Big 12 Signing Day Blitz

The Texas class was not only one of the nation's best, but it was also one of the nation's most quickly assembled classes. The majority of the commitments came before many of the recruits' senior years had begun. But the real battle in the Big 12 was for second place, as Oklahoma and Nebraska duked it out for recruits like linebacker Travis Lewis all the way to Signing Day.

Headliner: Though the list of blue-chip prospects is long for the Horns, offensive lineman Tray Allen led the way for Texas. Rated as the No. 2 guard in the nation, Allen fielded scholarship offers from all over the country. The 6-foot-4, 305-pounder is athletic enough to play any of the offensive line positions for the Longhorns.

Sleeper: Michael Wilcoxon of Aledo, Texas, wasn't nearly as highly recruited as several of the other top commits, but he could be an important piece of the puzzle. At 6-2, 271 pounds and armed with great strength, Wilcoxon has drawn some comparisons to current Longhorns tackle Derek Lokey. Though he may not figure in as a freshman, Wilcoxon will be one to watch in the future in Austin.

Overview: Despite receiving a late de-commitment from five-star quarterback John Brantley, UT dominated in-state recruiting by signing 12 of the state's top 19 prospects.

Headliner: The Huskers didn't have to go far to sign their highest-ranked and most talked-about prospect in Rivals100 wide receiver Niles Paul. Paul, a 6-2, 210-pound Omaha North product, is one of the best receivers to come out of the Cornhusker State in a decade. Paul is the nephew of Green Bay Packers running back Ahman Green.

Sleeper: New Orleans McDonogh defensive tackle Terrence Moore didn't draw a high ranking, but that had more to do with his movement between high schools in Louisiana and Texas after Hurricane Katrina. Regardless, with Moore's size, speed and quickness he could be one of the better high school defensive linemen who has signed in Bill Callahan's tenure.

Overview: The Huskers class ranks second in the Big 12. That had a lot do with two JUCO prospects rated in the top 10 nationally, a strong showing in Texas and two of the top five prospects in Arizona. This class may not rank as high as 2005, but it could turn out being the best class in the last five years.

Headliner: Usually the Sooners are known for a high school headliner, but in the class of 2007, the nation's No. 2 junior college prospect in the country leads the way. Five-star Marysville ( Calif.) Yuba Community College linebacker Mike Reed is a 6-4, 245-pounder who brings deceptive speed and physicality to the position that Sooners fans are used to. Reed should figure into the mix early in Norman. He was also an early graduate and will compete in spring ball.

Sleeper: Pearland ( Texas) athlete Sam Proctor's ability as a football player was never a question. Though he still doesn't have a true position, he may end up being defensive back for the Sooners. Proctor first led his Pearland team at quarterback and has the athleticism to be a star sleeper in Norman. Proctor will probably line up as a strong safety for OU.

Overview: With only 20 signees, Oklahoma didn't have as many available spots as it has in the recent past. That factor kept the Sooners from a top 10 signing class for the first time in six years. Still, OU managed to sign a four-star quarterback, Keith Nichol, along with a very solid defensive class. Oklahoma signed three four-star prospects from the state of Texas as well.