Big-12 Freshman Breakout Candidates for Fall Camp 2023

Fall camp is underway everywhere around college football, so
naturally that means new players, old and new, get to show what
they can bring to the table. Let’s take a look at freshmen around the
Big-12 who are primed to break out over the next few weeks and
earn a roll if not start.

Baylor

RB Bryson Washington

Franklin, TX (Franklin HS)

An explosive two-way playmaker in HS, but will ultimately
end up as a running back. Rushing for over 2,000 yards and 30
touchdowns in his senior year, you can certainly see why he would
begin his career there. Except for him to see the field early and often.

Franklin running back Bryson Washington, Canadian defensive backs Twister Kelton and Josh Culwell vie for a pass meant for Washington during Thursday’s Class 3A Division II state title game at AT&T Stadium Dec. 17, 2020. © Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News via Imagn Content Services, LLC

BYU

TE Jackson Bowers

Mesa, AZ (Mountain View HS)

A big-bodied prospect from the west coast who can do a little
bit of everything. Physical at the point of attack, but can also have
some finesse in his game as well. He should be firmly in the two-deep.

Mountain View’s Jackson Bowers runs with the ball after a catch against Desert Mountain on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. Mountain View 19. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Cincinnati

WR Ty Perkins

Ironton, OH (Ironton HS)

Not the highest-rated recruit, but all he does is get open and
make catches. He’ll have some competition from his fellow peers in
his class along with the upperclassmen, but he should fit in nicely.

Harvest Prep s Elijah Brown (2) is unable to defend a pass to Ironton s Ty Perkins (3) during the Division V, Region 19 final Nov. 18 at Waverly. © Aria Ala-U-Dini / USA TODAY NETWORK

Houston

WR Mikal Harrison – Pilot

Temple, TX (Temple HS)

One of the most athletic prospects in his class overall playing
both ways. While that may be true, his true position and the highest
ceiling are at wide receiver. He has blazing track speed that translates
to the field. He’ll scare a lot of teams whenever he is on the field.

Iowa State

WR Beni Ngoyi

Lincoln, NE (Lincoln HS)

As one of Nebraska’s highest recruits in the state, Beni
decided to head to Iowa City instead. He brings great size and
athleticism as well. he should be a nice addition to the wide receiver room.

Kansas

CB Jacoby Davis

Houston, TX (North Shore HS)

While not looked at as a top prospect, his game and offer list
say otherwise. When Georgia comes calling that means you can
play a little ball. Also starring for one of the best HS programs in the
country in North Shore, he played against the best of the best. He’ll
be making plays soon.

Kansas freshman cornerback Jacoby Davis (47) works through a set Tuesday inside the new weight room at the University of Kansas Anderson Family Football Complex. © Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Kansas State

EDGE Jordan Allen

Olathe, KS (Olathe South HS)

A pure multi-sport athlete who played a little bit of everything
in HS. As a senior he logged stats for numerous categories such as
tackles, pass breakups, receiving, and rushing. He will start out at
edge for the Wildcats while looking to make a name for himself.

Oklahoma

S Peyton Bowen

Denton, TX (Guyer HS)

Came in as one of the best prospects in the nation, and spring
ball did nothing but solidify that. He has already carved out a major
role, and might even start sooner rather than later.

Oklahoma White Team’s Peyton Bowen (22) jumps for a pass causing an incomplete pass during a spring scrimmage game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman Okla., on Saturday, April 22, 2023. © NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Oklahoma State

P Hudson Kaak

ProKick Australia, Australia

While not usually on a list at this juncture, Hudson
Kaak is the outlier. As kickers are becoming more and more
valuable nowadays, he certainly brings value. He will come in and
immediately fight for the starting role.

Hudson Kaak (29) runs drills during an Oklahoma State Spring football practice at Sherman E. Smith Training Center in Stillwater, Okla., Tuesday, March 21, 2023. © NATHAN J FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

TCU

S Jamel Johnson

Arlington, TX (Seguin HS)

Coming out of spring ball he certainly made a name for
himself, as he made plays all over the field. He possesses adequate
size along with good athleticism. Not only will he make a play on
the backend, he will also come up and thump you.

Texas

LB Anthony Hill

Denton, TX (Ryan HS)

As a five-star prospect coming in, this one wasn’t really too
hard. He arrived on campus as an early enrollee and made his
presence known immediately. There is playing time open in the
middle of the defense, and he is expected to start and fill that role.

2023 five-star LB Anthony Hill from Denton, TX (Ryan).

Texas Tech

S Brenden Jordan

Mansfield, TX (Mansfield HS)

Not only is he the highest-rated prospect for the Red Raiders,
he is a pure ball player. Reminds me a lot of Bob Sanders in the way
he plays. He may not start right away, but he will certainly see the
field.

Texas Tech defensive back Brenden Jordan takes part in spring practice.

UCF

DL John Walker

Kissimmee, FL (Osceola HS)

As the first top-100 player to ever sign with UCF, it was
certainly a big deal when he signed his name on the dotted line. He
brings great size along with playmaking ability. Simply put, he
disrupts things and makes things very hard for any offense. He’ll
have a major role.

2023 four-star defensive tackle John Walker from Kissimmee, FL (Osceola) – committed to UCF.

West Virginia

WR Traylon Ray

Tallahassee, FL (North Florida Christian HS)

The sunshine state product came in under the radar, as most of
West Virginia’s class did, but he has made some noise in camp. He
brings versatility to a wide receiver room that surely needs it.