Big 12 Football Recruiting: Winners of The Early Signing Period
The first day of the early signing period is in the books but that doesn’t mean the drama will end here. We have seen quite the array of flips and major changes over the last 24 hours but there is still more action left over the next few weeks. With most classes already wrapped up, I wanted to take a look at some of the big winners in the Big 12 following the first key day in the 2022 cycle.
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Winners
Texas (#5 Class)
The Texas Longhorns already had a solid class before signing day and were able to not only secure some of the commits they had but also flip two key players on Wednesday. One of those players was four-star cornerback Terrance Brooks who flipped from Ohio State. When you look at this class the one thing that sticks out to me is the trenches. Texas was able to grab three top 300 players on the offensive line for the 2022 class as well as four top 300 players on the defensive line. If Texas plans on winning games under Steve Sarkisian, then they needed to get things right up front and they did that and then some in this class.
Oklahoma (#10 Class)
For everything Oklahoma has been through, to end the first signing day with a top ten class is a big deal. When Lincoln Riley left, guys were going to leave and go somewhere else but give credit to Brent Venables who was able to keep a lot of this class together. The Sooners ended up signing nine top 300 players for the 2022 cycle and even got a quarterback in Nick Evers who was previously committed to Florida less than a week ago. I cant wait to see what Venables can do with a full offseason under his belt.
Oklahoma State (#25 Class)
Say what you what about Mike Gundy and recruiting, but you better be careful because Oklahoma State has now finished with back-to-back top 30 classes. The Cowboys were able to sign Tayln Shettron (Edmond, Oklahoma) who is a top 100 player in the 2022 class and also sign another top 300 player in running back Ollie Gordon out of Euless, Texas. Of course, I can’t forget about the quarterback Garret Rangel out of Frisco, Texas who brings the class together. Overall, it was a great day for Mike Gundy and this OSU program who has a bright future ahead.
Iowa State (#29 Class)
If Wednesday showed us anything, it showed that Iowa State is here to stay with the big boys in the Big 12. The Cyclones wrapped up an excellent class with their crown jewel in Hunter Deyo who is a big-time four-star defensive lineman. Wide receiver Greg Gaines was also a big get and how about landing defensive lineman Domonique Orange out of Kansas City who had an Ohio State offer? I look forward to seeing how this class pans out and that includes quarterback Rocco Becht who can absolutely spin it. This was not only the best signing class for Matt Campbell, but it was the best class in Iowa State history.
West Virginia (#32 Class)
Some people weren’t sure which direction this program was heading under Neal Brown, but I think it is safe to say that it is still going the right way after this signing class. West Virginia was able to get a few key defensive players with Jacolby Spells (Fort Lauderdale, Florida), Travious Lathan (Miami, Florida), and Christion Stokes (Harper Woods, Michigan) but most importantly, they found their quarterback of the future. It’s no secret that the quarterback position has been holding this program back since Will Grier left and to get a player like four-star quarterback Nicco Marichol (Chandler, Arizona) is something Mountaineer fans should be excited about.
Texas Tech (#40 Class)
Even thought it may not look like much because of where they are at, you have to realize where this class was before Joey McGuire took over. A couple months ago, Texas Tech was ranked in the 70’s and then Joey took this class into the Top 40. The new man in charge was able to get two of Texas Tech’s highest ranked players with defensive lineman Joseph Adedire (Arlington, Texas) and safety Landon Hullaby (Arlington, Texas). Without McGuire, who knows where this Texas Tech class would be.
