Big 12 Football: Every team’s most important newcomer

2. Texas Longhorns

It was tempting to do for Texas the same as Kansas and say that Steve Sarkisian was the most important newcomer in Austin. However, Coach Sark is important, especially if he can improve the player development at Texas, which Tom Herman’s staff struggles with.

However, the Longhorns have depth issues on defense, and with a new staff comes a new philosophy. With Joseph Ossai gone to the NFL, the Longhorns need to replace his production.

Expect the Longhorns to use multiple fronts and the versatile players from the transfer portal will help.

Ben Davis (transfer) OLB: Davis, an Alabama transfer, gives defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski a hybrid player who can stand up or play with his hands in the dirt. What the Texas staff is attempting is trying to replace Ossai’s impact, not necessarily the player. Davis and LSU transfer Ray Thornton have been brought in to do just that.

The Longhorns did not stop with just those two. Ovie Oghoufo, a transfer from Notre Dame, was also brought in to play alongside Jacoby Jones. So now you have a four-person rotation at the outside linebacker/defensive end.

Most important, you have four guys who are versatile in what they can do. That gives the Longhorns a chance to replace Ossai’s 15.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks from last season. Instead of relying on one player, now you have a rotation of four.

1. Oklahoma Sooners: WR Mario Williams

This could be the year the Soonery make the College Football Playoff and wins a game. Spencer Rattler returns for his second full season as the starter, and the defense continued to improve under defensive coordinator Alex Grinch.

The Sooners have improved their recruiting, attempting to crack the elite of college football. This season the Sooners have an argument for the best receiver room in the country. Their wide receiver room is so deep, Charleston Rambo transferred to Miami.

The addition of four-star wide receiver Mario Williams makes the receiver room even deeper. Williams gives the Sooners a threat in the slot who can pile up yards after the catch. Williams is a shifty, elusive runner who puts you in the mind of Elijah Moore, who was drafted by the New York Jets.

The most important offensive acquisition for the Sooners is Tennessee transfer running back Eric Gray. With Rhamondre Stevenson gone to New England, Gray gives the Sooners a go-to running back who comes with receiving skills out of the backfield.

Spencer Rattler is a better quarterback with a reliable runner; last season showed that to be true. Though the Sooner did not lose much defensively, keep an eye on Highland Springs stand-out Kelvin Gilliam.

The 6-foot-3, 250-pound defensive end is strong with great get-off on the snap. Gilliam is long and sheds blockers well. Gilliam lived in the backfield on his tape. Expect Gilliam to take some snaps from veterans in the Sooners’ defensive line rotation.