College Football Recruiting Rankings, 2012: Baylor's Haul Among Big 12's Best

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Baylor began life in a post Robert Griffin world on National Signing Day by nearly cracking the national Top 25 recruiting rankings, according to SB Nation's final tally.

The SB Nation recruiting class ranking is an average of the four major recruiting services' rankings (Rivals, Scout, 24/7 and ESPN). Based on those numbers, the Bears' class of 24 total commitments fell shy of the Top 25, but not by much. Baylor finished as follows: No. 30 overall and No. 5 in the Big 12 on Scout.com, No. 43 overall and No. 6 in the Big 12 by Rivals.com, and No. 24 overall and No. 3 in the Big 12 by 24/7 Sports.

Regardless of rankings, Baylor achieved what it set out to do - reflect an uptick in quality players coming to Waco after the school's first bowl win in 19 years, and a 10-win season highlighted by a Heisman run. The Bears concentrated primarily on defense in the 2012 class, anchored by a very un-Baylor-like "get" of Javonte Magee Houston High School, San Antonio, Texas), a four-star defensive end rated by Scout as the 11th best prospect nationally at his position. A total of 13 commits were on the defensive side of the ball for the points-friendly Bears.

For a look at the complete Top 25 recruiting classes, click here.

For more on Baylor recruiting, be sure to check out Our Daily Bears and SB Nation Dallas, and for everything in the world of college football be sure to visit SB Nation's college football news hub.