Between now and Monday, Feb. 10 — when we'll reveal our overall FCS team and individual recruiting rankings — we're going to begin to release some of our early thoughts about each class here, conference by conference and position by position. Today we release our feelings about the Southland Conference and where things stand for those schools, with the understanding that a lot can change between now and when they can begin signing (Wednesday, Feb. 5). So hold onto your hats and check this out.
Also … remember, this is a ranking of HIGH SCHOOL commitments … this is only one way our FCS rankings differentiate us from 247Sports and Rivals etc. Also … we don't pay any attention to the star rating, this ranking is based solely on how each athlete is coveted, who wanted him … and how many wanted him. That's it. Film evaluation is something I will leave up to the coaches, as they have their jobs on the line with that. I figure if their jobs are on the line, they're probably doing a pretty good job of figuring out who they want to offer a spot on their teams. And they are certainly better than I am at making that determination.
[divider]More FCS Recruiting:
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Quick rankings explanation:
- Only high school recruits are taken into account. Transfers are separate and will be evaluated much later this spring.
- The system is based on school offers, NOT 247Sports or Rivals. Every level of D-1 (P5, G5, FCS) has a particular tiered point total.
- When it comes to team rankings, it's the value of all of its Dec. signees and current commitments' point totals combined. Every kid counts.
- I respect PWOs — preferred walk-ons. They get credit too. The FCS is the perfect level for walk-ons. They matter to these schools.
- The final national rankings for Top 50 teams and Top 300 individuals will publish Monday, Feb. 10[divider]
All FCS Conference & Position Recruiting Rankings
TOP SOUTHLAND TEAMS (as of Feb. 2)
(This top list is based on teams that have already secured at least five recruits – full conference breakdown comes later)
| 1 | UCA |
| 2 | SFA |
| 3 | Sam Houston St. |
| 4 | SE Louisiana |
| 5 | HBU |
| 6 | Abilene |
TOP SOUTHLAND RECRUITS (as of Feb. 2)
(NOTE: PWO means preferred walk-on offer; Only high school commits/recruits are considered here – transfers come later)
| RK | FCS TEAM | POS | PROSPECT | HOMETOWN | STATE | OTHER D-1 OPTIONS |
| 1 | STEPHEN F. AUSTIN | RB | Ja'Bray Young | Melissa, TX | TX | 4 Power Five offers, 4 G5 offers |
| 2 | CENT. ARKANSAS | LB | Kendarrius Moore | West Memphis, AR | AR | Tulane decommit – Okl. St., Vandy, 9 FBS |
| 3 | CENT. ARKANSAS | RB | Trysten Smith | Duncanville, TX | TX | Kansas, 4 FBS, 11 total |
| 4 | CENT. ARKANSAS | WR | Chris Hightower | Little Rock, AR | AR | Kansas, 7 G5 offers |
| 5 | SE LOUISIANA | DB | Jacoby Wells | Harvey, LA | LA | Colorado, 4 G5,5 FCS |
| 6 | STEPHEN F. AUSTIN | DL | Caleb Fox | The Woodlands, TX | TX | 4 FBS offers, 8 FCS offers |
| 7 | STEPHEN F. AUSTIN | DB | Jalon Hunter | Arlington, TX | TX | 4 FBS, 7 FCS |
| 8 | SE LOUISIANA | DB | TaQuan Thomas | New Orleans, LA | LA | MTSU, SoAlab, LaMonroe, UAB, Nicholls, NW State |
| 9 | HOUSTON BAPTIST | WR | Tyson Thompson | Spring, TX | TX | 3 FBS, 7 FCS |
| 10 | SAM HOUSTON ST. | DL | Briceon Hayes | Huntsville, TX | TX | Colo. St. decommit — 4 G5, 5 FCS |
| 11 | STEPHEN F. AUSTIN | WR | Chris Taylor | Fort Worth, TX | TX | Kansas, Houston, Tulsa, 4 FCS offers |
| 12 | NICHOLLS | DB | Tyreke Boyd | Lafayette, LA | LA | LaMonroe, SoAlab., 8 FCS |
| 13t | STEPHEN F. AUSTIN | DL | Ky Thomas | Elkhart, TX | TX | UTEP, La-Monroe, 8 FCS |
| 13t | CENT. ARKANSAS | DB | Ka'Maury Thompson | Mesquite, TX | TX | Navy decommit – 4 FBS offers, 6 FCS offers |
| 14 | SAM HOUSTON ST. | DB | Jaylen Phillips | Katy, TX | TX | Arizona PWO, NM St., 6 FCS |
| 15 | CENT. ARKANSAS | QB | Hunter Loyd | Rogers, AR | AR | Ark. State, La.-Monroe, 6 FCS |
| 16 | STEPHEN F. AUSTIN | OL | Jaylon Washington | Red Oak, TX | TX | Ark St., 7 FCS offers |
| 17 | SAM HOUSTON ST. | OL | Will Jones | Humble, TX | TX | LSU, Kansas |
| 18 | SAM HOUSTON ST. | DL | Quinton Owens | Carthage, TX | TX | 8 FCS offers |
| 19 | CENT. ARKANSAS | WR | Jared Long | Columbus, MS | MS | UAB, SoAlab., Alcorn, APSU, |
| 20 | MCNEESE STATE | TE | Luke Howard | Lafayette, LA | LA | 7 FCS offers |
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