Mid-South Spotlight: Five teams that need a strong close to 2023
National Signing Day is about two months away and there are a lot of teams out there working to reel in those last remaining targets. This week we'll be looking at teams that need a big close to the 2023 recruiting cycle.
Here are five teams in the Mid-South that need to close out the 2023 recruiting cycle strong.
*****
MORE: Five East Coast teams that need a strong close to 2023
CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals100
TRANSFER PORTAL: Stories/coverage | Message board
*****
TEXAS A&M
Texas A&M holds the least amount of commitments of any program in the top 50 of the Rivals 2023 team rankings (12), but that hasn't stopped the Aggies from notching a No. 17 ranking with a little less than two months to National Signing Day.
There are multiple pieces that Texas A&M is still looking to fit in with its 2023 class including additions on the offensive line, in the receiving corps, in the secondary and potentially a quarterback take before signing day.
Caden Jones remains high on the Aggies as offensive line coach Steve Addazio will battle with Florida down the stretch for the massive Louisiana tackle. Five-star cornerbacks Javien Toviano and Desmond Ricks are also taking close looks at Texas A&M, but each feature national battles with stiff competition.
If Texas A&M can add up to five pieces before Signing Day, another top 10 finish could be in order in the team rankings for Jimbo Fisher.
*****
TCU
TCU has been arguably the biggest surprise of the 2022 season as the Horned Frogs sit at No. 7 in the AP Top 25 with an undefeated 7-0 start. As a result, multiple recruits are taking hard looks at the Horned Frogs, including a handful of committed prospects.
It starts with four-star wide receiver Mikal Harrison-Pilot who is trending more and more toward TCU as the season goes on. The Horned Frogs are also deep in the race for four-star safety Warren Roberson and Utah commit four-star athlete Randon Fontenette.
Despite just one four-star pledge so far in 2023, I expect TCU to add at least two to that total before signing day as the Horned Frogs push toward a Big 12 Championship.
*****
OKLAHOMA STATE
Oklahoma State has had the luxury of not having to fill many spots in the 2023 class, but the Cowboys can make a big splash by holding onto certain commitments while adding a few more along the way before signing day.
The race for Cowboys commit Jelani McDonald is becoming crowded as multiple power programs are working to flip the versatile playmaker from Mike Gundy's squad. However, the Cowboys have a strong chance of holding onto his commitment.
In the backfield, Oklahoma State is working to flip Michigan State commit Kedrick Reescano after hosting him for an official visit this past weekend. I feel bullish toward the Cowboys' chances to pull this one off.
*****
OLE MISS
Ole Miss holds just 13 pledges in its 2023 class as the Rebels will also look to finish strong to push into the top 25 of the team rankings.
The Ole Miss class starts up top with four-star linebacker Suntarine Perkins as the Rebels are working overtime to keep him in the class ahead of signing day with Alabama and other programs pushing.
As for uncommitted prospects, Ole Miss will have a shot at challenging Miami for Christopher Johnson on an official visit next month. The Rebels are also trying to fight off UCF for Cayden Lee down the stretch. Additionally, the crowded race for DJ Chester has Ole Miss in the thick of it down the stretch.
*****
HOUSTON
Houston is coming off of a major commitment last week from four-star wide receiver Jonah Wilson, and the Cougars will look to keep that momentum going down the stretch.
The North Shore four-star safety duo of Jayven Anderson and Jacoby Davis both have Houston high on their respective lists and would both be major additions to the secondary. The Cougars are also trying to fight off TCU and Texas for four-star wide receiver Mikal Harrison-Pilot, a legacy of the program.
Four-star defensive lineman Princewill Umanmielen also has Houston high on his list along with Kansas State, as the Cougars could land an athletically violent edge rusher to bolster its pass rush.