The Big 12’s refusal to add a championship game has been a major point of discussion throughout this offseason. The number of true national championship contenders lining up in the conference will change the conversation soon enough. The potential for a lack of a single true conference champion could very well limit the Big 12’s chances at reaching the College Football Playoff for the second year in a row, but Oklahoma made it last year thanks to some key breakout players and there are at least three to four teams that think 2016 will be the year that they get there.
The race is already among the teams as they’ve been battling on the recruiting trail. Surprisingly absent from this list are the the Texas Longhorns. Here is a look at five potential breakout players that will steal the show in the Big 12 in 2016.
D.J. Ward, Oklahoma Sooners
Defensive End
The defending Big 12 champions suffered a rough playoff exit, but with Baker Mayfield back under center there is every reason to think they can contend for another conference title and more in 2016. The question mark is whether the defense can improve next year, and that is where Ward will have a major impact. Oklahoma graduated both of its defensive ends, and Ward will be asked to replace one of them. The 6’2’’, 259-pound Ward had four tackles, one sack and a fumble return in 13 games for the Sooners a year ago, and those numbers should improve with more experience and playing time. Ward recorded a career best four tackles in Oklahoma’s Orange Bowl loss. The Sooners will need a breakout performance from him next season.
Jhajuan Seales, Oklahoma State Cowboys
Wide Receiver
Seales’ production dipped following a strong redshirt freshman campaign in 2014, but a big part of that had to do with distractions away from the field after he was cited for OVI in October. The 6’2’’, 198-pound Seales will get the opportunity to redeem his self in 2016 and he will have every chance to be a breakout star for the Cowboys. Oklahoma State lost two of its top four pass catchers from a year ago, so look for Seales to step in and put up some monster numbers in the Big 12 next season.
Shaun Nixon, TCU Horned Frogs
Running Back
The Horned Frogs will turn to Nixon to replace the production they lost when their star running back Aaron Green graduated this offseason. Green ran for 1,272 yards and 11 touchdowns a year ago and his dominance kept Nixon ion the sideline for the majority of his freshman season. The 5’10’’, 196-pound back will get every opportunity to prove what he can do in 2016 and his ability to make plays both as a runner and pass catcher out of the backfield will be key. Nixon finished with the second-most catches for TCU last season when he had 47 and his versatility will be a tremendous weapon for the Horned Frogs’ offense next season.
Johnny Jefferson, Baylor Bears
Running Back
Jefferson enjoyed a breakout performance in the Russell Athletic Bowl when he rushed for 299 yards and three touchdowns against North Carolina. Now that he has established his elite potential, he is primed to be a star in the Big 12 next season. Jefferson is a speedy, shifty back that can do it all out of the Bears backfield and he will have the opportunity to prove he can be a workhorse in 2016. The 5’10’’, 210-pound back ran for 1,000 yards on just 136 carries last season and while he will be in tough to maintain his 7.3 yards per carry average, he can certainly be a dynamic weapon and key cog in the Baylor offense.
Jovon Durante, West Virginia Mountaineers
Wide Receiver
Durante received a ton of hype coming out of high school, but he struggled at times last season and academic issues ultimately kept him out of last year’s Cactus Bowl win over Arizona State. However, Durante has gotten back on track in terms of the academics and his focus should help take him to the next level in West Virginia’s offense next season. The 6’1’’, 180-pound Durante has electrifying speed and quickness and he could be the next big thing for the Mountaineers next season.
