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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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Nov 14, 2015; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Dana Holgorsen greets running back Rushel Shell as he steps off the bus prior to their game against the Texas Longhorns at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Dana Holgorsen greets running back Rushel Shell as he steps off the bus prior to their game against the Texas Longhorns at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

With 27 signees, West Virginia signed the second largest class in the Big 12, and the seven junior college transfers head coach Dana Holgorsen added to his roster were more than anyone else in the league. The Mountaineers landed three four-star prospects, including 6-foot-2, 215-pound inside linebacker Brendan Ferns and 5-foot-10, 152-pound wide receiver Steven Smothers.

Ferns will have an opportunity to play early following the departure of three starting linebackers. Holgorsen compared Smothers to Tavon Austin, according to the school’s Signing Day press conference notes, and expects the Maryland native to contribute immediately in the return game.

Instant Impact Performer: S Kyzir White

With seven JUCO signees, there are lots of newcomers that will have an opportunity to play early. Next to linebacker, the secondary was West Virginia’s biggest need during the 2016 recruiting cycle, and the Mountaineers responded by signing seven defensive backs.

Safety Kyzir White, a four-star prospect from Lackawanna Community College has the best chance to play immediately. Ranked as the No. 12 overall JUCO prospect in the nation, White is the top safety in this year’s class. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound ball hawk chose West Virginia over USC, Penn State and Louisville.

Underrated Signee: CB Jacob Long

With so much playing time up for grabs in the secondary (and especially at corner) heading into the 2016 season, there will be plenty of opportunities for newcomers. Long, a 6-foot, 180-pound three-star corner, wasn’t highly recruited out of Hamilton, Ohio, having received just eight FBS offers and only three from Power Five conference teams.

However, he’s got good size as well as speed in the low-4.5 range and isn’t afraid to hit. Expect him to develop nicely for the Mountaineers.

Complete 2016 West Virginia Recruiting Class:

Final Thoughts: Dana Holgorsen and the Mountaineers took a step in the right direction during last year’s 8-5 campaign – the most victories most at West Virginia since 2011 – and finished strong by winning five of their final six games of the season.

While the class is solid and ranked fifth in the conference and No. 39 in the nation, it’s heavy on JUCO transfers. West Virginia had big needs in the secondary and in the linebacker corps, and addressed them as best they could, but you’ve got to worry a bit that leaning too heavily on JUCOs is a band-aid solution and not a long-haul building strategy.

Next: Oklahoma

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