Big 12 Spotlight: Highlights, predictions for 2023 recruiting class
As recruiting classes begin to take shape across the country ahead of a busy summer of official visits, now is a great time to take a look at how the Big 12 is faring heading into the thick of the cycle. Take a look at some of the highlights and a few predictions for the Big 12's 2023 recruiting rankings.
MORE FROM THIS SERIES: SEC highlights, predictions | ACC
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CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
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SURPRISE SO FAR: Texas Tech and Baylor
One of the biggest surprises in the entire country so far in the 2023 cycle has been Texas Tech as Joey McGuire has been able to reel in 20 commits to boost the Red Raiders to the No. 1 spot in the Rivals 2023 team rankings. Is that position sustainable? Not likely at all, but it shows McGuire's ability to sell a vision early on in Lubbock.
For Baylor, a recent Big 12 championship has the momentum surging for the Bears on the recruiting trail as Dave Aranda has been able to capitalize on the on-field success in a way unlike Matt Rhule's staff was able to do in Waco. Having already locked in the No. 2-ranked quarterback in the state of Texas in Austin Novosad, the potential to build around solid pieces is already high.
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MOST IMPORTANT COMMIT SO FAR: Jackson Arnold
While Brent Venables and his Oklahoma staff haven't been able to reel in any noteworthy talent since landing Jackson Arnold and Ashton Cozart early on, Arnold still serves as a viably important piece to the Sooners' class.
Arnold ranks as the top quarterback in the state of Texas and was one of the most productive signal-callers in the entire country in 2021. With Oklahoma's quarterback room slightly depleted after Caleb Williams' transfer, Arnold is a guy that has a ton of play-early potential with his high knowledge for the game, elite mechanics and college-ready frame.
Skill players want to play with an established quarterback, and that is what Oklahoma can sell in year one with Arnold in the fold. Add in the fact that Arnold's high school teammate Peyton Bowen (Notre Dame commit) still has Oklahoma in the picture, and it shows that Arnold is easily the most important piece to not only Oklahoma's 2023 class, but in the entire conference.
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KEEP AN EYE ON: Texas
While Texas hasn't built up its class with any big names thus far, the potential for the Longhorns' 2023 class is one of the highest in the country. However, it mostly depends on if Steve Sarkisian and quarterbacks coach AJ Milwee can reel in Arch Manning.
A lot of in-state talent, even on the defensive side of the ball, is watching closely to see if Texas can land the No. 1 recruit in the country. With a big commitment there, Texas would see a large amount of momentum in the following weeks.
So it is a cause for concern for Texas fans that the Longhorns may be a little slow out the gate? Only if they don't land their top target.
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NEED TO STEP IT UP: TCU
Despite having a first-year staff under Sonny Dykes, a lot should be playing in the favor of TCU in the 2023 recruiting cycle. Dykes' staff more than overachieved at SMU by bringing in elite local talent, but that momentum hasn't yet been seen in Fort Worth.
Could that easily be erased with a solid summer of official visits? Certainly. However, up to this point there hasn't been a ton to write home about with the class that is currently assembled.
Currently sitting at No. 8 in the Big 12 heading into the summer, TCU has the potential to be sitting in the top five, but the commitments have just not yet come in for Dykes and his staff.
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MY PREDICTION FOR TOP THREE BIG 12 CLASSES
1. Texas
2. Oklahoma
3. Baylor
There is a ton of fluidity and a little bit of projecting rather than predicting with these rankings, but if Texas can land Arch Manning then the Longhorns would almost be a lock to seal the No. 1 spot in the conference.
With Oklahoma, there is potential to build around targets such as Cayden Green, Anthony Hill and David Hicks Jr. that could help vault the Sooners into top-five discussion.
For Baylor, landing four-star talent in 2023 has come much easier than it did in recent classes, and I see the Bears getting some surprise commits over stiff competition.