Recruiting 2011 - Big 12 Team Rankings

The conference might have lost Nebraska and Colorado, but the talent is still flowing into the Big 12. Texas came up with a very quiet (at least on Signing Day), but very good class, while Oklahoma got some great prospects, Texas Tech loaded up, and Oklahoma State got some nice players including QB J.W. Walsh. Check out the CFN 2011 Big 12 recruiting rankings.

Recruiting 2011 

Big 12 Rankings

Recruiting 2011 | Recruiting 2010 | Recruiting 2009

CFN Top Prospects for 2011
- No. 1 to 50 | No. 51 to 100 | No. 101 to 150
- No. 151 to 200 |  No. 201 to 250 | No. 251 to 300
- Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Receivers
- Tight Ends | Off. Tackles | Guards & Centers 
- Def. Ends | Def. Tackles | Linebackers | Corners | Safeties 
- 2009 CFN Top 150 | 2010 CFN Top 200  
 
- 2011 Big 12 Recruiting Lists
- 5 Big 12 Recruits You Should Care About
- 2010 Big 12t Recruiting Rankings
- Recruiting 2011  
 
1. Texas | Scout List

The 2011 Class Is Heavy On … Malcolm Brown. It’s Texas, so there’s the normal dizzying array of four and five-star talents across the board – the secondary, defensive line, and receiving corps are LOADED with this class - but the two things that truly matter are 1) the offensive line and 2) Malcolm Brown. The running back-by-committee thing hasn’t worked too well since Jamaal Charles left, and the hope is for the 220-pound Brown to be the fast thumper who can take over the ground game. Will the Longhorns finally have the front five to pave the way? Garrett Greanlea and Sedrick Flowers aren’t going to be ready right away, but they’ll need to be anchors as soon as possible. Fun stat: every recruit is from Texas.

2010 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 2. That Class Was Heavy On ... Phenomenal talent. The Texas haul of players would've been gushed over even more if it wasn't for Florida's epic class. The offensive backfield got a few players, but there's superstar power everywhere else with Mike Davis and Darius White leading a terrific group of six receiver recruits. DE Jackson Jeffcoat was the big pre-Signing Day story picking the Longhorns over Florida, Oklahoma and USC, while Reggie Wilson is every bit the star end prospect. Mack Brown stole Ohio linebacker Jordan Hicks away from Ohio State, Florida, USC, and Alabama, and got Tulsa safety Demarco Cobbs from Alabama and Oklahoma's clutches. Corner Adrian White should be in the NFL in five years.

2009 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 3. That Class Was Heavy On ... defensive linemen. The Longhorns loaded up with elite players all across the board with the bulk of the star power coming on the defensive front. Alex Okafor will be a killer after he spends a few years in the weight room, and Calvin Howell and Derek Johnson will battle it out for the honor of being the next great Longhorn defensive tackle. Kyle Kriegel is a potential pass rushing terror, while Dominique Jones is a tweener who’ll see time on an All-Big 12 team before he’s through.

2. Texas Tech | Scout List

The 2011 Class Is Heavy On … Running backs. This class might be the one that allows Tommy Tuberville to balance out the attack a bit more, but the running backs have to be as good as advertised. This is a huge, HUGE class with plenty of options for just about every position. The defensive line got a major influx of talent with JUCO transfers Dennell Wesley and Leon Mackey brought in to play aright away, and linebacker Branden Jackson was a big-time Signing Day pickup. Most importantly, though, this might be the best class of running backs in decades with Kenny Williams, Bradley Marquez, Deandre Washington and Ronnie Daniels all more than just pass catchers; they can run the rock.

2010 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 41. That Class Was Heavy On ... Defensive line. Tommy Tuberville's first class made the most noise keeping QB Scotty Young, but he loaded up the defense with eight linemen including 288-pound JUCO transfer Donald Langley at one tackle spot and fellow JUCOers Lawrence Rumph and Scott Smith on the ends. Overshadowed but still important were key offensive tackles Aleon Calhoun and Beau Carpenter, two big bodies who fit the system. Tuberville also beefed up the secondary with eight recruits including safety Russell Polk and corner Tre'Vante Porter.

2009 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 30. That Class Was Heavy On ... defensive backs. Tech can’t beat Texas or Oklahoma without being able to slow down the pass, and it made sure the defense got plenty of attention to try to upgrade the secondary. D.J. Johnson and Yahshua Williams are very big corners who’ll get time to develop. Adding more size are safeties Will Ford and Terrence Bullitt, while Daniel Cobb will be in the starting mix in a few years.

3. Oklahoma | Scout List

The 2011 Class Is Heavy On … Defensive linemen. It’s more about quality than quantity across the board with some of the nation’s top prospects at most of the key positions. Kendal Thompson isn’t the typical OU star passer, but he has good skills. Brandon Williams might be the nation’s best running back in the 2011 class, and if Trey Metoyer isn’t the No. 1 receiver, he’s in the top three. Defensively, the line is loaded with some special prospects led by 6-5, 300-pound Jordan Phillips for the inside and pass rushing terror Nathan Hughes on the end. Dan Tapko will be a part of the end rotation soon, while Jordan Wade could be a special tackle with a little bit of time in the weight room.

2010 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 3. That Class Was Heavy On ... Offensive talent. Bob Stoops went after defensive backs last season, and this year he was out to step up the skill positions. Blake Bell will sit and wait his turn at quarterback with Landry Jones the likely starter for the next few seasons, but when it's his time, he should become a star. Brennan Clay and Roy Finch are runners who can fly, and Kenny Stills and Justin McCay lead an all-star cast of receivers who should bring in more firepower in the next few seasons. Defensively, OU came up with a big early story on Signing Day getting top linebacker Corey Nelson to change his commitment from Texas A&M. The Nelson signing overshadowed the addition of Tony Jefferson, a speedy outside linebacker from California who could've gone anywhere and played running back if he wanted.

2009 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 8. That Class Was Heavy On ... defensive backs. Everyone in the Big 12 went heavy on the secondary, seeing it as a must after the offensive explosion of this year, but Oklahoma got the best ones of the bunch. Gabe Lynn might be the nation’s best corner, and Marcus Trice isn’t all that far behind. Javon Harris and Kevin Brent will be starting safeties by 2011, while Demontre Hurst and Marshall Musil are interesting prospects.

4. Oklahoma State | Scout List

The 2011 Class Is Heavy On … Really, really good skill players. The bulk of the class is on the defensive front with James Castelman leading the group of defensive tackles, and Jimmy Bean is a promising end for down the road while JUCO transfer Ryan Robinson will likely see time right away, but the stars are on offense. With the success of Dez Bryant the Justin Robinson, getting receivers isn’t a problem with Desmond Rolany, Johnny Haynes, and David Glidden all good enough to be the next great Cowboy target. J.W. Walsh is a fantastic quarterback prospect with the potential to do a little of everything for the offense, while Herschel Sims is one of the nation’s top running back recruits.

2010 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 17. That Class Was Heavy On ... Defensive backs. No one is talking much about Oklahoma State's class mainly because Texas and Oklahoma stole all the limelight, but this was a great year for Mike Gundy. The secondary got lots and lots of bodies with eight prospect signed including corner Tommie Saunders and corner Larry Stephens. JUCO transfer Malcolm Murray is a big, skilled corner. Quarterbacks Nathan Sorenson and Johnny Deaton will get their chances right away to compete for the starting gig, while RB Joseph Randle might be too good to keep off the field. Shaun Lewis and Caleb Lavey will be good starters for the linebacking corps by 2013.

2009 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 40. That Class Was Heavy On ... pass rushers. The Cowboys weren’t bad at getting into the backfield over the last few years, but they weren’t good at closing. Getting to the quarterback in the pass-happy Big 12 South is a must, and OSU put a priority on bringing in players who can do that. David Paulsen will be a starter on the outside within the next three years, while Anthony Rogers could be special with a little seasoning. Linebackers LeRon Furr and Jordan Barnes can move and will be excellent blitzers.

5. Texas A&M | Scout List

The 2011 Class Is Heavy On … Defensive backs. This isn’t going to be the highest-ranked of classes, only because there isn’t any superstar power compared to Texas and Oklahoma, but it’s a very, very solid haul of talent across the board. The defense got the best players including JUCO transfer LaMarc Strahan and ends Brandon Alexander and Shayvion Hatton up front, and JUCO transfer linebacker Steven Jenkins will see time immediately. The secondary got the most help, especially at safety, with Howard Matthews and Devonta Burns as good as any Big 12 defensive back recruits. Floyd Raven and DeShazer Everette are big corners who could quickly turn into safeties.

2010 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 26. That Class Was Heavy On ... Offensive linemen. Mike Sherman brought in the defensive backs last year to deal with the pass-happy Big 12, and this year he came up with the offensive line to let his skill stars shine. Cedric Ogbuehi and Luke Joeckel are two terrific tackle prospects, and Jake Matthews might be the nation's best guard recruit. Shep Klinke and Garrett Gramling aren't bad tackle prospects, either. Offensively, Jameill Showers and Matt Joeckel are strong quarterback prospects who'll get time to develop, while Ben Malena. D.J. Jones, and Mister Jones will get into the running back rotation early on. This turned out to be a good class, but it might have been considered an elite one if Oklahoma didn't steal away linebacker Corey Nelson at the last second.

2009 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 14. That Class Was Heavy On ... defensive backs. Eight players were brought in to help out the secondary, and head coach Mike Sherman got a slew of really good ones. JUCO transfer Coryell Judie might be penciled into a starting corner spot right away, while four safeties, Steven Campbell, Malcolm Johnson, Colton Valencia and Charlie Thomas are all good enough to challenge for playing time from the moment they set foot on campus.

6. Kansas | Scout List

The 2011 Class Is Heavy On … Safeties. The Jayhawks need answers for the offense, and the hope will be for either Brock Berglund or Michael Cummings to be a playmaker at quarterback as soon as humanly possible. Running backs Darrian Miller and Anthony Pierson should add some flash to the backfield early on. In the big class, the emphasis was on the safeties with six brought in with JUCO transfer Tnde Bakare expected to start right away and Marquis Jackson and Alex Matlock big, dangerous prospects for down the road.

2010 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 65. That Class Was Heavy On ... The defensive line. Mark Mangino concentrated on the secondary last year, and Turner Gill, with little time to work, beefed up the defensive front with six prospects headed up by Jeremiah Edwards, a potentially dangerous interior pass rusher, and speedy end Jaqwaylin Arps. Both are from Texas. JUCO transfer Quinn Meachem will push hard for Todd Reesing's vacated starting quarterback job, while the running back tandem of Brandon Bourbon and James Sims might be too good to keep off the field.

2009 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 46. That Class Was Heavy On ... defensive backs. The Jayhawks went out to get better on defense, and it did with LB Huldon Tharp, three JUCO defensive ends, end Kevin Young, and tackle Randall Dent all coming in to form the foundation for the future of the defense, but it’s the secondary that got the most help with six prospects led by corner Prinz Kande, a speedy, big coverman, while the safeties are all terrific led by JUCO transfer Calvin Rubles and true freshmen Bradley McDougald and Darian Kelly.

7. Missouri | Scout List

The 2011 Class Is Heavy On … Defensive linemen. The last two classes brought in the skill players, but Gary Pinkel didn’t ignore the stars this year with another great quarterback prospect in Corbin Berkstresser and big, Tiger-like targets in Wesley Leftwich and Brandon Hannah. The offensive line got stronger at guard, and the secondary got some reinforcements, but the strength is on the defensive front where JUCO transfer Sheldon Richardson will be an All-Big 12 star now, and end Shane Ray will soon be another Aldon Smith. Gerrand Johnson will be a monster of an inside presence once he hits the weights.

2010 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 39. That Class Was Heavy On ... Skill players. It was a bit of a strange class considering Gary Pinkel and his staff signed a slew of skill players last year, but this year's haul might be even more talented. Quarterbacks James Franklin and Tyler Gabbert will have years to work and develop behind Tyler's brother, Blaine Gabbert. WR Marcus Lucas won't fill the hole left by Danario Alexander, but he's another big, fast target with NFL upside. Up front, Nick Demien is a great offensive tackle prospect who should be the anchor by 2013. End Kony Ealy leads the defensive side as the team's top end prospect.

2009 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 39. That Class Was Heavy On ... offensive reinforcements. The defense was hardly ignored with DT Sheldon Richardson a sure-thing All-Big 12 talent and JUCO transfer Josh Tatum is a plug-n-play linebacker, but with all the superstars gone off the offense, head coach Gary Pinkel had to find a new wave of offensive prospects to develop. Blaine Dalton is a smallish quarterback who can move, while RB Kendial Lawrence and receivers Jaleel Clark and Kerwin Stricker are going to be counted on to shine by 2011.

8. Baylor | Scout List

The 2011 Class Is Heavy On … Running backs. With Jay Finley gone, Baylor might be hoping one of its young new recruits can shine right away. B.J. Allen, Jermichael Selders, and Anthony Webb aren’t thumpers, but they’re slick speedsters who can tear off yards in chunks. The passing game got a big pickup with Jonathan Lee, a big target who has No. 1 potential. The instant help is for the secondary with three JUCO transfers and good-looking prep safety Jermarcus Johnson all to be thrown into the rotation immediately.

2010 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 51. That Class Was Heavy On ... Offensive linemen. Art Briles was looking to build up on the front lines and signed a few nice defensive line prospects in tackle Dominique Jones and end Kedrick Dial. On the offensive side, tackle Troy Baker needs to be a starter within three years, while JUCO transfer Robert Griffin will be needed at tackle to protect the other Robert Griffin, the team's star quarterback. Guard Xavier Ruben is a good athlete for his size and could be the unsung signing for the offense. Helping out the passing game will be Eddie Johnson, a tall, talented wide receiver, and Antwan Goodley, a speedy target who'll get time to develop.

2009 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 42. That Class Was Heavy On ... the passing game. Being in the Big 12 South with all the big-time passing attacks, head coach Art Briles wasted no time in going hard after defensive backs, bringing in several decent safeties, but his reputation as a top offensive head coach helped land a ton of really good, really surprising prospect. Do the receivers want to play with star sophomore QB Robert Griffin? Oh yeah. Darius Jones is a smallish, quick playmaker who could be a No. 1 target right away, but Skyler Scott, Tevin Reese, Willie Jefferson and Glasco Martin are all good enough to emerge as future stars in the system. QB Bryce Petty will be a superstar in a few years.

9. Kansas State | Scout List

The 2011 Class Is Heavy On … Quarterbacks. As always, Bill Snyder went hard after the JUCO transfers with corner Allen Chapman a lockdown defender and safeties Kip Daily and Nigel Malone ready for right now, and defensive end Meshak Williams a great-looking end to put in the rotation. The offensive backfield got a few new options with JUCO transfers Justin Tuggle and Angelo Pease two fast, mobile players who can handle the offense this year. Daniel Sams is a prep pickup who’ll be groomed for the near future.

2010 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 84. That Class Was Heavy On ... JUCO transfers. If it's Kansas State there are going to be Junior College transfers. Overall this is a mediocre class with the bulk of the players for the near future coming in last year, especially in the secondary, and Bill Snyder is going for the immediate boost to get the program back over the hump and into Big 12 South title contention. Matthew Pearson will start somewhere in the secondary and Adam Davis will be used from Day One on the line as a pass rusher. In the freshman class, linebackers Tre Walker and Laton Dowling will be the keys to the 2013 Wildcat defense.

2009 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 89. That Class Was Heavy On ... defensive backs. If you’re going to try to compete in the Big 12, you need good defensive backs. Kansas State didn’t exactly break the recruiting bank on star prospects, but the secondary got the most help with safeties Thomas Ferguson and Carlton Callendar the best in the class. Throw in JUCO transfer Troy Butler and corner Courtney Thompson, along with safeties Joseph Bonugli and Torrell Miller, and the Wildcats are thinking defense first with this class.

10. Iowa State | Scout List

The 2011 Class Is Heavy On … Skill players. Apparently, head coach Paul Rhoads is looking to branch out and looking for more options to play around with. Three quarterbacks were brought in with an eye both to 2011, with JUCO transfer Steele Jantz, and to the future with Jaquarius Daniels and Sam Richardson getting time to groom. JUCO transfer tight end Ernst Brun will be a part of the offense right away, while the hope will be for at least one new receiver, probably Quenton Bundrage or Tad Ecby, to be ready. Running backs DeVondrick Nealy and Rob Standard fit the Cyclone mold.

2010 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 71. That Class Was Heavy On ... Defensive backs. After going after wide receivers last year, second-year head coach Paul Rhoads made sure the defensive shelves were stocked bringing in six key prospects including JUCO transfer Anthony Young, who might be penciled in at one corner spot, and JUCO safety Durrell Evans. For the offense, Shontrelle Johnson leads a good-looking group of running backs and JUCO transfers Chris Young and Albert Gary will be counted on in the receiving corps.

2009 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 73. That Class Was Heavy On ... receivers. New head coach Paul Rhoads might be a defensive coach by nature, but he and his staff went after offense with the passing game getting the most help. Running backs James White and Beau Blankenship will be a major part of the attack soon, but the goal is to get the new receivers into the mix as soon as possible. Five wide receivers and tight end Willie Scott were added, with Donnie Jennert the best prospect with 6-6 size and good speed, while JUCO transfer Josh Bellamy has field-stretching wheels.