6-4, 320, Jr., Garland Lakeview: Dockery suffered a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during last season's 28-10 victory over Oklahoma.

A year later, Dockery's knee is surgically repaired, and he's back starting at right guard.

He is the younger brother of former Longhorn Derrick Dockery, now an offensive lineman with the Buffalo Bills.

Cedric Dockery has talked of following in his brother's footsteps even before he became a standout in his own right at Garland Lakeview.

Dockery's dream for his college career is to earn a spot on the wall of consensus All-Americans, alongside his brother.

Kate Hairopoulos

6-2, 210, Sr., Hebron High School: Baker, a team captain for the Sooners, has 23 tackles this season, including a season-high six last week at Colorado.

He also plays special teams, where coach Bob Stoops said he's probably the team's best on kickoff coverage.

Baker moved back to linebacker in 2006 after spending 2005 in the secondary. He was one of only two true freshmen to play in 2003 before redshirting the following season.

Baker's standout days at Hebron – he ended up playing in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl – helped the fledgling varsity football program make its first playoff appearance in his senior season.

Baker originally had an oral commitment to Texas before his senior year at Hebron. He changed his mind a few months later to explore other options and ended up at OU.

Kate Hairopoulos

6-3, 236, So., Rowlett High School: The hard-hitting Norton has developed into one of the Longhorns' best blitzing linebackers. He gets playing time behind starting middle linebacker Rashad Bobino and has 25 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.

Norton played in 12 games as a true freshman in 2006, recording 15 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

His early success isn't a surprise around Rowlett, where Norton is remembered for leading the school to its first winning record, playoff appearance and playoff victory in 2005.

As a senior at Rowlett, Norton had a school-record 197 tackles, 13 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception. In being named to SportsDay's first-team all-area defense, Norton revealed he did impersonations, his best being SpongeBob SquarePants.

Kate Hairopoulos

6-0, 193, Jr., South Oak Cliff High School: During his days at SOC, Holmes played all over the field – from punter to quarterback to wide receiver. He also starred as a guard for SOC's powerhouse basketball program.

Holmes hasn't lost his versatility at OU, where he's on this third position.

He moved to safety this season after earning a starting spot and honorable mention All-Big 12 at cornerback in 2006. He played sparingly at receiver as a redshirt freshman.

Holmes is settling into his new role. He got burned on two first-half touchdown passes against Tulsa but later nabbed his second interception of the season. He has 24 tackles, including one for a loss.

Holmes is at OU despite suffering a broken collarbone the summer before his senior year at SOC which caused him to miss most of the football season.

Kate Hairopoulos

6-2, 195, Sr., Duncanville High School: Jackson made his mark in last season's Red River game by popping Oklahoma's Reggie Smith so hard on a punt return that it drew gasps and separated Smith from the ball.

Jackson, who is known as a hard hitter, is finally in a position to make an even bigger impact this season.

A fifth-year senior, Jackson has earned a starting role at strong safety. He's part of a rebuilt secondary that lost three players to the NFL.

He was named one of the Longhorns' special teams MVPs last season and had played in 28 games, but never started before this season.

Jackson has 31 tackles, including one for a loss in 2007. He also has two pass break-ups.

The former Duncanville star had 125 tackles, five interceptions and three forced fumbles in his final two seasons as a Panther. He was first-team all-district and second-team all-area.

Kate Hairopoulos