs returning include Texas's Keaontay Ingram, Texas Tech's SaRodorick Thompson, and Iowa State's Breece Hall, who all finished in the top 10 in the conference in rushing yards in 2019.
Wide Receivers
Explosive offenses rely on great receivers just as much as quarterbacks. Oklahoma State's Tylan Wallace is the leading returning receiver. He had over 900 yards and 8 touchdowns last year. He could've gone pro but decided to come back to Stillwater. Charleston Rambo will be called on to replace CeeDee Lamb as the No. 1 receiver at Oklahoma. He will also get some help from UCLA transfer Theo Howard. There are also a couple WR duos to look out for. Kansas returns Andrew Parchment and Stephon Robinson, who both had over 700 yards last year. Texas Tech returns a talented, physical duo in Erik Ezukanma and T. J. Vasher. Iowa State's leading returning receiver is Tarique Milton. Baylor sees the return of honorable mention All Conference WR Tyquan Thornton. Oklahoma State's Dillon Stoner and West Virginia's T.J. Simmons could emerge as they see their roles expand. Also watch Brennan Eagles at Texas.
Tight Ends
The returning tight ends are led by 1st team All Conference player Charlie Kolar of Iowa State. Kolar also received a few All American honors and was a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award (country's best tight end). Oklahoma State's Jelani Woods should benefit from having so many explosive players around him. He's a talented player who should get used quite a bit in the redzone. TCU returns Pro Wells from last year's All Conference 2nd Team. Texas's Cade Brewer is another notable player.
Offensive Line
Oklahoma brings back All Conference linemen Creed Humphrey and Adrian Ealy. Texas also returns an All Conference player in tackle Samuel Cosmi. All three of these guys could be 1st round picks eventually. The Sooners also bring back starting guard Marquis Hayes. Jack Anderson could be a big help for Texas Tech after missing a majority of 2019 with an injury. He was preseason All Conference prior to the injury.
Defensive line
You usually associate the Big 12 with offense and not defense, but they do have some good players on the defensive side of the ball. The defensive line returns several All Conferece players from a year ago. Darius and Dante Stills return as a dynamic duo for West Virginia. The brothers both tied for 2nd in the conference in sacks with Kansas State's Wyatt Hubert. Hubert is also returning for the Wildcats. Oklahoma gets Ronnie Perkins back, and Eli Howard returns to Texas Tech. Iowa State's JaQuan Bailey will look to regain his All Conference form as he returns from injury. Oklahoma also returns the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year, LaRon Stokes.
Linebackers
The conference's leading tackler, TCU's Garrett Wallow, is back. So are Malcolm Rodriguez and Amen Ogbongbemiga at Oklahoma State and Terrel Bernard at Baylor. Caleb Kelly and company will try to replace Kenneth Murray at Oklahoma. Oklahoma State gets star Calvin Bundage back from injury, while Dylan Tonkery of West Virginia is an underrated player on a national scale. Hybrid LBs to watch include Ogbonhbemiga, Oklahoma's Nik Bonitto and Texas's Joseph Ossai.
Secondary
2019 1st Team All Big 12 defensive backs Greg Eisworth (Iowa State). Kolby Harvell-Peel (Oklahoma State), and Trevon Moehrig (TCU) all return for the 2020 season. Returning to TCU alongside Moehrig is Freshman All American Ar'Darius Washington. Oklahoma gets its 2nd leading tackler, Delarrin Turner-Yell, back. Speedy corner, Raleigh Texada, is also back, trying to help Baylor replace Grayland Arnold. Texas safeties Caden Sterns and B.J. Foster also have high expectations for this season.