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Bedlam in the Big 12: Where the stars came from

Mark Pszonak contributed to this report.

With the conference championships on the line this weekend, we thought we’d take a look at each team’s leading passer, rusher and receiver on offense and leading tackler and pass rushers on defense. Here’s how Oklahoma and Oklahoma State break out.

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OKLAHOMA

The skinny: Mayfield surprisingly walked-on at Texas Tech, despite earning offers from Washington State, Rice and Florida Atlantic. The surprises continued when he became became the starter for the Red Raiders and earned Big 12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year honors. However, after the season he decided to transfer to Oklahoma and then sat out the 2014 season. Mayfield’s performance in 2015 led him to a fourth-place finish in the Heisman Trophy voting. This season he is putting together another impressive campaign with 3,381 yards and 35 touchdowns, while throwing only eight interceptions.

Farrell’s take: With a gunslinger’s mentality, Mayfield had a great high school career, but many felt he was largely a product of a system and he didn’t get a ton of offers as a result. Now he’s a Heisman candidate and has rebounded so well after a rough start against Houston and Ohio State. I’m happy with his three-star ranking since we saw something none of the local schools did at least -- he was a walk-on, after all. That being said, he has clearly outplayed his ranking. Mayfield's leadership skills are off the charts. This kid is a winner and the NFL should not sleep on him.

The skinny: Oklahoma was always always considered a serious contender for Mixon, however he still surprised many when he committed to the Sooners on national television over local favorite, UCLA. His time in Norman did not start off well as he was suspended for the 2014 season for punching a female student in the face during an altercation. Back on the field and sharing carries with Samaje Perrine, Mixon has definitely taken on a more prominent role in the offense this fall. With 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, plus 430 yards and four touchdowns through the air, Mixon is finally playing up to his five-star ranking.

Farrell’s take: Mixon was a freak out of high school. He was our No. 1 all-purpose back at 207 pounds because he could have easily played wide receiver if he wanted to. Mixon was that talented. His character was never a question mark in high school, so his huge misstep at OU was surprising. Talking simply about on-field talent, he is one of the best running backs in the country and a home run ranking for us.

The skinny: Westbrook was a JUCO commitment to Oklahoma over Utah, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Kansas State, West Virginia and others based on his relationship with coach Bob Stoops, wide receiver Sterling Shepard and incoming transfer Dorial Green-Beckham, who never actually played for the Sooners. While Westbrook had a productive first season in Norman with 46 receptions for 743 yards and four touchdowns, not many people expected the performance he has turned in this fall. Westbrook currently has 70 receptions for 1,354 yards and 15 touchdowns and is one of the top receivers in the country.

Farrell’s take: Westbrook was a four-star coming out of Blinn, where he put up big numbers and showed he could play outside or inside receiver. He was a perfect fit for a spread offense and, with the Big 12 being so wide open defensively, it’s no surprise he had a good first year. But what he has done in the second half of the 2016 season has been ridiculous. Westbrook has emerged as arguably the best wide receiver in the country.

The skinny: Evans grew up in Norman and was a Sooners legacy, so it was largely game-over for his recruitment when Oklahoma offered him during his senior season. He leads the team with 81 tackles, plus 7.5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble and an extremely impressive four interceptions.

Farrell’s take: Evans wasn’t recruited heavily out of high school. He was a solid tackler and had a good frame but wasn’t off-the-charts athletic. Evans never tallied over 100 tackles in high school but made a lot of plays in space because he was always in position and clearly had good instincts. He’s playing slightly higher than his ranking and has been one of the more reliable defenders on a poor defense.

The skinny: Okoronkwo was at one point committed to Oklahoma State but became an Oklahoma priority during his senior season. He eventually flipped to the Sooners following an in-home visit with Bob Stoops in December. Okoronkwo was a marginal contributor in his first three seasons in Norman but has burst onto the scene this fall. He has accounted for 58 tackles in 2016, plus a team leading 8.5 tackles for a loss and seven sacks.

Farrell’s take: Okoronkwo didn't have great size but he could get around the edge, was sneaky strong and powerful. He ran track, was a weight room warrior and, as a flip from Oklahoma State, he was an important get in the 2013 class. He has played about as expected based on his ranking.

OKLAHOMA STATE

The skinny: Rudolph chose Oklahoma State over a group of finalists that included Virginia Tech and LSU. He emerged quickly with the Cowboys and has become one of the steadiest and most productive quarterbacks in the currently. Rudolph had an impressive 2015 season but has been even better in 2016 with 3,591 passing yards, 25 touchdowns and just four interceptions.

Farrell’s take: Rudolph was a huge kid with a live arm who showed excellent accuracy. He chose the right offense because he’s a quick decision-maker who is made for a spread offense where he can put up huge numbers. Rudolph is emerging as one of the top quarterback prospects for the draft and his decision-making has been on point. He’s dangerous.

The skinny: There was little drama in Hill’s recruiting process as he committed to Oklahoma State over Louisville, Kansas and Houston almost a year before his Signing Day. Hill has quietly produced one of the top true freshman running back seasons in the country this fall with 943 yards and five touchdowns. His yardage total broke the school record for rushing yards by a true freshman previously held by Thurman Thomas.

Farrell’s take: The first 2016 commitment for Oklahoma State is looking like the best one as Hill has hit the ground running, no pun intended. He always had speed and he could catch the ball out of the backfield, but there was concern about whether he could be an every-down back in college. Those questions have been answered and Hill's playing like a high four-star or low five-star right now.

The skinny: Washington’s process never took off, so when he received his offer from Oklahoma State during a summer visit he quickly committed to the Cowboys. While Jalen McCleskey actually has seven more receptions this season, it is Washington who remains Oklahoma State’s top receiving threat. Washington showcased his abilities last season with 53 receptions for 1,087 yards and 10 touchdowns, and he has solidified his status this fall with 60 receptions for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns.

Farrell’s take: Washington was a very fast, straight-line receiver from a small school. It's safe to label him as a diamond in the rough recruiting find for Oklahoma State. We liked his speed enough to make him a low three-star, but he has turned into something fun to watch at the next level. Not only is Washington fast, but he’s elusive and sneaky strong. He’s a threat to score from anywhere and harder to take down than you’d expect.

The skinny: Sterns initially committed to Texas Tech, but after additional offers came his way, he re-opened his process and committed to Oklahoma State a week later. After two straight 100-plus tackle seasons, Sterns may not reach that level this season but he again leads the team with 77. To go along with that, he has added 4.5 tackles for a loss and three interceptions for the Cowboys.

Farrell’s take: Sterns was a low three-star prospect in 2013 who looked the part for sure, but we worried about his coverage skills and pure tackling ability as he was an all-or-nothing guy in run support at times. We saw him as a strong safety who could thump but would get lost in coverage at times. That has been on point at times, but he has played better than a low three-star.

The skinny: Taylor was once thought to be close to picking Baylor, but he committed to Oklahoma State in May of his junior year. He quickly became an important part of the Oklahoma State defense and has raised his game to the next level in 2016. Taylor has logged 41 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss, six sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery this season.

Farrell’s take: Taylor had quickness, good technique and was a tackling machine but played high. He was once a four-star for us but dropped after his production fell as a senior and he struggled a bit against top competition at the all-star level. Taylor has played well and shown an ability to get into the backfield. He’s become a key on the Oklahoma State defense on big downs.

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