DALLAS — National Signing Day ain't what it used to be. There's still some pomp & circumstance, and there's still some important decisions made. But with so many recruits signing in December, and many others having made their decision public long before on twitter, Instagram, or Bill Belichick's owned-and-operated SnapFace platform... National Signing Day feels more like a formality these days.
However, it does provide an important landmark -- a time to review what has happened, and tally up where everyone around the country stands, now that most all of the recruits have decided where they'll be come the fall.
So with that, here's the skinny on the local teams, and how they fared for the class of 2019.
Texas (class ranked #3 by 247Sports.com)
The Longhorns are "baaaaaaack" according to quarterback Sam Ehlinger. And they're back near the top of the recruiting rankings once again, with a top 5 class for 2019. Twenty-four kids in total, including a pair of five-star recruits – ATH Bru McCoy and ATH Jordan Whittington. Also included in the class is four-star safety Tyler Owens, from Plano East.
Texas A&M (class ranked #4 by 247Sports.com)
The Aggies have one of the top three classes in the SEC behind head coach Jimbo Fisher, including five-star defensive tackle Demarvin Leal. A&M hit North Texas hard this year, with six kids from the area heading to College Station, led by four-star wideout Dylan Wright from West Mesquite, and four-star safety Brian Williams from Bishop Dunne.
Oklahoma (class ranked #5 by 247Sports.com)
A trio of five-star products headlines a dazzling class for the Sooners, featuring some absurdly high-level receiver talent. The passing game in Norman has been awfully good the past few years, and it only figures to remain so, with Allen's Theo Wease (five-star), joining Jadon Haselwood (another five-star wideout from Georgia), and Hebron's Trejan Bridges (a four-star who should be a five-star) at OU. Oh, and they'll have a really good QB to catch passes from, as the #1 pro style quarterback in the nation, Spencer Rattler (another five-star) will don the maroon & white as well.
TCU (class ranked #32 by 247Sports.com)
You've got to go a ways down the list to find the next local school to mention. TCU sees their recruiting class fall outside the Top 25 this year, after coming in right at 25 a year ago. A trio of four-stars headline the crop, led by Damairqua Foster out of Wichita Falls Hirschi -- he ran for 2,800 yards and 44 touchdowns this year, and was named the 4A State Player of the Year by the AP.
Baylor (class ranked #35 by 247Sports.com)
Two four-stars lead the way for Matt Rhule's club. ATH Peyton Powell from Odessa, and pro-style QB Jacob Zeno from John Jay in San Antonio. Also prominent amongst the class is Trinity Christian Cedar Hill running back Qualan Jones.
Texas Tech (class ranked #69 by 247Sports.com)
And now the precipitous drop off, down to Texas Tech. The Red Raiders underwent a coaching change this offseason, and the recruiting numbers reflect that. No four-star or five-star recruits in the entire class, per 247's rankings, and the 10th out of 10 classes in the Big 12. #Math
North Texas (class ranked #72 by 247Sports.com)
North Texas checks in just outside the top 70, but 3rd amongst Conference-USA teams. 23 three-star recruits, including Bishop Lynch products Grayson and Gabriel Murphy, and Arlington Lamar cornerback DeShawn Gaddie.
SMU (class ranked #73 by 247Sports.com)
And finally, SMU, checking in with the 3rd best class in the AAC. Southlake Carroll running back TJ McDaniel is the biggest local name in the class. He received interest from schools as big as defending national champ Clemson. But he wanted to go somewhere where he would play, and play early. The Mustangs provide that.
