SAN ANTONIO – National Signing Day is upon us and there is plenty of intrigue on where several top players will go, with many Big 12 programs hoping to make a late push to lock up several top-end talents.
Here's a look at some of the Big 12 teams and a few of the players to keep an eye on during what could be a drama-filled day:
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Texas Longhorns:
Texas and new head coach Tom Herman enter the day looking to conclude his first recruiting class by focusing on a few final targets. Texas expects to have a smaller class this year -- with many of the prospects committed having original ties to the head coach while he was at the University of Houston.
Players to keep an eye on:
Galena Park North Shore defensive end K’Lavon Chaisson (Texas, LSU, Florida) — 11 a.m.
The pass rushing specialist and top 10 recruit from the state of Texas has narrowed his list down to three final blue-blood programs. If Chaisson fails to choose Texas, it will mean that nine out of the top ten prospects from the state will be leaving for college, none going to Big 12 programs.
UPDATE: Chaisson commits to LSU
Austin Westlake offensive tackle Stephan Zabie (Texas, Ole Miss, UCLA) — 7 a.m.
Zabie recently took recruiting trips to both Ole Miss and Texas leaving this decision as toss up. If Zabie commits to Texas he will be reuniting with his high school teammate and quarterback Sam Ehlinger who was an early enrollee with the Longhorns.
UPDATE: Zabie committed to UCLA Wednesday morning.
Winter Park (Fla.) wide receiver Jordan Pouncey (Texas, Miami, Notre Dame, Tennessee) — 12:15 p.m.
The 6’2, 185-pound three-star wide receiver grew up a Texas fan but was already previously committed to Notre Dame before reopening his commitment. Pouncey is ranked as the No 731 prospect nationally, the No. 106 wide receiver, and the No. 96 player in Florida, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
UPDATE: Pouncey commits to Texas
Oklahoma Sooners:
Oklahoma's day will involve trying to hold onto several top national recruits while trying to win one massive recruiting battle. The back-to-back Big 12 champs already have an impressive class committed and on campus including cornerback Justin Broiles, linebacker Levi Draper, and quarterback Chris Robison.
Players to keep an eye on:
Bellaire defensive tackle Marvin Wilson ( Florida State, LSU, Ohio State, Oklahoma, UCF)
The 6'4 330-pound defensive tackle is the top player at his position in the country as well as in the state of Texas. LSU and Florida State seem to be in the lead for his commitment, but Oklahoma put on a full-court press in attempt to get his signature. Wilson’s decision will be aired live on national television Wednesday afternoon.
UPDATE: Wilson commits to Florida State
Buford (Ga.) inside linebacker Tyler Taylor (Oklahoma, Auburn, LSU)
The four-star linebacker received a late push from Oklahoma to make things interesting. Taylor is the is ranked as the No 251 prospect nationally, the No. 11 inside linebacker, and the No. 25 player in Georgia, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
UPDATE: Taylor commits to LSU
Baylor Bears:
Baylor's recruiting has been on an upswing ever since new head coach Matt Ruhle added several former Texas high school football coaches onto his staff. With the influx of connections, the team now has grabbed 24 commits so far. Baylor did have some attrition in last year's class opening the door for the team to sign a bigger group.
Players to keep an eye on:
Sanford (Fla.) outside linebacker DeMarco Artis (Baylor, Oregon)
Artis committed to the Baylor Bears over Oregon Tuesday night, choosing to make his announcement before National Signing Day. Artis is ranked as the No 542 prospect nationally, the No. 34 outside linebacker, and the No. 72 player in Florida, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
Gonzales (La.) defensive end Justin Harris (Baylor, LSU, Purdue)
Harris is ranked as the No. 612 prospect nationally, the No. 24 defensive end, and the No. 24 player in Louisiana, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. There is some belief he could be a silent commit, but things could get interesting if LSU misses out on some high ranked prospects.
UPDATE: Harris commits to Baylor
Oklahoma State Cowboys:
The Oklahoma State Cowboys have an impressive list of commits entering the day with the team ranked 36th overall nationally. Four-star wide receiver Tylan Wallace is the 16th rated player at his position and is the Cowboys' top commit overall. The team also has an understudy for senior quarterback Mason Rudolph in 6-foot-6 230-pound quarterback Jelani Woods, the 25th rated quarterback in the nation.
Players to keep an eye on:
Lehman H.S. tight end Tyler Henderson (Oklahoma State, Baylor)
The 3-star prospect out of Kyle, Texas made a switch from Oklahoma State to Baylor the night before National Signing Day. Henderson had been committed to the team since November. As a result, the team offered and received a commitment from 2-star Wynnewood Oklahoma tight end Baron Odom. He de-committed from Rice.
UPDATE: Henderson commits to Baylor
Texas Tech Red Raiders:
The post Patrick Mahomes era has officially begun in Lubbock as Head coach Kliff Kingsbury has to again shore up a defense that was ranked last nationally while trying to replace his star quarterback. Tech's recruiting class presently has 20 total commits and is ranked 44th nationally entering the day. The headliner of the group is four-star offensive guard Jack Anderson, and the team also has a commitment from quarterback Xavier Martin out of Steele H.S., a powerhouse in the greater San Antonio-area.
Players to keep an eye on:
Norwalk (Calif.) JUCO safety Elijah Walker (TCU, Kansas State, Texas Tech)
The junior college safety has three Big 12 teams on pins and needles wondering which direction he will choose. Tech is late to the table in this chase, as the former Kansas State commit is said to be leaning towards TCU. If he were to choose Tech, it would be a huge upgrade to the Red Raiders secondary.
UPDATE: Walker commits to Kansas State