Today we are going to look into each Big 12 team’s early signing class and how they fair for them. We will also explore the best recruited player in that class and what the class is lacking that the team needed. And a reminder, these are grades that are according to each individual team and what grade is fair for them.
Big 12
Baylor: Overall this served a good class for the bears. They brought in some new receivers and offensive linemen to help spark this offense up. They bring in a specially talented athlete in Peyton Powell, who will bring a great deal of speed to this Bear offense. I do think Baylor could have done more defensively when recruiting. And you can see why in the various holes at the cornerback spots and linebacker. However, the have enough depth at the moment there that it won’t create problems. This was just what the Baylor Bears needed and nothing more. Grade: B
Iowa State: I started to look at this class and I thought that the Cyclones exceeded above expectation. Usually, they battle a hard time with trying to bring in recruits over Iowa in the Big Ten. Fortunately, they got some really good running backs that will hold together that backfield piece for now. One I am liking is Breece Hall and he will most likely be moved to a fullback due to size and power. Also, got some good wide receivers and linemen to fill the gaps. One thing the Cyclones really screwed up on was their lack of defensive linemen and linebackers. This will become a big problem come a couple of years and really hurts their grade. Grade: C+
Kansas: I really feel for Les Miles, I do. This class is not at all what Kansas needed to do. This program is at a point where if Les Miles can’t do anything, I’m not sure who will. The Jayhawks essentially needed to recruit every position and bring in a handful in each group. They brought in some of those positions and gathered a small, meager class. I do like the addition of Malcolm Lee at wide receiver, who I feel will bring a lot of speed to that offense. Lee and the defensive linemen saved this disastrous class from total failure. Grade: D
Kansas State: This class had the potential to really help out the Wildcats for next year, but it really didn’t turn out that way. Kansas State really needed offensive linemen, defensive linemen, and a good amount of secondary personnel. They ended up with a couple of linemen on both sides and really two secondary members (both at cornerback). I do think William Jones will more so be the one we hear about, but it just wasn’t enough. Chris Klieman has some work to do to turn this stoic program back to its former glory. Grade: C-
Oklahoma: Just when you thought the Kyler Murrays and Baker Mayfields were done coming through here, we get that but for the receiving core. The Sooners have outdone themselves once again with this year draft class that brought in all it needed. I enjoy seeing what Lincoln Riley threw together and think they will do fine. They brought on a good wide receiver core, defensive line core, and offensive line core. And Sooner fans have a lot to be excited with Spencer Rattler and Jadon Haselwood, who will be the new QB-WR duo. I would have liked to see more linebackers, but overall great recruitment. Grade: A
Oklahoma State: This class from Stillwater is really great for what they have going there. They needed a good set of receivers, defensive linemen, offensive linemen, and linebackers. They delivered on all of those with big additions like Trace Ford at defensive end, but ultimately failed to pull in a lot at the wide receiver spot. If we would have seen one or two more receivers, I feel that the grade would have reflected it. Overall, this was still a good class for the Cowboys. Grade: B+
TCU: I really enjoyed looking through this class of young players. The Horned Frogs are trying to instill a sense of defense back into a “defenseless” Big 12 Conference. They have loaded up at the defensive line spot and secondary spots. And not only that, but they have stacked up their linebacker core for about the next 4 years. I don’t think anything was really lacking from this, except more players at each spot to ensure the great quality recruited. And look out for Max Duggan in the Big 12, as his arm will build its own reputation. Grade: A-
Texas: As a disclaimer, I don’t have an affiliation with any Texas team or any Big 12 team. Texas came back for this year, that’s it. They will lose 11 starters and have good depth, but that is hard on any team. However, they recruited well all around the board this year. I am also really liking the addition of Jordan Wittington at wide receiver, who can bring some big play attributes to Texas. Overall great class by Texas and this will set up for geat things to happen soon in the future with all of this top-100 talent they’ve brought in. Grade: A
Texas Tech: Yikes. If you want to see an example of recruiting in the wrong places, look at this class. Texas Tech needed to build up more on an aging offense and fill in necessary defensive spots. Instead, the Red Raiders go rogue on us and recruit a bunch of defensive players they didn’t need in the first place. Yes, it will help out in the future, but what is a good defense without any offensive talent to compliment the other side of the ball. Gilbert Ibeneme will provide a stellar defensive edge rush on defense and I’m sure the fans are glad for that. It was a good class defensively, but that was not needed so it hurt the grade dearly. Grade: C
West Virginia: Surprisingly, this team wasn’t in dire need of anything at the moment. And what has seemed like a good amount of time now, the Mountaineers have recruited well among their Big 12 counterparts. With an open recruitment we see interesting moves. For me I think West Virginia’s overhaul of secondary members at cornerback and safety were to balance the wide receiver moves at Oklahoma and Texas. This was a smart class and I think that is what separates West Virginia from other teams. And with Dreshun Miller getting a head start on the competition, it looks like things could heat up quick in Morgantown. Grade: B+
Photo Credits: http://landgrantgauntlet.com/2018/01/29/way-way-way-too-early-2018-big-12-conference-rankings/
