Fifty-six of the top 100 prospects in the 2018 football recruiting class have committed. Nine of those players have committed to Big 12 programs, seven of whom are staying in Big 12 country.
Though conference realignment has blurred — or in some cases, completely eradicated — the lines and borders on conference territories, some cities, states and regions are still primarily within Big 12 country, Big Ten country, SEC country, etc.
In the case of the 10-team Big 12 whose footprint has shrunk by two total states when Colorado, Nebraska and Missouri left and West Virginia joined — their "country" includes the four states with current member institutions plus Missouri, despite the Tigers' departure for the SEC in 2012.
MORE: Ranking the 5 Players Who Could Lead the Big 12 in Sacks in 2017
RELATED: College Football's Top 10 Transfer Quarterbacks in 2017
Here are 247Sports' highest-rated uncommitted 2018 recruits from Big 12 country.
[divider]
10. Ronnie Perkins – DE
Saint Louis, Mo.
Though the state of Missouri is no longer home to a Big 12 program and the closest conference member (Kansas) is nearly 300 miles away from Saint Louis, the city and state are still square in Big 12 country.
Ronnie Perkins is a four-star weak-side defensive end from Lutheran North High School. THe 6-foot-3, 256-pounder is the 108th-ranked player in the class and fifth-ranked player at his position.
Oklahoma and Texas are believed to battling it out for the disruptive Perkins.
[divider]
9. Mustapha Muhammad – TE
Missouri City, Texas
One of seven uncommitted players from Texas in 247Sports' top 105 overall players, Mustapha Muhammad is one of only three uncommitted top-10 tight ends in the class after Jeremy Ruckert's commitment to Ohio State on Monday.
Muhammad is a 6-foot-4, 235-pound four-star recruit from the southwest Houston suburbs. He released a loaded top 10 in May and is rumored to be strongly considering Michigan.
[divider]
8. Keondre Coburn – DT
Houston, Texas
The sixth-ranked defensive tackle in the class, Keondre Coburn is being chased by a host of Big 12 schools, including TCU and Texas.
“I’ve got a lot of interest in Texas, especially because of the U of H [Houston] staff and I loved the U of H staff,” he told Burnt Orange Nation in February.
At 6-foot-1, 329 pounds, Coburn is one of the biggest players in the class.
[divider]
7. Jaylen Waddle – WR
Bellaire, Texas
Another four-star talent from the Houston suburbs, Jalen Waddle is a 5-foot-10, 175-pound receiver from Episcopal High School. A terrorizing slot target, Waddle named a top 12 this summer, a group headlined by Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas.
He will visit Oregon at the end of July and said he "will probably visit OU" this summer.
"I have not seen the new facility and that is what I am really looking forward to," Waddle said of Oklahoma. "I already know all the coaches. Me and coach (Lincoln) Riley are real cool because that is who gave me my offer
[divider]
6. Jalen Preston – WR
Manvel, Texas
Jalen Preston, a four-star receiver from Manvel High School, has a top six of LSU, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, Texas and Texas A&M.
The nation's 10th-ranked receiver, Preston carries a 100-percent Texas A&M prediction from 247Sports.
[divider]
5. Jalen Green – CB
Houston, Texas
Jalen Green is one of seven top-10 cornerbacks who are uncommitted.
A 6-foot, 171-pounder from Heights High School, Green tweeted his top five on Monday night: LSU, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State and Texas. He has visited Austin numerous times since the Longhorns made an offer in early January.
Green is the No. 53 player in the class and No. 8 cornerback.
[divider]
4. Michael Thompson – DT
North Saint Louis, Mo.
The No. 2 player in Missouri and No. 2 player at his position in the country, Michael Thompson is a big, powerful dude. The 6-foot-4, 291-pounder revealed his top five last week: Alabama, LSU, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio State.
Unless something dramatically changes, Thompson will not play in the Big 12 in 2018.
[divider]
3. Kamryn Babb – WR
Saint Louis, Mo.
Ohio State has long believed to be the leader for four-star Christian Brothers College receiver Kamryn Babb. The state's top recruit and 44th-ranked player in the nation, Babb did surprise folks in early July by discussing his strong interest in LSU.
“I grew up watching LSU, watching Odell Beckham,” Babb told SEC Country. “I’ve been talking to them a lot more, so I just need to get there and visit. I’ve got a great relationship with their coaching staff and they tell me that they really want me there, they tell me all the time what they see in me. I want to make sure I get there for a visit.”
Among his other offers are Alabama, Michigan and Oklahoma.
[divider]
2. Brennan Eagles – WR
Houston, Texas
Four-star Houston receiver Brennan Eagles was scheduled to make his commitment announcement on July 17. He said on June 30 that it was canceled "due to technical difficulties."
Since then, fellow Houston product Al'vonte Woodard, also a four-star receiver, committed to Texas, who Eagles was rumored to be leaning heavily toward. The Longhorns now have three receiver commits.
[divider]
1. Anthony Cook – CB
Houston, Texas
There are three cornerbacks among the top 30 overall players. All of them are uncommitted.
Anthony Cook, the No. 2 corner and No. 13 overall player, is being pursued by nearly every team in the nation.
“Texas is coming at me really hard,” he told Land of 10 in early July. “Ohio State is coming extremely hard, so is LSU. All the top schools are talking to me every day, telling me how much they want me.”
