Dynasty Scouts Conference Review: BIG 12

Week 2 of the Big 12 – much like the rest of college football – offered far fewer theatrics than a stacked Week 1. Losses by TCU and Oklahoma State have done nothing to help the league’s overall profile, which thus far has been buoyed by Texas’ strong start. Despite a rather bland slate of games, there was still some notable performances and they’re highlighted below.

Premier Conference Performers

QB Shane Buechele, Texas Longhorns

22/27 for 244 yards, four touchdown; 11 carries for 34 yards

It was another strong performance for true freshman Shane Buechele, who has taken the quarterback job outright in Austin. Eight different Longhorns caught a pass on Saturday, and with 524 yards through two games Buechele is on pace to shatter the 1,751 yards Tyrone Swoopes and Jerrod Heard combined for in 2015. It is good to have Texas back, and the presence of Buechele makes them more than just merely Week 1 wonders. They’re right in the thick of the Big 12 hunt.

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WR Allen Lazard, Iowa State Cyclones

Seven receptions for 111 yards

There was little to get excited about for the Cyclones on Saturday as they were manhandled by Iowa 42-3, but the continued production for Allen Lazard is a promising sign, especially with the 2017 receiver class off to a bit of an inauspicious start. Lazard’s 111 yards came despite the fact Iowa State only threw for 165 as a team, and against a quality defense. He is dominating the market share of his passing offense right now, and looks poised to emerge in the second tier of 2017’s receivers.

WR Shelton Gibson, West Virginia Mountaineers

Six receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns

Quietly one of the nation’s most explosive playmakers, Shelton Gibson has clearly become West Virginia’s top weapon thanks to his elite level athleticism and growing game as a wide receiver. While the West Virginia offense is not exactly what you would call pro-style, there has been ample evidence Gibson is just a natural playmaker who could be ready to join the 2017 class of receivers.

Rising Players

WR Blake Lynch, Baylor Bears

Six receptions for 95 yards and one touchdown

This is the second straight week Blake Lynch has appeared on the conference review for the Big 12, and it could become a common occurrence as he has emerged as Baylor’s clear number two wide receiver behind KD Cannon. With prototypical size (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) and supreme athleticism, Lynch figures to post some monster numbers in this system and become another Baylor receiver to reach the NFL. He’s currently one of the more undervalued devy players around.

TE Mark Andrews, Oklahoma Sooners

Two receptions for 60 yards and one touchdown

Much like the 2017 running back group, the 2017 class of tight ends is much ballyhooed at this point. With Jake Butt, Evan Engram, etc. leading the class, the NFL is getting a much needed insurgence of talent at the position. While only a redshirt sophomore, Mark Andrews could add to the depth of talent and he has come out guns blazing in 2016. The high school receiver moves incredibly well for a tight end – as evidenced by his big play ability early in 2016 – and can box out defenders with ease. His game has matured quite a bit from year one to year two and he’s still just scratching the proverbial surface.

Falling Players

WR Marcell Ateman, Oklahoma State Cowboys

DNP, Injured

Long blessed with enormous upside, Marcell Ateman had a mini-breakout in 2015 with 45 catches for 766 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2015. While not an explosive linear athlete, his length and ball skills enabled him to complement James Washington extremely well and gave the Cowboys are a quality duo outside. Unfortunately, a broken bone in his foot has led to a delayed start to his 2016 campaign; one in which you hoped to see all the tools come together. It is far from a death sentence for his long-term outlook, but foot injuries can be tricky, and Ateman had a great opportunity for another quality season with veteran starter Mason Rudolph under center. We may see him get back into the receiver mix soon, but as of now he is somewhat of a forgotten man.

WR Jovon Durante, West Virginia Mountaineers

One carry for four yards

It has been a slow decline for Jovon Durante, as he has gone from a true freshman starter to a player who can barely see the field. Being suspended for the bowl game and being ruled ineligible for the spring semester set him back greatly and he has been unable to find his rhythm early in 2016. A dynamic athlete who’s become more physically mature, it is far too early to write him off, but the sophomore leap which many had hoped for is not looking like a strong possibility.

Freshman Spotlight

RB Abdul Adams, Oklahoma Sooners

18 carries for 91 yards

Oklahoma may have the best 1-2 running back tandem in the nation, which makes it encouraging Abdul Adams is even in the mix at the position. A late camp injury to another Sooners backup runner certainly helped his cause but when there are so few carries to go around behind Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine, just seeing the field is a positive sign. The quick, slashing runner could be Oklahoma’s bell cow back as early as 2017, and he had a quality debut against Louisiana Monroe, piling up 107 total yards of offense. It has been a relatively quiet start for 2016 true freshman runners, which offers Adam’s the opportunity to see his stock soar should anything happen to Mixon or Perine.

QB Austin Kendall, Oklahoma Sooners

12/15 for 108 yards, two touchdowns

Oklahoma’s blowout win meant it was a great opportunity for young players to get some run, and Austin Kendall – Rivals’ seventh overall quarterback in the 2016 class – took advantage to toss the first two touchdowns of his career. While far from predictive of future success, his current placement on the depth chart and game experience should be a huge help in him earning the job once Baker Mayfield moves on.

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