Football
The Dotted Line: In Big 12 recruiting, there’s Texas and Oklahoma and then everybody else
Posted August 15th, 2019
The recruiting landscape within the Big 12 changed over the summer as Texas began surging to the top of the rankings. The Longhorns added 10 commitments since the start of June and their national class ranking jumped from the 30s to No. 6, per 247Sports’ composite ratings.
Texas and Oklahoma remain the kings of Big 12 recruiting, while the other in-state schools are struggling as the season kicks off.
Texas
No. of commits: 15
Current national/Big 12 ranks: 6th/1st
Top prospects: RB Bijan Robinson, QB Hudson Card, ATH Ja’Quinden Jackson
Tom Herman’s program held six commitments in a class ranked in the 30s when Jackson pledged on June 3. Texas has dominated the recruiting landscape within the state and the cpnference ever since. Texas added nine more commitments, including Robinson, a five-star running back from Arizona, and defensive linemen Vernon Broughton and Princely Umanmielen.
Oklahoma
No. of commits: 15
Current national/Big 12 ranks: 16th/2nd
Top prospects: RB Jase McClellan, OG Nate Anderson, RB Seth McGowan
The Sooners remain a threat within the state on the recruiting trail. Ten of Oklahoma’s 15 commitments play high school football in Texas, including seven of its eight top-rated prospects. McClellan is a five-star running back from Aledo with state championship pedigree. Seven of Oklahoma’s pledges are on the American-Statesman’s 2020 Fabulous 55.
Kansas
No. of commits: 24
Current national/Big 12 ranks: 32/3
Top prospects: ILB Brennon Scott, CB JaCobee Bryant, OLB Taiwan Berryhill
Les Miles is already making his mark at Kansas. The former head man at LSU is leaning on old recruiting ties to build a solid first class for the Jayhawks. Kansas’ class last cycle ranked last in the Big 12 and 70th in the nation. Landing Scott was a head-to-head win over Texas for a member of the Fab 55.
Iowa State
No. of commits: 19
Current national/Big 12 ranks: 35/4
Top prospects: QB Hunter Dekkers, WR Daniel Jackson, QB Aidan Bouman
Head coach Matt Campbell solidified the program when he pledged to stay in Ames instead of chasing bigger jobs. That is already resulting in improved recruiting success. Iowa State’s 2019 class ranked 46th in the country and sixth in the Big 12. Jackson is a big wide receiver from Cibolo Steele. Nine different states are represented in the Cyclones’ current 19-man class.
Oklahoma State
No. of commits: 14
Current national/Big 12 ranks: 41/5
Top prospects: QB Shane Illingworth, OG Eli Russ, OG Trent Pullen
Mike Gundy knows Oklahoma State’s lane on the recruiting trail. He identifies players floating just below Texas’ and Oklahoma’s radars. The 2020 class is built around Illingworth, a four-star with a powerful arm and a 6-6 frame. Waco Connally teammates Trent Pullen and cornerback Korie Black anchor the rest of the class. Russ is considered the fourth-best prospect in Oklahoma.
Kansas State
No. of commits: 18
Current national/Big 12 ranks: 42/6
Top prospects: ILB Jeremiah Harris, DE Nate Matlack, OT Carver Willis
It’s clear that new head coach Chris Klieman wants to rely more on the high school ranks instead of JUCO prospects. The 2020 class already ranks 20 spots higher than the Wildcats’ 2019 class. Seven of the 18 commitments are from Texas, including Harris, an inside linebacker from Alvin Shadow Creek. Round Rock running back Deuce Vaughn is also pledged.
Texas Tech
No. of commits: 15
Current national/Big 12 ranks: 45/7
Top prospects: WR Ja’Lynn Polk, RB Tahj Brooks, ATH Quin Bright
New head coach Matt Wells needs on-field success before he can compete for the state’s top players. Polk and Brooks are both top 100 players in Texas and will immediately add stability to the offense. Only one of the 15 pledges plays outside of the state. Last year’s class ranked 61st, so Wells is already making steps forward before having coached a single game in Lubbock.
TCU
No. of commits: 11
Current national/Big 12 ranks: 49/8
Top prospects: DE James Sylvester, CB Keontae Jenkins, WR Danny Gray
Sylvester and Jenkins are the only four-star prospects currently committed. Sylvester is a member of the Fab 55, a solid pass rusher with upside. Jenkins is one of six out-of-state pledges for Gary Patterson’s program. TCU is likely to climb up the rankings during the season as the class grows from just 11 commitments.
West Virginia
No. of commits: 12
Current national/Big 12 ranks: 55/9
Top prospects: G Chris Mayo, QB Garrett Greene, WR Devell Washington
West Virginia recruits a different region than the rest of the Big 12 because of location. It’s the only school in the Big 12 without a pledge from a Texan. But West Virginia does hold a commitment from Jairo Faverus, a cornerback from Bristol Academy in the United Kingdom. Greene is a dual-threat quarterback from Florida. Mayo is the top-rated commitment so far.
Baylor
No. of commits: 13
Current national/Big 12 ranks: 57/10
Top prospects: CB Jahdae Barron, RB Taye McWilliams, CB AJ McCarty
Work remains for the Bears to recreate last year’s recruiting success; the 2019 class finished fourth in the Big 12 and 35th in the country. Baylor currently holds the conference’s lowest-ranked class despite possessing more pledges than TCU and West Virginia. Barron, a cornerback from Pflugerville Connally, is the top-ranked prospect.
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