Big 12 Breakdown: Best position group classes by team

The Big 12 is in catch-up mode behind other power conferences in recruiting but is off to a solid start in 2017. Here is a breakdown of each team and which position looks best for their 2017 recruiting class.

Best position: Wide receiver/Tight end

In the fold: Hezekiah Jones, Kedrick James

Lowdown: The Bears have a duo of pass-catching commitments in four-star wideout Jones and tight end James. Jones is definitely the more dynamic of the two players. He is a speedy option that could line up anywhere along the line of scrimmage. James has shown that he is a capable receiving option as well, but brings more power than speed or quickness to his game. Baylor’s offense is predicated on moving the ball down the field in a hurry, so both should be featured in the Bears’ passing attack.

Best position: Offensive line

In the fold: Colin Newell, Tyler Jost, Jeff Nogaj

Lowdown: Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell has talked openly about keeping a physical identity on the field, and offensively the Cyclones have three big bodies committed in 2017. Newell and Jost are tall tackles that get moving quickly despite their height. Both also do a good job of using their long frames when creating a base in pass protection. Nogaj has the physical attributes to play inside or out along the line.

Best position: Running back

In the fold: Dominic Williams

Lowdown: Kansas only has three commitments, but the three-star running back in the fold has the potential to finish as its most impactful player regardless of who else ends joins the Jayhawks in 2017. Williams has a fantastic ability to break tackles and find daylight, which is critical for an offense that has to find ways to gain yards consistently on first and second downs. Kansas isn’t the first team that comes to mind when thinking about electric plays, but Williams certainly has the potential to rip some off for the Jayhawks.

Best position: Quarterback

In the fold: Dewayne Betts

Lowdown: Kansas State is also light on commitments heading into the summer months, but Betts is the early favorite to be an impact player. His coach compares him to Cam Newton, and his highlights shows his ability to run with power and sling the ball while on the move. If Betts’ ceiling resembles anything close to Collin Klein’s, he’ll be the bright spot in Kansas State’s class no matter what.

Best position: Defensive back

In the fold: Robert Barnes, Trajan Bandy, Tre Brown, Justin Broiles

Lowdown: The obvious answer here is also the right one in this case. In addition to being the largest position group committed in 2017, it consists of four four-star prospects. The two most compelling at the position for the Sooners are safety Barnes and cornerback Bandy. Both were standouts at Rivals Camp Series events this spring and are assertive in coverage. Brown is interesting because of his physical capabilities. His quickness and agility supersede his technique, but he is sticky in coverage and is a natural playmaker. Broiles also adds another physically-gifted prospect to the mix.

Best position: Running back

In the fold: JD King, Chuba Hubbard

Lowdown: Oklahoma State has been aggressively recruiting running backs this spring and are looking for guys that can be difference-makers. King and Hubbard make for a well-rounded duo at the position and are big plays waiting to happen. King is a traditional three-down back, but Hubbard has exceptional speed to-and-around the edge. Either are likely options to grab yards on direct snaps as well.

Best position: Wide receiver

In the fold: R.J. Sneed

Lowdown: This shouldn’t be a big surprise for a team with an offense that likes to get it down the field. Sneed has been offered by Auburn and Alabama since he committed to TCU. If Sneed sticks, and the Horned Frogs can add a guy like speedy Trestan Ebner and/or Omar Manning, they could put together a very well-rounded group at the position.

Best position: Quarterback

In the fold: Sam Ehlinger

Lowdown: With no position than any more than one player committed, Ehlinger stands to be the marquee in-state guy that should be headlining the class. At quarterback, he seems most likely to stay committed and four-star receiver Damion Miller will be made more successful by Ehlinger’s effectiveness rather than the other way around. If all stands as-is, Ehlinger will further benefit from four-star TE Major Tennison’s commitment as well.

Best position: Offensive line

In the fold: Jack Anderson, Dawson Deaton

Lowdown: Texas Tech’s highest-ranked commitment, Anderson, is certainly an elite interior lineman prospect. The Red Raiders have been heavily involved with other offensive linemen this spring as well, so it stands to reason the group will finish as the strength of its class: Three-star Tyler Castaneda had been committed at one point and Xavier Newman had called Tech his ‘dream school’ upon receiving its offer. Tech also has another lineman commit in Dawson Deaton and two of its three commitments have come up front.

Best position: Running back

In the fold: Tevin Bush

Lowdown: In a similar rationale to what makes Williams special to Kansas, Bush can have the same sort of impact on the Mountaineers. Bush is a textbook example of a running back having all the skills of a wide receiver. In a traditionally high-powered offense, he’s exactly the sort of player that should succeed in Morgantown. Bush is shifty enough with sure-enough hands to be a consistent option.