NSD 2020: The biggest question for each Big 12 team
The Late Signing Period is becoming less eventful every year since the advent of the Early Signing Period in December, but most programs still have a few questions to answer heading into February. Today, we go around the Big 12 and identify each program’s biggest question heading into next week.
RELATED: Biggest NSD question for each Big Ten program | SEC | ACC | Pac-12
CLASS OF 2020 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
BAYLOR: Can Bears lock down their QB?
Former Baylor head coach Matt Rhule was able to finish out the Early Signing Period with some nice fireworks down the stretch, including luring four-star defensive end James Sylvester away from conference rival TCU and keeping three-star tight end Drake Dabney in-state. Now, the Bears’ attention is on the all-important quarterback position. Rhule made a strong impression on Malik Hornsby, but Rhule's departure opened up doors for Arkansas and Purdue. The Bears are still in need of a quarterback for this class and Hornsby recently decides he would not take his final official visit to Waco. That puts the spotlight on newly offered Louisiana quarterback Blake Shapen as signing day approaches
IOWA STATE: Cyclones locked in their leg
Iowa State signed all of 21 of its commitments a month ago and is now using the February signing day to add as many as four additions to the 2020 class. There’s a sense in Ames that the class is all but squared away. The Cyclones flirted with one-time Tennessee commitment Art Green, but that momentum has since passed. The only other visitors on campus this month have been kickers. One-time Boston College commitment Ben Sauls visited and committed as the Cyclones view him as an immediate-impact contributor on special teams.
KANSAS: Have the Jayhawks found some pass protection?
The Jayhawks signed 19 prospects before Christmas and have devoted much of their attention to shoring up the offensive line before National Signing Day next week. Kansas made major moves over the weekend with commitments from three-star Oklahoma tackle Jackson Satterwhite and two-star New Mexico tackle Bryce Cabeldue hopping on board. That puts Kansas’ total number of pledges for 2020 up to 26, so it’ll be on Les Miles to trim the fat in the class before signing day.
KANSAS STATE: Can the Wildcats make the numbers work?
Kansas State’s 2020 recruiting class is sitting pretty. The Wildcats hold commitments from 27 total prospects, including 23 that signed during the Early Signing Period last month. As January continues, the staff has been trimming space to make the cut for February’s signing day, which included the departure of three-star Texas safety JoJo Wilson. Some of the other prospects on the mend include three-stars Sam Shields and Makholven Sonn, as well as two-stars Felix Anudike and Hadley Panzer.
Between now and Feb. 5, the staff intends to figure out which players to sign and are expected to make a run at some transfer options. Of course, that leaves numbers as the biggest obstacle for Kansas State heading into the spring.
OKLAHOMA: Alfred Collins, anyone?
Much of Oklahoma’s 2020 class was locked in during the Early Signing Period and during the Under Armour All-America Game, when it was revealed that the quarterback for the cycle, Chandler Morris, had privately signed with the Sooners in December. Oklahoma made noise deep into the calendar by flipping Marvin Mims in November and then coaxing four-star Joshua Eaton to sign early.
The Sooners will get four-star defensive end Reggie Grimes to sign in February and are hoping to win the Alfred Collins sweepstakes that is boiling down to Oklahoma, Texas and Alabama. One edge in favor of the Sooners is his relationship with Lincoln Riley, who has been instrumental to keeping Oklahoma in the running.
OKLAHOMA STATE: Can the Cowboys find a running back or linebacker?
This past weekend was unkind to Oklahoma State’s chances with some of its top remaining targets in the 2020 class. Rivals250 running back Kevontre Bradford, who was considering the Cowboys, instead landed at LSU. Louisiana speedster Corey Wren committed to Florida State. That leaves Oklahoma State with a smaller group of targets at running back, including La’Damian Webb as a last resort.
On the defensive side of the ball, the staff dished out a new offer to JUCO linebacker Lamont Bishop during his official visit last weekend. He, along with unsigned DeSoto (Texas) cornerback Jabbar Muhammad, are the two players to monitor as Wednesday inches closer. We’re hearing Oklahoma State could use any unfilled spots to address the class with grad transfers with the intent to make a big run in the Big 12 for 2020.
TCU: Can the Horned Frogs find more weapons at wide receiver?
TCU pulled off one of the biggest in-state heists in the December signing period when it flipped Rivals100 wide receiver Quentin Johnston away from the Longhorns. Oklahoma three-star receiver Blake Nowell signed last month as well, and the Horned Frogs also received a signature from intriguing East Texas athlete Caleb Medford. But they remain in pursuit of more weapons in their receiving corps. Among the names still in play are in-state three-star Savion Williams and Florida three-star Kaleb Long. TCU will have to go neck-and-neck with the likes of Arkansas, SMU and possibly Texas for Williams, whereas the in-state Florida schools all covet Long.
TEXAS: Can the Longhorns make a run at Collins?
Texas only signed 17 prospects a month ago, leaving the door open for a bigger close to the 2020 recruiting cycle. Tom Herman’s team had a few unseen surprises in December as it flipped in-state outside linebacker Jaylan Ford and held on to Rivals250 quarterback Hudson Card, who was heavily courted by Georgia down the stretch.
In between a major offseason of turnover on the coaching staff, the Longhorns remain centered on Rivals250 defensive lineman Alfred Collins, who is also considering Alabama and Oklahoma. The Austin native is a Texas legacy and recently visited campus to meet the new defensive coaches. While the Longhorns are also hoping to close with in-state prospects such as Princely Umanmielen, Ennis Rakestraw, Kelvontay Dixon and the aforementioned Williams, Collins is atop the priority list and there is certainly some momentum building on the 40 Acres as signing day approaches.
TEXAS TECH: Will the final pieces fit the puzzle?
With a top 50 recruiting class all but locked up, Texas Tech has shifted a lot of its focus to the 2021 recruiting class, with junior days already taking place and evaluations of the underclassmen. Still, there are two lingering storylines as National Signing Day nears. New Mexico three-star defensive end Philip Bildi has been committed to the Red Raiders since the summertime, but did not sign last month. The staff is optimistic it will sign Bildi and bolster Texas Tech's defensive line haul this cycle.
WEST VIRGINIA: Can they Mountaineers land a linebacker?
Second-year head coach Neal Brown is hoping to make some noise down the stretch with his 2020 recruiting class at West Virginia. The Mountaineers inked 18 prospects in December and have devoted their attention to finding a few more pieces before February.
Much of their focus has been on the linebacker position. Alabama three-star Eddie Watkins is trending in West Virginia’s favor despite Arizona, Missouri and Purdue continuing to court him. Georgia three-star DJ Lundy is also on the Mountaineers' wish list, but they’re going toe-to-toe with Virginia Tech, Vanderbilt and Georgia, which is making a late run down the stretch. Also, it’s worth monitoring fellow Peach State linebacker James Thomas. The Gamecocks and Vols are both after Thomas, but West Virginia could certainly be the team to beat.