Recruiting Trends: Who is up, down, holding steady in Big 12?
Recruiting trends are always interesting to follow especially for programs that don’t end up getting as much attention as the blue bloods. This week we will look at each Power Five conference and discover some teams trending up, down and remaining remarkably consistent. We finish today with the Big 12.
Mark Pszonak contributed to this report
MORE: Big 12 Team recruiting rankings
RELATED: Recruiting trends in the Big Ten | SEC | ACC | Pac-12
POSITIVE
OKLAHOMA
Recent class rankings: No. 7, No. 8, No. 5
When Bob Stoops suddenly stepped down as head coach, there was some concern at Oklahoma that the program may take a hit. The exact opposite has happened, as Lincoln Riley has taken what was already an elite program to an even higher level, going 24-4 overall and making two national semifinals. Not surprisingly, recruiting is also rolling, with classes at No. 7, No. 8 and most recently No. 5 during the last three years. The Sooners are a national brand and recruit as one, going from coast-to-coast to find players who fit their system.
Farrell’s take: Stoops recruited very well and Riley has taken things to perhaps a slightly higher level, if that’s possible. Not only has Oklahoma hit Texas hard but it continues to be a factor in California and is getting stronger and stronger in SEC country. OU set a record with three five-star wide receivers last year, and offensively they couldn’t be recruiting better. Oklahoma is off to a solid start for 2020 and just starting to add some key defensive help.
TEXAS
Recent class rankings: No. 31, No. 4, No. 4
After dominating recruiting in the Lone Star State for decades, the majority of the last decade has been someone of an eye-opener for fans. With the Longhorns no longer controlling the state, Texas brought in coach Tom Herman to try and right the ship. He has accomplished this very quickly, as the Longhorns have brought in two consecutive No. 4 classes after finishing No. 31 in 2017. While Texas is not likely to dominate the state to the point that it used to, Herman is proving that he can make the program a national recruiting powerhouse again.
Farrell’s take: Charlie Strong wasn’t a great recruiting fit for Texas, but Herman certainly is and he has been great for the Longhorns in luring talent. The 2020 cycle is off to a very nice start, as well, with two elite quarterbacks and a great start on the offensive line. Like most Big 12 schools, the Longhorns need to add talent on defense, but under Herman they have brought in some players on that side of the ball with excellent potential. The battle between Texas and Oklahoma in recruiting and on the field should be fun to watch for years to come.
NEGATIVE
KANSAS
Recent class rankings: No. 55, No. 48, No. 74
The last decade has been far from positive for the Jayhawks program. Hoping to change this negative pattern, Kansas made a big statement after the 2018 season by hiring coach Les Miles, who immediately put a spark into the program. Despite this spark, the Jayhawks still finished with the No. 74 class in the country, which followed up the No. 55 and No. 48 classes the previous two years. While it can be assumed that Miles will breathe life into Kansas recruiting, it will be interesting to see how high he can actually take the program.
Farrell’s take: Miles is an elite recruiter, but this is a tough job because of the record Kansas has had in recent years (KU has finished last in the Big 12 four straight years). The Jayhawks will have to improve on the field to start luring more talent from around the country. They already have a small pipeline going from Louisiana, and Miles should open that up a bit so I expect recruiting to take a step forward. Kansas has some solid commitments for 2020 so far.
KANSAS STATE
Recent class rankings: No. 61, No. 52, No. 66
Kansas State is in the midst of a major change after the second retirement of coaching legend Bill Snyder after the 2018 season. Chris Klieman takes over the program, which is in need of a recruiting surge. The Wildcats have finished No. 61, No. 52 and No. 66 over the last three years, which is not at a level that will help them compete against the likes of Oklahoma and Texas. Klieman was a winner at North Dakota State, leading the Bison to a 69-6 record and four national championships, but will that transfer over to Kansas State, both on the field and in recruiting?
Farrell’s take: The age of Snyder has been an issue in recruiting over the last few years, as rumors of his second retirement were used against Kansas State often. Will Klieman be able to recruit the JUCOs the way Snyder did and incorporate those players into the roster while still hitting the high school ranks? Or will the strategy change altogether? Time will tell, but I expect Kansas State to make a push upward in the rankings with a new coach. Kansas State is off to a solid start in 2020 and has been hitting Texas well.
HOLDING STEADY
BAYLOR
Recent class rankings: No. 34, No. 32, No. 34
Considering the major sexual assault scandal that took place in Waco in 2016, the Baylor program has maintained a surprisingly successful level of recruiting over the last three years. Finishing at No. 34, No. 32 and again at No. 34 in 2019, this is exactly what the Bears needed to accomplish in order to avoid a complete disaster on the field.
Coach Matt Rhule was placed in charge of the program during this difficult time and has proven to be a wonderful hire. On the field, he helped the Bears rebound from a disastrous 1-11 2017 season, to a respectable 7-6 campaign in 2018, which ended in a bowl victory. As expectations begin to once again grow in Waco, will Rhule be able to bring more elite talent into the program over the coming years?
Farrell’s take: Rhule has done one of the best recruiting jobs in the country but rarely gets credit for it, and Baylor has survived issues that would have set many programs back for years and years. He recruits all over and does a nice job in Texas and his talent evaluation is excellent. I expect Baylor to remain steady in recruiting as long as he’s in charge. However, things have been slow in 2020 so far so the Bears will need a shot in the arm soon.
OKLAHOMA STATE
Recent class rankings: No. 36, No. 35, No. 40
Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy has established the Cowboys program as a consistent winner and bowl game participant since his arrival in 2005. The on-field success has also helped recruiting. While it isn’t among the elite in the country, it is at a level that gives the Cowboys an annual opportunity to win on the field. With Gundy at the helm, there is no reason to believe that this trend will stop in Stillwater.
Farrell’s take: Oklahoma State gets overshadowed by Oklahoma in state and elsewhere, but they Cowboys have been getting their share of talent and developing it well. The offense has been excellent and has produced some major playmakers, but defensive recruiting is also taking a step forward. 2020 is off to a solid start and they have their quarterback already in Shane Illingworth.