Power Ranking The Big 12's 2011 Recruiting Classes: Nebraska Closing In On Texas

When we last did our Big 12 recruiting power rankings, Texas was sitting comfortably as the top team in the conference, with Oklahoma the only threat to its crown.

Since then, Nebraska has received several commitments, most notably from 5-star running back Aaron Green and 4-star cornerback Charles Jackson.

Green is one of the top overall recruits in the country and Jackson is our No. 10 cornerback from the 2011 class. 

Their additions have upped the ante in the Big 12 and closed the gap between Texas, Oklahoma and the field. 

12. Colorado

5-star commitments: 0

4-star commitments: 0

3-star commitments: 4

The Buffaloes probably can't wait for their move to the Pac-10, where more alumni and support will be a welcome change from the Big 12.

With only five commitments for 2011, Colorado is barely recruiting its way into the top 100 for the year.

Expect there to be a boost in the coming years, but there's not a whole lot to see when it comes to the 2011 class. 

11. Iowa State

5-star commitments: 0

4-star commitments: 0

3-star commitments: 5

The Cyclones didn't have a single recruit on the books until very late in the spring, and the majority of their class committed after the start of August.

When you have only 14 prospects and only five have received a 3-star grade, that isn't a good sign.

Iowa State isn't too far ahead of Colorado, and along with Kansas State, has one of the worst recruiting classes of any school in one of the six major conferences. 

 

10. Kansas State

5-star commitments: 0

4-star commitments: 0

3-star commitments: 8

Kansas State's class has eight 3-star prospects and six 2-star prospects, with only one commitment since September. 

Quarterback Daniel Sams, ranked No. 66 at his position, is the highest ranked recruit in the class, followed by defensive end Marquel Bryant, who's ranked 71st at his position.

The Wildcats generally don't recruit much better than they are for 2011, so this has to have been expected coming in. 

 

9. Kansas

5-star commitments: 0

4-star commitments: 0

3-star commitments: 12

Kansas has 18 commitments on the book and ranks just inside the top 50 in the country in total recruiting points at the moment—though having a high quantity of any numbers bolsters a recruiting class this time of year.

With 12 3-star prospects and no 4-star or 5-star names on the books, Kansas has a decent class, but not one that will wow you.

Still, star rankings aren't everything. Anyone who follows recruiting knows that. 

 

8. Baylor

5-star commitments: 0

4-star commitments: 2

3-star commitments: 9

Baylor's recruiting class would have been a whole lot stronger if it had managed to hold onto 5-star running back Brandon Williams.

Williams had originally committed to the Bears last February, but decommitted in favor of Oklahoma in April. 

Without him, offensive tackle and defensive end Spencer Drango, ranked top 25 at both positions, became the headliner of Baylor's class. While he's a good prospect, Drango is no Williams.

7. Missouri

5-star commitments: 0

4-star commitments: 1

3-star commitments: 12

Back in March, you would have thought Missouri was on its way to having one of the top recruiting classes in the country with 5-star defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, 4-star defensive end Shane Ray and 3-star quarterback Corbin Berkstresser. 

But things pretty much stalled from there. Richardson decommitted in November and quickly pledged to USC.

While Missouri has brought in five new recruits in the last couple of months, none of them are rated higher than 3-star prospects.

 

6. Texas A&M

5-star commitments: 0

4-star commitments: 3

3-star commitments: 11

Texas A&M has a couple of 4-star safeties to highlight their class in Devonta Burns and Howard Mathews. They're joined by offensive tackle Shayvoin Hatten as the only 4-star prospects in the Aggies' class. 

With 14 commitments, Texas A&M's class is thin, but has a diverse amount of talent that has the potential to be quite good. 

It all depends how the 3-star prospects end up doing, but there are intriguing players like running back William Randolph with a lot of potential to outshine their recruiting grades. 

 

 

5. Texas Tech

5-star commitments: 0

4-star commitments: 6

3-star commitments: 12

Texas Tech got off to a really quick start with its 2011 recruiting class, with all but one of its top recruits committing before mid-May. 

With Tommy Tuberville at the helm, you would've expected more defensive names on the books, but all but one of the school's top prospects come on the offensive side of the ball. 

Four-star running back Kenny Williams, 4-star tight end Jace Amaro and 4-star center Tony Morales are all ranked in the top 15 at their position.

 

4. Oklahoma State

5-star commitments: 1

4-star commitments: 6

3-star commitments: 12

Oklahoma State's class begins with star running back Hershel Sims, a highlight just waiting to happen. He's a player who thrives in big games and saves his best for clutch moments. He'll be a thorn in the side of the entire Big 12 for years.

The Cowboys also have J.W. Walsh at quarterback, rated top 10 at his position, one of the best offensive guards in the country in Travis Cross and high-upside receiver Desmond Roland.

On defense, Oklahoma State balances out their class with 4-star safety Lyndell Johnson, 4-star defensive end Jimmy Bean and 4-star cornerback Mikeatavius Jones, all of whom are rated top 25 at their position. There's also 4-star JUCO defensive tackle John Jenkins; a mammoth at 340 lbs. 

 

3. Nebraska

5-star commitments: 1

4-star commitments: 7

3-star commitments: 7

With Aaron Green on board, the Cornhuskers' 2011 recruiting class suddenly has the look of a whole new beast; that should give a good idea just how good of running back he is. 

But he isn't going it alone out there. 

Nebraska has a solid bunch of offensive linemen lined up with Ryne Reeves at center, Tyler Moore at tackle and Ryan Klachko at guard. All three of them are rated in the top 10 at their respective positions.

Add in Bubba Starling and fellow 4-star quarterback Jamal Turner, and the Cornhuskers have some solid offensive pieces. But they're still lacking on the defensive side of the ball.

2. Oklahoma

5-star commitments: 2

4-star commitments: 7

3-star commitments: 9

Oklahoma has two of the top offensive players in the country in running back Brandon Williams and wide receiver Trey Metoyer, both of whom have the chance to be the top prospect at their position when their careers are over. 

With quarterback Kendal Thompson, ranked top 15 at his position, tight end Max Stevenson and running back Danzel Williams, the offensive weapons should be strong for the Sooners.

On the defensive side of the ball, Oklahoma has three 4-star defensive tackles and top 25 talent at defensive end, safety and linebacker.

 

1. Texas

5-star commitments: 7

4-star commitments: 9

3-star commitments: 7

By now, most college football fans who follow recruiting are well aware of the situation in Austin. The Longhorns are 2011 class is simply stacked with talent on both sides of the ball.

Their seven 5-star commitments are as many as Alabama, Ohio State and Oklahoma together. 

With top rated running back Malcolm Brown and top 10 talent at offensive guard, offensive tackle, defensive tackle, defensive end, linebacker, cornerback and safety, there's no doubt Texas stands alone at the top of the rankings. 

Now whether everyone sticks around after the Longhorns' disappointing 2010 season is a different story.