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National Signing Day 2016: Ranking, grading every Big 12 football recruiting class

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Dec 5, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong celebrates the win over the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. The Longhorns defeat the Bears 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong celebrates the win over the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. The Longhorns defeat the Bears 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 5, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; A view of the Baylor Bears band during the game against the Texas Longhorns at McLane Stadium. The Longhorns defeat the Bears 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; A view of the Baylor Bears band during the game against the Texas Longhorns at McLane Stadium. The Longhorns defeat the Bears 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

All Baylor did with its 2016 recruiting class is get the most talented group in school history. The Bears had never signed a Top 25 class (though they came close in 2012, 2013 and 2014), but by adding 18 new signees to join the four players that enrolled in January, Art Briles’ class is ranked No. 17 in the 247Sports Composite. Until Texas’ incredible run on National Signing Dat, Baylor had the top class in the Big 12.

Four high schoolers are ranked among the nation’s top 150 players overall – wide receiver Devin Duvernay (No. 36), guard Patrick Hudson (No. 50), wideout Tren’Davian Dickson (No. 104) and defensive end Brandon Bowen (No. 146) – and eight are four-star prospects. Baylor also landed a top-15 pro-style passer (Zach Smith), and two JUCO transfers (offensive lineman Brandon Autry and defensive tackle Jeremy Faulk) that rank among the top five at their respective positions.

Overall, Briles and his coaching staff couldn’t have asked for more.

Instant Impact Performer: WR Devin Duvernay

Record-setting receiver Corey Coleman is off to the NFL and third-leading receiver Jay Lee is out of eligibility, which opens the door for newcomers to make a major impact in the passing game in 2016. Though several receiver signees are likely to play, the best bet to explode onto the national scene a la Coleman is Devin Duvernay, the No. 4 receiver recruit in the nation and the No. 36 overall player.

A state champion in the 100m in high school, Duvernay has elite speed capable of stretching defenses and scoring on any play.

Underrated Signee: ATH Donovan Duvernay

It’s true, Donovan Duvernay isn’t quite as explosive as his twin brother, but the 5-foot-9, 177-pound athlete isn’t very far behind, either. Duvernay was a playmaker on both sides of the football and as a return man in high school, and should contribute on special teams early in his career in Waco before eventually developing into a starter either as a sort receiver or a cornerback.

Complete 2016 Baylor Recruiting Class:

Final Thoughts: Baylor continues to build itself into one of the Big 12’s premier programs and gaining momentum on a national level. Signing the most talented recruiting class in history, on paper, is just another step in that process.

Next: Texas

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