I’ve listed the starters / production that each Big 12 team must replace in 2018.
I also listed the percentage of offensive and defensive production each team must replace from last season (% of rush & receiving yards…% of tackles).
And I listed the players/positions that were drafted by NFL and the number of players that signed NFL free agent contracts. Free agents signings within 24 hours of the conclusion of the NFL draft.
This post does not contain information about players that will replace departing players.
OU & Texas usually reload with very talented players.
I did not include special teams in this post.
I listed the Big 12 teams by the most starters that they have to replace. TCU leads the way.
TCU must replace:
8 starters on offense: Quarterback, 2-WR, TE, 3-OL, RB
5 starters on defense: 2-DL, 3-DBs
3 players drafted: OT, OT, LB
6 players signed free agent contracts: OL, OL, WR, TE, DB, LB (was a DL for TCU).
Passing yards gone from last season: 99.7%
Net Rushing yards gone from last season: 39%
Receiving yards gone from last season: 45%
% of Tackles gone: 39%
% of Sacks gone: 40%
TCU lost some good players, but I’m guessing Gary P will have the Frogs ready to go on defense.
On offense, TCU lost their QB and most of their O-line, but brings back a couple of good RBs and WR.
Two O-lineman were drafted and two more signed free agent contracts (one of the four O-lineman started 6 games because of injury, so I did not count him as a starter in 2017).
OU must replace:
5 players on offense: Quarterback, 2-OL, TE, RB/WR (Flowers)
6 players on defense: 3-DB, 2-LB, DL
4 players were drafted: QB (# 1 overall), OT, TE, DE
5 players sign free agent contracts: 2-DB, WR, LB, RB (Flowers was used more as a receiver by OU). OU also had a D-lineman that started 2 games in 2017 (Lampkin, Du'Vonta), who left early = signed with Baltimore in late April.
Passing yards gone from last season: 91%
Net Rushing yards gone from last season: 13%
Receiving yards gone from last season: 40%
% of Tackles gone: 45%
% of Sacks gone: 56%
OU has to replace Baker Mayfield and some other quality players. That said, OU always has talented players ready to step up. Riley walked into a pretty good situation last season.
Heck, Beaty could have led OU to 12 wins last season..ha ha (okay, maybe not).
Iowa State must replace:
5 starters on offense: 2-OL, 3-WR
6 starters on defense: 3-DB, 2-DL, 1-LB
Iowa State had no players drafted, 4 free agents signings (Lazard- WR, Lanning-LB, OL, WR).
Passing yards gone from last season: 50% (Kempt did not begin the season as the starter).
Net Rushing yards gone from last season: 8%
Receiving yards gone from last season: 54%
% of Tackles gone: 43%
% of Sacks gone: 41%
The good news is that Iowa State got a 5th year (or 6th year) for their QB and they return a very talented RB in Montgomery. The bad news, the Clones lost Lanning on defense and Lazard on offense (11 total starters).
Opposing defenses will have adequate film to study on Kempt in 2018.
Iowa State’s new coach has the Clones headed in the right direction, but I expect ISU to take a small step back in 2018 (replacing 11 starters).
Okie State must replace:
6 on offense: Quarterback, 2-WR, 3-OL
4 to 5 on defense: 2-DB, 1.5-DL, 1-LB
4 players drafted: QB, 2-WR, S
4 players signed free agent contracts: 2-OL, WR (a part-time starter), DT (there is also a TE listed as an Okie State free agent signing, but he wasn’t even on the team last year).
Passing yards gone from last season: 97%
Net Rushing yards gone from last season: 3%
Receiving yards gone from last season: 59%
% of Tackles gone: 42%
% of Sacks gone: 33%
Okie State must replace Rudolf, 3 starting O-lineman, and 3 WRs... but bring back a talented RB, Justice Hill. The Pokes also lost a very good DT and had a safety drafted.
Looking back on the 2017 Season for K-State, of course winning the bowl game and beating Iowa State on the final play of the game will be memorable, but beating the Pokes & the Mullet in Stillwater was awfully sweet.
Kansas State must replace:
6 on defense: 2-DL, 2-LB, 2-DB
3 on offense: 1-WR, 1-FB, 1-TE (Heath started 1 game in 2017).
1 player drafted – DJ Reed.
2 Free Agent signings: Pringle & McCrane (Kicker).
Passing yards gone from last season: 41% (Jesse)
Net Rushing yards gone from last season: 17%
Receiving yards gone from last season: 45% (Pringle & Heath … and Dimel)
% of Tackles gone: 42%
% of Sacks gone: 56%
The good news, K-State has 2 quality QBs.
The bad news, K-State does not have a starting QB.
Replacing Geary & McCrane are my biggest concerns (well outside of the QB quandary).
AJ Parker started 4 games last season and looked good. The emergence of Walter Neil in the Spring was great news (plus 2 juco transfers). DJ was a big loss (& Cre Moore), but K-State has some capable bodies to fill-in (replacing DJ on special teams might be another story).
I expect an improvement at D-End in 2018 (reportedly, Tanner Wood was hampered by injuries last season). Ball and other are ready to step-up.
Count me as a fan that is excited for the Sullivan and Patton era to begin at LB. Though Tanking & Kirby were better than many believe. Daniel Green is probably a year away.
I wish W. Dimel would have stayed for his senior year, but if Winston’s transfer was a result of his dad leaving = then so be it.
It’s too bad Valentine didn’t stick around as well, but Gammon started 2 games last season.
Did Pringle make the right choice leaving early? Chabastin Taylor could be a star in the making.
WV must replace:
4 starters on offense: 1-RB, 1-FB, 1-OL, 1-WR
4 starters on defense: 3-DB, 1-LB
1 player drafted = Safety
5 players signed free agent contracts: WR, CB, LB, RB, OL
Passing yards gone from last season: 13% (Grier did not finish the season due to injury).
Net Rushing yards gone from last season: 55%
Receiving yards gone from last season: 27%
% of Tackles gone: 44%
% of Sacks gone: 26%
WV lost some key pieces on offense. White (WR) and Crawford (RB). And their stud FB, Ellijah Wellman, who later signed a free agent contract (in addition to the 5 free agents noted above).
Defensively, WV returns 7 starters. Though they lost 3 starting DBs = could be an issue.
If you ever want an example of how important a starting QB is to a football team, see WV last season. WV went completely in the tank w/o Grier.
Texas must replace:
2 on offense: 1-WR, 1-OL (11 starts between two linemen)
5 on defense: 2-DB, 2-LB, 1-DL
4 players were drafted = OT, LB, P, S
6 Free Agent signings: 3-DB, LB, WR, DT
Yep, Texas had more players drafted and free agent signees than departing starters (go figure).
Passing yards gone from last season: 0% (two QBs return with similar stats)
Net Rushing yards gone from last season: 2%
Receiving yards gone from last season: 21%
% of Tackles gone: 42%
% of Sacks gone: 32%
The good news, Texas has 2 quarterbacks that did some good things last season.
The bad news, Texas does not have a starting QB (see K-State).
One of these days, Texas is going to have a clear cut stud starting QB… it has been a long time.
Positive news =Texas lost very little offensive production... only a couple of O-linemen to replace.
Defensively, Texas lost some very good players, but again, if you believe Texas just re-loads, should not be a problem.
Note: Texas had 5 under-classmen leave early for the NFL.
Under first year coach, Tom Herman, Texas continued to underachieve.
Heck the Horns had 4 players drafted and 6 others sign free agent contracts (10, the most in the Big 12).
Texas Tech must replace:
4 starters on offense: Quarterback, 1-RB, 2-WR (1 or 2 other par-time starting WRs).
1 starter on defense: 1-DL (& a part-time starting LB)
2 players were drafted: 2 WRs
3 players signed free agent contracts: DL, WR, QB (Stockton & another WR signed free agent contracts later = 5).
Passing yards gone from last season: 91%
Net Rushing yards gone from last season: 42%
Receiving yards gone from last season: 77%
% of Tackles gone: 7%
% of Sacks gone: 13% (only had 19)
From an offensive standpoint, Tech lost almost ALL of their skilled players, but bring back their O-line. Tech had a very good offense last season, but must replace skill players in 2018.
Tech returns 9 or 10 defensive starters (from a bad defense).
A good question = will Coach Snyder retire before Pretty Boy is fired…maybe they will go out together..ha.
Baylor must replace:
2 starters on offense: OL, TE (two senior Tight-ends =1)
3 starters on defense: DL, LB, DB (two part-time starting senior DBs = 1)
Baylor had Zero players Drafted.
Balor had 2 free agent signings (OL, DE).
Passing yards gone from last season: 12%
Net Rushing yards gone from last season: 8%
Receiving yards gone from last season: 3%
% of Tackles gone: 23%
% of Sacks gone: 24%
Baylor lost a good O-lineman and D-lineman, but bring just about everyone else back in 2018.
Baylor brings back a ton of production from last season (offensively and defensively).
Still lots of work to do in Waco.
KU…Will ku win one game in 2018?
ku will continue to be an embarrassment to ku fans, the State of Kansas, and the Big 12.
IMO - There is no clear-cut favorite team to win the Big 12 in 2018.
I also listed the percentage of offensive and defensive production each team must replace from last season (% of rush & receiving yards…% of tackles).
And I listed the players/positions that were drafted by NFL and the number of players that signed NFL free agent contracts. Free agents signings within 24 hours of the conclusion of the NFL draft.
This post does not contain information about players that will replace departing players.
OU & Texas usually reload with very talented players.
I did not include special teams in this post.
I listed the Big 12 teams by the most starters that they have to replace. TCU leads the way.
TCU must replace:
8 starters on offense: Quarterback, 2-WR, TE, 3-OL, RB
5 starters on defense: 2-DL, 3-DBs
3 players drafted: OT, OT, LB
6 players signed free agent contracts: OL, OL, WR, TE, DB, LB (was a DL for TCU).
Passing yards gone from last season: 99.7%
Net Rushing yards gone from last season: 39%
Receiving yards gone from last season: 45%
% of Tackles gone: 39%
% of Sacks gone: 40%
TCU lost some good players, but I’m guessing Gary P will have the Frogs ready to go on defense.
On offense, TCU lost their QB and most of their O-line, but brings back a couple of good RBs and WR.
Two O-lineman were drafted and two more signed free agent contracts (one of the four O-lineman started 6 games because of injury, so I did not count him as a starter in 2017).
OU must replace:
5 players on offense: Quarterback, 2-OL, TE, RB/WR (Flowers)
6 players on defense: 3-DB, 2-LB, DL
4 players were drafted: QB (# 1 overall), OT, TE, DE
5 players sign free agent contracts: 2-DB, WR, LB, RB (Flowers was used more as a receiver by OU). OU also had a D-lineman that started 2 games in 2017 (Lampkin, Du'Vonta), who left early = signed with Baltimore in late April.
Passing yards gone from last season: 91%
Net Rushing yards gone from last season: 13%
Receiving yards gone from last season: 40%
% of Tackles gone: 45%
% of Sacks gone: 56%
OU has to replace Baker Mayfield and some other quality players. That said, OU always has talented players ready to step up. Riley walked into a pretty good situation last season.
Heck, Beaty could have led OU to 12 wins last season..ha ha (okay, maybe not).
Iowa State must replace:
5 starters on offense: 2-OL, 3-WR
6 starters on defense: 3-DB, 2-DL, 1-LB
Iowa State had no players drafted, 4 free agents signings (Lazard- WR, Lanning-LB, OL, WR).
Passing yards gone from last season: 50% (Kempt did not begin the season as the starter).
Net Rushing yards gone from last season: 8%
Receiving yards gone from last season: 54%
% of Tackles gone: 43%
% of Sacks gone: 41%
The good news is that Iowa State got a 5th year (or 6th year) for their QB and they return a very talented RB in Montgomery. The bad news, the Clones lost Lanning on defense and Lazard on offense (11 total starters).
Opposing defenses will have adequate film to study on Kempt in 2018.
Iowa State’s new coach has the Clones headed in the right direction, but I expect ISU to take a small step back in 2018 (replacing 11 starters).
Okie State must replace:
6 on offense: Quarterback, 2-WR, 3-OL
4 to 5 on defense: 2-DB, 1.5-DL, 1-LB
4 players drafted: QB, 2-WR, S
4 players signed free agent contracts: 2-OL, WR (a part-time starter), DT (there is also a TE listed as an Okie State free agent signing, but he wasn’t even on the team last year).
Passing yards gone from last season: 97%
Net Rushing yards gone from last season: 3%
Receiving yards gone from last season: 59%
% of Tackles gone: 42%
% of Sacks gone: 33%
Okie State must replace Rudolf, 3 starting O-lineman, and 3 WRs... but bring back a talented RB, Justice Hill. The Pokes also lost a very good DT and had a safety drafted.
Looking back on the 2017 Season for K-State, of course winning the bowl game and beating Iowa State on the final play of the game will be memorable, but beating the Pokes & the Mullet in Stillwater was awfully sweet.
Kansas State must replace:
6 on defense: 2-DL, 2-LB, 2-DB
3 on offense: 1-WR, 1-FB, 1-TE (Heath started 1 game in 2017).
1 player drafted – DJ Reed.
2 Free Agent signings: Pringle & McCrane (Kicker).
Passing yards gone from last season: 41% (Jesse)
Net Rushing yards gone from last season: 17%
Receiving yards gone from last season: 45% (Pringle & Heath … and Dimel)
% of Tackles gone: 42%
% of Sacks gone: 56%
The good news, K-State has 2 quality QBs.
The bad news, K-State does not have a starting QB.
Replacing Geary & McCrane are my biggest concerns (well outside of the QB quandary).
AJ Parker started 4 games last season and looked good. The emergence of Walter Neil in the Spring was great news (plus 2 juco transfers). DJ was a big loss (& Cre Moore), but K-State has some capable bodies to fill-in (replacing DJ on special teams might be another story).
I expect an improvement at D-End in 2018 (reportedly, Tanner Wood was hampered by injuries last season). Ball and other are ready to step-up.
Count me as a fan that is excited for the Sullivan and Patton era to begin at LB. Though Tanking & Kirby were better than many believe. Daniel Green is probably a year away.
I wish W. Dimel would have stayed for his senior year, but if Winston’s transfer was a result of his dad leaving = then so be it.
It’s too bad Valentine didn’t stick around as well, but Gammon started 2 games last season.
Did Pringle make the right choice leaving early? Chabastin Taylor could be a star in the making.
WV must replace:
4 starters on offense: 1-RB, 1-FB, 1-OL, 1-WR
4 starters on defense: 3-DB, 1-LB
1 player drafted = Safety
5 players signed free agent contracts: WR, CB, LB, RB, OL
Passing yards gone from last season: 13% (Grier did not finish the season due to injury).
Net Rushing yards gone from last season: 55%
Receiving yards gone from last season: 27%
% of Tackles gone: 44%
% of Sacks gone: 26%
WV lost some key pieces on offense. White (WR) and Crawford (RB). And their stud FB, Ellijah Wellman, who later signed a free agent contract (in addition to the 5 free agents noted above).
Defensively, WV returns 7 starters. Though they lost 3 starting DBs = could be an issue.
If you ever want an example of how important a starting QB is to a football team, see WV last season. WV went completely in the tank w/o Grier.
Texas must replace:
2 on offense: 1-WR, 1-OL (11 starts between two linemen)
5 on defense: 2-DB, 2-LB, 1-DL
4 players were drafted = OT, LB, P, S
6 Free Agent signings: 3-DB, LB, WR, DT
Yep, Texas had more players drafted and free agent signees than departing starters (go figure).
Passing yards gone from last season: 0% (two QBs return with similar stats)
Net Rushing yards gone from last season: 2%
Receiving yards gone from last season: 21%
% of Tackles gone: 42%
% of Sacks gone: 32%
The good news, Texas has 2 quarterbacks that did some good things last season.
The bad news, Texas does not have a starting QB (see K-State).
One of these days, Texas is going to have a clear cut stud starting QB… it has been a long time.
Positive news =Texas lost very little offensive production... only a couple of O-linemen to replace.
Defensively, Texas lost some very good players, but again, if you believe Texas just re-loads, should not be a problem.
Note: Texas had 5 under-classmen leave early for the NFL.
Under first year coach, Tom Herman, Texas continued to underachieve.
Heck the Horns had 4 players drafted and 6 others sign free agent contracts (10, the most in the Big 12).
Texas Tech must replace:
4 starters on offense: Quarterback, 1-RB, 2-WR (1 or 2 other par-time starting WRs).
1 starter on defense: 1-DL (& a part-time starting LB)
2 players were drafted: 2 WRs
3 players signed free agent contracts: DL, WR, QB (Stockton & another WR signed free agent contracts later = 5).
Passing yards gone from last season: 91%
Net Rushing yards gone from last season: 42%
Receiving yards gone from last season: 77%
% of Tackles gone: 7%
% of Sacks gone: 13% (only had 19)
From an offensive standpoint, Tech lost almost ALL of their skilled players, but bring back their O-line. Tech had a very good offense last season, but must replace skill players in 2018.
Tech returns 9 or 10 defensive starters (from a bad defense).
A good question = will Coach Snyder retire before Pretty Boy is fired…maybe they will go out together..ha.
Baylor must replace:
2 starters on offense: OL, TE (two senior Tight-ends =1)
3 starters on defense: DL, LB, DB (two part-time starting senior DBs = 1)
Baylor had Zero players Drafted.
Balor had 2 free agent signings (OL, DE).
Passing yards gone from last season: 12%
Net Rushing yards gone from last season: 8%
Receiving yards gone from last season: 3%
% of Tackles gone: 23%
% of Sacks gone: 24%
Baylor lost a good O-lineman and D-lineman, but bring just about everyone else back in 2018.
Baylor brings back a ton of production from last season (offensively and defensively).
Still lots of work to do in Waco.
KU…Will ku win one game in 2018?
ku will continue to be an embarrassment to ku fans, the State of Kansas, and the Big 12.
IMO - There is no clear-cut favorite team to win the Big 12 in 2018.
