From year to year, the Big 12 North division in college football seems to be an open race.
Since 2003, four different schools have represented the North in the Big 12 Championship game.
In the South, it’s Texas or Oklahoma every year. The North, however, likes to spread the wealth. Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas and Colorado have all seen themselves at the top of the division in the last few years.
In 2010, Nebraska will be a heavy favorite in the North, while Texas will be the front-runner in the South. These were also the two teams with the best recruiting classes in their respective division, according to Rivals.com.
So who had the best recruiting classes this week at national signing day?
For a glance at the Big 12 South’s recruiting capsules, [follow this link][1].
Here’s a glance at what happened in the North:
**1. Missouri**
**National recruiting ranking:** No. 21 by Rivals.com
**Prized prospect:** Nick Demien, OL, 4 stars
**Height, weight, hometown:** 6-foot-6; 295 pounds; Wentzville, Mo.
**Impact:** Rivals predicts a red-shirt for Demien next year, but he looks to have the highest ceiling of Mizzou’s 2010 recruits. Demien’s specialty is run-blocking, and while running back Derrick Washington won’t be around in two years, De’Vion Moore is an established back and will be a senior who could benefit from Demien’s strength in two years.
**Scouting report:** “He should make a major impact at the next level and become a three-year starter with NFL potential.” — Barry Every, Rivals.com
**Film room:**
**2. Nebraska**
**National ranking:** No. 23
**Prized prospect:** Braylon Heard, RB, 4 stars
**Height, weight, hometown:** 5-11; 180; Youngstown, Ohio
**Impact:** It might be difficult for Heard to see immediate time as a freshman, particularly with Roy Helu Jr. entering his final season and Rex Burkhead entering his sophomore season. Once Helu is gone, Heard, who Rivals ranked as the fifth-best running back and 57th overall player in the country, could challenge for more time in 2011. His 4.4-second 40 time is the fastest in Bo Pelini’s 2010 recruiting class.
**Film room:**
**3. Kansas**
**National ranking:** No. 55
**Prized prospect:** Brandon Bourbon, RB, 4 stars
**Height, weight, hometown:** 6-2; 205; Potosi, Mo.
**Impact:** This late addition was a huge signing for Kansas, which had one other four-star recruit (wide receiver Keeston Terry of Blue Springs, Mo.). Bourbon, who de-committed from Stanford last week, could be a nice complement to Toben Opurum in the backfield as soon as next season. He’ll have to hold off junior college transfer Daniel Porter, junior-to-be Rell Lewis and sophomore-to-be Deshaun Sands in the spring, though.
**Scouting report:** “I had a chance to meet him at the Kansas spring game last year, and in terms of physical size and body, he’s somebody that’s definitely going to come in and challenge for early playing time … In terms of talent, he’s got great speed, great athleticism and he doesn’t look like a 17-, 18-year-old high school kid when you see him up close. He’s got a Div. I body.” — Rivals.com’s Jon Kirby, in [a Spodcasters episode with Jesse Newell earlier this week][2].
**Film room:**
**4. Iowa State**
**National ranking:** No. 60
**Prized prospect:** Chris Young, WR, 4 stars
**Height, weight, hometown:** 5-11; 185; Athens, Texas
**Impact**: Young, a junior college transfer from Trinity Valley Community College, could see early action, especially with Marquis Hamilton, Iowa State’s leading receiver from last season, lost to graduation.
**5. Kansas State**
**National ranking:** No. 62
**Prized prospect:** DeMarcus Robinson, RB, 4 stars
**Height, weight, hometown:** 5-9; 192; Wichita
**Impact:** K-State coach Bill Snyder focused on junior college players, signing nine in his 2010 recruiting class. Robinson is not one of them. Robinson has the talent to see time as a freshman, but he doesn’t figure to see an extended workload too early because of Daniel Thomas, who figures to be one of the best running backs in the Big 12 next year as a senior.
**Scouting report:** “If he proves that he has the toughness to pass protect against defensive ends and blitzing linebackers, he should see early playing time. Also, his ability to turn short screens and swing passes into big gains will determine how much playing time he will get early in his career. At least expect him to play early in a backup role his first season.” — Barry Every
**Film room:**
**6. Colorado**
**National ranking:** No. 66
**Prized prospect:** Nick Hirschman, QB, 3 stars
**Height, weight, hometown:** 6-2; 212; Los Gatos, Calif.
**Impact:** Colorado had a lack of star power in its 2010 recruiting class. The Buffaloes didn’t sign any four-star Rivals recruits and most of its freshmen should see the bench and/or red-shirt next season. Hirschman, a three-star, pro-style quarterback, might want to take the red-shirt route, especially since incumbent signal-caller Tyler Hansen will only be a junior next season.
That should be all for now, friends. As always, discuss.
[1]: http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/conference_chatter/2010/feb/04/2010-gridiron-prospect-watch-big-12-south/
[2]: http://www2.kusports.com/podcasts/spodcasters/2010/feb/02/ku-football-recruiting-and-signing-day-talk-jayhaw/
