Best Big XII Defensive Backs Returning for 2022
For years, the Big XII developed a reputation for airing it out and accumulating 250 or more passing yards per game. While this trend subsided over the past couple of years, the air attack remains. This holds true despite major turnover among returning Big XII quarterbacks. That said, the Big XII routinely produces draft-worthy defensive backs. This year, the top trio of Jalen Pitre, JT Woods, and Delarrin Turner-Yell all heard their names called in the 2022 NFL Draft. Two of the top would-be returnees also found themselves as coveted transfer portal entrants (both going to SEC schools). This leaves our task of identifying the best Big XII defensive backs returning for 2022 much more difficult.
2021 All-Conference Selections Mostly Depleted
Look at last season’s Big XII All-Conference selections as Exhibit A of how much turnover the conference faced in the secondary heading into the 2022 season. Of the 10 players selected for the Big XII All-Conference first and second teams, only two return to the conference this season.
Six of them, including the aforementioned Pitre, Woods, and Turner-Yell, declared for the NFL draft. Two others exited the conference through the transfer portal. Oklahoma State, for example, lost Jarrick Bernard-Converse to LSU. He represents a big loss for the conference’s best defense in 2021. Additionally, Iowa State lost Isheem Young to Ole Miss after a series of comments on social media and elsewhere in which Young admitted NIL benefits drove his decision.
This makes our task much more difficult. Without further ado, though, we take our first crack. This list of the best Big XII defensive backs returning for 2022 includes only players who returned from last year’s rosters. It does not include incoming transfers or recruits who might fill out pre- or post-season All-Conference teams.
Fifth-Best Returning Big XII Defensive Back: TJ Smith
Kansas State suffered significant losses over the past two years to its secondary. In 2021, Russ Yeast represented its lone All-Conference defensive back. He earned a seventh-round draft selection in this year’s draft. TJ Smith offered additional stability at the position as a pair for Yeast for much of the last two seasons. Smith even earned a starting role in seven different games in 2021.
After suffering a season-ending injury in 2020, Smith took a huge step forward in 2021. He ranked eighth on the team in tackles with 39. He added two interceptions, a fumble recovery, and two passes defended. If the Wildcats hope to improve in 2022, they will rely heavily on Smith to do so.
Fourth-Best Returning Big XII Defensive Back: Lorando Johnson
Baylor’s defensive (and overall) success in 2021 came in large part from a veteran secondary. The Bears lose plenty there. That said, Pitre’s primary backup Lorando Johnson certainly flashed blue-chip level talent at times last season in spot duty. Heading into his redshirt sophomore season, Baylor will count on Johnson to take that next step forward.
We anticipate that this four-star defensive back takes that step forward in Baylor’s defense and proves capable of filling in at least a part of Pitre’s production. As a result, we take a flyer on him for our top five list.
Third-Best Returning Big XII Defensive Back: Charles Woods
Like most of the other Big XII schools, returning defensive backs with significant playing time are few and far between. The Mountaineers lost former starters Nicktroy Fortune, Daryl Porter Jr., and Jackie Matthews to the portal this offseason continuing a trend of multiple losses a season to West Virginia’s secondary. To hear Head Coach Neal Brown tell it, however, you would think that the attrition helps WVU. Maybe that proves true.
If it does, Charles Woods will represent a large part of the reason. Indeed, by Pro Football Focus grades, Woods was graded as the best member of West Virginia’s secondary in 2021, and by a large margin. With Fortune gone, Woods’ path the majority of the starting snaps at cornerback is clear. In just 10 games last season in his first Power Five action, Woods racked up a pair of interceptions, four passes defended, two fumble recoveries, 29 tackles, and two tackles for loss.
Second-Best Returning Big XII Defensive Back: Kenny Logan Jr.
Wait, what? We are building a list of the best Big XII defensive backs returning in 2022, and we include somebody from Kansas? That has to be because of the dearth of returning starters, right? Well, yes and no. The conference-wide attrition certainly does not hurt, but Kenny Logan Jr. certainly played with moxie last season. His production speaks for itself, and he rightfully earned his place on this list.
Entering his senior year, Logan had a career season in 2021. He piled up 110 tackles, with four of those behind the line of scrimmage. He forced two fumbles and had one interception. He also added six passes defended and a fumble recovery. His coverage grades also represent some of the highest in the Big XII.
Best Returning Big XII Defensive Back: Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson
Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson could easily have entered the 2022 NFL draft and heard his name called late on day two. Instead, he chose to return to help the TCU Horned Frogs next season. He represents the lone returning member of the All-Conference First Team from this position group. Early 2023 draft boards even assign Tomlinson a first-round draft projection.
He still has a lot to prove, but his body of work was impressive in 2021. He does not jump off the charts on the stat sheet, but there are plenty who believe he is in the race as the best-returning cover cornerback in the nation. This more than earns him the top spot on our list of the best Big XII defensive backs returning for 2022.
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