Report Card: Breaking down the early signings in the Big 12
The early signing period has wrapped up. Here is a report card for the Big 12 on how its teams fared during the early signing period.
HEAD OF THE CLASS
Bill Self wins the Big 12 every year and a big part of that is because he usually recruits the best players in the Big 12. This year, Kansas added the perfect point guard to replace the loss Devonte Graham with five-star Devon Dotson. Silvio De Sousa and David McCormack ensure that the Jayhawks won’t be lacking big bodies in the frontcourt any time soon. Keep an eye on De Sousa, who could end up enrolling in December to play for the 2017-18 Jayhawks.
BIGGEST SURPRISE (IN A GOOD WAY)
Many wondered when Steve Prohm took the job at Iowa State if he would be able to continue bringing in the quality of players that allowed Fred Hoiberg to have so much success in his short stint in Ames. If the past two recruiting classes are any indication, he’ll be just fine. He went head-to-head with some of the top programs in the country to secure Zion Griffin and Talen Horton-Tucker this year.
BIGGEST SURPRISE (IN A NOT-SO-GOOD WAY)
Oklahoma State had a bona fide go-to scorer committed at one point when Antwann Jones committed to the Cowboys. Following the arrest of assistant coach Lamont Evans, Jones backed out on the Pokes and ended up committing to Texas A&M. Mike Boynton and staff were left scrambling to replace the four-star wing and have yet to do so.
NEXT SEMESTER
Kansas remains in the mix for the No. 2 player in the 2018 Rivals150, Zion Williamson. The Jayhawks had him on campus already for an official visit, as did Duke, Kentucky and North Carolina. Clemson and South Carolina remain viable options as well. Landing Williamson puts Kansas back in the mix with Duke for the top overall class in the nation.
REPORT CARD
Baylor: B-. Matthew Mayer should develop into an impact player in Waco after some time in the weight room.
Iowa State: A-. The Cyclones added four quality pieces, headlined by two four-star Illinois natives in Talen Horton-Tucker and Zion Griffin.
Kansas: A+. The top class in the Big 12 features a pair of five-star prospects in Devon Dotson and Silvio De Sousa.
Kansas State: C+. Coach Bruce Weber secured a capable point guard in three-star floor general Shaun Williams.
Oklahoma: C+. The Sooners added a quality wing scorer in Rivals150 guard Jamal Bieniemy, and are still in the mix for other top prospects such as Khavon Moore.
Oklahoma State: C+. A pair of three-star forwards comprise the Cowboys class after four-star wing Antwann Jones backed out.
TCU: B+. Coach Jamie Dixon continues to accumulate talent in Fort Worth with a pair of four-star prospects in small forward Kaden Archie and point guard Kendric Davis.
Texas: B+. It’s a forward-heavy class headed to Austin next year to play for Shaka Smart. Rivals150 forward Jaxson Hayes could be one of the biggest sleepers in the class.
Texas Tech: B. Coach Chris Beard added some perimeter firepower in Kyler Edwards and JUCO wing Deshawn Corprew.
West Virginia: B. Coach Bob Huggins' class is a solid one. Rivals150 point guard Jordan McCabe will be a fan favorite for his flashy play and four-star forward Derek Culver has loads of athletic ability and will benefit from a year in prep school after initially signing with the 2017 class.