A team-by-team look at the 2016 recruiting classes in the Big 12:
National rank: 10
The Longhorns closed as well as any program on signing day. ESPN 300 and No. 2-ranked safety Brandon Jones headlines the day, along with ESPN 300 DT Chris Daniels. No. 2 OLB Jeffrey McCulloch (No. 26 in ESPN 300) added to the haul. The Longhorns have struggled at wide receiver in recent seasons, but help is on the way. ESPN 300 wideout Collin Johnson, along with three-star Reggie Hemphill-Mapps, are just what is needed in Austin, as is ESPN 300 quarterback Shane Buechele. Three-star defensive tackle Gerald Wilbon and three-star end Malcolm Roach are key wins out of Louisiana. ESPN 300s Jean Delance and Denzel Okafor, and guard Tope Imade are need-fillers on the offensive line. Three-star tight end Peyton Aucoin has a considerable frame to fill out. ESPN 300 defensive back was big late January addition.
National rank: 17
The Bears have a key need on the offensive line in 2016, and have hit with a pair of studs in ESPN 300s Patrick Hudson and J.P. Urquidez, who will protect ESPN 300 quarterback Zach Smith. As usual, speed and playmaking at receiver are part of the Baylor class, led by ESPN 300 and Texas 100-meter state champion Devin Duvernay, along with fellow receivers Tren'Davian Dickson, Jared Atkinson and Denzel Mims. Four-star running back Kameron Martin adds even more speed and playmaking ability to the class, and could play some in the slot. Defensive back is another key need, and three are in the fold, led by speedy ESPN 300 safety Kenan Ivy and upside corner Raleigh Texada.
National rank: 21
The Sooners' class gained steam behind their 11-1 regular season. ESPN 300 linebacker Caleb Kelly was a huge win on signing day out of California and helped the Sooners vault TCU and move up to No. 21 in the rankings. ESPN 300 quarterback Austin Kendall and a pair of junior college offensive linemen lead the way on offense, including tackle Ashton Julious. North Carolina running back Abdul Adams was a big win in late November. WR Mykel Jones (No. 271 in ESPN 300) is an explosive receiver. On defense, four-star corner Jordan Parker is a good land out of California. Safety Chanse Sylvie is another key out-of-state win. The Feb. 1 flip of ESPN300 Mark Jackson from Texas A&M adds to a talented trio of defensive ends.
National rank: 23
Coach Gary Patterson and his staff are capitalizing on last season's success with a strong, well-rounded class. The southwest Houston area has been good to the Horned Frogs, with ESPN 300 offensive tackle Austin Myers and defensive tackle Ross Blacklock. Two more ESPN 300s from the Houston area are in the fold in defensive end Isaiah Chambers and outside linebacker Sewo Olonilua. The top receiver on the board -- junior college WR Taj Williams, and the top high school prospect on the board Isaiah Graham, are future big-play weapons for the Horned Frogs. Safety Innis Gaines is one of the Lone Star State's most improved seniors. Three-star offensive tackle Lucas Niang was a big win over Miami.
National rank: 37
ESPN 300 receiver and return man Steven Smothers, the cousin of former Mountaineers star Tavon Austin, is the headliner of West Virginia's class along with well-rounded ESPN 300 LB Brendan Ferns. Four-star running back Martell Pettaway and three-star Kennedy McKoy will bolster the backfield in Morgantown. Four-star quarterback Cody Saunders has flown under the radar, but is blessed with a good skill set. If looking for instant impact, junior college safety Kyzir White is a solid pick.
National rank: 42
Kliff Kingsbury has a talented group of receivers headed to Lubbock, headlined by ESPN JC50 No. 1-ranked Derrick Willies and ESPNJC50 De'Quan Bowman. Four-star T.J. Vasher and upside three-star Antoine Cox-Wesley should bring production as well. Three-star quarterback Jett Duffey will be next in line behind Patrick Mahomes. Defense is key in the class, and three-star defensive tackle Ivory Jackson is a good bet to push for a starting spot early in his career. Three-star linebacker Brayden Stringer was one of the Lone Star State's most improved seniors in 2015.
National rank: 46
The Cowboys will always make their mark with evaluations ahead of class rankings, and that is the case again in 2016. That said, at the top of the class they do boast a premium measurables prospect in OT Tramonda Moore. Elsewhere, four-star athlete Tyrell Alexander is a potential difference-maker. A TCU flip is three-star guard Tyler Brown, who has the look of a multi-year starter in Stillwater. Junior college grabs Larry Williams, defensive end Tralund Webber and cornerback Malik Kearse are expected to make instant impacts. Three-star cornerback Madre Harper is the sleeper in the class after putting together a terrific senior season.
National rank: 54
Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell’s first class is coming together nicely. The headliner is four-star tackle Sean Foster with offensive line being a key need. Three more OLs are in the class, including junior college guards Oge Udeogu and Karson Green. There may not be a bigger need than cornerback, and the staff has hit the junior college ranks looking for impact players with Thadd Daniels being the highest ranked. When looking for additional impact player possibilities, three-star defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike and tight end Chase Allen come to mind. Three-star quarterback Zeb Noland is a name to remember down the line.
National rank: 70
The Wildcats have a smaller class than most, but the program's future quarterback may be four-star Skylar Thompson. Junior college receiver Byron Pringle is expected to step in and play a lot, as is junior college offensive tackle Breontae Matthews. Three-star guard Blake Hickey is one to watch after some physical development. Three-star linebacker Jimmy McKinney is another who is expected to see the field early.
The Jayhawks built a class heavy on Texans and plug-and-play junior college prospects. Three-star athlete Maciah Long will be a multi-year starter once he finds a position. Three-star Tyriek Starks could be the quarterback of the future if Long ends up on defense. Three-star cornerback Ian Peterson is a need-filler with upside. The junior college ranks provided Kansas instant impact on the defensive front with three-stars DeeIsaac Davis and Isi Holani. A name to remember down the line is three-star center Hunter Harris.