College Football: Big 12 Football
(AP) Some of the Big 12 Conference players who could have breakout seasons and be impact players in 2018:
BAYLOR
DE BJ Thompson, sophomore. The 6-foot-6 Thompson got some experience as a true freshman last season, and even started a game. Thompson should be a big part of the Bears’ effort to improve their pass rush. He is rangy, tall and athletic. After impressive development last fall, he was impressive through this spring while adding at least 15 pounds, to about 225 pounds.
IOWA STATE
LB O’Rien Vance, redshirt freshman. Joel Lanning’s conversion from quarterback to linebacker was more than just a cute story in 2017. Lanning proved to be a crucial piece of a defense that vastly exceeded expectations. So it was a major relief to the Cyclones that perhaps their breakout star of spring camp was Vance, a two-time All-State pick out of Cedar Rapids who is expected to fill Lanning’s spot at middle linebacker.
