Big 12 Football: Power Ranking The Conference's 2011 Recruiting Classes
Just two days after the 2010 college football season finally ended, it's on to 2011. And naturally, that starts with recruiting and National Signing Day on Feb. 2.
But which schools have put together the best recruiting classes in the nation and in their respective conferences?
In the coming days, we'll look at each conference and where its teams rank among each other. Today, we start with the Big 12.
Featuring perennial powers like Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and others, the Big 12 brings in some of the best talent in the country. This year is no different. But which recruiting classes really made a splash so far this season and take the top spots in the Big 12 heading into the recruiting season's final stretch?
12. Colorado
1 of 12
5-Star Commitments: 0
4-Star Commitments: 0
3-Star Commitments: 3
Commitments: 7
The Buffaloes missed out on running back Jermichael Sanders, who would have been perhaps their top recruit, but did gain the commitments of athlete Donnie Duncan and wide receiver Nelson Spruce. Colorado's top recruit is offensive tackle Marc Mustoe.
11. Iowa State
2 of 12
5-Star Commitments: 0
4-Star Commitments: 0
3-Star Commitments: 6
Commitments: 20
Running back DeVondrick Nealy was a terrific commitment for the Cyclones, who went 5-7 last year.
All told, Iowa State has 20 recruits and adds to Nealy, a talented offensive class, including wide receiver Tad Ecby, quarterback Sam Richardson and running back Rob Standard. Receiver Ted Lampkin and athlete JaQuarius Daniels also add to what is a solid class for the Cyclones.
10. Kansas
3 of 12
5-Star Commitments: 0
4-Star Commitments: 2
3-Star Commitments: 16
Commitments: 22
Despite going just 3-9 last season, the Jayhawks were able to land two 4-star recruits they'll be able to build around for the next few years. Darrian Miller, the 18th-ranked running back and quarterback Brock Berglund, who ranks 13th among signal callers top a solid list that includes 16 3-star commitments bound to make an impact.
Receiver JaCorey Shepherd and linemen Damon Martin, Luke Luhrsen and Dylan Admire complete what is a terrific front line of commits on the offensive side of the football.
The offensive additions come at the right time for Kansas, which boasted just the 111th-ranked offense in the nation this past season. Averaging just 17.1 points per game, including 161 yards through the air on average. It was clear Kansas' focus was on offense this recruiting season.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
9. Baylor
4 of 12
5-Star Commitments: 0
4-Star Commitments: 1
3-Star Commitments: 11
Commitments: 19
The Bears top-ranked recruit is Spencer, the 15th-ranked offensive tackle. While a solid offensive lineman is a good get, he's hardly the type of player to build around in the rugged Big 12.
The Bears missed out on running back Bradley Marquez who would have supplied the pop needed this season. Undeclared Marquis Jackson is a potential splash-type player that could help Baylor's offense in a hurry.
8. Kansas State
5 of 12
5-Star Commitments: 0
4-Star Commitments: 0
3-Star Commitments: 5
Commitments: 17
After going 7-6 this season, the Wildcats swung and missed on the recruiting front for 5 and 4-star prospects.
Still, Kansas State has certainly beefed up its defensive line with the commitments of defensive tackles Lamonte Clark and Sam Harvill and defensive ends Brandon Mickens and Marquel Bryant. These four players are the Wildcats' top four recruits and will no doubt play a part in improving Kansas State's 78th-ranked defense.
Anthony Pierson, the 28th-ranked running back calls Kansas State a finalist and could certainly help improve the Wildcats' Top 50 2011 recruiting class.
7. Missouri
6 of 12
5-Star Commitments: 0
4-Star Commitments: 0
3-Star Commitments: 8
Commitments: 16
After going 10-3 and contending well in the Big 12, the Tigers have put together a solid 2011 recruiting class and have beefed up their sixth-ranked defense, which allowed a minuscule 16 points per game in 2010.
Defensive end Shane Ray and defensive tackle Gerrand Johnson are likely to make an immediate impact. Ray, in particular, is Missouri's top recruit and ranked No. 34 in perhaps the most talented and deepest class of defensive ends ever.
Quarterback Corbin Berkstresser and Wesley Leftwich, a wide receiver, are the Tigers' top offensive skill position players committed.
6. Texas A&M
7 of 12
5-Star Commitments: 0
4-Star Commitments: 1
3-Star Commitments: 12
Commitments: 19
Top running backs Bradley Marquez, Daniel Lasco, Herschel Sims, Kenny Hilliard, Brandon Williams and Malcolm Brown all considered Texas A&M before commiting to their respective schools and that could be the theme of the Aggies' 2011 recruiting class.
With kicker Taylor Bertolet notched as their top-ranked commit, the Aggies lack the big name that can help propel their recruiting class into the big time.
Still, Texas A&M did mightily improve their defense. Safety Deshazor Everett, inside linebacker Leilon Willingham, outside linebacker Shaun Ward and safety Devonta Burns make up for a solid core of defensive talent.
5. Texas Tech
8 of 12
5-Star Commitments: 0
4-Star Commitments: 2
3-Star Commitments: 16
Commitments: 24
The Red Raiders gained perhaps the best duo of runnign backs out of any school in the nation when 14th-ranked Kenny Williams and Bradley Marquez, No. 21, committed.
The Raiders, who ranked just 75th in the nation last year in rushing yards per game, clearly addressed a need and will be all the better for it in 2011.
Wide receiver Derek Edwards, quarterback Michael Brewer and tight end Jace Amaro will also undoubtedly impact the Texas Tech offense.
4. Nebraska
9 of 12
5-Star Commitments: 1
4-Star Commitments: 5
3-Star Commitments: 9
Commitments: 16
Nebraska's recruiting class is headlined by 5-star running back Aaron Green, but with top-10 talent at quarterback, offensive tackle, offensive guard, center and cornerback there's a good deal of talent surrounding him.
The Cornhuskers rushed for an impressive 247 yards per game last year and seem poised to do it again with the commitment of Green and offensive linemen Rune Reeves, Tyler Moore, Zach Sterup and Ruan Klachko—all 4 or 3-star recruits.
The addition of 4-star offensive guard Cyrus Hobbi, who is considering Nebraska, would only add to the 'Huskers' impressive class on offense.
3. Oklahoma State
10 of 12
5-Star Commitments: 0
4-Star Commitments: 3
3-Star Commitments: 15
Commitments: 24
Led by 4-star and 10th-ranked running back Herschel Sims and 10th-ranked quarterback J.W. Walsh, the Cowboys are set up well for an improvement on their ridiculous 44.2 points per game.
Sims, an ESPNU Top 150 player is the marquee player in the Oklahoma State class and Walsh is surely a strong get for the Cowboys, but their highly-regarded class doesn't end there.
On the defensive side of the ball, Nico Ornelas, Desmond Roland, Josh Stewart, Miketavious Jones and Kris Catlin all bring 3 or 4-star clout with them to their positions.
2. Oklahoma
11 of 12
5-Star Commitments: 0
4-Star Commitments: 10
3-Star Commitments: 8
Commitments: 18
Talk about a match made in heaven. Knowing that one of the best passers in college football will be entering his junior season after throwing for 4,718 yards and 38 touchdowns, the Sooners' top target on the recruiting trail was wide receiver Trey Metoyer and he committed and quickly became their top recruit.
Earlier in the year we were looking at Oklahoma as a top-five recruiting class, and while the Sooners still have a ton of talent in place, they haven't been in the mix for any top-ranked talent lately and that has them falling behind the likes of Auburn, Alabama, Florida State and the other big dogs.
Still, the offensive firepower added in Metoyer, 4-star athlete Danzel Williams and seventh-ranked running back Brandon Williams will certainly help Oklahoma maintain its high level of play next season and beyond.
1. Texas
12 of 12
5-Star Commitments: 2
4-Star Commitments: 13
3-Star Commitments: 8
Commitments: 23
Despite an uncharacteristic 5-7 season in 2010 and a host of coaching changes, the Longhorns have the nation's top recruiting class.
Top recruit Christian Westerman has reportedly re-opened his recruitment and while the loss of the top-ranked offensive tackle would hurt the Longhorns, this class is built on depth.
Texas has Top 5 talent at six positions and will undoubtedly receive an immediate impact from all of those players. The impact of second-ranked running back Malcolm Brown will be the most fun to watch as the 6'0'', 215-pound bruiser becomes the Longhorns' featured back.
Defensively, the Longhorns feature top-ranked cornerback Quandre Diggs, No. 2 tackle Desmond Jackson and Steve Edmond, the No. 4 inside linebacker.
Be it on offense or defense, the Longhorns' recruiting class in 2011 is the one to beat.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
