Big 12 Breakdown: Top-ranked recruits on each roster
With the college football season set to swing into full action this weekend, recruiting is always on my mind. So I thought it would be interesting to take a look at the highest- ranked returning player on each roster and the highest-ranked player from the class of 2019. We finish today with the Big 12.
These are only players recruited by the school and doesn’t include transfers.
Mark Pszonak contributed to this report.
RELATED: Highest-ranked players on Big Ten teams | SEC | ACC
CLASS OF 2020 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals100 | Position | Team | State
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BAYLOR
HIGHEST-RANKED RETURNING PLAYER
HIGHEST-RANKED SIGNEE FROM 2019 CLASS
The skinny: Lynch didn’t waste any time with his decision, committing to Baylor during his junior season. He had long named the Bears as his early leader, so his choice did not come as a surprise. After redshirting in 2015 and then spending his first two seasons at wide receiver, where he totaled 51 receptions for 673 yards and four touchdowns, Lynch made the move to to the defensive side of the ball prior to last season. That move went relatively smoothly, as he finished with 49 tackles, four tackles for loss and one interception for the Bears. This fall, he will start at linebacker where, because of his athleticism, many expect him to have a breakout season during his final campaign in Waco.
Farrell’s take: Lynch has been an interesting one to follow because he was recruited as a wide receiver and has now made his mark on defense. We didn’t really see this coming but we liked his size and athleticism coming out, and it’s a nod to the coaching staff to get the best out of him. Powell has apparently already entered the transfer portal, which has to be disappointing.
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IOWA STATE
HIGHEST-RANKED RETURNING PLAYER
HIGHEST-RANKED SIGNEE FROM 2019 CLASS
The skinny: Scates remained relatively quiet throughout his process, so trying to figure out his next move was always a challenge. Louisville always seemed to be in the picture, but a late push by Iowa State, which resulted in an official visit the weekend before National Signing Day, quickly resulted in a commitment. Scates’ first season in Ames was one to forget, with two suspensions and a redshirt. Since that point he has turned the page, impressing throughout the off-season. With opportunities for playing time at the position, he has quickly worked his way into the conversation to make an impact this fall.
Farrell’s take: Scates was a huge commitment out of Ohio for Iowa State and a big receiver with a good catch radius and who ran with power after the catch. This could be the season he puts it together as off-field issues have held him back. Brock is a big-time running back from Illinois with power.
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KANSAS
HIGHEST-RANKED RETURNING PLAYER
HIGHEST-RANKED SIGNEE FROM 2019 CLASS
The skinny: Harris surprised many with a commitment to Kansas a year before his National Signing Day. Despite offers from many of the country’s elite programs he stuck with the Jayhawks throughout the process. Harris contributed immediately as a true freshman in 2018, finishing with 44 tackles, one interception and five pass break-ups. He is expected by many to take the next step toward becoming one of the top cornerbacks in the Big 12 this fall.
Farrell’s take: Harris was a huge commitment for Kansas before Les Miles arrived as a four-star they pulled out of Louisiana and kept committed despite many other schools showing interest. Parker is a big-time get out of Texas for Miles and should make a huge impact in Lawrence.
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KANSAS STATE
HIGHEST-RANKED RETURNING PLAYER
HIGHEST-RANKED SIGNEE FROM 2019 CLASS
The skinny: With his recruiting process just beginning to blow up, Thompson committed to Kansas State approximately a week after receiving an offer from the Wildcats during the spring after his junior season. After redshirting in 2016 Thompson has seen action in 19 games over the last two seasons, passing for 2,080 yards and 14 touchdowns, and rushing for 640 yards and eight touchdowns. After splitting time with Alex Delton last fall, the starting job is completely in Thompson’s hands in 2019.
Farrell’s take: I liked Thompson a lot coming out of high school as a thick quarterback with a live arm who could also run and extend the play. He was a Rivals250 prospect for a reason and I think he’ll show that on the field. Pola-Mao is a big, physical defensive tackle from Arizona who will help shore up the middle of the defense.
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OKLAHOMA
HIGHEST-RANKED RETURNING PLAYER
HIGHEST-RANKED SIGNEE FROM 2019 CLASS
The skinny: Kelly took official visits to Oklahoma, Michigan, Oregon and Notre Dame before committing to the Sooners on National Signing Day. About to begin his final season in Norman, Kelly has had a productive career to this point with 153 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five sacks and four forced fumbles. However, he has not reached the levels that people expect from a five-star recruit. Kelly did finish the 2018 season strong, but then missed the majority of spring practice with an injury and he’s out this season with what appears to be an ACL.
Farrell’s take: Kelly was a five-star grab for Oklahoma from California, a state the Sooners have done a great job recruiting in the past several years. He hasn’t lived up to the five-star hype yet but he has been solid. Haselwood was one of three five-star receivers signed to Oklahoma last year and has great size and speed. He’s also an important get from SEC country.
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OKLAHOMA STATE
HIGHEST-RANKED RETURNING PLAYER
HIGHEST-RANKED SIGNEE FROM 2019 CLASS
The skinny: Moore trimmed his list of top schools down to Oklahoma State, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Ole Miss and Oregon during the spring after his junior season before committing to the Cowboys in May. After redshirting in 2018, Moore created a good amount of buzz during the spring with his performance. Everyone knows that Tylan Wallace is the unquestioned star of the receiving corps,and that Dillon Stoner established himself in 2018. After that, there is plenty of room to make a statement. Moore has the potential to do that, especially with his 6-foot-5 frame that brings a different dimension to the Cowboys’ passing attack.
Farrell’s take: I loved Moore out of high school because of his size and frame and think he’ll be a star at Oklahoma State. This could be his kickoff season to that stardom. Glass is a big-time running back who just made our Rivals250 and has downhill ability and shifty feet.
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TEXAS
HIGHEST-RANKED RETURNING PLAYER
HIGHEST-RANKED SIGNEE FROM 2019 CLASS
The skinny: Sterns initially committed to LSU during his junior season, but then flipped to Texas during the spring. The flip came only a few days after Sterns had taken a visit to Austin to take a closer look at the Longhorns’ program. Plenty was expected from Sterns during his true freshman season in 2018, and he did not disappoint with 62 tackles, three tackles for loss and four interceptions. The Longhorns secondary is young and abundant with talent, but Sterns continues to be the best of the bunch.
Farrell’s take: Sterns was a five-star for a reason – he’s always around the ball, he’s a big aggressive hitter and he’s already living up to all of that. I think he can be a legend by the time he leaves. I loved Whittington out of high school and we almost made him a five-star - we just questioned his speed a bit. Now he could be a monster running back and impact guy early.
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TCU
HIGHEST-RANKED RETURNING PLAYER
HIGHEST-RANKED SIGNEE FROM 2019 CLASS
The skinny: Rogers was mainly focusing on TCU, LSU, North Carolina and Oregon when he surprised some with a commitment to the Horned Frogs in late May. Pulling him away from LSU was considered a huge recruiting win for the program. Before he made his way to Fort Worth, Rogers sustained a serious knee injury that is still slowing him down a bit after a redshirt season in 2018. Alex Delton is the starter, so it’s unclear where Rogers fits in.
Farrell’s take: Rogers was a Rivals100 quarterback coming out of high school and a big get for TCU from Louisiana but his injury really set him back. Time will tell if he is able to make an impact down the road. Ellison was an important in-state get for TCU and is an aggressive pass rusher who can also handle the run.
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TEXAS TECH
HIGHEST-RANKED RETURNING PLAYER
HIGHEST-RANKED SIGNEE FROM 2019 CLASS
The skinny: With upwards of 40 offers already on the table by the time his junior season rolled around, Anderson surprised many with an early commitment to Texas Tech. The pressure from other programs continued for the next 16 months, but at the end Anderson stuck with his word. Since his arrival in Lubbock he has cemented himself as an anchor on the offensive line. He was a freshman All-American in 2017 and earned second-team All-Big 12 honors after last season. Anderson, who has started every game of his collegiate career, is also creating some NFL buzz, so it will be interesting to see what decision he makes after this season.
Farrell’s take: Anderson was a Rivals250 prospect coming out of high school and a tall guard we liked who could also play center. We questioned his footwork and consistency a bit, but he has proven to be quite the get for Texas Tech, and the NFL is watching. Ibeneme was an important in-state keep who is a big defensive end who could grow into a defensive tackle down the line, if needed.
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WEST VIRGINIA
HIGHEST-RANKED RETURNING PLAYER
HIGHEST-RANKED SIGNEE FROM 2019 CLASS
The skinny: Stills committed to the home-state Mountaineers over Oklahoma and Florida in late August. This decision was far from a surprise, as his father played in Morgantown and his brother, Darius Stills, was already on the current roster. During his true freshman season Stills showcased the potential that many at West Virginia expected. Finishing with 16 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles, many expect him to take that next big step this fall.
Farrell’s take: Stills was a huge in-state recruit for West Virginia and a Rivals100 kid as an undersized defensive tackle prospect with a good frame to fill out. He could be a star very soon. Smith is a Pennsylvania prospect who chose West Virginia over many others and should have an impact on the secondary in a big way during his career.