Texas Tech, TCU Lead Big 12 Early Signing Day Recruiting Rankings
On Wednesday, thousands of high school student athletes signed their National Letter of Intent with the opening of the Early Signing period. The Texas Tech Red Raiders landed a huge commitment from five-star receiver Micah Hudson (Temple, TX) and lead the 2024 Big 12 rankings. The TCU Horned Frogs inked the second-ranked class, followed by the UCF Knights, Kansas Jayhawks, and West Virginia Mountaineers.
Just two players in 247Sports' Top 100 for this class remain unsigned and the vast majority of those recruits are also signed. While some shuffling of the Big 12 rankings may occur on National Signing Day (Feb. 7), most classes have been filled out. So, let's take a look at how the new-look Big 12 sized up with their recruiting classes.
Note: These rankings only account for high school signees, not transfers. The winter transfer window is open until Jan. 2.
Texas Tech Signs Big 12's Top Class
Under revised criteria for assigning five-stars, 32 recruits earn the highest rating – one for each pick in the first round of the NFL Draft. Hudson ranks 18th in the country, the fifth-ranked receiver nationally. Being the lone five-star signed to the Big 12 gave Tech the boost it needed to sit atop the rankings for the first time ever.
They also added four 4-star signees, headlined by QB Will Hammond (Hutto, TX). Offensive tackle Ellis Davis (Prosper, TX), edge rusher Cheta Ofili (Sachse, TX), and safety Peyton Morgan (Pflugerville, TX) round out the four-stars.
TCU, UCF, Kansas, WVU Round Out Top 5
TCU's recruiting class is headlined by Aledo QB Hauss Hejny, a four star, and two other four-stars. The Horned Frogs went Texas-heavy, with 18 of their 21 signees coming from the Lone Star State. TCU also signed the nation's top kicker, Kyle Lemmermann (Southlake, TX).
UCF added three four-stars themselves, most notably running back Frankie Arthur (Conroe, TX). Three of UCF's top five recruits come from the state of Georgia while 10 of their 18 commits are in-state.
Kansas signed the smallest class within the Big 12's Top 10, with 17 commits. Their two four-stars – pass rushers Deshawn Warner (Goodyear, AZ) and Dakyus Brinkley (Katy, TX) – are two of their six highest-signed recruits ever. Warner is the second-highest, a testament to the job Lance Leipold has done in Lawrence.
Despite Neal Brown being on the hot seat to begin 2023, WVU won eight games and signed the conference's fifth-best recruiting class. The Mountaineers bring in 20 three-stars in a deep class. Their top recruit is four-star receiver Ric'Darious Farmer (Melbourne, FL).
Arizona Leads Crop Of Newcomers
Just weeks after extending head coach Jedd Fisch, Arizona signed the top recruiting class among the four newcomers to the Big 12 for 2024. The Wildcats signed three 4-stars, including QB Demond Williams (Chandler, AZ). Their top eight recruits come either on the offensive side of the ball, or as "athlete."
Rival Arizona State comes in two spots lower, signing two 4-stars of their own: running back Jason Brown (Seattle, WA) and tight end Jayden Fortier (Tualatin, OR). The Sun Devils also bring in four high 3-stars (88 rating or better) to bolster a deep class.
Utah signed two 4-stars, including tackle Isaiah Garcia and QB Isaac Wilson, both out of Corner Canyon High School in Draper, UT. Although the Utes bring in just 15 recruits, don't underestimate the school's ability to develop those players. Utah typically fell back in the pack of Pac-12 classes, but have been a dominant team in that league and likely enter 2024 as the Big 12 favorite.
Colorado brings up the rear after a slew of de-commitments. Like the roster existing, Colorado's recruiting class is top-heavy. They signed three 4-stars: Receiver Drelon Miller (Silsbee, TX), athlete Kamron Mikell (Statesboro, GA), and defensive lineman Brandon Davis-Swain (West Bloomfield, MI). Five-star commit Jordan Seaton re-opened his recruitment.
Complete Big 12 Recruiting Class Rankings
Rankings according to 247Sports as of Dec. 21.
- Texas Tech Red Raiders
- TCU Horned Frogs
- UCF Knights
- Kansas Jayhawks
- West Virginia Mountaineers
- Arizona Wildcats
- Cincinnati Bearcats
- Arizona State Sun Devils
- BYU Cougars
- Iowa State Cyclones
- Oklahoma State Cowboys
- Kansas State Wildcats
- Utah Utes
- Baylor Bears
- Houston Cougars
- Colorado Buffaloes
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