Most teams are expected to begin spring training this month, and there will be plenty of hotly contested position battles involving transfer players.
Today, Rivals.com takes a look at five Big 12 competitions involving transfers.
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Oklahoma State Quarterbacks
Competitors: Alan Bowman, Garret Rangel And Gunnar Gundy
The lean: Oklahoma State pass from the spencer sander era to a new face behind the center. This will be the greatest task for mike gundy to manage this off-season. Three quarterbacks spring into the mix: Bowman, a Michigan transfer, and the return Rangel and Gundy.
Bowman has experience in the Big 12 since his time at Texas technology. Rangel shows promise as a former four-star recruit. Gundy is the coach’s son, and the latter two played snaps for the Cowboys last fall. This battle will be at the center of the Cowboys’ concerns.
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Baylor Quarters
Competitors: Blake Shapen, Sawyer Robertson
The lean: Shapen enters the spring as a favorite to be the Bears’ starting signal, but a fragile 2022 season leaves the door open for Robertson, a Mississippi State transfer, strike. Robertson turned heads inside the SEC program while stepping back Will Rogersand his talent suggests he can make a difference if given the chance.
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Texas wide receivers
Competitors: Xavier Digne, Adonai Mitchell, Jordan Whitton, Isaiah Neyor, Johntay Cook, DeAndre Moore
The lean: Worthy and Mitchell will both play important roles for the Longhorns in 2023 and will be hot targets for Quinn ewers. While it’s not your typical ‘battle’ as the two will be fed, it will still be interesting to see who emerges as the weapon of choice for Ewers and the head coach. Steve Sarkisian.
Worthy is the big-play threat that can get the better of defense. Mitchell is the reliable target who made big plays in big moments while Georgia. No matter who claims the WR1 role, Texas will rely on both to produce.
Meanwhile, Whittington is back for another season and Neyor should finally get the chance to show what he can do in burnt orange after being transferred from Wyoming before last season. Cook and Moore’s freshman duo are already turning heads.
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Baylor running backs
Competitors: Richard Reese, Dominique Richardson
The lean: Reese broke out big for the Bears as a rookie. He rushed for 927 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning freshman All-American honors in the process. Richardson, on the other hand, was the leader at Oklahoma State last season, rushing for 543 yards and eight touchdowns. David Aranda really can’t go wrong here, and it’s likely that both will see big roles.
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Houston quarterbacks
Competitors: Donovan Smith, Lucas Coley
The lean: Houston has to get the right quarterback position. There’s no getting around that as the Cougars enter the Big 12. Clayton Air is at the door, leaving the position open to Smith, a Texas technology transfer, and Coley, a former Arkansas calling signal. Smith likely has a head start in battle, but Coley presents a legitimate contender. Either way, someone has to emerge for the Cougars as they begin their new era.