One of the most talked about players at last week’s Big 12 media days in San Antonio was nowhere near the place. Missouri junior quarterback Chase Daniel was a popular topic of discussion, though he didn’t join the Missouri contingent at the three-day event. Instead, he was on the campus of Soka University in Aliso Viejo, Calif., serving as a counselor at the EA Sports Elite 11 Quarterback Camp.

That didn’t keep coaches and players from dishing out praise, especially his own coach. Missouri’s Gary Pinkel called Daniel the best natural leader he’s ever been around.

"I would suggest he had as good a year as any first-year starter, maybe in the nation, last year," Pinkel said on Tuesday. ... "His challenge is now: Can we go to another level on offense? … Can we say that at the end of the season that this offense has reached its potential? And it’s going to start with him."

The Tigers begin preseason camp with their first practice at 3:45 p.m. Saturday. They’re scheduled to practice 22 times over the following three weeks.

In San Antonio, Pinkel gushed about Daniel’s relationship with his teammates.

"This is something little," Pinkel said, "but it’s a big statement: Before every single practice, before we start anything, he’ll go over to the left tackle and give him a hug, pat him on the back. Then he’ll go to the left guard. Every single practice. He’ll start every practice hugging all his offensive linemen. You see quarterbacks say positive things about the people around him, but he just does it in a different way that I’ve never seen or thought about. … I think he’s got all the intangibles to be the highest level quarterback. Can he take his team to another level and continue to improve? There’s nobody in this country that’s working harder than he is. I guarantee you that."

According to one Big 12 coach, Daniel’s presence goes beyond the Tigers’ offense. Nebraska’s Bill Callahan credited the quarterback for Missouri’s selection as the North Division favorite in the preseason media poll.

"My understanding is that the Big 12 writers essentially pick the team to win the division predicated on a number of factors," Callahan said. "And the first factor is the quarterback. Since" Missouri has "a starting quarterback that’s established in their program that’s been productive, I can see where that’s going."

The Big 12 preseason offensive player of the year essentially agreed but had more glowing remarks for Daniel. Texas quarterback Colt McCoy and Daniel kept in close contact throughout last season when both were first-year starters.

"He handled his team really well," McCoy said. "He’s perfect for the Missouri offense. He definitely has the ability to be great. I feel like they’re going to have a great season. From talking to him, I know he’s working hard. He’s working out in the weight room getting stronger, and he’s going to be really good. I respect him a lot."

● RECRUITING UPDATE: Missouri went back to the site of last year’s bowl game to pick up its 11th verbal commitment for 2008 last week, according to Rivals.com. Brandon Reid, a versatile athlete from Canutillo High School in El Paso, Texas, selected Missouri over offers from Arkansas, New Mexico, New Mexico State and Texas-El Paso, the Web site reported.

"Several schools are recruiting him as a linebacker," Canutillo Coach Scott Brooks told Rivals.com in May. "He played the position some for us and did a very good job. Other schools like him as an athlete, and some want him strictly as a running back."

According to Rivals.com’s figures, Missouri ranks in the middle of the Big 12 as far as 2008 commitments go. Texas A&M leads the conference with 21 commitments, followed by Texas (19), Nebraska (16), Oklahoma and Oklahoma State (15), Baylor (14), Kansas State (10), Texas Tech (nine), Iowa State and Kansas (seven) and Colorado (five).

● BACK UNDER CENTER: Brad Smith is a quarterback again. The former Missouri star caught nine passes for 61 yards as a rookie wide receiver for the New York Jets last fall, but Jets Coach Eric Mangini opened training camp on Friday announcing that Smith is back to playing quarterback. Smith took some snaps at quarterback last season, most of which were running plays that led to his 103 yards on 18 carries.

"Brad is working at quarterback now. He is a quarterback that plays receiver some and does some other things," Mangini said. "Brad is a quarterback, and you will see him throughout camp playing quarterback, and in preseason games he will play quarterback. He’s just a quarterback that has the versatility to play other positions."

Mangini said Smith will compete with the Jets’ other reserves for the backup job to starter Chad Pennington. Other quarterbacks on the roster include Kellen Clemens, Marques Tuiasosopo and Brett Ratliff.

On Friday’s first day of camp, Smith took snaps under center wearing a red "hands off" jersey and later took turns catching passes wearing a normal white jersey. Now that Smith has learned the receiver position, he’ll focus more on the nuances of playing quarterback so he can fill spot-duty at both positions.

"Now we feel very comfortable with his progress" at receiver, "and I like him in the quarterback position and the things that he allows us to do at that position," Mangini said. "He’s a threat with the ball in his hands both running and passing."

● BIG 12 COUNTDOWN: The final installment of the Big 12 Countdown is the most important one: ranking the conference teams from No. 1 to No. 12. Actually, we’re going to list them the suspenseful way, from worst to first. This will also serve as the first Big 12 Power Poll that will be updated each week during the season on the Tribune’s MU football blog, Behind the Stripes.

12. Iowa State: The Cyclones return some established veterans in quarterback Bret Meyer, wideout Todd Blythe and linebacker Alvin Bowen, but with an entirely new coaching staff in place, there are just too many unknowns for a team that won only one conference game last year. New Coach Gene Chizik has constructed some of the nation’s nastiest defenses the last five years, but he doesn’t have near the personnel he collected at Auburn and Texas.

11. Baylor: Going on his fifth season in Waco, Bears Coach Guy Morriss sounds like a man beaten down by a job that proves to be among the most grueling in college football. Last year’s introduction of the spread offense kept Baylor competitive in most games, but reaching six wins continues to be elusive. Perhaps a shakeup of Morriss’ coaching staff and a new quarterback will change things in Waco, but don’t count on it.

10. Colorado: Last year’s 2-10 season hasn’t chilled Dan Hawkins’ enthusiasm. The second-year Buffs coach went as far to say it’s realistic to think Colorado can win the Big 12 this year. With a new quarterback in place - either junior college transfer Nick Nelson or Hawkins’ son, Cody - don’t expect the stunning turnaround it would take to win the league. There are too many holes on the offensive line and even more questions at wide receiver.

9. Kansas: Is this a make-or-break year for Mark Mangino? Heading into his sixth season in Lawrence, Mangino is 10 games under .500. There are a few impact players on defense but not many established playmakers on offense. Luckily for the Jayhawks - and perhaps Mangino’s job security - the softest schedule in the league could cover up the personnel deficiencies.

8. Kansas State: The league’s surprise team of 2006 returns quarterback Josh Freeman and a dangerous running back duo in James Johnson and Leon Patton. With a new 3-4 look, the defense features the league’s best pass-rusher in former walk-on Ian Campbell, who will play a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker position. The Wildcats are out to prove the North Division is more than a two-team race.

7. Texas Tech: One of the Big 12’s most consistently good programs, Texas Tech can be counted on to win eight games and play in the postseason every year. Mike Leach must replace a couple of standout receivers, but he returns his quarterback (Graham Harrell) and running back (Shannon Woods), which has been a rare luxury in Lubbock. The Red Raiders have the talent to beat every team on the schedule, but the South Division is loaded with more complete teams.

6. Oklahoma State: This could be the year the Cowboys break out and become more than an explosive offense. Quarterback Bobby Reid, running back Dantrell Savage and wideout Adarius Bowman might be the Big 12’s best trio outside of Austin. If the Cowboys can play a lick of defense, there’s enough talent for a nine- or 10-win season.

5. Nebraska: Cornhusker fans would probably sleep a little easier if Bill Callahan would come out and say Sam Keller’s his quarterback rather than talk equally about all five QBs on the roster like he did at media days last week. That doesn’t inspire much confidence in the heralded Arizona State transfer, who Husker fans hope is a one-year wonder. There’s plenty to like about this team - offensive line, linebackers, wide receivers - but there are big holes to fill on the defensive line and questionable depth at running back.

4. Missouri: Much like Oklahoma State, the Tigers will feature one of the country’s most explosive offenses, as Chase Daniel might have the best collection of offensive skill players in the conference. And much like Oklahoma State, the questions come on defense. Can the Tigers answer the physical style of the top teams in the Big 12? The front seven should determine if Missouri is a good or great.

3. Texas A&M: Aggies Coach Dennis Franchione likes to remind people that his team was a few points against Oklahoma away from winning the South Division last year. Instead, A&M settled for playing spoiler: Beating Texas in the regular-season finale put Oklahoma in the title game. The offense should be one of the best running units in the country. If the second year of Gary Darnell’s revamped defense goes as well as the first, the Aggies will be in the division hunt again.

2. Oklahoma: Bob Stoops’ program is one of the most resilient in college football, perhaps in all of college sports. Stoops’ best coaching jobs come when he’s neck-deep in adversity. The season will go a lot smoother if one of three quarterback candidates emerges quickly. The defense should be the best in the league, especially in the secondary.

1. Texas: The Big 12 might not have a dominant team the likes of USC or LSU, but Texas is the closest thing. There are All-Big 12 players all over the offense and a defensive front seven that should rank as one of the nation’s best. An inexperienced interior along the offensive line and untested secondary could be all that keeps the Longhorns from cruising through the regular season undefeated.

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