Big 12 Spotlight: How Oklahoma, Texas match up in recruiting
This year’s Big 12 title game features a pair of familiar foes, as bluebloods Texas and Oklahoma get together for the second time this season. OU will be looking to avenge October’s 48-45 loss to the Longhorns. Texas, on the other hand, is looking to win its first conference title since 2009 and end OU’s playoff hopes in the process.
Below, Rivals.com has a look at the recent recruiting history of both teams, including notable battles and how the two classes stack up this cycle.
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STATUS FOR THE 2019 CLASS
These are the Big 12’s two heavyweights when it comes to recruiting, and both the Sooners and Longhorns currently rank in the top 10 nationally. Texas holds the country’s No. 4 class, while Oklahoma checks in at No. 9. OU seems to have the edge in the all-important average star-ranking department, due to the top of its class being so impressive.
The Sooners currently hold three five-star commitments, compared to Texas’ zero five-stars. OU quarterback pledge Spencer Rattler, as well as wide receivers Trejan Bridges and Theo Wease all hold the highest possible ranking assigned by Rivals.com.
The highest-rated recruit in Texas’ class - as things stand - is high four-star Jordan Whittington, a versatile athlete from the Lone Star State. But while Oklahoma could pull in front of the Longhorns down the stretch as more commits make college decisions, it’s not as though Texas has finished its class. Marquee names such as running back Noah Cain, wide receiver Bru McCoy and others are still considering Tom Herman’s program.
RECENT HISTORY
Texas edged out the Sooners in last year’s recruiting rankings, finishing fourth to OU’s eighth in the final standings. The year before that, however, saw Oklahoma top the Big 12 rankings, besting the Longhorns and everyone else by a sizable margin. The two programs have finished first and second in the conference rankings every year since 2007.
No Big 12 program other than Oklahoma and Texas has landed a five-star prospect since 2009, which seems insane for a major conference. Notable recent recruiting battles between Texas and OU include Longhorns linebacker Anthony Wheeler choosing UT over Oklahoma despite seemingly favoring OU for much of his recruitment, and Oklahoma freshman Ronnie Perkins, who spurned the Longhorns in favor of the Sooners last cycle.
CURRENT RECRUITING BATTLES
Unresolved 2019 recruiting battles are few and far between when it comes to the two Big 12 rivals. Oklahoma may get a late visit from four-star tailback Noah Cain, who currently seems like a heavy Texas lean. The Sooners are also involved to some extent with wide receiver Bru McCoy, who has yet to visit Norman. OU may soon attempt to flip Texas wide receiver commit Demariyon Houston, but nothing on that front seems certain just yet.
For now, it just seems like a likely courtship, as OU already holds a commitment from Houston’s high school teammate, Marcus Major. Junior college offensive lineman Myron Cunningham is another name the two schools may clash over down the stretch.
