Five Big 12 programs that are off to hot starts for 2022
The 2022 recruiting class has just kicked off but there are already teams in Power Five conferences that have jumped out and started to load up. Here is a look at five Big 12 programs that are doing well so far.
*****
RELATED: Five Big Ten programs off to a hot start for 2022 | SEC | ACC | Pac-12
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
COVERAGE: Rivals Transfer Tracker | Rivals Camp Series
*****
OKLAHOMA
The Sooners have an edge in the Big 12 rankings over Texas, and here’s the scary part: Oklahoma is loading up again with skill players, led by top-rated all-purpose back Raleek Brown and two of the top four receivers in the 2022 class with Luther Burden and Talyn Shettron already committed.
More than half the class so far is from the state of Texas as the Sooners continue to raid that border state, led by four-star linebacker Kobie McKinzie. Coach Lincoln Riley still has the Sooners rolling at an elite level, as Burden is the only five-star commit in the entire Big 12.
*****
TEXAS
Optimism has returned to Texas with the arrival of coach Steve Sarkisian, who has done an excellent job being aggressive on the recruiting trail and building this class in his image so far. The Longhorns should be well-served, as five of seven pledges are four-star prospects, led by quarterback Maalik Murphy, running back Jaydon Blue and wide receiver Armani Winfield.
Texas also remains under serious consideration by many of the state’s top players, and winning some of those battles will be crucial as Sarkisian looks to return the program to national prominence.
*****
OKLAHOMA STATE
Coach Mike Gundy and his staff have taken an aggressive approach to the start of the 2022 recruiting class and it’s paid off, as Oklahoma State has the third-best class in the conference at this point.
Running back has been a priority position and the Cowboys have loaded up with four-stars CJ Brown and Ollie Gordon. Those are the only two four-star recruits at this point, but a recent commitment from high three-star linebacker Jordan Crook out of Duncanville, Texas, was especially big for Oklahoma State.
*****
BAYLOR
There is a lot of rebuilding to do at Baylor and coach Dave Aranda is not wasting any time building his 2022 class. The Bears have nine commitments, more than any other team in the conference.
The class is led by high three-star tight end Kelsey Johnson and three-star athlete Kaian Roberts-Day. Baylor has gone to four different states for pledges, including Alabama, where three-star QB Zach Pyron from Pinson (Ala.) Pinson Valley picked the Bears soon after getting offered.
*****
KANSAS
The dismissal of Les Miles and the announcement of Emmett Jones as interim coach certainly has the Kansas program in flux, but the Jayhawks’ recruiting class has hung in there with five pledges so far and the same average star ranking as Baylor.
There are three commitments from Texas, led by three-star offensive lineman Cory Hendrix out of College Station and two from Missouri in three-star DBs Caldra Willford and Dewuan Mack. It might be a turbulent time in Lawrence, but so far Kansas’ class is hanging in there.
*****
Final note: There is still a long way to go for many Big 12 teams. Kansas State is the only school with three pledges, followed by West Virginia and TCU with two and then Iowa State has only one pledge so far. Texas Tech is the only school in the conference without a commit yet.