Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns 2023 recruiting classes compared to future SEC opponents
Sitting atop the Big 12 Conference team recruiting rankings in mid-July, the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners aren’t the only ones recruiting for the Big 12. With the SEC’s impending move a year or two away, Sooners and Longhorn are preparing for their entry into the nation’s toughest convention
Oklahoma and Texas are contracted to the Big 12 through the 2024 season due to their current media rights agreement. However, there is a possibility that the two departing schools and the Big 12 may come to an agreement on a buy-out that is mutually beneficial.
So if the first year at the SEC turns out to be 2023 or 2024, the 2022 and 2023 recruiting classes will be crucial as the Oklahoma Sooners move to their new convention.
In 2022, the Sooners were ranked No. 8 in the nation in the team recruitment rankings, and the Texas Longhorns were No. 5. With SEC teams including OU and Texas, the Sooners were No. 5 and the Longhorns No. 4. The two Big 12 schools have been great recruiters for some time, but the SEC’s move will help cement its place on the national recruiting landscape and more than likely get kids playing against the best competition in the country.
Playing in the SEC is important on the recruiting path. In the 2022 cycle, all 14 teams in the conference finished in the top 32. Even the lower Vanderbilt Commodores had a top 32 recruiting class, which would have placed fourth in the Big 12 recruits for 2022.
For 2023, Sooners has made significant progress over the past few weeks to strengthen its recruiting segment. They are the number 10 team in the country since July 1 which has earned them seven commitments. Given that the move to the SEC is just around the corner, let’s take a look at how Oklahoma and Texas use 247Sports overall team recruiting rankings against their future SEC foes.
Auburn Tigers
September 25, 2010; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Cameron Newton (2) straight-handed South Carolina Gamecock linebacker Tony Strotter (44) in the second half at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn defeated South Carolina 35-27. Dale Janine – USA TODAY SPORTS
Altogether: 70
total commitment: 4
five star: 0
four star: 4
three star: 0
Apex Committee: Four-Star Carmelo English, WR – Fenix City, Ala.
Ole Miss Rebels
January 1, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Len Kiffin reacts after a play against the Baylor Bears during the first part of the 2022 Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome. Stephen Lew – USA TODAY SPORTS
Altogether: 62
total commitment: 5
five star: 0
four star: 2
three star: 3
Apex CommitteeFour Star: Suntarine Perkins, ATH – Raleigh, Miss.
Missouri Tigers
October 9, 2021; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo (58) scored an intercepted pass against North Texas Mean Green during the second half at Forrott Field in Memorial Stadium. Denny Medley – USA TODAY SPORTS
Altogether: 61
total commitment: 7
five star: 0
four star: 2
three star: 4
Apex Committee: Four Star Brett Norfleet, TE – St. Charles, Mo.
Texas A&M Eggies
November 6, 2021; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies fans celebrate the Aggies score against the Auburn Tigers in the fourth quarter at Kyle Field. The Texas A&M Aggies won 20 to 3. Thomas She – USA TODAY SPORTS
Altogether: 60
total commitment: 5
five star: 0
four star: 3
three star: 2
Apex Committee: Four-Star Brevian Rogers, CB – LaGrange, Texas
Mississippi State Bulldogs
November 25, 2021; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Mike Leach stands at the side during the second quarter of the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Davis Wade Stadium in Scott Field. Matt Bush – USA TODAY SPORTS
Altogether: 57
total commitment: 8
five star: 0
four star: 0
three star: 8
Apex Committee: Three-Star Ty Jones, LB – Bay Springs, Miss.
Vanderbilt Commodore
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com
Altogether: 50
total commitment: 1 1
five star: 0
four star: 1
three star: 10
Apex Committee: Four Star Martel Height, CB – Rome, Ga.
Kentucky Wildcats
Katie Stratman – USA TODAY SPORTS
Altogether: 47
total commitment: 12
five star: 0
four star: 3
three star: 8
Apex Committee: Four Star Avery Steward, S – Montgomery, Ala.
South Carolina Gamecock
November 27, 2021; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecock head coach Shane Beamer directs his team against the Clemson Tigers in the fourth quarter at Williams-Bryce Stadium. Jeff Blake – USA TODAY SPORTS
Altogether: 31
total commitment: 13
five star: 0
four star: 5
three star: 8
Apex CommitteeFour Star: Grayson Howard, LB – Jacksonville, Fla.
Florida Gators
September 18, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators fans cheer during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Kim Clement – USA TODAY SPORTS
Altogether: 22
total commitment: 12
five star: 0
four star: 9
three star: 3
Apex Committee: Four Star Eugene Wilson III, ATH – Tampa, Fla.
alabama crimson tide
September 18, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban talks with quarterback Bryce Young (9) during the second half against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Kim Clement – USA TODAY SPORTS
Altogether: 12
total commitment: 1 1
five star: 2
four star: 7
three star: 2
Apex CommitteeFive Star: Toni Mitchell, CB – Alabaster, Ala.
Arkansas Razorbacks
September 11, 2021; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; The Arkansas Razorbacks run past AJ Green (0) for a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in the second half. Arkansas won 40-21. Nelson Chenault – USA TODAY SPORTS
Altogether: 1 1
total commitment: 23
five star,
four star: 7
three star15
Apex Committee: Four Star Luke Haaz – Bixby, Okla.
Oklahoma Sooners
Jalen Redmond (31) of Oklahoma returns for a touchdown during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Iowa State Cyclones at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. Saturday, November 20, 2021. Brian Terry, The Oklahoman
Altogether: 10
total commitment: 16
five star: 1
four star: 7
three star: 8
Apex Committee: Five-Star QB Jackson Arnold – Denton, Texas
LSU Tigers
November 6, 2021; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws under pressure against LSU Tigers defensive lineman Neil Farrell Jr. (92) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 20–14. Gary Cosby Jr. – USA TODAY SPORTS
Altogether: 8
total commitment: 16
five star: 1
four star: 10
three star: 5
Apex Committee: Five-Star Jalen Brown, WR – Miami, Fla.
Tennessee Volunteers
November 6, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Welles Jones Jr. (1) celebrates with fans after a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. Jordan Prather – USA TODAY SPORTS
Altogether: 7
total commitment: 18
five star: 2
four star: 6
three star: 10
Apex Committee: five-star Nicholas Imaleva, QB – Long Beach, Calif.
Georgia Bulldog
January 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Kelly Ringo (5) makes an interception during the fourth quarter Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2022 CFP College Football National Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SPORTS
Altogether: 6
total commitment14
five star: 1
four star: 10
three star: 3
Apex CommitteeFive Star: AJ Harris, CB – Fenix City, Ala.
Texas Longhorn
October 2, 2021; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns wide receiver Xavier Worthy (8) goes for the catch as TCU Horned Frogs safety nook Bradford (28) defends during the second quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Kevin Jayaraj – USA TODAY SPORTS
Altogether: 5
total commitment: 18
five star: 3
four star: 9
three star: 6
Apex Committee: Five Star QB Arch Manning – New Orleans, Louisiana.
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