Any time you visit a college football team’s recruiting class on 247 Sports there’s a list at the bottom of the page for the program’s highest-rated recruits since 2000 when the modern era of recruiting unofficially began. It’s one of my favorite things to look at because it’s both reassuring and sometimes shocking to see the names present for a program.
This is a series on the top recruit at each school. We’re starting this series with the Big 12.
Note: If your school are busters who have never signed a 5-star this century you’re not being included. For the Big 12 those teams include:
No 5-Star Loser Club
Iowa State
Kansas
Kansas State
Texas Tech
When 40% of your league has never signed a 5-star that’s a problem. When the 2 teams who have signed the vast majority of your league’s 5-star prospects are leaving said conference in a few years and you’re bringing in 4 new schools with a combined 2 signed 5-star in their history, that’s a bigger problem.
247 Composite Scores listed.
The Top Recruits for the Big 12
Texas – QB Vince Young 2002-05 (1.000)
Young was Parade’s National Player of the Year out of Madison High School in Houston and the top overall recruit for the 2002 class. He took a redshirt as a freshman as Texas rolled with senior Chris Simms at quarterback. He lost an off-season competition with 2000 recruit and fellow 5-star Chance Mock in 2003 before taking over the job in the 6th game.
Madison HS knew where their bread was buttered with their school colors.
Young’s stats weren’t mind-blowing through 2004 but Texas did go 17-2 in his starts capped off by a wonderful victory over Michigan in the Rose Bowl in which Young was named game MVP. He’d erupt in 2005 becoming the first Power 5 quarterback to throw for 3,000 yards and run for 1,000 yards in the same season while leading the highest-scoring offense in NCAA history. The Horns would defeat USC in the BCS National Championship capping off an undefeated season with Young finishing a distant second behind Trojans running back Reggie Bush in the Heisman.
Young was the 3rd overall pick in the 2006 draft by the Titans going 31-19 as a starter across a brief 6-year career while making a pair of Pro Bowls.
Oklahoma State – QB Bobby Reid 2004-08 (0.9845)
Reid also hailed from Houston and drew a lot of comparisons to Vince Young but was a more modestly rated 6th best quarterback in the 2004 class. He was recruited by Les Miles and offered a scholarship first from Oklahoma State where he ultimately signed. Miles left Stillwater that off-season and Reid was convinced to stay with the Cowboys by quarterback’s coach turned new head coach Mike Gundy.
An injury kept Reid out for 2004 and further injuries limited him in 2005, as well. He finally ascended to the full-time starting role in 2006 playing well but never realizing his immense potential. As a redshirt junior, Reid got into a heated quarterback competition with Zac Robinson eventually leading to Gundy’s epic and unforgettable rant in protection of the benched Robinson. Although, we learned afterward that Reid was unhappy and certainly puzzled by Gundy’s rant after feeling like he wasn’t given a fair shake at quarterback.
Reid would transfer to FCS Texas Southern back in his hometown of Houston for his final year of eligibility. It never worked out for him at Oklahoma State but overall career stats aren’t bad: 4,934 passing yards, 881 rushing yards, and 53 overall touchdowns in roughly 2 years worth of starts.
West Virginia – RB Noel Devine 2007-10 (0.9957)
The No. 3 running back and No. 10 overall recruit in the nation, Devine was a coup for West Virginia’s Rich Rodriguez to pull the speedster out of North Fort Myers, Florida. Did his career work out? Surely, you remember these Mountaineer spread offenses under the direction of Pat White at quarterback?
Devine was excellent right away as a true freshman while rushing for 627 yards at 8.6 per carry with 511 kick return yards, too. His lack of size (5’8″ 180 lbs.) eventually caught up to him in a disappointing injury-filled senior season but his 2008-09 seasons were truly special. When his career was over, Devine totaled 4,315 rushing yards, 710 receiving yards, and 31 overall touchdowns.
With size and personality concerns, he’d go undrafted in 2011. He’d briefly play in the CFL but was essentially out of football by 2013.
Baylor – WR Robbie Rhodes 2013-15 (0.9866)
Rhodes was the No. 3 receiver in the country for the 2013 cycle behind Ole Miss’ Laquon Treadwell and Alabama’s Robert Foster while one spot ahead of Notre Dame safety Max Redfield in the national rankings. Rhodes would play immediately as a freshman although he only totaled a modest 10 receptions. That off-season he got into trouble with the law and although charges were never filed, he transferred to Bowling Green where former Baylor assistant Dino Babers was then head coach.
After sitting out 2014, Rhodes went on to score a long touchdown against Maryland but finished 2015 with only 130 receiving yards. The following summer, Rhodes was dismissed by Bowling Green for a violation of team rules and never played college football again.
Oklahoma – RB Adrian Peterson 2004-06 (0.9996)
As you’d expect, Peterson was the top player in Texas and in the country for 2004 and is tied with Leonard Fournette for the 2nd most highly rated running back this century. He’d deal with shoulder, foot, and collarbone injuries during his career in Norman but was an absolute monster when on the field, maybe the best of his generation in college.
With more health or staying for his senior season, Peterson would’ve easily broken Oklahoma’s all-time rushing record. However, he turned pro early and finished his college career with 4,041 rushing yards and 41 rushing touchdowns. Peterson just finished his 15th season in the NFL where he’s been a MVP, 4-time All-Pro, and is 5th all-time in rushing yardage.
TCU – RB Zach Evans 2020-Present (0.9925)
Evans was the No. 2 running back in the 2020 class and No. 16 overall recruit in the country a couple years ago. The lead up to him signing was pretty strange with Evans set to go to one of several SEC schools courting him…then he waited to make his pick. On May 11, 2020 Evans finally chose to commit and sign with the Horned Frogs.
In 2 seasons, Evans has been productive with 1,063 rushing yards at 7.3 yards per carry and 9 touchdowns. However, he entered the transfer portal after the 2021 season and is going to continue his career at Ole Miss with Lane Kiffin.
Yikes, not good. It would be interesting to compare the non-SEC conferences. Perhaps that’s already in the works with a few additional posts.
Every school coming, don’t you worry.
Including the rich history of FCS schools pulling in 5-stars?
Still remember that Rose Bowl where Vince Young beat the Carroll/Leinart/Bush juggernaut on a 34 game winning streak. Would be like Joe Burrow and LSU beating 2020 Alabama. 4th down conversion for the win, and USC juuuuuust couldn’t get in FG range. Forgot that Leinart lost track of the clock and USC should have had time for one more play.
IMO Adrian Peterson could have been an NFL running back when he was a high school senior. He is, kind of by far, the most impressive player I’ve ever seen in one of those high school all-America games.
This made me think of that Jerome Bettis commercial for Geico where he runs over a bunch of non-football players
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAd8qi6NLnc
Speaking of the Big 12, Okie State hired Derek Mason as DC
Wonder if how long it is taken really means that Al Golden is the guy. And they need to wait for the Bengals to lose.
Not sure why they’d have to wait….maybe if so, the required checks into Golden are being done now by ND and the announcement will come quickly after the Bengals season ends.
I think it’s pretty normal for coaches not to be announced as leaving their team while their season is going on, no? For college that means the regular season but for NFL that includes the playoffs. They might interview during that time perhaps but no hiring decision in their favor during that time I think.
If I recall correctly, Weis was announced as HC before the Super Bowl.
He may not want to be, and it is less critical for a DC given the calendar. they also probably figured the Bengals would have lost both of the last two weeks and it wouldn’t have mattered. My guess if it is him, it will leak during junior day this weekend.
I really hope it’s not Al Golden. The move doesn’t inspire me at all and I don’t think it’s a good move to hire just for experience sake.
I know folks point to what he did at Temple. His time at Temple also coincided with Temple moving to the MAC from the old Big East. I think the step down in competition had more to do with the success than Golden’s coaching. His time at Miami was in line with Randy Shannon and Larry Coker (non-Butch Davis recruits).
Also don’t love some of the recruiting stories I’ve read from Miami fans while he was there and then him being out of the college game for a couple of years and not calling a defense since 2005. Doesn’t make sense to me.
Temple was tossed from the Big east for non-competitiveness. I might agree that Temple won due to a step down in competition except they didn’t. They won one game Golden’s first year and four his second, improving on their record each of his first four seasons.(9-3 in his 4th yr. and 8-4 his 5th)
I notice you didn’t mention his time as DC at UVA either. That wouldn’t fit your argument. Yes, that was a while ago. He’s been in the NFL the past four years, not on a golf course.
I would imagine the defense Freeman wants to run meshes with what Golden likes to do. I’m quite sure Golden wont be hired “just for experience sake”.
I dug a little deeper into it cause you are right they did get kicked out of the Big East for being terrible and then spent 2 years as Independent while transitioning into the MAC.
2005 Temple – Independent – HC – Bobby Wagner 0-11
4 games vs MAC – 0-4
Avg Margin of Defeat – 29.5 pts
7 games vs Maryland, Miami, Clemson, Virginia, Wisc, Navy, ASU – 0-7
Avg Margin of Defeat – 39 pts
2006 Temple – Independent – HC – Al Golden 1-11
6 games vs MAC – 1-5
Avg Margin of Defeat – 17.8 pts
6 games vs Clemson, Louisville, Penn St, Minn, Navy, Vandy –
0-6 Avg Margin of Defeat – 48.3 pts
2007 Temple – MAC – HC – Al Golden 4-8
8 games vs MAC – 4-4 Avg Margin of Defeat – 19 pts
4 games vs Uconn, Penn St, Navy, Army – 0-4
Avg Margin of Defeat – 16 pts
This may not prove squat, but I personally tend to believe Temple started playing the level of competition week in and week out that it should have and the results came. The game has completely changed since when Golden was DC at UVA in 2005 so I’m not going to give much credence to that and while yes he has been around the game, he’s been in the NFL as a position coach.
I personally liked the direction Freeman seemed to be heading. Young, charismatic coaches that were both in his circle and outside of it who were focused on recruiting. It reminded me of Bob Stoops staff at OU that won it all his second year.
There’s no doubt the MAC was a step down from the Big East. There’s also no doubt that Temple improved greatly while Golden was there.
“The game has completely changed since when Golden was DC at UVA in 2005″….Golden was a head Coach until 2015 while those changes occurred. He wasn’t in Tibet. Bob Stoops won in 2000, so 2005 is ancient history but 2000 isn’t ?
This is my gut reaction as well.
17 years between coordinating a college defense doesn’t make me feel great. I wouldn’t think Freeman would hire him just for experience sake but it seems like most of the people who are more positive on hiring Golden are largely pointing to his experience…as a former head coach.
At best, seems like an okay recruiter? Maybe not entirely fair but he feels like a bit of a reclamation project.
I’d prefer Belk or Rossi.
Does he know the responsibilities of a DC? Yes. Has he been out of football and therefore maybe isn’t up to speed ? No, he’s been a CFB head coach and in the NFL. Those are pluses on his resume.
“people who are more positive on hiring Golden are largely pointing to his experience” Again, it’s not a weakness in his resume.
“Reclamation project” ? Maybe in your mind. Not in Marcus Freeman’s. Not for a second.
IMO, if someone told ND fans like 3 months ago that Al Golden would be the DC for 2022 I’d think less than 1% would excited about that.
Now that he’s apparently a finalist, I get it, people look at things differently and want to see the positives and talk themselves into him which 100% is happening.
And that’s fine, because Golden could be a great hire and I don’t like to judge too much before they work at ND. Just personally, I’d rather have the other candidates.
Three months ago, hell three days ago, I wouldn’t have known who the other three supposed finalists were.
I have no idea which guy would be best and neither will 99% of the people who will comment on this in the next few weeks. They’ll give their opinions anyways. Some like K21 above will make arguments that don’t add up. I was just pointing one of those arguments out.
I disagree.
Clearly his argument on the reason for Golden’s success at Temple does not add up. It is obvious that he improved that program in his time there.
Since leaving the Big East after the 04 season and playing in the MAC and American Temple averages 5.5 wins to 7 losses.
The 14 years in the Big East from 91 to 04, Temple averaged 2.1 wins and 9 losses
The 14 years prior to joining the Big East from 1990 to 1977, Temple averaged 5 wins and 6 losses.
I think the data supports my argument.
Who was the coach when Temple turned things for the better ? 9-3 & 8-4 is not 5-7.
Haha look I get it, it’s annoying when data disproves what our minds tell us to believe.
I hope I’m wrong and Al Golden is an awesome DC. And I agree 100% that I didn’t know a majority of the names that have been thrown out as options. My preferences after being given the names that were candidates were Belk and Mason.
I went through about 15 years of coaching staff data to get an idea on average age of national championship staffs because I kept reading comments all over about how ND/Freeman needed to surround him with guys who were seasoned and could give him advice and that his staff was too young/green.
I think Kirby Smart’s UGA path is the way to go for Freeman. First time HC with a defensive background. 2017 staff avg age was 41.18, 2021 staff avg age was 41.09.
2019 LSU staff had an avg age of 52 and most of their success was attributed to Joe Brady (30) who was 13 years younger than the next youngest coach on staff.
For historical standards on hiring young HC at major programs. Stoop’s OU staff in 2000 average age was 37.3. Meyers first staff at Florida was 42.40.
Most shocking, Lou Holtz’s staff in 1988 the average age was 38! Both coordinators were in their first seasons ever being a coordinator. Vinny Cerrato was 29 and had been with Holtz since 84 in Minnesota. I about fell off my chair reading that, because when you hear the other site talk you would have thought they learned under Rockne.
I know youth doesn’t equal success. But I found the data interesting either way.
1-11, 4-8, 5-7, 9-4, 8-4. Clear as day.
Haha yes, Temple’s record improved under Golden. I don’t think you read anything that I wrote past the first sentence.
At the end of the day, I don’t really like the hire for reasons stated outside of Temple. I’m also not interested in saying I told you so if it doesn’t work out with Golden. I would rather Golden (or whoever the DC is) be successful and we win all of our games.
The biggest point I was hoping to make is I don’t want to hire someone just because they’ve been a HC. The hire just strikes me as an outlier from the moves Freeman has made since he started putting together a staff. Not young, been out of CFB for almost 7 years, no discernable connection to ND or Freeman. I just don’t get the hire and it doesn’t excite me.
Temple’s last season in the Big East saw them play and lose to Pitt, Rutgets, UConn, #15 West Virginia, and #19 BC with a win over Syracuse. In 2003 and before they were facing Miami and Virginia Tech too. I’d hope they could at least average a couple more wins against a MAC schedule than against early-mid 00s Big East.
This is not a debate if Temple’s schedule got weaker. But, thanks for chiming in.
Temple’s program was so bad that they were tossed from their conference. Clearly looking at Golden’s record, from season to season, at Temple he improved their program from the shambles it was in when he first took over.
Sure. And the argument is that this was ~15 years ago and much of that improvement comes from getting to play a softer schedule. This isn’t a bad argument
Sure it does. His very first comment he admits he improved Temple, but a watering down of the schedule did have a lot to do with it that success.
This was also 5 jobs and 12 years ago.
I never said the schedule wasn’t easier. Golden’s record year to year clearly shows that Temple’s program improved under his leadership.
“This was also 5 jobs and 12 years ago.” and since then he’s been a shoe salesman.
Temple’s record improved as part of Golden’s success. You and Kevin both agree on this.
Kevin said it was mostly due to a weaker schedule. You are side stepping his argument and pointing back to the improved record.
Why “is this not a debate about Temple’s scheduling getting weaker”? That would seem like a huge factor for any program.
FEI doesn’t have the rankings for 2006 (presumably Temple was way over 100th) but his last 4 seasons included the rankings:
112th
78th
63rd
74th
Success, just as everyone agrees. But for a program that won 17 games over his final 2 years it was against pretty weak competition.
Not many folks bringing up his time at Miami 😉
Can’t we just all agree that there’s no particularly great reason to be excited about Golden but also it might not be the end of the world?
😉
I told our Slack group he can be hired but only if he fits into one of Freeman’s dress shirts.
“Why is this not a debate about Temple’s scheduling getting weaker”?” Because it isn’t being debated. We can see (or at least I can) from Golden’s first couple seasons the state of Temple football, even against that weaker schedule and then the improvement after that.
“Not many folks bringing up his time at Miami” Seems some don’t count that as being a coach in college football either, as they’d have you believe that he last coached in 2005 or 2010.
I’ll stand by this. “I have no idea which guy would be best and neither will 99% of the people who will comment on this in the next few weeks.”
It’s not being debated by you and only you, so again if you’re not debating that point what are you disagreeing with!???
I’d think everyone would concede Golden was utter booty at Miami, no?
Sure, but you were strangely sensitive to very normal and I’d say legitimate critiques of Al Golden. You said those critiques didn’t add up and I think you’re wrong about that.
When the critiques are ” but Golden hasn’t been a DC since 2005″ as if the game has passed him by. Even though he was a head coach until 2015 and in the NFL the last 4 years. Ya, I’ll say that argument and others like it, don’t hold much water.
I don’t know who the best guy for this job is. I’ve commented on particular critiques of Golden that don’t hold up. How Miami did under Golden as head coach, is different than the implication that he was away from CFB. The points I’ve challenged are quite obviously skewed against Golden. Others retorts to my points like “I’d think everyone would concede Golden was utter booty at Miami, no?” are straw men. I never defended Golden’s work at Miami. My point was he was still in CFB and involved in defenses. Of course that is undeniable, so you move the goal posts. Same with supplying reams of data showing that the MAC was weaker than the Big East. Of course it was. Just as obvious is that the Temple program improved under Golden. To assert otherwise is quite biased towards a negative opinion of Golden.
I’m not surprised at these negative takes on Golden. He is not a popular option. If he’s hired it will surely not please many that think they know how to hire a defensive coordinator.
“Guy who hasn’t been DC for 17 years is being criticized for not being a DC for 17 years” seems like an entirely reasonable take.
Isn’t pointing to Golden literally being employed at other jobs, including 2 head coach gigs, as positives only reinforcing the narrative that he’d be hired more for his overall experience and not so much DC?
I just listened to Monday’s II podcast and they were essentially fumbling around this same discussion. In other words, Golden wouldn’t be a top choice for ND if it was for his DC work but they believe Freeman may benefit (and could be seeking) someone like Golden with wider coaching experience and not really for his coordinating skills.
Which is fine! I would probably prefer this to remain Freeman’s defense and definitely don’t hate the idea of bringing in an experienced veteran voice who won’t step too much on his toes for a year or maybe two. Golden would be okay in that role but I totally get the criticism of being skeptical of taking someone who many believe isn’t a top DC coach.
So being a head coach is not as good as being a DC on your resume ? And again the implication was that he hasn’t been involved in college defenses since 2005. Which is poppycock. Once again tilting experience as a negative is a slanted opinion too. It’s not. LMFTFY, Freeman may benefit (and could be seeking) someone like Golden with wider coaching experience on top of his coordinating skills.
If Golden is hired and isn’t a top defensive coach, then the Freeman regime is going to be a disaster.
I have more trust in Freeman’s judgement on who can coach defense than I do the skeptics.
I think you’re kind of cherry picking what I said.
I acknowledged in multiple comments that Golden was at Temple, Miami, and coaching in the NFL. He hasn’t been a DC since 2005 which is a fact. Again, I’d rather have Belk.
My wish list of the rumored finalists would be:
1) Doug Belk – Young, from Georgia, briefly worked for Saban, impressive career so far. Adds coaching for the secondary where IMO it’s needed. Higher ceiling DC and recruiter. Probably so young he sticks around for a while (like Tommy Rees).
(decent gap)
2) Joe Rossi – A bit older compared to Belk with not a ton more experience. Offers more Midwest contacts. He’d be a good hire.
(larger gap)
3) Al Golden – Seems like a placeholder role to me. If Freeman is looking more for a consigliere it could be better, but could be worse.
(even larger gap)
4) Tem Lukabu – I think most would call this a very uninspiring hire.
Yes, most people would like to hire a DC who is currently a DC. This very common belief seemed to ruffle your feathers right away.
Let’s pretend Freeman brought in Charley Molnar to be OC. Would you respond to the criticism “Oh, oh, oh I guess being a head coach isn’t as good as being a OC on your resume?”
Where is this implication?
No, his overall experience is a positive. Did you not read what I wrote? Al Golden is absolutely nowhere near getting this job without his head coaching experience.
Former head coach = good
Currently not in college, DC long time ago = bad
I guess the biggest disconnect is that you seem to believe Al Golden is a top defensive mind? That is an opinion that doesn’t appear to be shared by many people who follow or cover Notre Dame football.
The consensus of these same people seems to be that Golden is not considered a top defensive mind, not coordinating for a long time is a concern, but his overall experience is something Freeman is interested in while the head coach steers the ship on defense.
Because I have an afternoon of putting off work I decided to go back to UVA’s time before and after Golden. Admittedly, a five minute google search didn’t give me any advanced defensive rankings so I just went with CFB reference and their SOS/Opp PPG. For just simple data terms I went with 5 year prior to Golden & Al Groh’s arrival, the 5 years Golden was there, and then 5 years after Golden left to Temple.
Year SOS Opp Points/Game
1996 – 43rd/111 Teams 16.9ppg (13th of 111)
97 33rd/112 22.0ppg (43rd)
98 45th 20.6ppg (28th)
99 28th 30.4ppg (95th)
2000 37th 24.3ppg (53rd
Avg’s 37.2 22.8ppg (46.4)
Groh hired as HC – Golden hired as DC
01 – 45th 27.6ppg (74th of 117)
02 12th 24.9ppg (50th)
03 23rd 20.4ppg (26th)
04 38th 17.7ppg (18th of 120)
05 41st 23.2ppg (41st)
Avg’s 31.8 22.8 ppg (41.8)
Golden leaves, Groh still HC
06 59th 17.8ppg (22nd of 119)
07 50th 19.7ppg (16th)
08 9th 21.7ppg (38th)
09 18th 26.3ppg (68th)
Groh fired, Mike London new HC
10 65th 28.2ppg (70th)
Avg’s 40.2 22.7ppg (46.4)
From this limited data set, I would say he performed slightly above Virginia’s standards. Played slightly tougher schedule and slightly improved their average ranking.