Texas tops Big 12 recruiting
By Stephen Spiewak
Aug 23, 2010, 9:00am
Longhorns will contend for overall top recruiting class; Kansas has 14 verbal commitments under new coach.
Everyone is well aware that the Big 12 almost was no more, but not everyone realizes how consistent the conference has been in producing elite teams.
Consider that since 2001, the Big 12 has had a team in the BCS National Championship in seven of 10 seasons (including Nebraska, which is on its way out, in 2002).
Fans may not always recognize the conference's rock-steady track record, but top prospects certainly seem to, gravitating towards the conference's elite programs with regularity.
That is especially true for the Texas Longhorns.
Mack Brown's recruiting has gotten even better, reaching epic proportions with his 2011 haul. His class currently ranks No. 1 in the country according to the CBS College Sports Research rankings, and it's easily the best class in the Big 12.
Featuring running back Malcolm Brown, quarterback David Ash and a plethora of great linemen on both sides of the ball, Texas will certainly be in the mix for the No. 1 team recruiting ranking until the very end.
Oklahoma and Oklahoma State round out the top three, followed by Texas Tech and and Kansas.
1. Texas
Number of verbal commitments: 23
Top incoming recruit: Malcolm Brown
Sleeper recruit: Joe Bergeron
Play right away: Jaxon Shipley
Comment: There's not much else to write about Texas' 2011 recruiting class that hasn't already been penned. It's outstanding. With two weeks to go until kickoff, the Longhorns have assembled a nearly complete class. In addition to Mack Brown's dominance in Texas, he has also landed arguably the top player from the states of Arizona and Oklahoma as well.
2. Oklahoma
Number of verbal commitments: 17
Top incoming recruit: Trey Metoyer
Sleeper recruit: Derek Farniok
Play right away: Brandon Williams
Comment: With the state of Oklahoma producing significantly fewer Division I recruits than the state of Texas, the Sooners have to focus recruiting efforts on the Lone Star State, a very crowded territory. Still, they've done better than any team (save for the Longhorns) in harvesting Texas talent. Metoyer should thrive in Bob Stoops' spread offense. Williams has all the tools at running back.
3. Oklahoma State
Number of verbal commitments: 15
Abilene star running back Herschel Sims.
Photo by Kyle Dantzler
Sleeper recruit: Demarcus Sherod
Play right away: J.W. Walsh
Comment: Sims is the early favorite for the MaxPreps National Player of the Year award. The diminutive rusher has been ultra-productive. Facing a daunting schedule this season should help prepare him to make an early impact in Stillwater, Okla. With Sims already in the fold, Cowboys fans have already turned their focus toward 2012 running back Barry Sanders.
4. Texas Tech
Number of verbal commitments: 17
Top incoming recruit: Michael Brewer
Sleeper recruit: Bradley Marquez
Play right away: Kenny Williams
Comment: Despite losing previously-committed Javares McRoy to Florida, Texas Tech still has the makings for a nice recruiting haul. Williams is the team's top incoming running back. Given the depth of talent at the position in Texas this year, Marquez often gets overlooked, especially after missing time last season due to injury.
5. Kansas
Number of verbal commitments: 14
Top incoming recruit: Travis Bodenstein
Sleeper recruit: Luke Luhrsen
Play right away: JaCorey Shepherd
Comment: By most accounts, Turner Gill and staff have been a breath of fresh air for a recently embattled Jayhawks football program. The team finished 1-7 last year in Big XII play, but that hasn't stopped Gill from bringing in an above average recruiting class. Incoming signal caller Michael Cummings lacks ideal size, but produced 41 total TDs a year ago. He could end up being a steal.
How the rest rank:
6. Baylor
7. Texas A&M
8. Missouri
9. Kansas State
10. Iowa State
