Once a hub for elite NFL talent and home to some of the best QBs in the college game, the Big XII has fallen on hard times from a draft perspective. Much of this is owing to the fact that they lost 3 upper-tier programs to the Big Ten and the SEC…oh, and Colorado is gone. Nonetheless, there are still several prospects worthy of buzz heading into draft season. Today’s focus is on defense.
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DE: Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas
Son of NFL star Jim Jeffcoat, Jackson plays with fairly good technique and effort, but leaves something to be desired from an athletic standpoint in all aspects of the game. Jeffcoat is a player who has been successful at the college level because of his all-around ability. However, he may struggle in the NFL where he has no particular skill to be a difference maker.
DE: Shawn Oakman,** Baylor
Oakman seems to be widely regarded as a first round prospect right now, based on his freakish frame and good speed. I am not of the same mindset, as he seems to be easily neutralized when his speed rush doesn’t work. With only one year of experience at this point in his career having been dismissed during his red-shirt season at Penn State and sitting out a transfer season with the Bears last season, he lacks in on-field playing time. Despite a 6’8” 285lb. frame, Oakman will already be 22 before the start of next season, and is a bit old for how much physical and mental development he needs to be a serviceable NFL player, let alone productive collegian.
DT: Calvin Barnett, Oklahoma State
Overall, Barnett does not stand out in any one area, but as a surprising raw player at this stage in his career. Even out of junior college, he has room to improve. Barnett’s best asset is his initial quickness which is best served knifing his way to stop the running back.
DT: Kerry Hyder, Texas Tech
A diminutive player, at least by DT standards, Hyder has a non-stop motor and is always looking to make a play. Hyder fits best on the interior in a 4-3 scheme where he can take advantage of his burst and flexibility to disrupt the pocket.
LB: Shaun Lewis, Oklahoma State
Lewis has a real lack of size and take-on skills, but he does display quickness and very good instincts. Lewis has been in the starting line-up for the Cowboys since his freshman year and has been very productive, showing solid tackling that could at the very least be an asset on special teams duty.
LB: Jeremiah George, Iowa State
Lewis and George have very similar size deficiencies but like the Cowboy defender, George has very good range and quickness from the linebacker spot. As a player, George has been overshadowed by his more productive and experienced former teammates Jake Knott and A.J. Klein.
CB: Jason Verrett,* Texas Christian
Verrett is a highly polished, instinctive player for having only three years at the FBS level, not surprising for a Gary Patterson coached player. Not an elite athlete, Verrett is very good in coverage, particularly zone, and is physical enough to hold his own against larger receivers. Verrett has perhaps the best feet and fluidity in this class’s secondary, and is not afraid to do the dirty work in the run game
CB: Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State
Gilbert is an excellent size-speed prospect who is a very good man cover corner and an even better ballhawk. However, Gilbert’s most impressive asset is his ability to return kicks as he has six career return touchdowns, making him the all-time leader in the Big XII. Gilbert really needs to polish his game and get stronger against the run in order to maximize his talent at the next level.
CB: Aaron Colvin, Oklahoma
Colvin has very good straight-line speed for a corner, to go along with his physicality against the run and against receivers. However, he does not have the fluidity to be very effective in coverage and could find his best fit at free safety in the NFL, as he could be picked on by shifty receivers.
S: Ahmad Dixon, Baylor
Dixon’s off-field behavior does not matchup with his on-field behavior, but nonetheless he makes a very good NFL prospect. Dixon is a physical tone-setter against the run, but has very good range in the back half to play to both sidelines. He really lacks good technique and instincts which will really hamper his athletic ability without improvement.
S: Ty Zimmerman, Kansas State
Zimmerman is a guy who is not athletic and is not particularly physical, but is just an excellent football player. He is an instincts, effort, and character guy who has a chance to succeed on high effort alone, albeit a very slim chance.
Missed the cut:
DT: Chris Whaley, Texas
DT: Will Clark, West Virginia
CB: Quandre Diggs,* Texas
CB: Carrington Byndom, Texas
S: Jacques Washington, Iowa State
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