ESPN Big 12 pre-spring position rankings:
Special Teams #1 Kansas State
The Wildcats are never bad in the kicking game. This year, though, they appear set to field a scary group of specialists, from punter Nick Walsh and All-Big 12 kicker Matthew McCrane, both seniors, to Byron Pringle, D.J. Reed and Dominique Heath on returns. Pringle is especially dangerous. And K-State fared well in covering kicks, too, ranking among the top 25 nationally in opponent yards per kickoff and punt return.
#7 OU
Defensive Backs #1 Kansas State D.J. Reed, the reigning Big 12 defensive newcomer of the year, also is one of the top one-on-one cover corners in the league. Duke Shelley will be a three-year starter opposite him. Free safety Kendall Adams came on strong during the second half of the season, and the Wildcats signed the No. 1 juco safety in the country in Elijah Walker to take over for Dante Barnett at strong safety. This has the look of a complete group.
#3 OU
Linebackers #8 Kansas State All-Big 12 standout Elijah Lee going pro and Charmeachealle Moore graduating means K-State is starting over at this spot. Replacing them won’t be easy, and no returning linebacker has starting experience. Addressing this need on signing day with big-time juco OLB Da'Quan Patton and ILB Daniel Green was huge. Patton should be one of K-State’s best linebackers right away.
#2 OU
Defensive Line #2 Kansas State The task of replacing Big 12 defensive player of the year Jordan Willis should not be taken lightly. But the Wildcats have shown great ability to develop defensive ends. The latest is Reggie Walker, the league’s defensive freshman of the year in 2016. Will Geary and Trey Dishon are back as productive interior linemen, and the Wildcats added juco star Xavier Davis as a pass rusher after leading the Big 12 last year in run defense.
#4 OU
Offensive Line #2 Kansas State Don't be surprised if Kansas State ends up taking that top spot over the course of 2017. The duo of Dalton Risner and Scott Frantz at tackle should be excellent, and they're both still young and improving. Terrale Johnson will be missed at guard, but Abdul Beecham and Tyler Mitchell combined for 10 starts last year and they've got a senior center in Reid Najvar.
#1 OU
Wide Receiver #5 Kansas State After opening 2016 with low expectations, this group was better than expected. Byron Pringle turned into a dangerous deep threat, while Dominique Heath produced out of the slot. The key for this group will be whether former ESPN 300 recruit and Cal transfer Carlos Strickland emerges into a difference-maker.
#8 OU
Running Back #6 Kansas State If Alex Barnes can become the Wildcats' consistent leader at running back, they'll move up this list. He averaged 7.9 yards per carry and produced two 100-yard games to end his redshirt freshman year, but Barnes received more than 10 carries in a game just once in 2016. The trio of Barnes, Justin Silmon and Dalvin Warmack needs to take a big step forward this offseason.
#8 OU
Quarterback #3 Kansas State Jesse Ertz was among the most improved players in the Big 12 during the second half of last season as he quietly finished third in the league in QBR. Ertz was the only Big 12 QB to rush for more than 1,000 yards last season, as well. Behind him, Alex Delton and Skylar Thompson were both highly touted of high school, and should provide quality depth.
#1 OU
Special Teams #1 Kansas State
The Wildcats are never bad in the kicking game. This year, though, they appear set to field a scary group of specialists, from punter Nick Walsh and All-Big 12 kicker Matthew McCrane, both seniors, to Byron Pringle, D.J. Reed and Dominique Heath on returns. Pringle is especially dangerous. And K-State fared well in covering kicks, too, ranking among the top 25 nationally in opponent yards per kickoff and punt return.
#7 OU
Defensive Backs #1 Kansas State D.J. Reed, the reigning Big 12 defensive newcomer of the year, also is one of the top one-on-one cover corners in the league. Duke Shelley will be a three-year starter opposite him. Free safety Kendall Adams came on strong during the second half of the season, and the Wildcats signed the No. 1 juco safety in the country in Elijah Walker to take over for Dante Barnett at strong safety. This has the look of a complete group.
#3 OU
Linebackers #8 Kansas State All-Big 12 standout Elijah Lee going pro and Charmeachealle Moore graduating means K-State is starting over at this spot. Replacing them won’t be easy, and no returning linebacker has starting experience. Addressing this need on signing day with big-time juco OLB Da'Quan Patton and ILB Daniel Green was huge. Patton should be one of K-State’s best linebackers right away.
#2 OU
Defensive Line #2 Kansas State The task of replacing Big 12 defensive player of the year Jordan Willis should not be taken lightly. But the Wildcats have shown great ability to develop defensive ends. The latest is Reggie Walker, the league’s defensive freshman of the year in 2016. Will Geary and Trey Dishon are back as productive interior linemen, and the Wildcats added juco star Xavier Davis as a pass rusher after leading the Big 12 last year in run defense.
#4 OU
Offensive Line #2 Kansas State Don't be surprised if Kansas State ends up taking that top spot over the course of 2017. The duo of Dalton Risner and Scott Frantz at tackle should be excellent, and they're both still young and improving. Terrale Johnson will be missed at guard, but Abdul Beecham and Tyler Mitchell combined for 10 starts last year and they've got a senior center in Reid Najvar.
#1 OU
Wide Receiver #5 Kansas State After opening 2016 with low expectations, this group was better than expected. Byron Pringle turned into a dangerous deep threat, while Dominique Heath produced out of the slot. The key for this group will be whether former ESPN 300 recruit and Cal transfer Carlos Strickland emerges into a difference-maker.
#8 OU
Running Back #6 Kansas State If Alex Barnes can become the Wildcats' consistent leader at running back, they'll move up this list. He averaged 7.9 yards per carry and produced two 100-yard games to end his redshirt freshman year, but Barnes received more than 10 carries in a game just once in 2016. The trio of Barnes, Justin Silmon and Dalvin Warmack needs to take a big step forward this offseason.
#8 OU
Quarterback #3 Kansas State Jesse Ertz was among the most improved players in the Big 12 during the second half of last season as he quietly finished third in the league in QBR. Ertz was the only Big 12 QB to rush for more than 1,000 yards last season, as well. Behind him, Alex Delton and Skylar Thompson were both highly touted of high school, and should provide quality depth.
#1 OU
