West Virginia receiver Jordan Thompson will get some playing time this year as a true freshman, coach Dana Holgorsen said. That's notable because the man the Mountaineers call "Squirt" is 5-foot-7 and 164 pounds.
Thompson is not the smallest receiver the Big 12 has ever seen. K-State's Brandon Banks led the Wildcats in receiving in 2008 and 2009 and was the Big 12 special teams player of the year in 2009. Banks, currently with the Washington Redskins, is listed at 5-7 and 153 pounds.
Other news and notes from around the Big 12:
- The final hurdle in getting Baylor's new on-campus football stadium was cleared on Tuesday. The Waco City Council voted to award $35 million in special tax funds to the project.
- Iowa State center Tom Farniok has bulked up to 290 pounds after scraping in the Big 12 last year at 268.
- Kansas running back James Sims is better than Charlie Weis thought he was. The junior, who Weis calls his most "complete" back, is suspended for three games because of a DUI arrest in April, but he figures to see a lot of action when he returns.
- Oklahoman columnist Berry Tramel believes Oklahoma's injuries on the offensive line will not matter much this season.
- Oklahoma State practiced in pads for the first time on Tuesday. The highlight of practice was a goal-line stand by the defense near the end of practice.
- Not only is Mack Brown still trying to pick a starting quarterback, the Longhorns are still trying to figure out their rotation at receiver.
- TCU freshmen kicker Jaden Oberkrom and punter Ethan Perry impressed during Tuesday's practice.
- Texas Tech is taking extra precautions to take protect its players who have had concussions.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Big 12 bloggers C.J. Moore and Patrick Southern, follow @CBSSportsBig12.
