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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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Aug 30, 2014; Fort Worth, TX, USA; A view of the stadium before the game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Samford Bulldogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. The Horned Frogs defeated the Bulldogs 48-14. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2014; Fort Worth, TX, USA; A view of the stadium before the game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Samford Bulldogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. The Horned Frogs defeated the Bulldogs 48-14. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

TCU has always done a great job of finding overlooked players that can be developed into contributors and also fit their system of play. Located in the middle of one of the most fertile recruiting areas in the country has allowed the Horned Frogs to not only survive, but to thrive on taking largely the players that have been passed over by Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and every other school across the nation that recruits the Metroplex.

However, tides are shifting thanks to TCU’s move into the Big 12, and the success the Horned Frogs have had over the past two seasons – spending most of that time in the conversation for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Now, the Frogs are able to attract more highly sought-after prospects and has competed well against their bigger brand-name rivals.

As a result, the 2016 TCU recruiting class ranked fourth in the Big 12 and No. 23 in the nation in the 247Sports Composite, is the most talented in school history.

Instant Impact Performer: WR Isaiah Graham

TCU must replace two of its top three receivers from 2015, including a truly special player in Josh Doctson. That means newcomers in the receiving corps will be in the mix for reps early. Four-star wide receiver Isaiah Graham is a top-250 overall recruit that is already on campus. With good size, speed and hands, Graham has the total package and could develop into a big-time star in TCU explosive offense. He’ll team with fellow early enrollee, 6-foot-3 No. 1 JUCO wideout Taj Williams as one of the league’s best 2016 receiver-recruit duos.

Yet another wide receiver that is expected to have an immediate early impact though isn’t technically a member of this recruiting class, is former LSU wide receiver John Diarse. A 6-foot, 209-pound fourth-year junior who graduated from LSU eligible to play in 2016 with two seasons to go, Diarse caught 28 passes for 412 yards and three touchdowns across two seasons with the Tigers.

And, let’s not forget about linebacker Tyree Horton, who was one of the most highly sought-after JUCO prospects in the nation. Simply put, there will be a lot of new faces making an impact in 2016.

Underrated Signee: DB Vernon Scott

A low three-star prospect ranked as the No. 68 safety in the nation, 6-foot-2, 200-pound defensive back Vernon Scott is the type of player that TCU head coach Gary Patterson has had success developing into a big-time playmaker in his legendary 4-2-5 defense. A large, instinctual cornerback in high school, Scott is a good tackler with average athleticism that could grow into a hard-hitting safety for the Horned Frogs.

Complete 2016 TCU Recruiting Class:

Final Thoughts: As TCU continues to evolve into one of the “big boys” in the Big 12, Patterson and his coaching staff still haven’t lost their ability to find overlooked prospects, and should continue to develop those players into key performers for the Horned Frogs down the road.

And, now that TCU is making noise by landing big-time recruits – including a school-record eight four-star players in 2016 – they have the best of both worlds.

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