Offensive line
1. Nate Solder, T, Colorado
You can’t find many left tackles that have a more ideal body than Solder: 6-foot-9, 300 pounds, 8 percent body fat. The guy should be on a basketball court. He started off as a tight end at CU, but switched to the line as a sophomore in 2008 and was already the team’s leader in knockdown blocks in his first year at tackle.
2. Kyle Hix, T, Texas
The Longhorns’ three-year starter at right tackle is moving over to the left side this fall. He’s the man in charge of making Garrett Gilbert’s first year as UT’s starting quarterback a comfortable one. Hix, who is 6-foot-7 and 320 pounds, will be relied upon as a key leader on a young offensive line.
3. Kyle Miller, G, Colorado
Miller is another giant lineman for CU (6-foot-8, 310 pounds), but tall guys up front didn’t necessarily benefit the Buffs much in the run game last year. Colorado only rushed for 88 yards a game last year, but with Rodney Stewart and nine linemen who have starting experience back, that number should get better.
4. Tim Barnes, C, Missouri
Barnes is entering his third season as MU’s starting center, and he’s one of the nation’s best. He’s started 27 straight games, and remarkably he’s one of only four fifth-year seniors on this year’s Missouri team. Missouri only gave up 20 sacks on 467 passing plays last year, and this year’s squad returns seven of its top 10 linemen.
5. Stephen Good, G, Oklahoma
Good, a highly touted prospect out of high school, played both guard positions last year and earned seven starts as a true sophomore. He finished third on the team with 718 snaps, and despite not always starting he finished second to first-round pick Trent Williams with 79 knockdown blocks. Mel Kiper Jr. lists him as the fifth-best guard prospect among juniors.
Honorable mention: Tanner Hawkinson, Kansas; Cory Brandon, Oklahoma; Ricky Henry, Nebraska
Offensive newcomers
1. Toney Clemons, WR, Colorado
I spent a bit of time talking about Clemons last week, so here’s the recap: Clemons transferred from Michigan because he didn’t want to play in Rich Rodriguez’s spread offense. He played in 19 games at Michigan and started three, but Clemons had to sit out last year due to NCAA transfer rules. He’s expected to be an instant impact talent for the Buffs at receiver this fall.
2. Kenny Stills, WR, Oklahoma
Stills, a five-star talent according to Rivals.com, was the star of Oklahoma’s spring season and could start this year. The 6-foot-1 wideout pulled in a 31-yard touchdown in OU’s Red-White game and finished with a team-high 84 receiving yards on six catches. Stills and incoming athlete Justin McCay will make OU’s already strong receiving corps even better this fall.
3. Jermarcus Hardrick, T, Nebraska
“Yoshi” is going to play right away, no doubt about it. The 6-foot-7 junior college transfer impressed Husker coaches enough this spring that Mike Smith, NU’s left tackle for the past two season, has had to learn other spots on the line. When Nebraska brings in a juco player, it’s because coaches believe he can help the team right away. Hardrick broke a bone in his left hand this spring, but that won’t prevent him from getting a strong chance at a starting job this fall.
4. Mike Davis, WR, Texas
Davis and fellow freshman Darius White were both considered among the top 50 high school prospects in the nation last year, and they’ll get a good shot at helping Texas replace the production of Jordan Shipley. Davis, a 6-foot-1 wideout from Dallas, caught 48 passes for 1,157 yards and 19 scores last fall.
5. Brandon Bourbon, RB, Kansas
Nebraska incoming back Braylon Heard is more highly touted and could be an instant impact player (that is, if he qualifies), but Bourbon will have a better shot at getting early playing time. KU’s new coaching staff got Bourbon to switch his commitment from Stanford to KU less than a week before signing day, and the 6-foot-2 standout from Missouri could quickly become sophomore Toben Opurum’s top backup.
Honorable mention: Luke Joeckel, T, Texas A&M; Keeston Terry, WR, Kansas; Brennan Clay, RB, Oklahoma