The spring wave of commitments has brought the Big 12’s average class size up to nearly a dozen prospects per team, but some programs within the conference are lagging behind that mark. Here are the five Big 12 programs that have the most work to do still in the class of 2021.
MORE: Big Ten teams with work to do | SEC | ACC | Pac-12
TCU
Number of commits: 6
Conference ranking: 10th
Summary: Gary Patterson has a strong case as the most proven head coach in the state of Texas and often is able to do more with underrated prospects than most coaches in America. TCU made headlines this offseason with the late signing of former five-star tailback Zachary Evans, who is now enrolled with the university and gives the Horned Frogs a bonafide superstar in the backfield to balance a dangerous passing game.
In addition to Evans, TCU flipped Rivals100 receiver Quentin Johnson, four-star Louisiana defensive back Ja’Darius Black and defensive tackle Patrick Jenkins, and also won out for Rivals250 lineman Garrett Hayes last cycle.
TCU’s 2021 haul is comprised of only six commitments — all of which are three-star prospects — which is the lowest total among Big 12 teams. Only two prospects from the Lone Star State are currently committed. Based on the activity of last recruiting cycle, the best is ahead for the Horned Frogs in 2021.
TEXAS TECH
Number of commits: 8
Conference ranking: 9th
Summary: The Red Raiders went on a run in April, landing commitments from five in-state players before dipping into the Sooner State for defensive tackle Solomon Wright as the calendar flipped to May. Texas Tech’s top-rated commitment so far is three-star Eastland (Texas) signal-caller Behren Morton, whose arm talent was a major storyline recently at the Elite 11. Texas Tech remains in the hunt for some blue-chip talent with running backs Ahmonte Watkins and Cam’Ron Valdez still on the board and will need to land one or both of those four-stars to bolster their class ranking.
KANSAS STATE
Number of commits: 10
Conference ranking: 8th
Summary: Kansas State remains in the early phases of building up its 2021 haul and the 10 total commitments is a bit behind schedule in comparison to the rest of the conference. The Wildcats are off to a strong foundation with a four-star already committed and eight more three-stars. However, the team has run into a bit of bad luck with several top targets committing elsewhere of late, including Louisiana three-star receiver Raheem Roberts (Memphis).
Kansas State could make some noise later in the calendar if it can win some head-to-head conference recruiting battles for Texas defensive back Devin Lemear, Louisiana athlete Matthew Langlois and Iowa offensive tackle Tyler Maro.
BAYLOR
Number of commits: 17
Conference ranking: 3rd
Summary: Dave Aranda’s Bears are sitting third among Big 12 teams in terms of recruiting class ranking and Baylor is up to 17 total commitments after landing Louisiana edge-defender Jackie Marshall over July 4 weekend. The Bears’ class ranks No. 22 nationally, which is certainly commendable and worth noting, but the average ranking per commit is 2.82, the second-lowest mark in the conference.
Baylor has won some critical head-to-head recruiting battles for in-state safety Cicero Caston, wide receiver Hal Presley and and defensive tackle Byron Murphy. However, that trend will need to continue with prized targets such as Rivals250 receiver Ketron Jackson, running back Darius Hale and Lemear in order to continue their surge up the national standings.
KANSAS
Number of commits: 13
Conference ranking: 5th
Summary: Les Miles just repeated history by edging out South Carolina and Oklahoma for three-star wide receiver Keon Coleman on Independence Day, which was also a major addition on the basketball side of things. Coleman is the highest-rated commitment in the Jayhawks’ 2021 class and is certainly a prospect that could continue to rise in the rankings with a strong senior season.
Kansas’ commitments range from Louisiana to Florida, Georgia to California, Alabama to Texas and Indiana to Arkansas. The staff has worked national territories and Kansas sits inside the nation’s top-50 class with the No. 45-rated haul. However, Kansas’ average ranking per commitment is under 3.0, which is an area Miles and Co. will need to continue to improve upon as they fill up the rest of the class. Kansas remains in contention for Texas outside linebacker D'Marion Alexander, East Texas athlete Nick Martin and Louisiana safety Jah'von Grigsby, among others.
