How Oklahoma and Texas’ 2023 recruiting classes stack up with the SEC
The hope was the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns would make the move to the SEC for the 2024 college football season. But after negotiations stalled during Big 12 meetings in late January and early February, the Sooners and Longhorns appear unlikely to move until 2025.
If they don’t make the move until 2025, the 2023 recruiting class players will be in their third year in Norman, providing the foundation for the Oklahoma Sooners’ team that will make the transition. Jackson Arnold, Adepoju Adebawore and Peyton Bowen will be in their collegiate prime, which should allow the Sooners to make a smooth move to their new conference home.
If the 2023 composite rankings from 247Sports are any indications, the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns will have little problem fitting in. Here’s a look at how the Red River rivals stack up with the SEC in the 247Sports team recruiting composite.
Vanderbilt Commodores
Nov. 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee; Vanderbilt Commodores band plays during the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
National rank: No. 52
Five-stars: 0
Four-stars: 1
Three-stars: 21
The Vanderbilt recruiting class isn’t as good as it was a year ago when it finished No. 32 in the 247Sports composite. Vanderbilt will need its three-star players to develop into stars if it wants to be competitive in the SEC.
Missouri Tigers
Jan. 3, 2014; Arlington, Texas; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham (left) and wide receiver L’Damian Washington (2) celebrate the victory against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the 2014 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Missouri won 41-31. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
National rank: No. 33
Five-stars: 0
Four-stars: 5
Three-stars: 13
Missouri did a solid job on the recruiting trail. However, missing on both Cayden Green and Adepoju Adebawore and watching them go southwest to Norman is akin to Oklahoma losing Bai Jobe to Michigan State. Hard to miss on the top in-state prospects.
Kentucky Wildcats
UK head football coach Mark Stoops talked about his team’s prospects for the upcoming season during a Media Day event at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. on Aug. 3, 2022. Sam Upshaw Jr./Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
National rank: No. 31
Five-stars: 0
Four-stars: 8
Three-stars: 11
The addition of four blue-chip players will help the Kentucky defense take a step forward.
Ole Miss Rebels
Nov. 24, 2022; Oxford, Mississippi; Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin reacts while a play is revewed during the fourth quarter of the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
National rank: No. 27
Five-stars: 1
Four-stars: 6
Three-stars: 8
Ole Miss has a light recruiting class in total signees, but ended up with one of the top linebackers in the cycle, Suntarine Perkins.
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Nov. 24, 2022; Oxford; Mississippi State Bulldogs players celebrate with the Egg Bowl trophy after the game against the Ole Miss Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
National rank: No. 25
Five-stars: 0
Four-stars: 4
Three-stars: 22
Mississippi State’s class received a boost from several top junior college additions in the 2023 cycle. Safety Isaac Smith and quarterback Chris Parson are the players to watch.
Arkansas Razorbacks
Nov. 11, 2017; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Arkansas Razorbacks helmet during a timeout against LSU Tigers in the first quarter at Tiger Stadium. Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
National rank: No. 22
Five-stars: 0
Four-stars: 8
Three-stars: 12
The Razorbacks took a step forward on the recruiting trail in 2023. They landed one more four-star player than in 2022 and signed three players in the top 15 at their respective positions.
Auburn Tigers
Nov. 6, 2021; College Station, Texas; Texas A&M Aggies fans celebrate an Aggies score against the Auburn Tigers in the fourth quarter at Kyle Field. Texas A&M Aggies won 20-3. Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
National rank: No. 17
Five-stars: 0
Four-stars: 10
Three-stars: 11
Auburn’s been in a bit of turmoil over the last couple of years, but it hopes the hiring of Hugh Freeze will provide some stability moving forward.
South Carolina Gamecocks
Head coach Shane Beamer of the South Carolina Gamecocks celebrates after defeating the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium on Nov. 26, 2022 in Clemson, South Carolina. Eakin Howard/Getty Images
National rank: No. 17
Five-stars: 1
Four-stars: 11
Three-stars: 12
Shane Beamer has put his recruiting chops on display since taking the job at South Carolina. After picking up wins in the regular season over Tennessee and Clemson, the Gamecocks picked up a big signing on national signing day: Nyckoles Harbor. The Olympic hopeful brings incredible talent to Columbia.
Texas A&M Aggies
Sept.3, 2022; College Station; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher looks on during the fourth quarter against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Kyle Field. Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
National rank: No. 15
Five-stars: 2
Four-stars: 11
Three-stars: 6
The Aggies picked up a huge win over the Sooners by landing David Hicks. They’re building an impressive defensive front, but will the offense make enough strides to make them competitive in the SEC?
Florida Gators
Sept. 24, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
National rank: No. 14
Five-stars: 0
Four-stars: 18
Three-stars: 2
It’s unfortunate, but Billy Napier’s 2023 recruiting class will be remembered for the loss of Jaden Rashada. Rashada’s story at Florida is a cautionary tale for collectives.
Tennessee Volunteers
Nov. 26, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Clark Lea and Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel meet at midfield after a shutout win by the Volunteers at FirstBank Stadium. Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
National rank: No. 10
Five-stars: 1
Four-stars: 12
Three-stars: 12
Josh Heupel created an offensive juggernaut in Knoxville and led one of the best teams in the nation in 2023. That success is unlikely to slow after the Volunteers gained a signature from Nico Iamaleava.
LSU Tigers
Nov. 26, 2022; College Station, Texas; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly checks the replay screen during the second half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
National rank: No. 6
Five-stars: 2
Four-stars: 16
Three-stars: 7
Brian Kelly’s move from Notre Dame to LSU provided instant results as the Tigers made it to the SEC championship in Year 1. LSU is one of just six teams in the nation with multiple five-star signees in the class.
Oklahoma Sooners
Head coach Brent Venables of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates as his team defeats the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the final seconds of Bedlam at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Nov. 19, 2022 in Norman, Oklahoma. Brian Bahr/Getty Images
National rank: No. 4
Five-stars: 3
Four-stars: 14
Three-stars: 9
Bouyed by three five-star players and 10 blue-chip defenders, Brent Venables created the highest-rated recruiting class in the modern era for the Oklahoma Sooners. When the Oklahoma Sooners do join the SEC, this group will be the core of that transition.
Texas Longhorns
Dec. 29, 2022; San Antonio; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian walks off the field with director of football administration Kyrah McCowan after the 2022 Alamo Bowl against the Washington Huskies at Alamodome. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
National rank: No. 3
Five-stars: 4
Four-stars: 13
Three-stars: 7
Recruiting has never been the problem at Texas. Putting it together to create a consistent winner has. Steve Sarkisian earned a signature from the top quarterback in the class, according to 247Sports. A lot will be riding on Arch Manning to live up to the hype.
Georgia Bulldogs
Dec. 3, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs celebrate after their 50-30 victory over the LSU Tigers in the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Five-stars: 5
Four-stars: 17
Three-stars: 4
The two-time defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs continue to do yeoman’s work on the recruiting trail. Kirby Smart is bringing in 22 blue-chip prospects, including 13 on the defensive side of the ball.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Sept. 24, 2022; Tuscaloosa; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban and defensive coordinator Pete Golding during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
National rank: No. 1
Five-stars: 9
Four-stars: 18
Three-stars: 1
The Alabama Crimson Tide are a machine. Their nine five-star signees are nearly double the Georgia Bulldogs’ total. Those 27 blue-chip players is also a ridiculous number. They have an incredible 18 players that were ranked top 10 at their position by 247Sports.
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