EXPOSED: Rivals Found TAMPERING With BYU, Baylor, Big 12 Recruiting Rankings, CFP Odds ON THE LINE!
The assertion that Rivals (and other recruiting services) "dilute" Big 12 recruits' rankings after they commit to schools like BYU and Baylor is a common sentiment among fan bases outside of the traditional recruiting powerhouses (SEC, Big Ten, and increasingly, ACC). While "dilution" might be a strong word, the perception stems from a few factors inherent in how recruiting services operate and the biases that can exist, even if unintentional.Here's a breakdown of the perceived issue:1. The "Big Board" vs. "Commitment" Bump/Drop:Initial Evaluation: Recruiting services like Rivals, 247Sports, and On3 create initial rankings based on film, camp performances, and in-person evaluations. These are often considered a "pure" assessment of talent. The "Blue Blood" Effect: There's a widely acknowledged, though often denied, phenomenon where prospects who commit to traditional powerhouses (e.g., Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Texas, USC, Notre Dame) sometimes see a slight bump in their ranking or are less likely to see a significant drop. The rationale, from the services' perspective, is that if these elite programs are investing heavily in a player, it validates their talent, as those programs have a strong track record of identifying NFL-caliber players.The Perceived "Big 12/Non-Blue Blood" Effect: Conversely, when a highly-rated prospect commits to a Big 12 school, or a school traditionally not in the top tier of recruiting (like BYU or Baylor, despite their recent successes), there can be a perception that their ranking either stagnates or even slightly drops. Fans interpret this as the services doubting the player's true potential now that they're not going to a perceived "NFL factory." The argument is that the lower-tier program doesn't "validate" the player's talent in the same way, or that the services' scouts subconsciously put less stock in a player heading to a perceived lesser conference.2. Focus on Exposure and Camps:Rivals, in particular, has a strong emphasis on their camp series (Rivals Five-Star Challenge, etc.) for evaluations. Players who attend and perform well at these national events tend to maintain or improve their rankings. If a player commits early to a school that doesn't push them to attend such events, or if the player isn't actively seeking that kind of exposure after committing, their ranking might not get the same re-evaluation bumps that uncommitted or "blue blood" committed players might.3. The "Composite" Factor and Individual Service Differences:It's important to remember that most discussion around "star ratings" often refers to the Composite ranking (e.g., 247Sports Composite), which aggregates rankings from multiple services (Rivals, 247Sports, ESPN). A perceived drop by Rivals might be offset by another service, or vice versa.Each service has its own methodology. Rivals, for instance, has been criticized in the past for putting more emphasis on camps, while 247Sports might lean more on film. These different approaches can lead to disparities.4. The "Under-Evaluation" Argument for Big 12 Programs:Many Big 12 fans argue that their schools, especially those with unique recruiting strategies (like BYU with its mission-first approach, or Texas Tech/Baylor with strong regional ties and developing NIL programs), often find and develop talent that recruiting services might initially overlook or under-rate. When these players go on to succeed at the collegiate level, it reinforces the perception that the services might have initially "missed" on their true potential, perhaps due to a bias towards more traditional pipelines.In the specific context of BYU and Baylor's recent 2026 recruiting success: Both programs have landed highly-rated recruits, including five-stars for BYU (Ryder Lyons) and Texas Tech (Felix Ojo), and multiple four-stars for Baylor. If any of these players see a decline in their ranking after commitment, despite continued strong performance, it will undoubtedly fuel these "dilution" concerns among their respective fanbases. The hope for these programs is that their new Power Four status will eventually translate into consistent, higher evaluations for their recruits from all services.Ultimately, while recruiting services strive for objectivity, the human element in evaluation, combined with the weight given to "blue blood" programs and national exposure, can lead to the perception (and sometimes reality) of certain conferences or schools seeing their committed recruits evaluated differently.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE at www.monarchmoney.com/lockedoncollege for 50% off your first year.FanDuelRight now, new customers can get ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! 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