The 2024 football season is in full swing and programs across the country are working to close out the 2025 recruiting cycle on a high note. Here are four programs that are punching above their weight in the Mid-South.
RELATED: Four Midwest programs that have surprised in recruiting | Southeast
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker
SMU
SMU has significantly ramped up their recruiting efforts in recent years, spearheaded behind the move into the Power Four ranks as an ACC member. Selling the idea of playing on a bigger stage against bigger competition is working and with the resources and NIL backing the Mustangs have proven to have, they are becoming a threat for some of the top prospects in the region.
The Mustangs hold commitments from eight of Texas' top-100 prospects as well as the headliner of the class, Rivals250 quarterback Ty Hawkins.
To go along with Hawkins, the Mustangs hold commitments from three four-star wide receivers in Daylon Singleton, Carterrious Brown and Jalen Cooper.
The buzz from Dallas based prospects has increased greatly in the past two years and now instead of just talk, there is real action being taken with additions to SMU's classes. The 2025 class ranks at No. 22 in the cycle, far above anything they have neared before making the move to Power Four status.
BAYLOR
Baylor has been a program that has lacked on-field success since winning the Big 12 in 2021, which has directly impacted its recruiting prominence. However, this summer, the Bears put forth a strong NIL effort that brought in some coveted prospects.
Within just a few weeks, Baylor landed commitments from four-star wide receivers Taz Williams Jr. and Jacorey Watson, four-star defensive end Kamauryn Morgan, and four-star running back Michael Turner Jr.
Despite no major successes on the field yet, Baylor has hung onto their pledges so far and is also picking up momentum with a number of 2026 prospects in the region. They have already managed to land four-star quarterback Quinn Murphy, the top quarterback in the state in the junior class.
TEXAS A&M
Texas A&M having success on the trail is a surprise to no one, but they crack the list due to the way they have handled the process in Mike Elko's first season as head coach.
Holding a class that ranks No. 11 in the cycle with nearly half of the commitments being ranked inside the Rivals250, it is quite the start for a program that hit a hard reset last offseason.
The Aggies have found their success in Texas of course, as well as a heavy dose of California in the mix. Four-star defensive back Deyjhon Pettaway, four-start tight end Kiotti Armstrong and four-star defensive tackle D.J. Sanders lead the way of in-state prospects.
Four-star quarterback Husan Longstreet and four-star linebacker Noah Mikhail headline the west coast talent.
OHIO STATE
On any given year, the Ohio State Buckeyes have the strength to go into any state and grab any prospect they wish too, or at least be in the mix to do so. So while it may not be a surprise, they have been able to flex those muscles in the 2025 class in Texas, landing a pair of five-stars in cornerback Devin Sanchez and linebacker Riley Pettijohn, as well as the No. 2 Oklahoma prospect, four-star tight end Nate Roberts, much to the dismay of Mid-South powers.
The Buckeyes were in the mix as well with five-star wide receiver Dakorien Moore, five-star outside linebacker Jonah Williams and four-star wide receiver Daylan McCutcheon.
They are sure to also full be in the mix for a number of Mid-South prospects in the 2026 cycle as well.
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