42) Alex Okafor, junior DL, Texas
Sometimes, home is truly where the heart is. And if the spring was any indication, Okafor's heart is fully into his move back to his home at defensive end.
Make no mistake: Okafor earned strong reviews from several defensive coaches following his sophomore season at defensive tackle. Okafor started eight games and made 30 tackles, four in the backfield and had 2.5 sacks, along with 12 hurries, second-best on the team. That he was able to supply that kind of pressure from the interior is certainly unique.
But Okafor entered the 40 Acres as a five-star defensive end prospect from Pflugerville, and it's there that he'll likely finish his career. He showed more glimpses into his massive potential with a huge spring game. There aren't many ends that are more physically imposing than the 6-foot-5, 262-pounder, and he still has the kind of burst off the edge that can give offensive tackles fits.
In filling in for All-Big 12'er Sam Acho, Okafor has huge shoes to step into, but Okafor is arguably more physically gifted, and coaches said they were proud of his motor in the spring. He'll definitely be one to watch in 2011.
2010 Stats: 30 tackles, four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 12 hurries, one forced fumble
No. 43: Texas A&M DL Tony Jerod-Eddie
No. 44: Kansas RB James Sims
No. 45: Texas Tech S Cody Davis
No. 46: Iowa State CB Leonard Johnson
No. 47: Kansas State S Ty Zimmerman
No. 48: Baylor DE/LB Tevin Elliot
No. 49: Kansas State DE Brandon Harold
No. 50: Kansas DE Toben Opurum