Oklahoma State, on the field, is one of the hottest teams in the country. From a recruiting standpoint, the Cowboys also have been making waves and this week managed to crack the top 25 of the RecruitingNation class rankings. Oklahoma State, with some assistance from the release of the ESPN Junior College 50, moved up to No. 24.
Aside from Oklahoma State, there wasn’t much movement from Big 12 schools. Texas held on to the No. 8 spot, and Baylor remained at No. 16. Oklahoma slipped a spot, from No. 22 to No. 23, and Texas Tech stayed at No. 36. Here's a look at the conference's rankings
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Here is an in-depth look at the Big 12 class rankings:
Trending up: Oklahoma State seems to have everything going in a positive direction. The Cowboys are No. 6 in the BCS standings, winners of seven straight including big victories over Texas and Baylor. The Cowboys will capture the Big 12 championship with a victory over Oklahoma in Bedlam on Saturday, and the Cowboys are heavy favorites. Oklahoma State also improved its recruiting stock, rising three spots from No. 27 in the rankings, and can add a couple more big-name players with the help of Saturday’s performance. The Cowboys most recently picked up three-star defensive end Trey Carter (Dallas/Pinkston) on Nov. 25.
Trending down: Texas Tech started with a bang but has only scored two commitments since Oct. 1, the last being junior college cornerback Jamarcus Howard (Coffeyville, Kan./Coffeyville Community College). The Red Raiders have 21 commitments but could land a couple of highly ranked players, including four-star defensive tackle Zaycoven Henderson (Longview, Texas/Longview) and four-star running back Corey Avery (Dallas/Carter).
One to watch: It’s getting closer and closer to a decision for Steven Parker II (Jenks, Okla./Jenks), and the ESPN 300 safety has the Big 12, SEC, Pac-12 and Big Ten on notice. Parker is looking at Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Texas, USC, Ohio State and others as a future college home. He is expected to be at Bedlam, which could benefit either Oklahoma or Oklahoma State, depending on what he likes from both.
Bold prediction: It might not be that bold of a prediction anymore, but West Virginia will land ESPN 300 athlete Dravon Henry (Aliquippa, Pa./Aliquippa). The nation’s No. 136 player -- and top-ranked player in Pennsylvania -- is down to West Virginia and Pittsburgh, and he is expected to make an announcement on Dec. 9. If Henry picks West Virginia, he will be the team’s highest-ranked player and the program’s fourth ESPN 300 commit.