Tyler Lockett made an immediate impression on the NFL, returning a punt 57 yards for a touchdown in his first regular-season game. The former Kansas State star went on to become one of the NFL's top return threats, earning All-Pro honors as a rookie for the Seattle Seahawks.
But Lockett wasn't the only former Big 12 star to make a significant impact during his first season in the NFL. In fact, four different former Big 12 playmakers (Lockett, Malcom Brown, Quandre Diggs, Jordan Hicks) were named the best rookie on their respective teams by NFL Nation reporters.
With Super Bowl 50 as a lone NFL game remaining, let's look at how a few former Big 12 stars fared during their first year playing on Sundays:
Best of the bunch: Anyone who watched Lockett dominate games as a receiver and returner during his time in the Big 12 wasn't surprised to see him become the only rookie to earn All-Pro honors as a returner in 2015. The Seahawks' third-round pick had a 105-yard kick return for a touchdown against Chicago and 57-yard return for a score against St. Louis. Not only did he become a force on special teams, Lockett's role in Seattle's offense grew as a season progressed with the Tulsa, Oklahoma native becoming one of Russell Wilson's favorite targets. Lockett finished with 55 receptions for 774 yards and seven touchdowns in 18 games (eight starts) and averaged 25.8 yards per kick return and 9.5 yards per punt return.
Solid start: Brown wasn't dominant but he was solid for New England after the Patriots made him a first-round pick and asked him to help replace Vince Wilfork in the middle. Brown played 46.5 percent of the Patriots' defensive snaps and finished with 55 tackles and three sacks in 15 starts. Brown laid a good foundation for the future and should be a key contributor for New England in the future.
Wait until next year: Former West Virginia receiver Kevin White had the most disappointing season. In fact, he didn't have a season at all after a shin fracture ended his rookie year before it got started. The Chicago Bears' first-round pick did not play in a game as a rookie after being forced to have preseason surgery. White hopes to have a breakout season in 2016 after having to watch others, like Lockett, make their names known in 2015.
Big surprise: Hicks became one of the best defenders on the Philadelphia Eagles before a Achilles injury ended his season. The former Texas standout had 50 tackles, two interceptions, three pass defensed, one forced fumble and one sack in eight games (five starts) and looked on the road to being considered one of the NFL's top rookies before the injury. Some people considered Hicks a reach on draft day but he proved those doubters wrong. Although, to be fair, part of the concern surrounding Hicks was his durability/injury concerns, which came to fruition this season.
Should have went higher (Sixth round or later): Diggs was a terrific surprise for the Detroit Lions. The former Texas defensive back was called upon to play several roles in the Lions' secondary and he did them well, becoming one of the top rookies on the team despite being selected in the sixth round. There's a good chance he's secured himself a spot in the Lions' defense in the future. Diggs finished with 38 tackles, six passes defensed, one forced fumble in 16 games (four starts).
Here's a look at how the other Big 12 draftees fared during their first NFL season:
WR Mario Alford, Cincinnati (West Virginia): One receptions for 15 yards in one game.
TE Blake Bell, San Francisco (Oklahoma): 15 receptions on 24 targets for 186 yards in five starts.
LB Paul (P.J.) Dawson, Cincinnati (TCU): 12 tackles in 11 games.
DB Randall Evans, Philadelphia (Kansas State): One game played.
OL Tayo Fabuluje, Chicago (TCU): Played in four games.
S Josh Furman, Denver (Oklahoma State): Released before the season.
G Mark Glowinski, Seattle (West Virginia): Played 11 games with one start.
LB Geneo Grissom, New England (Oklahoma): Six tackles and one sack in 14 games.
LB Bryce Hager, St. Louis (Baylor): Five tackles in 16 games.
LB Ben Heeney, Oakland (Kansas): 38 tackles, one forced fumble and 2.5 sacks in 15 games (three starts).
DB Dexter McDonald, Oakland (Kansas): Five tackles in six games played.
QB Bryce Petty, New York Jets (Baylor): Didn't see action in the regular season but was 27 of 45 for 260 yards and one touchdown in three preseason games.
DT Jordan Phillips, Miami (Oklahoma): 19 tackles including two sacks and four passes defensed in 15 games (four starts).
LB Shaquille Riddick, Arizona (West Virginia): Didn't record any stats in the regular or postseason.
FB Aaron Ripkowski, Green Bay (Oklahoma): Played in 17 games including a pair of playoff contests but recorded just one reception for 18 yards.
CB JaCorey Shepherd, Philadelphia (Kansas): Tore his ACL in the preseason.
TE Geoff Swaim, Dallas (Texas): One reception in four games.
S Mykkele Thompson, New York Giants (Texas): Tore his Achilles in his pro debut in the preseason.
T Tyrus Thompson, Minnesota (Oklahoma): Was cut by the Vikings before the season began.
T Daryl Williams, Carolina (Oklahoma): Played in 11 games starting twice.
