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Big 12 Football: 10 newcomers who’ll have instant impacts in 2022

By Dante Pryor

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 4: The Big 12 Football Conference logo is seen on a goal post before the game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Baylor Bears in the Big 12 Football Championship at AT&T Stadium on December 4, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. Baylor won 21-16.(Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 4: The Big 12 Football Conference logo is seen on a goal post before the game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Baylor Bears in the Big 12 Football Championship at AT&T Stadium on December 4, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. Baylor won 21-16.(Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /
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Nov 27, 2021; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Lance Leipold reacts during the second half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Lance Leipold reacts during the second half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

Sevion Morrison, RB

To understand Nebraska Sevion Morrison’s importance to the Kansas Jayhawks, don’t look at their record but look at what second-year head coach Lance Leipold built at Buffalo. Running backs Jarrett Patterson and Kevin Marks ran for over 1,000 yards in 2019.

Freshman running back Devin Neal ran for over 700 yards last season. Morrison pairing with Neal can form the backfield that Leipold needs to compete in the Big 12. Next season, shortening the game and keeping the opposition’s offense off the field could work for the Jayhawks.

Michael Shanahan, OL

UT-Martin transfer Michael Shanahan instantly adds depth to an offensive line losing tackle T.J. Storment and Dawson Deaton to the NFL draft. This selection could just as quickly have been Western Kentucky transfer Cole Spencer.

Both offensive linemen give the Red Raiders much-needed depth and experience along the offensive line. Cole was an all-conference performer at Western Kentucky, and Shanahan was a durable starter for the Skyhawks.

This offseason, the Red Raiders put a premium on the offensive line, signing eight offensive linemen, four from the portal, and four from high school.

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