Five key position battles involving transfers in the Big 12
Most teams are set to begin their spring practices this month, and there will be a lot of hotly contested position battles involving transfer players.
Today Rivals.com takes a look at five competitions in the Big 12 involving transfers.
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Oklahoma State quarterbacks
Contenders: Alan Bowman, Garret Rangel and Gunnar Gundy
The skinny: Oklahoma State is transitioning from the Spencer Sanders era to a new face behind center. That will be the biggest task for Mike Gundy to handle this offseason. Three quarterbacks enter the spring in the mix: Bowman, a Michigan transfer, and the returning Rangel and Gundy.
Bowman has Big 12 experience from his time at Texas Tech. Rangel has promise as a former four-star recruit. Gundy is the coach's son, and the latter two both played snaps for the Cowboys last fall. That battle will be the focus for the Cowboys.
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Baylor quarterbacks
Contenders: Blake Shapen, Sawyer Robertson
The skinny: Shapen enters the spring as the favorite to be the starting signal caller for the Bears, but a shaky 2022 season leaves the door open for Robertson, a Mississippi State transfer, to strike. Robertson turned heads inside the SEC program while backing up Will Rogers, and his talent suggests that he can be a difference-maker if given the opportunity.
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Texas wide receivers
Contenders: Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, Jordan Whittington, Isaiah Neyor, Johntay Cook, DeAndre Moore
The skinny: Both Worthy and Mitchell will play significant roles for the Longhorns in 2023 and be go-to targets for Quinn Ewers. While this isn't your typical "battle" because both will be fed, it will still be interesting to see who emerges as the go-to weapon for Ewers and head coach Steve Sarkisian.
Worthy is the big-play threat that can take the top off the defense. Mitchell is the reliable target that made big plays in big moments while at Georgia. Regardless of who claims the WR1 role, Texas will be counting on both to produce.
Meanwhile, Whittington is back for another season and Neyor should finally have the chance to showcase what he can do in burnt orange after transferring from Wyoming prior to last season. The freshmen duo of Cook and Moore are already turning heads.
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Baylor running backs
Contenders: Richard Reese, Dominic Richardson
The skinny: Reese broke out in a big way for the Bears as a freshman. He rushed for 927 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning freshman All-American honors in the process. Richardson, on the other hand, was the lead back at Oklahoma State last season, rushing for 543 yards and eight touchdowns. Dave Aranda really cannot go wrong here, and it's likely that both will see big roles.
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Houston quarterbacks
Contenders: Donovan Smith, Lucas Coley
The skinny: Houston has to get the quarterback position right. There's no way around that as the Cougars enter the Big 12. Clayton Tune is out the door, leaving the position open for Smith, a Texas Tech transfer, and Coley, a former Arkansas signal caller. Smith likely has the leg up in the battle, but Coley presents a legit contender. Either way, someone has to emerge for the Cougars as they begin their new era.