Big 12 2013 Impact Recruits

Once again, Big 12 programs landed a ton of talent -- not to mention a lot of big-name prospects -- in 2013.

Andrew Billings was a huge win for Baylor over TCU and Texas and he has a chance to gain immediate playing time.

However, the highest-rated prospects aren't always the ones that make the biggest impact early.

In fact, early playing time arguably is based more on need than it is on someone's ability.

Looking at the Big 12, here's the 247Sports list of the 2013 signees we believe could have the greatest impact for their team next season.

BAYLOR

Andrew Billings, DT, Waco (Texas) High
Billings was a big win when the Bears kept him home instead of going to TCU or Texas. While it was a nice victory on the recruiting trail for PR purposes, it will likely pay off even more on the field in 2013. Baylor lost both starting defensive tackles from last year to graduation and both of the backups were freshmen. There is not very much experience at all on the interior of the line so the ultra-quick and athletic Billings will have his chance to step in and make an immediate contribution.

- For more on Baylor, visit BearsTruth

IOWA STATE

Emmanuel Bibbs, TE, Yuma (Ariz.) Arizona Western College
The Cyclones were a very senior-laden team in 2012 so there are a lot of opportunities for signees to come in early and fight for playing time. However, the most glaring spot is among the receiving corps where Iowa State lost all four starters to graduation. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound Bibbs was a highly-sought junior college tight end prospect and he is already on campus and going through spring football. That will give him an advantage over the other newcomers as he looks to earn the starting job.

Quarterback Jake Waters will look to fill the shoes of Heisman Trophy finalist Collin Klein at Kansas State.

KANSAS

Rodriguez Coleman, WR, Garden City (Kan.) C.C.
The Jayhawks lose all three of their starting wide receivers from the 2012 season so there is a huge opportunity to come in and win the job at the two outside spots for the versatile Coleman. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound junior college prospect is a big target in the red zone and also stretches the field well and, because he is a junior college transfer, he already has experience playing against some very good competition. Kansas has quite a few junior college transfers that will likely make big impacts this season but Coleman has the best path towards doing so.

- For more on Kansas, visit JayhawkSportsReport

KANSAS STATE

Jake Waters, QB, Council Bluffs (Iowa) Iowa Western C.C.
Waters, who also happens to be the highest-rated signee in the Kansas State class, rewrote the junior college record books in leading Iowa Western to the national title. He picked the Wildcats over Penn State in large part because of the opportunity to play early after the graduation of Heisman Trophy finalist Collin Klein. Waters is already on campus going through spring football and has the experience necessary to come out of the spring with the starting job.

OKLAHOMA

Quincy Russell, DT, Athens (Texas) Trinity Valley C.C.
Oklahoma did not lose much off of a second-place Big 12 team from a year ago but one area the Sooners did see a big hit was the defensive line. Both defensive tackle starters and one defensive end starter were lost to graduation. Russell is a former U.S. Army All-American who was forced to go the junior college route. After two years on that level facing some very good competition, he should be ready to be a force at the FBS level. He can play nose if needed but can also be a good pass-rusher from the three-technique spot.

- For more on Oklahoma, visit OUInsider

Ultra-quick wide receiver Devin Lauderdale seems a perfect fit for Texas Tech's new offense.

OKLAHOMA STATE

Vincent Taylor, DT, San Antonio (Texas) Madison
Like their in-state rival Sooners, the Cowboys actually return most of their starters from the 2012 season. However, also like the Sooners, they lose quite a bit of their defensive line. Taylor is a versatile lineman that played both end and tackle in his high school career but his size should make him an ideal candidate to help replace both defensive tackle starters lost to graduate. The four-star prospect is incredibly strong but is also quick for his size and he should wow the coaches once fall drills begin.

- For more on Oklahoma State, visit OState247

TCU

Ranthony Texada, CB, Frisco (Texas) Centennial
TCU may have two cornerback starters returning in Kevin White and All-American Jason Verrett, but Texada is simply too good to keep off the field as a freshman. Though very slight of frame, his coverage skills are among the best of any player in the 2013 class. He will likely play a lot of special teams as well as come in on passing down packages.

TEXAS

Geoff Swaim, TE, Oroville (Calif.) Butte C.C.
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound junior college transfer was actually the lowest-rated of all the Texas signees but the Longhorns have a major need at the tight end position and Swaim is already on campus for spring ball. He is not going to be a huge threat in the passing game but he is a solid blocker who can put his hand in the dirt – something Texas has been missing at the position for some time. After losing D.J. Grant to graduation, the Longhorns don’t have an established starter at the position and Swaim should have his chance to earn significant playing time.

- For more on Texas, visit HookEm.com

TEXAS TECH

Devin Lauderdale, WR, Houston (Texas) Bellaire
New head coach Kliff Kingsbury is bringing a wide open, pass-heavy attack to Lubbock and he needs playmakers at the wide receiver position to be successful. Texas Tech loses three starting receivers from the 2012 squad to graduation and so there is an opportunity to earn playing time at a number of spots. Lauderdale is a four-star prospect that is incredibly quick and can play either inside or outside. He is dangerous in space and seems a perfect fit for the offense. He is also one of the most dynamic return men in this class and should have a chance to showcase his skills there as well.

- For more on Texas Tech, visit WreckEm247

WEST VIRGINIA

Kevin White, WR, Scranton (Penn.) Lackawanna C.C.
The Mountaineers lost one of the best players in college football – wide receiver Tavon Austin – to graduation, which is a huge blow. However, losing fellow starters Stedman Bailey and J.D. Woods means that there is not much experience at wideout for West Virginia. White is a junior college transfer that is already on campus and going through spring ball so the 6-foot-4, 210-pound pass-catcher has an opportunity to win a starting job.

- For more on West Virginia, visit EerSports.com