Pokes Report's Big 12 Recruiting Rankings and the Best Over Achievers After Signing Day
STILLWATER – We are constantly informing you and updating you on Oklahoma State football recruiting. It is one of the best and one of the most wanted topics that do. Marshall Levenson just finished on July 10 bringing you an update on where the Cowboys stand and where they may be going next in recruiting as we close in on the middle of the “July dead period.” While there is no in-person recruiting on or off campus again until July 25, there is still activity as a lot of prospects are using the lighter period in recruiting to make decisions.
This is a good time to take stock and so we will use this time to post our Big 12 recruiting rankings that give some perspective or how the Cowboys are doing and where they stack up. We don’t use ESPN, 247 Sports, Rivals or anybody else for our rankings. We use our own knowledge and when needed we consult sources we have that we trust and look at video.
Like I have always said, no list is perfect. Recruiting rankings ideally are based on the caliber of the recruit and how he can develop and fit in at a particular school. The crystal ball is being used from the get-go. However, you and I both know that some recruiting rankings are also based on the name of the school, the number of subscribers they have to a particular source, and other variables that really don’t count.
Okay, here is our go at the near midway point.
*Denotes difference maker
Oklahoma – The Sooners had another strong Fourth of July and they have more difference makers at this stage. They did lose some pledges as three receivers de-committed including Talyn Shettron to Oklahoma State.
Xavion Brice, Ath., 6-2, 175, Arlington (Seguin), Texas
*Raleek Brown, RB, 5-7, 170, Santa Ana (Mater Dei), Calf.
*Luther Burden, WR, 6-1, 195, East St. Louis, Ill.
*Demetrius Hunter, OC, 6-2, 285, Orange (West Orange-Stark), Texas
*Kip Lewis, OLB, 6-2, 200, Carthage, Texas
Jason Llewellyn, TE, 6-5, 240, Aledo, Texas
*Kobie McKenzie, OLB, 6-3, 225, Lubbock (Cooper), Texas
*Derrick Moore, DE, 6-4, 250, Baltimore (St. Francis), Md.
Jaydon Rowe, Saf, 6-3, 205, Tulsa (Union), Okla.
*Gavin Sawchuk, RB, 5-11, 175, Highlands Ranch (Valor Christian), Colo.
Jacob Sexton, OT, 6-5, 290, Edmond (Deer Creek), Texas
Robert Spears-Jennings, WR, 6-2, 195, Broken Arrow, Okla.
Jake Taylor, OT, 6-5, 270, Las Vegas (Bishop Gordon), Nev.
Texas – The Longhorns have their quarterback in the class and two of the top running backs in their state. They also have a pair of in-state defenders that virtually everybody wanted including the likes of Alabama, Ohio State, and Clemson. They did lose their first quarterback commitment to Ohio State.
*Bryan Allen Jr., Saf, 6-0, 185, Aledo, Texas
*Jaydon Blue, RB, 5-10, 195, Houston (Klien Cain), Texas
*Jaylon Guilbeau, CB, 6-0, 175, Port Arthur (Memorial), Texas
Cole Hutson, OG, 6-5, 290, Frisco, Texas
Treveil Johnson, ILB, 6-0, 200, Arlington (Martin), Texas
Anthony Jones, Ath., 6-5, 240, Henderson (Liberty), Nev.
*Jamarion Miller, RB, 5-9, 185, Tyler (Legacy), Texas
*Maalik Murphy, QB, 6-5, 220, Gardenia (Junipero Serra), Calf.
Connor Robertson, OG, 6-4, 295, Austin (Westlake), Texas
*Kristopher Ryan-Ross, DT, 6-3, 265, Galena Park (North Shore), Texas
Will Stone, K, 6-0, 180, Austin (Regents School), Texas
Zac Swanson, DE, 6-3, 255, Phoenix (Brophy Prep), Ariz.
*Armani Winfield, WR, 6-2, 190, Lewisville, Texas
Oklahoma State – The Cowboys have their quarterback and some very good skill position commitments. The biggest need is offensive line at this stage.
*C.J. Brown, RB, 6-0, 175, Beggs, Okla.
Gabe Brown, OLB, 6-2, 215, Stillwater, Okla.
Landon Dean, DE, 6-4, 230, Frontenac, Kan.
Cameron Epps, CB, 6-3, 180, St. Louis (Chaminade), Mo.
Mason Gilkey, WR, 6-4, 185, Pawhuska, Okla.
*Ollie Gordon, RB, 6-1, 210, Euless (Trinity), Texas
Jaleel Johnson, DE, 6-4, 240, Oklahoma City (Putnam City North), Okla.
Austin Kawecki, OT, 6-5, 275, Frisco (Lebanon Trail), Texas
Dylahn McKinney, CB, 6-0, 180, Colleyville (Heritage), Texas
*Braylin Presley, Ath., 5-7, 165, Bixby, Okla.
*Garret Rangel, QB, 6-3, 175, Frisco (Lone Star), Texas
Tabyn Shettron, WR/TE, 6-4, 215, Edmond (Santa Fe), Okla.
*Talyn Shettron, WR, 6-2.5, 185, Edmond (Santa Fe), Okla.
West Virginia – Mountaineers went to Arizona to get a flagship quarterback and I really like Page the tight end and Hamilton the guard from Cleveland, who is huge but moves well.
Mumu Bin-Wahad, Saf, 6-0, 180, Loganville (Grayson), Ga.
Aric Burton, DE, 6-4, 210, Clearwater (Clearwater Academy), Fla.
*Maurice Hamilton, OG, 6-5, 345, Cleveland (Cleveland Heights), Ohio
Charlie Katarincic, OG, 6-5, 280, Wallingford (Choate Rosemary Hall), Conn.
*Nicco Marchiol, QB, 6-2, 210, Chandler (Hamilton), Ariz.
*Corbin Page, TE, 6-5, 245, Huntington (Spring Valley), WV
*Jacolby Spells, WR, 6-0, 170, Plantation (American Heritage), Fla.
Christian Stokes, Ath., 6-0, 180, Harper Woods, Mich.
Sullivan Weidman, OT, 6-5, 300, Brookline (Dexter School), Mass.
Jarel Williams, WR, 6-3, 175, Saraland, Ala.
Justin Williams, RB, 5-11, 200, Dallas (East Paulding), Ga.
Tyrin Woodby, CB, 6-1, 170, Baltimore (St. Francis), Md.
Zion Young, DE, 6-5, 240, Atlanta (Westlake), Ga.
Iowa State – A solid group as Cyclones are more of a national brand now and have gone outside, but look at those two big midwestern tight ends
Rocco Becht, QB, 6-1, 190, Wesley Chapel (Wireglass Ranch), Fla.
Gabe Burkle, TE, 6-6, 235, Cedar Rapids (Prairie), Iowa
Jeremiah Cooper, Saf, 6-1, 170, El Paso (Andress), Texas
*Hunter Deyo, DT, 6-3, 235, Council Bluffs (Lewis Central), Iowa
Ikenna Ezeogu, DE, 6-6, 215, Blue Springs, Mo.
Deylin Hasert, OT, 6-5, 280, Marshall, Minn.
Avery Henry, OT, 6-6, 325, St. Clairsville, Ohio
*Andrew Keller, TE, 6-6, 210, Waunakee, Wis.
Will McLaughlin, ILB, 6-3, 220, Harlan (Harlan Community), Iowa
Tyler Perkins, K, 5-11, 190, Norwalk (St. Paul), Ohio
Mason Thomas, DE, 6-3, 215, Ft. Lauderdale (Cardinal Gibbons), Fla.
Noble Thomas, CB, 6-0, 180, Orange City (University), Fla.
*Carson Willich, ILB, 6-2, 200, Blue Springs (South), Mo.
Baylor – Lots of commits with 19 overall and a difference maker that we see and love at tight end in Roberts-Day and a defensive tackle in Emory. Otherwise, a number of players that will need to be developed.
Devyn Bobby, Saf, 5-10, 175, DeSoto, Texas
Timothy Dawn, OT, 6-5, 280, Camden, Ark.
Caleb Douglas, WR, 6-2, 185, Missouri City (Hightower), Texas
Alvin Ebosele, OT, 6-5, 250, Coppell, Texas
*Tre Emory, DT, 6-2, 295, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Corey Gordon, Saf, 6-3, 180, Oklahoma City (Putnam City West), Okla.
Kelsey Johnson, TE, 6-3, 220, Red Oak, Texas
Carmello Jones, DE, 6-2, 210, Orange (West Orange Stark), Texas
Kyler Jordan, DE, 6-2, 235, Lubbock (Cooper), Texas
George Maile, OG, 6-3, 270, South Jordan (Bingham), Utah
Cody Mladenka, TE, 6-5, 240, The Woodlands (College Park), Texas
Jordan Nabors, WR, 5-11, 175, Rockwall (Heath), Texas
Colton Price, OG, 6-3, 280, Bowie, Texas
Zach Pryon, QB, 6-3, 205, Pinson Valley, Ala.
Richard Reese, RB, 5-10, 180, Bellville, Texas
*Kaian Roberts-Day, TE, 6-4, 220, Festus, Mo.
Kaden Sieracki, OT, 6-7, 320, The Woodlands, Texas
Bryce Simpson, OT, 6-6, 315, Cypress (Cy-Ranch), Texas
Enyce Sledge, DT, 6-3, 310, Monroe (Neville), La.
Kansas State – The player I know the most about is Clifton and he is legit. He is a really physical player that will morph in nicely in the Wildcats defense.
Drake Bequeaith, OT, 6-5, 260, Grapevine, Texas
Jake Clifton, OLB, 6-1, 205, Owasso, Okla.
Silas Etter, WR, 6-2, 200, Eudora, Kan.
Brayden Loftin, TE, 6-4, 210, Council Bluffs (Lewis Central), Iowa
Colby McCalister, CB, 5-11, 170, Friendswood (Clear Brook), Texas
Tobi Osunsanmi, Saf, 6-2, 205, Wichita (East), Kan.
Gage Senger, Ath., Omaha (Millard South), Neb.
Tyson Struber, WR, 6-2, 185, Canton (Canton-Galva), Kan.
TCU – Horned Frogs may be wanting to save places for portal transfers. This is a good six for a start and McConnell is a kid I have watched develop over the years. He has a chance to be good, really good.
Joseph Adedire, DE, 6-3, 240, Arlington, Texas
Matthew Golden, WR, 6-0, 190, Houston (Klein Cain), Texas
Trevor McAlpine, DT, 6-3, 280, Saraland, Ala.
Cade McConnell, OT, 6-5, 290, Choctaw, Okla.
Tevita Noa, TE, 6-3, 245, Snow C.C., Utah
D’Arco Perkins-McAllister, Saf, 6-1, 185, Nashville (Stratford), Tenn.
Texas Tech – I like Donnell the running back who also plays with Jamarion Miller at Tyler Legacy. Horn is solid. Weatherby is a good player.
Bryson Donnell, RB, 5-11, 180, Tyler (Legacy), Texas
Hut Graham, Ath., 6-0, 175, Gunter, Texas
Maurion Horn, CB, 5-11, 175, Broken Arrow, Okla.
Tyler King, WR, 5-10, 170, Houston (Alief Taylor), Texas
Kaden Weatherby, OT, 6-6, 270, Aurora (Eaglecrest), Colo.
Sheridan Wilson, OG, 6-4, 275, Argyle, Texas
Kansas – This is a solid class so far for Kansas as Coach Leipold and his staff have a long way to go. They need to stay committed as Les Miles was to building it the right way.
Jacobe Chester, Saf, Missouri City (Marshall), Texas
James Livingston, OT, 6-7, 275, Dexter, Mich.
Dewaun Mack, CB, 6-0, 185, Lee’s Summit (North), Kan.
Jalon Peoples, CB, 6-0, 175, Cedar Hill, Texas
Nikki Taylor, WR, 5-11, 165, Luther, Ala.
Something that evens things out a little is what schools do in developing the talent they bring in.
The Athletic had a story the other day on the top schools that overachieve based on their recruiting ranking and the top schools that underachieve. The Big 12 was represented on both lists.
You can almost guess which schools made which list.
Here are the Big 12 schools among the top overachievers:
Place | School | Avg. Ranking (4 years) | Avg. Recruiting Ranking (247 Comp.-4 years) | Difference |
1. | Iowa State | 19 | 57 | +38 |
6. | Oklahoma State | 18 | 38 | +20 |
7. | Kansas State | 44 | 64 | +20 |
Iowa, Wisconsin, Boston College, and Northwestern were the schools that were second through fifth, respectively.
I’m shocked that Texas did not make the list as they have definitely underachieved based on their recruiting. It was only Kansas that made the underachieving list. That list was headed by a top five of Arkansas, Rutgers, Florida State, Maryland, and UCLA.
Place | School | Avg. Ranking (4 years) | Avg. Recruiting Ranking (247 Comp.-4 years) | Difference |
10. | Kansas | 117 | 70 | -47 |
It would appear that all four of these schools have a good chance to continue making the lists they have made here recently.