Big 12 Recruiting Roundup

The selection of Bill Foran as the Region's TheInsiders.com / CNNSI.com first-team quarterback may raise a few eyebrows, but week in and week out, he was a top performer, throwing for 1,489 yards and 16 touchdowns without an interception in the regular season while scoring 124 points on the ground.

Longhorn pledge Erik Hardeman posted his second consecutive 1,000-yard season, rushing for 1,440 yards and also proved to be a dangerous target as a receiver, scoring 26 touchdowns. Lendale White, who still is considering four schools, broke the Colorado schoolboy rushing record with 7,649 yards, 1,650 of those coming in 2002. Multi-talented Robert Meachem will make his Oklahoma visit in January. Oklahoma State has picked up a plum in Phillip Jones, who was a major force down the stretch in Ryan's second consecutive state 4-A title, only this time in division II.

Tyrell Gatewood, an early commitment to A&M, has also made visits to Texas and Oklahoma, but look for that commitment to stick when he visits College Station on January 10. Will Paul is such a great athlete he could play on either side of the ball for Michigan. Of the five offensive linemen, Ian Yates-Cunningham, Brian Zimpel and Edwin Harrison are now locked in, while the other two are still visiting. Ofa Mohetau has it down to four schools, while Adams is considering five. Both could hold off making a choice until Signing Day.

On defense, Jason Jack had an outstanding year, while Tim Crowder recorded 59 tackles with nine sacks for a team that didn't make the playoffs. Xavier Lawson-Kennedy got off to a slow start due to a turf toe, but really came on in the final half of the season. Kennedy might be another player that takes his time before making a school choice.

Steven Coleman was a hot commodity early on before making his pledge to the Sooners. Robert Killebrew will make his January visit to Florida before choosing from among the Gators, Sooners, Longhorns and Bruins. Dane Zaslaw is an intense player who only wants to get bigger, faster and better. He could be the next Rocky Calmus for Oklahoma. Ditto for DeMario Pleasant, another big, speedy athlete who's headed for Norman.

It will be interesting to see how Justin Warren will adapt to Dennis Franchione's defensive scheme that will be spearheaded by new Aggie defensive coordinator Carl Torbush. Even though Tarell Brown gained 1,885 yards with 28 touchdowns as a tailback in 2002, he's headed to Texas as a corner. Ditto for Billy Pittman, who ran and passed Cameron Yoe to a bi-district playoff berth this season. Tony Cade has the speed and hips to cover speedy wide receivers along the size and strength to come up and hit like a linebacker. Another Roy Williams? The same can be said for Cory Campbell, who could play either safety spot or cornerback on the next level.