Brett Yormark refutes notion Texas, Oklahoma carried Big 12 in recruiting

Texas and Oklahoma are undoubtedly the two biggest brands in the Big 12, even if they are leaving for the SEC in 2024. That carries over into recruiting, where you will find the Longhorns and Sooners at the top of the rankings on a yearly basis. Even through coaching changes, those two programs have led the conference in blue-chip ratio.

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark was asked about Texas/Oklahoma possibly carrying the conference in recruiting when he was quick to refute the notion. He pointed toward their lack of involvement in the Big 12 championship game, mainly from Texas’ end, over the past few years.

“I don’t think they’ve carried the conference in recruiting,” Yormark said via Brett McMurphy. “They haven’t been in our championship game the past few years”

Per the On3 Industry Football Team Rankings, you have to go back to the 2016 cycle to find a non-Texas or Oklahoma in the Big 12’s top two. TCU was able to beat out Oklahoma under Gary Patterson, while the folks in Austin occupied the top overall spot.

This is not to say other Big 12 programs cannot recruit. Gus Malzhan has UCF on a bit of a run, having four four-star programs in their 2024 class at the time of posting. You can say the same for Texas Tech under Joey McGuire, who is preparing to have a historic class in Lubbock.

Even so, you are likely to find Texas and Oklahoma higher on the list from a rankings perspective.

From a title game perspective, Yormark has a point. Neither of the last two games at AT&T Stadium have featured either Red River rival.

If you look at the 2018 game, you will find Texas and Oklahoma facing off against one another. But before then, 2009 was the last appearance and win for the Longhorns in the conference championship game.

Oklahoma is a different story, being the program that has dominated the Big 12 over the years. At one point, Lincoln Riley won four straight title games. Bob Stoops was no stranger to having success there either.

Yormark is clearly confident in the future of the Big 12, continually talking about the eight staying and four new members. The likes of TCU, Texas Tech, and UCF will have the opportunity to make up for the loss.

Sure, Texas and Oklahoma may be leaving but Yormark believes high-level recruiting will stay in the conference.