| WR Terrance Williams has been key to the success of Baylor coach Art Briles' offense. (US Presswire) |
With a season-ending injury to Texas DE Jackson Jeffcoat, there is a shakeup in our list of the top three NFL draft prospects from the Big 12. Here's the latest on the conference's top players projected to move on to the professional ranks when their college days are done.
1. WR Terrance Williams, 6-2, 205, Baylor
Why he has the top spot: The Bears' star receiver continues to put up numbers that border on the ridiculous. He had 10 catches for 183 yards and a touchdown in Baylor's 56-50 loss at Texas on Saturday. This season, he has only one game with fewer than 131 receiving yards (an 84-yard, two-touchdown effort against Louisiana-Monroe). He has caught a touchdown pass in each of Baylor's last five games -- including multiple touchdown catches in four of them.
Season stats (six games): 47 receptions, 1,013 yards, 9 receiving touchdowns, first in FBS in receiving yards per game (168.83).
Player ranking: Williams is ranked No. 29 overall and is rated as the fourth-best wide receiver in CBSSports.com's latest player rankings.
Up next: Williams should have another chance to put up big numbers against Iowa State on Saturday, as the Cyclones' pass defense in ranked No. 78 nationally.
2. QB Geno Smith, 6-3, 220, West Virginia
Why he has the second spot: Smith and the WVU offense have come crashing back down to earth in the past two weeks, struggling to put up points against Texas Tech and Kansas State in a pair of blowout losses. Smith tossed his first two picks of the season against the Wildcats on Saturday and struggled as much as ever, but he still has as much talent as any quarterback in this draft class.
Season stats (seven games): 216 of 291 (74.2 percent), 2,414 yards, 26 passing touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 56 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD.
Player ranking: Smith is ranked No. 1 overall and rated as the top quarterback in CBSSports.com's latest player rankings.
Up next: Smith and the suddenly reeling Mountaineers have a week off before facing TCU, which has the Big 12's third-best pass defense, allowing a relatively low 221.43 yards per game through the air.
3. DE Alex Okafor, 6-5, 265, Texas
Why he has the third spot: Even without the services of fellow rush end Jackson Jeffcoat (who suffered a season-ending injury against Oklahoma), Okafor showed against Baylor he is a force to be reckoned with. He registered a sack of Nick Florence and had eight total tackles -- including five solo efforts, a rather high number for a defensive lineman.
Season stats (seven games): 23 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 1 pass breakup, 6 QB hurries, 2 forced fumbles, 1 blocked kick.
Player ranking: Okafor is ranked No. 36 overall and is rated as the fifth-best defensive end in CBSSports.com's latest player rankings.
Up next: Okafor may have another chance to pad his numbers, as the Longhorns travel to Kansas this Saturday. The Jayhawks are 96th in the country in sacks allowed, yielding 2.71 sacks per game.
Keep an eye on: OLB Arthur Brown, 6-1, 228, Kansas State
Why you should watch him: If you see a K-State game, you almost can't help but watch Brown, who always seems to be in the right place at the right time. His combination of smarts and athleticism frustrated West Virginia's offense on Saturday, as the Mountaineers' talented group managed only a single offensive touchdown. Brown had the distinction of being the first player this season to pick off WVU's star QB Smith.
Season stats: 55 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery, 3 pass breakups, 1 QB hurry.
Player ranking: Brown is ranked No. 55 overall and is rated as the fifth-best outside linebacker in CBSSports.com's latest player rankings.
Up next: Brown gets the chance to show his stuff against another one of the nation's better passing offenses this Saturday when Texas Tech travels to Manhattan. The Red Raiders, led by QB Seth Doege, are 13th in the nation in pass efficiency offense.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Big 12 bloggers C.J. Moore and Patrick Southern, follow @CBSSportsBig12 on Twitter. You can also follow C.J. (@cjmoore4) and Patrick (@patricksouthern).