College Football Recruiting 2013: The Top Commitment for Each Big 12 School

Monday was the SEC, Tuesday was the Big Ten and Wednesday was the Pac 12. 

Today, we head to the Big 12, which could be getting a new commissioner, according to USA Today. A BCS conference, the Big 12 is home to flagship programs such as Texas and Oklahoma, among others.

TCU is entering the conference and West Virginia soon after, so recruiting will only get revved up due to the new competition. For this read, here is the top commitment for each Big 12 school in 2013.

West Virginia

Marcell Lazard, OT

I'm including the Mountaineers in this piece because, at some point in the future, they will be in the conference. Look for Dana Holgorsen to really like the idea of recruiting around both the Atlantic and Heartland areas.

For now, his top commitment is the 6'6", 305-pound Lazard, a growing OT prospect from New Jersey.

Texas Tech

Dylan Cantrell, WR

You know the Red Raiders are always going to attract themselves a good WR prospect each year, as they toss around the pigskin quite a bit in Lubbock.

Cantrell is a 6'3", 202-pound WR who will be good underneath the safeties. He's big to shield off DBs and can muscle balls away for catches. 

Texas

Tyrone Swoopes, QB

This is a "pick 'em" class for Texas. The Longhorns have several prospects who could be their top commitment. However, I'm sticking with the talented dual threat QB in Swoopes.

Standing 6'5", 220 pounds, Swoopes has a strong arm, is developing as a passer and has athleticism to get outside the pocket. There, he can use his speed and natural creativity as a runner and do some damage.

TCU

Patrick Morris, OC

The Horned Frogs are in the Big 12 now, and their recruiting profile will surely increase. Landing a prospect like Morris will be a huge help moving forward.

A 6'3", 285-pounder, Morris is from Texas and plays RT now. But he'll kick inside to OC or OG in Ft. Worth, as he plays with great leverage, snap quickness, second-level ability and has a nasty streak to finish on targets.

Oklahoma State

Fred Ross, WR

Ross reminds me a bit of AJ Jenkins, as he is 6'0", 180 pounds. He's been extremely productive in high school, as he caught 99 balls for 1335 yards and 15 scores last year.

With the way the Pokes throw the ball, Jenkins will develop into a key member of their passing game in a season or two. 

Oklahoma

Keith Ford, RB

Ford is a Texan that stands 5'11", 200 pounds. He shows a great knack for seeing things develop, great vision, is patient and has good run strength.

He can pop a tackle or two and finish a run with power. He's a got a good burst and solid speed, but isn't a blazer. He is a bell cow guy, though, who will be a good one in Norman. 

Kansas State

Tanner Wood, LB

Hailing from Kansas, Wood is a big 'backer at 6'5", 240 pounds. He has the size to also play DE or TE, if needed. 

This has got to be a better year for K-State on the trail, as, last year, they had one of the worst overall recruiting classes in the nation. 

Kansas

Ben Johnson, TE

Johnson's got a chance to be a good one for Charlie Weis, as he's a 6'6", 225-pound TE with a great will to improve. He's a solid athlete, and he has good hands.

His blocking skills are improving, but he'll also be a prime threat in the passing game. Johnson can scoot up the seam, snatch a ball in the air and punish a safety for trying to tackle him. 

Iowa State

The Cyclones have no commitments for 2013 at this time.

Baylor

Chris Johnson, QB

Johnson is a 6'4", 210-pound dual threat QB from Texas who can do it all. He's uber athletic, has good arm strength and can get it out downfield with some velocity.

If the pocket gets too crowded for his liking, Johnson will use his quick feet to escape, look to see if he has an open receiver and, if not, he'll tuck it, turn on his jets and get a chunk of yardage with his leg speed.