Kansas State wide receiver Tyler Lockett had been described all season long as one the Big 12's most underrated players. Now it might be time to just call Lockett one of its best, ripping Oklahoma for a school-record 278 receiving yards in a 41-31 loss Saturday.
Lockett caught 12 balls and scored on touchdowns on 48, 30 and 90 yards, all in the first half, leaving the Sooners' secondary absolutely befuddled with his speed and precise route-running.
It wasn't until OU put senior cornerback Aaron Colvin on Lockett and turned up its pass-rush that Lockett was held in check to a degree, posting six catches for 69 yards in the second half.
It was Lockett's second game this season with more than 200 yards, after finishing with 237 yards in a narrow loss at Texas.
Lockett also had 162 yards on five kick returns, setting the new school record for career kick-return yardage. His 440 all-purpose yards set a new school single-game record.
Lockett -- listed at 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds -- has always been an explosive athlete dating back to when he was a freshman return specialist, but his evolution as a receiver has come into focus. Even as the Wildcats have used a two-quarterback system this season, Lockett now has 68 receptions for 1,103 yards and eight touchdowns.
Outside of a two-catch, 6-yard performance against Oklahoma State corner Justin Gilbert, Lockett has fared well against the top defensive backs in the conference. To go along with his efforts against the athletes of OU and UT, Lockett had eight receptions for 123 yards and one touchdown against Jason Verrett of TCU.
While questions about his size will inevitably dog Lockett, there can be no doubts about his big-play ability and consistent improvement.
Those assets have made Lockett one of the Big 12's best.
Follow Dan Greenspan on Twitter @DanGreenspan.
