Predicting the Big 12’s all-breakout team for the 2023 season
Surprising results make college football most interesting. Breakout players certainly fit that billing. There should be a handful of Big 12 players who break out in 2023.
Last season, the Texas Longhorns had several breakout players. We were all over the potential breakout of linebacker Jaylan Ford and left tackle Kelvin Banks. Even so, tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders exceeded expectations becoming the best tight end in the league.
The two conference championship representatives certainly had their breakout players. Kansas State quarterback Will Howard quickly elevated the Wildcats from above average to conference title contender. The team went on to beat the TCU Horned Frogs and cut short their opponent’s bid for a perfect season.
TCU’s Max Duggan went from benched and unheralded to arguably a top three quarterback in college football last season. His running back, Kendre Miller, saw his stock rise as the season progressed.
Let’s look at who makes this season’s all-breakout team.
Quarterback
Jalon Daniels, Dillon Gabriel and Will Howard are more proven at the position. Nevertheless, Ewers is the easiest breakout pick at quarterback given his pedigree and strong performance in the spring game. The issue for the second-year starter is consistent accuracy, and he showed much more of that in the spring and latter part of last season. His breakout would key for a Big 12 title run for Texas.
Running Back
As a first-year player, Reese was one of the more productive running backs in the league last year. Continued development could see his stock rise even higher. Reese could finish the season as the top back in the conference.
Running Back
DJ Giddens
Giddens is a player hardly anybody mentions because of the addition of Florida State transfer running back Treshaun Ward. However, experience in the Kansas State system paired with solid production last season (over 5 yards per carry) lead me to believe he’s primed for a breakout season.
Wide Receiver
Monaray Baldwin
The Baylor deep threat had his share of explosive plays last season. On the year, he caught 33 passes for 565 yards and four touchdowns. His 70-plus yard touchdown receptions against Oklahoma State and TCU helped raise his yards per reception average to 17.1. We should see more of Baldwin this season.
Wide Receiver
Wide Receiver
Phillip Brooks
The 5-foot-7 wide receiver is an underrated athlete, and he is easy to overlook given his lack of height. With Malik Knowles and Deuce Vaughn departing, Brooks should see more touches in 2023.
Wide Receiver
Jalil Farooq.
Farooq has already produced at the college level, so there isn’t much breaking out left to be done. Even so, the degree to which his numbers increase as the focal point for Oklahoma will merit breakout recognition.
Tight End
Baylor quietly got a steal at tight end, North Texas transfer Jake Roberts. Last season, Roberts put up 28 receptions for 394 yards and three touchdowns. You’ll take 14.1 yards per reception from your tight end. The big-time player should thrive with the play action plays that offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes calls.
Offensive Line
Andrew Coker
TCU head coach Sonny Dykes proved he does well at weaponizing veteran players in his offensive attack. Last year’s brutal loss in the national title could fuel Coker to make improvement over the summer. The senior tackle for the Horned Frogs could reach another level this season.
Offensive Line
Defensive Tackle
Murphy is seeing rave reviews so far this offseason for his strong spring. Given what we’ve already seen from the massive tackle, he could wreck several offenses in 2023.
Defensive Line
Rondell Bothroyd
Bothroyd is as impressive a player as Oklahoma’s defensive linemen were unimpressive last season. Look for the Wake Forest transfer to make a huge impact on the Sooners defense this year.
Linebacker
Linebacker
Jaren Kanak.
The next great Oklahoma linebacker, Jaren Kanak, has the size and physicality to clamp down on Big 12 offenses. He flashed ability last season. Look for more improvement from No. 7.
Linebacker
Some suggest Dasan McCullough might not even start for Oklahoma this season. That would be a mistake. I’ll stay bullish on the already productive linebacker who earned Freshman All-American honors at Indiana last season.
Cornerback
There’s breaking out and then there’s becoming a first-round NFL draft pick. That’s what Newton might accomplish at TCU this season. His team needs him to make up for the talent it lost to the NFL draft.
Safety
