Seventeen prospects have already decommitted from Big 12 programs this recruiting cycle. Oklahoma has seen the brunt of it because of a major coaching change there. Historically there will be many others prior to signing day.
Today, we continue a weeklong series looking at the most impactful ones so far with the biggest in the Big 12.
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Malachi Nelson’s flip from Oklahoma to USC
It feels like a hundred years ago when Nelson was committed to Oklahoma and it’s nothing against the Sooners but the five-star quarterback basically followed coach Lincoln Riley to USC.
The Los Alamitos, Calif., is now committed to the Trojans but is being courted heavily by Texas A&M and possibly others. Oklahoma filled its quarterback spot very nicely by landing high four-star Jackson Arnold, who looked great at the Elite 11 this summer.
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Brandon Inniss’ decommitment from Oklahoma and pledge to Ohio State
Inniss was another one who picked Oklahoma for many reasons but one was to play in Riley’s offense and when Riley headed West, Inniss headed to a decommitment. The five-star receiver then picked Ohio State over Alabama, USC and others as the Buckeyes have the best receiving corps this recruiting cycle.
Inniss might be the best receiver in the class – that will get figured out in the months ahead – and his skillset could be utilized anywhere in the country.
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Rueben Owens’ decommitment from Texas and pledge to Louisville
When Texas landed Owens it was a massive deal because he’s arguably the top running back in the 2023 class but it’s been more than a year since he has been pledged to the Longhorns and they’ve certainly moved on successfully with commitments from Tre Wisner and recently Cedric Baxter.
Owens, who has been under five-star consideration, has since committed to Louisville but many including Texas A&M are still trying to flip the El Campo, Texas, standout.
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Makai Lemon’s flip from Oklahoma to USC
Another Oklahoma casualty from the Lincoln Riley move to USC, Lemon had a relatively quiet summer but when the four-star turns it on he could be one of the best receivers in the country.
The Los Alamitos, Calif., standout has since committed to USC as he followed Riley and his teammate Nelson there and his future could be bright with the Trojans. If Nelson leaves for College Station, things could get interesting but his commitment to the Sooners, too, feels so long ago.
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Dylan Edwards’ flip from Kansas State to Notre Dame
There was so much excited discussion about whether Edwards would be Deuce Vaughn 2.0 in Kansas State’s offense but it would not come to fruition as the four-star all-purpose back from Derby, Kan., flipped his pledge to Notre Dame shortly after taking a visit to South Bend.
This is a major loss for the Wildcats since Edwards is not only an in-state prospect and keeping those guys home is crucial but he’s also really talented and versatile to be used all over the offense. The Irish coming in and getting him to flip is a big win for them and a major loss for K-State.
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Calvin Simpson-Hunt’s flip from Texas Tech to Ohio State
Texas Tech did everything right in the recruitment of Simpson-Hunt, identifying a top in-state prospect early, landing his commitment and then trying to keep him in the class as other schools were late to the party but figured out the Waxahachie, Texas, standout could play.
But getting Ohio State involved was too much for the Red Raiders to overcome as Simpson-Hunt flipped to the Buckeyes in late June.
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Deandre Moore’s decommitment from Oklahoma and pledge to Louisville
Of all the California prospects who committed to Oklahoma and then backed off their pledges once Lincoln Riley left for USC, Moore was the longest holdout as he stuck with the Sooners all the way until late January before backing off his pledge. It looked like he wasn’t the obligatory lock to USC like his other Los Alamitos teammates (Moore has since transferred to St. John Bosco) and he wasn’t.
The four-star joined another group of California prospects who are headed out-of-state by committing to Louisville in late May.
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Luke Hasz’s flip from Oklahoma to Arkansas
A little more than a month after decommitting from Oklahoma following – you guessed it – Lincoln Riley’s departure to USC, Hasz committed to Arkansas over many others even though the Razorbacks have a loaded class at tight end.
The four-star from Bixby, Okla., joins four-star Shamar Easter and three-star Jaden Hamm as the three tight ends the Razorbacks are taking in this class.
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Treyaun Webb’s decommitments from Georgia and Oklahoma, pledge to Florida
When Webb was interviewed about his Florida pledge in July, even he laughed about the rollercoaster ride that has been his recruitment. It looks finally settled now that the four-star is locked in with the Gators.
It was crazy, though, as an early commitment to Georgia didn’t work out and then he was yet another player who backed off his pledge when the Lincoln Riley news came down. Webb is versatile and could be used in a lot of ways in Florida’s offense so it’s another big four-star decision.
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LJ Martin’s flip from Texas Tech to Stanford
El Paso is still more than five hours away from Lubbock but a West Texas kid should not get away from the Red Raiders - unless it’s to a place like Stanford. Once again, Texas Tech did nothing wrong in Martin’s recruitment and actually did a lot right as it stayed on him and loved him up but after getting an offer from Stanford it was too much to turn down. The El Paso (Texas) Canutillo standout made the switch this summer.
