Oklahoma State vs. the Big 12: Where the Cowboys Recruiting Class Stacks up in the Conference

With the new signing period enacted and set to go into effect in December, the option for prospects to sign is bumped up by two months. That means signing day can be just seven months away for those that wish to ink with the Pokes early.

As it stands in mid-May, OSU’s recruiting class is ranked second in the Big 12 behind the surging Texas Longhorns, who bumped Mike Gundy off the top spot recently despite a strong April. But star rankings don’t exactly tell the whole story of the strengths (or weaknesses) of the entire class, and that’s especially true of Oklahoma State.

So with that in mind, we’ll break down each position group and how OSU stacks up among the conference elite.

Quarterback

Oklahoma State: Mike Yurcich reeled in Denton Ryan dual-threat quarterback Spencer Sanders as the first commitment of the 2018 class, and it couldn’t have been a better grab for OSU. He’s a strong runner and downfield passer, and he’s ranked as the No. 1 quarterback in Texas by ESPN.

Rest of Big 12: The best quarterback recruit in the 2018 class committed in the Big 12 outside of OSU is Cameron Rising, a former Sooners commit who recently flipped to Texas. That gives the Longhorns two four-star quarterbacks in their 2018 class to go alongside Southmoore’s Casey Thompson. I think Sanders is the better prospect between the two, but my basic math skills tell me two four-stars is better than one four-star.

Winner: Texas

Running back

Oklahoma State: After bringing in two big-time talents for 2017 under Marcus Arroyo, OSU is switching gears with a new running backs coach. New relationships and some new targets is a big reason why OSU has yet to land a running back in the 2018 class.

Rest of Big 12: Not many schools have a well-rounded recruiting class at this stage in the game, but without question the best prospect committed to a Big 12 school is four-star IMG Academy all purpose back T.J. Pledger — an Oklahoma commit. Pledger is a 5-foot-8 190-pound prospect who packs a punch and is ranked as the 37th overall prospect in the 2018 class.

Winner: Oklahoma

Wide receiver/tight end

Oklahoma State: OSU has reeled in two pass catchers to this point — Union wide receiver C.J. Moore and Frisco area tight end Nic McTear. OSU has the luxury of selecting quality over quantity in that department, as Moore picked OSU over Ohio State, and McTear is committed despite offers from Baylor, LSU and a slew of others.

Rest of Big 12: Baylor is the only school that can compete in this department to this point. With four commitments at wide receiver, it certainly has the quantity. However Baylor does not have a tight end in the fold, and the overall talent of those four isn’t anywhere near Moore, who is as close a can’t-miss prospect OSU has landed at receiver since Dez Bryant.

Winner: Oklahoma State

Offensive line

Oklahoma State: Josh Henson has already earned a year’s salary in three months landing four high school linemen and filling out his class for the 2018 cycle. He’s got a center in Tyrese Williams, he a guard in Bryce Bray, and he has landed two tackles in Hunter Anthony and Hunter Woodard.

Rest of Big 12: The best overall prospect committed to a Big 12 school is Southmoore’s Brey Walker, a Sooners commit. But he’s the only offensive lineman in the class for Bob Stoops.

Winner: Oklahoma State

Defensive line

Oklahoma State: OSU’s 2018 defensive line class likely won’t be deep, as most of its major contributors will remain on the roster after this season. Joe Bob Clements has landed one defensive end in the class — Sachse prospect Tyler Lacy. He has several other big names he’s eyeing.

Rest of Big 12: Oklahoma landed Union defensive tackle Jordan Kelley over the Cowboys, but at this point the West Virginia Mountaineers boast the deepest D-line group. WVU has just five commitments in its class, but three are defensive linemen who chose to commit despite multiple offers to other Division I programs.

Winner: West Virginia

Linebacker

Oklahoma State: Depending on where recent commit Kolby Peel plays (he plays safety but might be better suited at outside linebacker), OSU might be the only school with multiple commitments at linebacker. Inside backer Blake Barron is a solid inside run stuffer similar to Chad Whitener with solid lateral agility and an ability to run the field.

Rest of Big 12: Texas commit Byron Hobbs was a wanted man before opting to stay in state. But he’s the only linebacker recruit in Texas’ 2018 class.

Winner: Oklahoma State

Defensive back

Oklahoma State: Brownfield athlete Jaelyn Nolan plays quarterback in high school and has the athleticism to play defensive back for Oklahoma State, but at this point it’s unclear where he’ll line up in Stillwater. That leaves OSU defensive back-less for the class.

Rest of Big 12: Texas flipped one of the top safeties in the 2018 class from LSU recently — Jordan Sterns younger brother, Caden Sterns. He’s the only defensive back committed to the Longhorns, but he’s going to be an absolute nightmare for Big 12 quarterbacks for years to come.

Winner: Texas

Specialists

Oklahoma State: Nada.

Rest of Big 12: Texas is the only school with a kicker in the fold — three-star prospect Cameron Dicker.

Winner: Texas