Border Battles: 5 key 2023 recruiting clashes in Big 12 territory

Even though we are still early in the recruiting process for the Class of 2023, some early storylines and key border battles have already emerged.

For example, we’re already seeing some schools, like USC and Notre Dame, climb the On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings with early commitments in the junior class. We’re also seeing some important border skirmishes emerging, and On3 examines the five key border battles from within Big 12 territory.

CB Javien Toviano

Arlington (Texas) Martin
Star ranking: 4 stars
On3 Consensus: No. 24
Teams battling: Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State
The Skinny: Four-star cornerback Javien Toviano was an Oklahoma lean before the coaching change in Norman shook things up.

The Sooners are still considered one of the favorites, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. But the Texas Longhorns made a lot of headway after a Jan. 22 junior day visit.

While the Sooners and Longhorns are up there, he’ll also visit LSU on March 5. Also don’t be surprised if Texas A&M, Ohio State and Notre Dame make major pushes in the spring.

That being said, many insiders feel like this could still boil down to an OU-Texas battle. And it’s one that is crucially important for both teams.

ATH Jacobe Johnson

Mustang (Okla.) High
Star ranking: 4 stars
On3 Consensus: No. 95
Teams battling: Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, TCU
The Skinny: A two-sport star, Jacobe Johnson is being recruited by numerous schools as a receiver/defensive back and also as a wing in basketball.

While he does have a lengthy national offer list, all indications are this is boiling down to an in-state battle between the Sooners and the Cowboys – to play both sports.

Oklahoma currently leads, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, but the Cowboys aren’t going to go down without a fight in this battle.

LB S’maje Burrell

Fort Worth (Texas) North Crowley
Star ranking: 4 stars
On3 Consensus: No. 292
Teams battling: Texas Tech, Texas, Baylor, Oklahoma, USC, Ohio State
The Skinny: A lot of the early attention has been on five-star linebacker Anthony Hill –  and rightfully so – but S’maje Burrell is another top Texas linebacker coaches are battling for.

Early intel indicates that Texas is a slight favorite over Baylor heading into March. But Burrell is set to take a long list of March and April visits to Texas, Baylor, Oklahoma, Ohio State and USC that could shake things up quite a bit.

But insiders also feel he won’t venture too far away from the Metroplex, which means potential good news for the Big 12 programs. That’s why his name is on this list of important recruiting battles for Big 12 teams.

OL/DL Terrance Green

Cypress (Texas) Cy Woods
On3 Ranking: 4 stars
Teams battling: Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas Tech, Baylor, Kansas State
The Skinny: Two-way lineman Terrance Green is emerging in January and February as one of the fastest rising prospects in the Lone Star State. He put on a show this past weekend at the Underclassman Power Academy at Arlington Martin, showing the teams that got in on him early on knew what they were doing.

Now the question is whether or not he’ll play defense or offensive in college. Oklahoma State and TCU are recruiting Green as an offensive tackle. Texas Tech, Kansas State and Baylor are recruiting Green with the idea of giving him a shot on defense first.

Also, watch out for Texas and Oklahoma with Green. They could quickly enter the battle with his stock on the rise.

RB Dylan Edwards

Derby (Kan.) High
Star ranking: 3 stars
On3 Consensus: No. 391
Teams battling: Oklahoma, Kansas State, Nebraska, Iowa State
The Skinny: Dylan Edwards is a K-State legacy that is coached by a former Wildcat player. However, Oklahoma recently entered the picture with an offer for the speedy back from the Wichita, Kan., area. Don’t forget that Sooners head coach Brent Venables played with Edwards’ father at K-State.

Now the Sooners are considered the team to beat over the Wildcats, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. Losing him would be a tough blow for the Wildcats, which will make his recruitment a key battle to watch in the coming weeks and maybe months.

Edwards rushed for more than 2,000 yards and had 39 total touchdowns in 2021.