Football
The Dotted Line: Examining the status of the Big 12 recruiting scene
Posted October 23rd, 2019
The 2020 recruiting rankings haven’t changed much since the start of the football season. The acceleration of the process due to the advent of the early period made the spring and summer as important to building a recruiting class than the actual season. Texas and Oklahoma remain the class of the conference. Oklahoma, which possesses the 10th-ranked class in the nation, is 25 spots in front of third-place Iowa State. It’s another example of the talent gap between the top two and the rest of the Big 12.
Texas
No. of commits: 20
Current national/Big 12 ranks: 5th/1st
Top prospects: RB Bijan Robinson, QB Hudson Card, ATH Ja’Quinden Jackson
Texas is poised to top the Big 12 for the third year in a row. Texas is now at 20 commitments after the flip of four-star wide receiver Troy Omeire from his pledge to Texas A&M. The class is headlined by five-star running back Bijan Robinson, a pair or talented quarterbacks and three of the best defensive linemen in the state. The Longhorns hope to add Bastrop Cedar Creek defensive end Alfred Collins to the list. Texas is also chasing at least more commitment at the wide receiver position.
Oklahoma
No. of commits: 17
Current national/Big 12 ranks: 10th/2nd
Top prospects: RB Jase McClellan, OG Nate Anderson, RB Seth McGowan
Five of Oklahoma’s top six-rated recruits are Texans. The Sooners even went to Houston and beat Texas straight-up for four-star safety Bryson Washington. The continued success and dominance of the Big 12 on the football field can only help Lincoln Riley keep pace with the Longhorns on the recruiting trail. Five-star running back Jase McClennan from Aledo might be the top running back in Texas.
Iowa State
No. of commits: 21
Current national/Big 12 ranks: 35th/3rd
Top prospects: QB Hunter Dekkers, WR Daniel Jackson, QB Aidan Bouman
Head coach Matt Campbell committed his next few years to Iowa State after the 2018 season and that should help cement the program as the third-best in the conference. It’s certainly helping in recruiting, where Iowa State already ranks 11 spots ahead nationally in the 2020 class than it did for its final ranking in 2019. Two quarterbacks headline the group along with Jackson, a wide receiver from Cibolo Steele.
Kansas
No. of commits: 26
Current national/Big 12 ranks: 36th/4th
Top prospects: ILB Brennon Scott, CB JaCobee Bryant, OLB Taiwan Berryhill
The first step to turning around the Jayhawks is to infuse talent into the program. Les Miles can recruit, and he’s already showing that ability at Kansas. The Jayhawks’ 2019 class ranked 70th in the nation. A near win over Texas should help with the three-star prospects in Texas who are overlooked by Texas and Oklahoma. Kansas beat Texas for outside linebacker Brennon Scott, who is a member of the 2020 Fabulous 55.
Oklahoma State
No. of commits: 17
Current national/Big 12 ranks: 38th/5th
Top prospects: QB Shane Illingworth, OG Eli Russ, OG Trent Pullen
Two of Oklahoma State’s top four-rated recruits hail from Waco Connally. Mike Gundy was able to land guard Trent Pullen and cornerback Korie Black from there. The class is headlined by big-armed quarterback Shane Illingworth of California. Five Texans are pledged to the Cowboys. The class is heavy on offensive and defensive linemen.
TCU
No. of commits: 13
Current national/Big 12 ranks: 42nd/6th
Top prospects: DE James Sylvester, CB Keontae Jenkins, DT Patrick Jenkins
TCU has jumped two spots from eighth to sixth in the Big 12 since the start of the season. The addition of four-star defensive tackle Patrick Jenkins helped the Horned Frogs jump Texas Tech and Kansas State. It’s still a small class for Gary Patterson, who hopes to reach at least 20 pledges by national signing day. The Horned Frogs could save a few scholarships to use on the grad transfer market.
Texas Tech
No. of commits: 17
Current national/Big 12 ranks: 43rd/7th
Top prospects: WR Ja’Lynn Polk, RB Tahj Brooks, ATH Myles Price
Talent is on the way to Lubbock if head coach Matt Wells can keep the class together despite a lack of success on the field. Brooks, a Manor product, is a borderline four-star running back who can help change the culture in Lubbock. Polk is the best wide receiver in East Texas, while Miles Price can play offense or defense. Wells’ task is to find another handful of prospects to add to his existing bunch by national signing day.
Kansas State
No. of commits: 18
Current national/Big 12 ranks: 47th/8th
Top prospects: ILB Jeremiah Harris, DE Nate Matlack, OT Carver Willis
It appears that Kansas State is going to rely more on high school recruiting than it did under Bill Snyder, who liked to focus on the JUCO ranks for instant starters. The 2019 class ranked 62nd in the nation. Head coach Chris Klieman is well above that mark in his first full cycle. Harris is from Alvin Shadow Creek.
West Virginia
No. of commits: 13
Current national/Big 12 ranks: 55th/9th
Top prospects: G Chris Mayo, QB Garrett Greene, WR Devell Washington
It’s so hard to recruit at West Virginia because of its location. It’s the only Big 12 school without a commitment from a Texan. A slow start to the season won’t help new head coach Neal Brown overachieve in the 2020 class. Expect West Virginia to scour the JUCO ranks and the transfer portal after the season.
Baylor
No. of commits: 13
Current national/Big 12 ranks: 67th/10th
Top prospects: CB Jahdae Barron, RB Taye McWilliams, CB AJ McCarty
A 7-0 record hasn’t jump-started Baylor’s recruiting efforts. The Bears remain the lowest-rated recruiting class in the Big 12 with just 13 commitments and not a single four-star prospect pledged to Matt Rhule’s program. The success on the field should help Rhule round out this class with quality talent.
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