While there may not be a “championship” game per se in the Big 12, tomorrow’s game between Kansas State has large-scale, playoff implications.
If Baylor wins this Saturday versus Kansas State, they will technically be Co-Big 12 champions with TCU. With that said, the Big 12 Conference has already made it clear that Baylor would be submitted as the champion to the College Football Playoff committee (all conferences must submit a clear champion and head-to-head is the tie-breaker). TCU still has a strong case to make the playoffs if Baylor wins, but their entire fan base will be pulling for Kansas State for obvious reasons.
If TCU could have held onto a 21-point 4th quarter lead on the road against Baylor, they wouldn’t be in this position… At any rate, here are the top senior and early round junior prospects that will be taking the field when Baylor faces off with Kansas State.
By: Alex Brown
Baylor Bears
Bryce Petty, QB, #14
Excellent spot thrower with the arm talent to hit every part of the field. Most comfortable putting more loft on the deep fade and dropping it into the bucket. Has lightning quick setup and release on catch, rocker-step passes. Puts ideal zip on quick hitters to either sideline, stretching defenses horizontally with the screen game. Manages up-tempo style very well and does a good job of identifying his presnap key defenders. Struggles the most when pressured and requires a squeaky clean pocket to be consistently accurate. Tends to drift into pressure when attempting to keep eyes downfield, as he’s far more comfortable to pull his eyes down and defeat pressure with his feet. Shows jitters when the pocket caves in around him. Difficult evaluation due to lack of defined dropback footwork and few multiple read progressions. Overall poise and pocket awareness need to be improved for Petty to capitalize on his day two potential.
Antwan Goodley, WR, #5
Built like a tailback with a rocked up frame, Goodley impresses the most with his ability to win vertically down the sideline and with his strength after the catch. He shows the quickness and hands to defeat press looks, and importantly has the body control to adjust at the catch point. Attacking the ball consistently with his hands over the middle third of the field and cutting down on focus drops are two areas in which this top senior prospect needs to improve, but he looks the part of a fringe day two receiving prospect. With regards to an NFL comparison, Goodley compares favorably to Chris Chambers (who went in the 2nd round of the 2001 NFL Draft). Like Chambers, Antwan Goodley presents a uniquely powerful sub-6’0 body type with the leaping skills to climb the ladder, downfield speed to win vertically, and quick acceleration to turn short receptions into big plays. Lack of route running experience, inconsistent hands and his 5’10 frame are negative factors leading to a late day two grade.
Levi Norwood, WR, #42
A chains mover for the Baylor offense, Levi Norwood showcases plus hands to finish catches away from his body and wins after the catch with deceptive speed. Looking to cut vertical and use his get upfield with the ball in his hands, Norwood makes the most of his looks in the screen game by being efficient with his cuts to set up defenders and maximize his teammates’ blocks. Despite running a limited route tree at Baylor and being a converted Baylor basketball player, Norwood shows natural burst at the top of the route and the ability to drive out of the break with acceleration. In addition to needing to bulk up his stringy frame, I want to see better effort on clearout routes and improved hand usage within the route to handle physicality.
Spencer Drango, OT, #58
Plays with sound fundamentals at the point of attack and lands his hands inside on a consistent basis. Lacks the length to be a next level tackle, and will follow in the footsteps of 2014 Dallas Cowboys first rounder Zach Martin as an offensive guard projection. Isn’t dissimilar from former Baylor LT turned-NFL-OG Danny Watkins. Like Watkins, Drango’s scouting report shows a lot of positive qualities from punch-and-sustain ability to lateral balance in pass protection; however, the negatives primarily deal with injury concerns. In Drango’s case, an offseason back surgery to repair a ruptured disc will very much be on the minds of NFL evaluators. If he declares, he’s a good bet to be selected on the second day of the draft.
Shawn Oakman, DE, #2
Shawn Oakman is as intimidating a physical presence as you will find in college football. He’s the first man you want stepping off the bus on game day and gifted with rare ability, but an extremely raw NFL prospect. His competitive temperament is frustrating to evaluate on tape, as he flashes effort in pursuit at times and then becomes a spectator on the next snap. He knows he can dominate with just his first step speed or solely with power, and is still working to “put it all together.” Processing information and playing instinctively is not a staple of Oakman’s game at this point, as he compartmentalizes the diagnosing and disengaging stages of individual plays. He allows himself to stay blocked in order to focus on the play development, or becomes so dead set on ruining his opposing blocker that he moves himself out of ideal position to make the play. So learning his fit in the run game, recognizing blocking schemes and generally being more efficient with his hand usage will go a long way in helping Oakman reach his sky-high, Calais Campbell ceiling.
Bryce Hager, ILB, #44
Bryce Hager is the most active defender on Baylor’s defense and an excellent wrap-tackler. He has a nose for the football, quickly diagnoses the play and consistent makes proper run fits. At the next level, his lack of size and length will limit his ability to take on and shed blockers. His draft stock will be largely dependent on workout numbers, as he must display the requisite athleticism to play Will linebacker. Even as a reserve linebacker, his ability to tackle will help him fight for a roster spot as a special teams player.
Kansas State Wildcats
Tyler Lockett, WR, #16
Exciting to watch in the return game and lethal as a double-move route runner, Lockett looks like a smaller, more elusive version of former long-time New Orleans Saints receiver Devery Henderson. Like Henderson, Lockett is an undersized, homerun hitter that has the tendency to try and body catch everything thrown his way. His burst after the catch and long speed are impressive, but he’ll need to work on his catching radius in order to make the most of his speedy potential. He’s put in the time to master his craft as a route runner and does an exceptional job of attacking leverage, setting up the route break and creating separation.
(JR) Cody Whitehair, OT, #55
Arguably Kansas State’s top draft-eligible prospect, Cody Whitehair started the last few seasons at LG but has made a smooth transition to LT as a junior. Blocks with all of his cleats in the ground and sound base fundamentals, and is able to land an inside fit to control the point. Lacks the length to be a next level tackle, but already has good film playing at guard. Whitehair had one of his best games of the season in a non-conference game versus Auburn, and will face his toughest test of the season in Baylor DE Shawn Oakman.
B.J. Finney, OC, #66
As solid a center prospect you’ll find in the Big 12, Finney consistently locks and secures an inside fit on defenders. He projects as a solid utility blocker on the interior with potential to play guard or center, but has neither the athletic balance nor blocking strength to recover when out of position. His experience, football intelligence and technique could land him a roster spot but he’s a fringe draftable to undraftable prospect.
Ryan Mueller, OLB/DE, #44
The definition of an overachiever, Mueller is the leader of Kansas State’s defense and a former walk-on athlete. He was one of the top sack leaders in the Big 12 last season, but his production has dipped significantly in 2014. Mueller lacks the size or length to play on the line of scrimmage, and the question will be whether or not he can play an off-ball linebacker position. From a skill set standpoint, he shows both developed hand usage and instincts to find the football but not enough power or quickness to his game. He’ll likely get picked up as an undrafted free agent and fight for a roster spot.
Randall Evans, CB/S, #15
Very much a tweener defensive back prospect that lacks the speed to play outside and hasn’t received a ton of experience playing in the back half. Plays exclusively in the slot as a nickel defensive back and isn’t asked to play a ton of man coverage. Primarily tasked with curl-flat zone responsibilities and reacts to the play in front of him. To make it in the league, he’ll have to win as a special teams coverage defender.
Danzel McDaniel, CB, #7
JUCO transfer with plus size at 6’1, 205 pounds and the natural movement skills to click and close into position. Quick to get a run/pass read and excels at setting the edge. Engages opposing receivers in run support and wastes no time discarding the block with his hands. Operates primarily from press bail technique in Kansas State’s Cover 4-heavy zone defense. Possesses the size-length skill set that NFL teams vie for, and would be a fit in a variety of schemes thanks to his ability to flip open and locate the football.
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