ESPN: Big 12 pre-spring position rankings: DB

Jake Trotter ESPN Staff Writer

With spring ball less than a month away, we’ve been ranking the position groups in the Big 12. These evaluations are based on past performance, future potential and quality depth of the entire group. Our outlooks will probably look different after the spring. But this is how we see them at the moment. 

We continue this series with defensive backs:

1. Oklahoma: Zack Sanchez leaving early for the draft doesn’t knock the Sooners off this perch. CB Jordan Thomas and safeties Steven Parker and Ahmad Thomas still form a terrific trio. Will Johnson solidified the nickelback role midseason. The Sooners also have a pair of viable options to replace Sanchez in Dakota Austin and P.J. Mbanasor.

2. Oklahoma State: The Cowboys boast a terrific safety duo in All-Big 12 performer Jordan Sterns and the big-hitting Tre Flowers. CBs Ashton Lampkin and Ramon Richards bring starting experience.

3. TCU: With a clean bill of health, the Horned Frogs might be No. 1 here. Kenny Iloka and Ranthony Texada are still working their way back from season-ending knee injures. TCU has also lost Julius Lewis to an apparent season-ending offseason injury. Even then, the Horned Frogs still have versatile starter Nick Orr and safety Denzel Johnson, who could challenge for first-team All-Big 12 honors. …

Read the rest at http://espn.go.com/b…n-rankings-db-2