Power Ranking Every Big 12 Team's 2015 Recruiting Class
The 10 member schools of the Big 12 Conference have nearly put the final touches on their respective 2015 recruiting hauls, and a few classes stand out above the rest.
Baylor, TCU, West Virginia, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech were among the top 40 units in the country entering national signing day, but one program separated itself from its Big 12 counterparts.
Though Texas held an advantage over Oklahoma for the conference's best haul, did the Sooners make up enough ground to overtake the Longhorns at the 11th hour?
The 247Sports composite rankings and the schematic fit of a team's recruits were taken into account during the formation of this list. Other factors included whether or not a team addressed its biggest needs and signed immediate-impact players.
Note: Every final team ranking is accurate as of this writing. Post-NSD signings may affect a Big 12 team's standing.
10. Kansas
1 of 10Top Prospects: Ryan Willis (No. 700 OVR, No. 27 PRO QB); Ke'aun Kinner (No. 74 JUCO OVR, No. 6 RB); Aaron Garza (No. 910 OVR, No. 58 OG); Dorance Armstrong (No. 999 OVR, No. 46 WDE)
Kansas hasn't topped the three-win mark since 2009, so newly hired coach David Beaty must restock the proverbial cupboard. The most efficient way to accomplish that is to focus on talent in the junior college ranks, from which the Jayhawks signed nine players—eight of whom have already enrolled.
Last season, Kansas managed a meager 3.1 yards per carry, the eighth-worst average in the nation. Beaty addressed this by bringing in Kinner, Garza and two of the top JUCO offensive guards, Will Smith and Jayson Rhodes.
Willis appears to be the Jayhawks' quarterback of the future, and the combination of Emmanuel Moore and Chase Harrell should suffice outside. As a senior, Moore reeled in 93 passes for 1,291 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Harrell tallied 103 receptions, 1,741 yards and 19 scores.
Beaty signed a decent all-around class but failed to fill the void left by first-team All-Big 12 linebacker Ben Heeney.
Final 247Sports Team Ranking: No. 72
9. Iowa State
2 of 10Top Prospects: Demond Tucker (No. 38 JUCO OVR, No. 6 DT); De'Amontae Jackson (No. 670 OVR, No. 36 DT); Joshua Thomas (No. 816 OVR, No. 32 ILB); Jaypee Philbert (No. 80 JUCO OVR, No. 16 OT)
Though the Cyclones boast a three-headed attack at wide receiver with Allen Lazard, D'Vario Montgomery and Quenton Bundrage, they need help almost everywhere else despite returning nine defensive starters.
Iowa State was in desperate need of help along the defensive line, and it snagged Tucker—more of the immediate-impact type—as well as Jackson and Bobby Leath to shore up an unproven group at tackle. Additionally, it wouldn't be a surprise to see 3-star linebackers Joshua Thomas and Bobby McMillen break into the rotation.
Philbert should compete for a starting position at offensive tackle, and 3-star wideout Denver Johnson was a respectable signing for depth purposes. Granted, adding four new receivers probably wasn't necessary, given that it's already the program's best positional unit.
First-team All-Big 12 tight end E.J. Bibbs graduated, but Iowa State didn't sign anyone to replace him. Considering their leading returning tight end Ben Boesen has two career receptions for nine yards, the Cyclones are putting a lot of trust into what's already on the roster.
Final 247Sports Team Ranking: No. 70
8. Kansas State
3 of 10
Top Prospects: Elijah Sullivan (No. 381 OVR, No. 30 OLB); Duke Shelley (No. 442 OVR, No. 45 CB); Reggie Walker (No. 600 OVR, No. 28 WDE); Alex Delton (No. 626 OVR, No. 19 DUAL QB)
The good news? Kansas State returns 12 starters, including four offensive linemen. The bad news? Seven of the 10 graduates were All-Big 12 honorees. The Wildcats had some major holes to address yet did so reasonably well.
Shelley is arguably the best and most important recruit, since he's suited to fill Randall Evans' vacated position. Plus, Walker should push returning K-State D-linemen for Ryan Mueller's spot, and Delton—while currently undersized—fits the Wildcats' ideal quarterback skill set.
Either Kalin Heath or Alex Barnes could emerge as Charles Jones' backup at running back. Bryce English, Aulelio Olumua and Joshua Little round out a respectable depth-focused haul on the D-line.
Kansas State isn't looking at a class full of superstars, but Bill Snyder has a habit of finding particular roles for his incoming players. Though the Wildcats likely won't be a ranked team, a handful of the signees should contribute to another season that ends with bowl eligibility.
Final 247Sports Team Ranking: No. 59
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7. Oklahoma State
4 of 10
Top Prospects: Darrion Daniels (No. 260 OVR, No. 20 DT); John Kolar (No. 291 OVR, No. 8 DUAL QB); Kevin Henry (No. 340 OVR, No. 20 S); Chris Carson (No. 23 JUCO OVR, No. 4 RB)
Since the Cowboys have 21 returning players with experience as starters, it lessens the burden on finding full-time, immediate-impact contributors.
With that being said, Mike Gundy might have accomplished that anyway. Carson will challenge for the No. 1 running back spot right away—likewise with Matt Kellerman at offensive guard and Daniels at defensive tackle.
Kolar is next in line at quarterback, though his time to realistically compete for the starting job won't arrive for at least one season. The 4-star quarterback would be smart to take a redshirt next year.
Gundy and Co. displayed a serious focus on the trenches and defensive backfield, which will pay off in 2016 when Louis Brown, Motekiai Maile and Henry figure to make their presence felt.
Final 247Sports Team Ranking: No. 39
6. TCU
5 of 10
Top Prospects: Deshawn Raymond (No. 280 OVR, No. 27 CB); Breylin Mitchell (No. 384 OVR, No. 22 SDE); Sam Awolope (No. 480 OVR, No. 54 OT); Tony James (No. 576 OVR, No. 43 ATH)
From top to bottom, Gary Patterson checked off each of the Horned Frogs' biggest needs and matched most of TCU's schematic focuses.
Out went Paul Dawson, Sam Carter, Kevin White, Tayo Fabuluje and Chucky Hunter; in come Alec Dunham, Raymond, Tre'Vontae Hights, Awolope, Tipa Galeai and Joseph Broadnax.
Losing Thomas to Texas Tech stung, but Darrion Flowers, Jarrison Stewart and Kavontae Turpin bolster an already-outstanding receiving corps. TCU will lose its top three wideouts after 2015, so it was a perfect time to add the trio.
The Frogs were unable to ink some nationally touted prospects, however, so Patterson is certainly relying on his history of player development. Of course, TCU hasn't emerged as a favorite to win the national championship next season for no reason.
Final 247Sports Team Ranking: No. 41
Note: Flowers will sign a track scholarship, so he did not sign today but will still be a part of the 2015 class, per Carlos A. Mendez of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
5. Texas Tech
6 of 10
Top Prospects: Breiden Fehoko (No. 50 OVR, No. 8 DT); JF Thomas (No. 178 OVR, No. 22 WR); Corey Dauphine (No. 211 OVR, No. 18 RB); Conner Dyer (No. 259 OVR, No. 26 OT)
With Kliff Kingsbury guiding the offense, the Red Raiders are in good hands. Throw in Dauphine, Dyer, Madison Akamnonu, Keke Coutee, Tony Brown and signing-day flip Thomas, and Texas Tech's attack is only getting more dangerous.
The defense, conversely, is a mess. It allowed the fourth-most yards per game in 2014, which eventually resulted in Kingsbury's hiring of David Gibbs away from Houston.
Overcoming last season's deficiency isn't a three-prospect project, but Fehoko and Jamile Johnson are notable steps in the proper direction. Although D'Vonta Hinton was largely overlooked due to his size (5'10", 215 pounds), it's hard to argue with 329 tackles over his last two high school seasons.
Behind the trio, however, the Red Raiders added just three other defensive players. The talent signed isn't necessarily an issue; the problem is simply the lack of numbers.
Final 247Sports Team Ranking: No. 33
4. West Virginia
7 of 10
Top Prospects: Jovon Durante (No. 157 OVR, No. 18 WR); Tyrek Cole (No. 161 OVR, No. 21 CB); Rasul Douglas (No. 15 JUCO OVR, No. 3 CB); David Sills (No. 485 OVR, No. 19 PRO QB)
West Virginia's secondary was typically stout last season, but Dana Holgorsen made it even better by signing Cole and Douglas to join Karl Joseph, Daryl Worley, KJ Dillon and Terrell Chestnut.
Though All-American wideout Kevin White leaves a massive void, it takes a ridiculously special recruit to even touch that conversation. Mario Alford's speed is not easily replaceable, but Durante should provide a respectable imitation.
Sills is expected to be groomed into the starting quarterback role, and Matt Jones has a respectable chance to become a rotational offensive lineman within two years.
The Mountaineers signed a balanced class overall but could have used a few more linebackers, considering that Nick Kwiatkoski, Shaq Petteway and Edward Muldrow will all be seniors in 2015.
Final 247Sports Team Ranking: No. 35
3. Baylor
8 of 10
Top Prospects: Jarrett Stidham (No. 38 OVR, No. 2 DUAL QB); Blake Lynch (No. 186 OVR, No. 23 WR); JaMycal Hasty (No. 236 OVR, No. 7 APB); Devontre Stricklin (No. 407 OVR, No. 50 WR)
Baylor has a handful of studs returning and 18 starters overall, so like Oklahoma State, Art Briles was ultimately recruiting for 2016 and beyond with this class. With that being said, the Bears staff still nabbed some players who can contribute next season.
Exit Bryce Petty. Enter Stidham—theoretically, at least. The 4-star gunslinger must overtake Seth Russell to start for Briles' squad, but Stidham has a legitimate chance to achieve that, especially since he enrolled early.
Antwan Goodley and Levi Norwood both ran out of eligibility, so Lynch and Stricklin are in decent position to grab a few WR4 snaps in the Bears' spread offense.
Maurice Porter, Jordan Tolbert and Henry Black should enter the two-deep following one season spent mostly on the sidelines.
Baylor undoubtedly signed a few projects and high-ceiling prospects, but it held the option to take some risks. Granted, the Bears cannot afford to have half of their class eventually become busts.
Final 247Sports Team Ranking: No. 36
2. Oklahoma
9 of 10
Top Prospects: Neville Gallimore (No. 72 OVR, No. 11 DT); Ricky DeBerry (No. 86 OVR, No. 2 ILB); PJ Mbanasor (No. 132 OVR, No. 19 CB); Rodney Anderson (No. 155 OVR, No. 4 APB)
Consequent to having five key offensive linemen head for the doors, replenishing the interior was a top priority for Oklahoma. Bob Stoops inked Bobby Evans, Dru Samia, Cody Ford and Dominique Hearne.
Oklahoma practically signed an entirely new defense with Gallimore, DeBerry, Mbanasor, Will Sunderland, Marquise Overton, Kahlil Haughton, Antoine Stephens and Gabriel Campbell. That's nothing short of an impressive group.
What's more, Anderson and top JUCO receiver Dede Westbrook boost an offense that returns team leaders in Trevor Knight, Sterling Shepard and Samaje Perine.
The only thing the Sooners were missing was a true superstar, which leaves them at a still-outstanding No. 2 position in the Big 12.
Final 247Sports Team Ranking: No. 15
1. Texas
10 of 10
Top Prospects: Malik Jefferson (No. 10 OVR, No. 1 OLB); Anthony Wheeler (No. 74 OVR, No. 7 OLB); Chris Warren (No. 77 OVR, No. 8 RB); Holton Hill (No. 80 OVR, No. 7 CB)
The Longhorns needed a big-time signee to lock up their top-ranked conference haul, and they received it with a literal coin flip from Warren, per 247Sports.
Jefferson, the top player at his position, has already enrolled and is a virtual lock to demand immediate playing time. Texas also reeled in a plethora of 4-stars, headlined by Kris Boyd, Patrick Vahe, DeShon Elliott and DeAndre McNeal.
Head coach Charlie Strong capitalized on his ties in the state of Florida, snagging four players—including three 4-stars—from the Sunshine State. The Longhorns also added late flips in Kai Locksley, Ryan Newsome and PJ Locke.
A No. 1 ranking in the Big 12 doesn't mean Texas will return to elite status on the field next season, but the Longhorns are undoubtedly trending that way following a stellar 2015 recruiting class.
Final 247Sports Team Ranking: No. 11
Note: Stats courtesy of CFBstats.com. All recruiting information via 247Sports and rankings based on the 247Sports composite rankings.
Follow Bleacher Report college football writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.
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