Not every recruiting class can be judged the same. The world doesn’t happen in a vacuum and context matters. Texas and Texas A&M always sign the top-ranked recruiting classes in Texas, but that doesn’t always equal a successful cycle. The Aggies fell from the top-ranked class in 2022 to the 15th-best one in 2023. Conversely, Texas Tech signed a recruiting class in 2023 that ranks nearly 25 spots better than its five-year average. 

Instead of ranking the classes by pure talent, we took a stab at grading the Power Five classes in the Lone Star State from the 2023 cycle based on relativity. Including Houston, five of the six teams in Texas signed classes in 2023 that rank above expectation based on what it signed starting in 2019. 

TEXAS LONGHORNS 

2023 rank: 3 
Five-year recruiting average rank: 6.8
Grade: A+ 

The Longhorns hit home runs on the recruiting trail after ending the 2022 season 8-4. Texas signed a class that is nearly four spots higher than its five-year average, which is insanely impressive considering the program signs top 10 programs regularly. The crown jewels are five-star quarterback Arch Manning and five-star linebacker Anthony Hill. Steve Sarkisian inked eight players in the national top 100.  

TEXAS A&M AGGIES 

2023 rank: 15
Five-year recruiting average rank: 6.8 
Grade: C+ 

Texas A&M signed a top-two class in the state of Texas and landed signatures from running back Reuben Owens and interior offensive lineman Chase Bisontis. The Aggies will be fine talent wise and a top 15 class is nothing to be embarrassed about. But it was 14 spots lower than last year’s haul and over 8 spots lower than the program’s average since the 2019 cycle. 

TCU HORNED FROGS 

2023 rank: 19
Five-year recruiting average rank: 34.6
Grade: A- 

A trip to the national title game should pay dividends on the recruiting trail and that is the case for Sonny Dykes’ Horned Frogs. TCU signed the third-best recruiting class in the Big 12 and in the Lone Star State. The only two in-conference programs with a better recruiting class in 2023 are the two departing for the SEC in 2024 or 2025. Wide receiver Cordale Russell is among the nine four stars signing with the team. 

TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS 

2023 rank: 26
Five-year recruiting average rank: 50.6
Grade: A

Joey McGuire won’t struggle on the recruiting trail, especially after posting the program’s first winning record in the Big 12 since 2009. His first season in Lubbock also included wins over Texas and Oklahoma in the same season for the first time in school history. That momentum allowed McGuire and Co. to land the fourth-best recruiting class in the Big 12, and in the state of Texas. It would rank second in the new-look Big 12. Twenty-two of the 26 signees play high school football in the state of Texas. 

BAYLOR BEARS 

2023 rank: 34
Five-year recruiting average rank: 39.4
Grade: B-

Dave Aranda managed to sign a class that ranks above Baylor’s five-year average despite a six-win season and the program’s second sub .500 record in two of his first three years in Waco. The class likely finishes in the top 30 if Dripping Springs Austin Novosad didn’t flip late to Oregon. The class lacks headliners with the top-rated commit sitting 453rd-nationally.

HOUSTON COUGARS 

2023 rank: 56
Five-year recruiting average rank: 68.2
Grade: B+ 

Dana Holgorsen’s squad still lags behind its new Big 12 mates from the Lone Star State, but the Cougars are gaining momentum thanks to conference realignment. Houston’s recruiting classes ranked 72nd or lower in the three years prior to the 2022 cycle. The last two ranked 55th and 56th, respectively. All three of the four-star signees play offense.