I can only begin to fathom how much of a luxury Texas and Oklahoma have in football recruiting.

First, everyone wants to play in Austin and Norman. UT coach Mack Brown and OU coach Bob Stoops will naturally have recruiting battles, but for the most part, the coaches pick who they want.

Now I’m not bitter toward the two South powerhouses. They’ve earned the right, representing the South in the last 11 Big 12 Championship games, and winning eight of them.

The two schools land 4- and 5-star recruits in the state of Texas like it’s nothing. OU is beginning to take from other states, too. This season, for instance, OU grabbed some of the best talent in the state of Kansas. The Sooners grabbed a trio of 4-star prospects from the Sunflower State this season (Blake Bell, QB, Wichita; Geneo Grissom, DE, Hutchinson; Justin McCay, WR/athlete, Shawnee).

When it comes to Big 12 recruiting territory, the Longhorns and Sooners do what they want. As long as they keep winning conference titles, that won’t change any time soon.

For a glance at the Big 12 North’s recruiting capsules, follow this link.

Here’s a glance at what happened in the South this week at national signing day:

1: Texas

National recruiting ranking: No. 3 by Rivals.com

Prized prospect: Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, 5 stars

Height, weight, hometown: 6-foot-3; 230 pounds; Plano, Texas.

Impact: Rivals ranked Jeffcoat, the son of former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Jim Jeffcoat, the No. 12 overall player in the class of 2010. It will be tough to win one of the starting defensive end jobs in Austin, particularly with Sam Acho undoubtedly being a starter in his senior season in 2010. But anyone who draws legitimate comparisons to Julius Peppers has a chance to play his freshman season, so look out for Jeffcoat.

Scouting report: “Tall, lean, long-limbed athlete with wide shoulders and a great frame. He spends most of his off-season playing basketball, so he fluctuates between football shape and basketball shape. When he focuses on football entirely, he’s got the building blocks to have one of the best football bodies in the nation.” — Barry Every, Rivals.com

Film room:

Also beware of UT’s other five-star prospect, linebacker Jordan Hicks, who could see third-and-long situations as a freshman with the departures of LB’s Sergio Kindle and Roddrick Muckelroy. Hicks is supposed to be one of the best pass-rushers in the class of 2010.

2. Oklahoma

National ranking: No. 7

Prized prospect: Brennan Clay, RB, 4 stars

Height, weight, hometown: 6-0; 190; San Diego

Impact: Clay has been compared to Texas A&M running back Christine Michael, who rushed for 844 yards and 10 touchdowns as a freshman last season. Clay has a chance to see playing time as a freshman, but it’s difficult to see early time in a factory. It helps that Chris Brown is gone, but DeMarco Murray will return for his senior season and shoulder the bulk of the load. Jermie Calhoun, a five-star prospect last year, will want time as a sophomore. So will Jonathan Miller. Oh yeah, OU also brought in another four-star running back from California this season in Roy Finch. Best of luck, Mr. Clay.

Scouting report: “It is really going to be hard to keep this workout warrior off the field. Clay could be a candidate for punt returns or even slot receiver. If he proves durable enough to take the punishment at running back, he will see early playing time there. Clay is just too talented to keep on the bench, even as a freshman.” — Barry Every

Film room:

3. Texas A&M

National ranking: No. 15

Prized prospect: Jake Matthews, OL, 4 stars

Height, weight, hometown: 6-5; 275; Missouri City, Texas

Impact: A&M’s offensive line had no problem blocking for running backs Michael (844 yards, 10 TDs) and Cyrus Gray (757-5) last season. The Aggies had trouble, however, protecting quarterback Jerrod Johnson. A&M ranked 74th in the country with 2.23 sacks allowed per game. A&M coach Mike Sherman signed five offensive linemen in 2010 and said three of them could make immediate impact as freshmen. Here’s guessing Matthews, the son of Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews, has a shot to be a starter in 2010. He is extremely versatile and can play anywhere on the line.

Scouting report: “He will be plugged into whatever position is weakest when he arrives on campus initially, increasing the potential for early playing time. He could end up being a three-year starter that plays multiple positions in his college career.” — Barry Every

4. Oklahoma State

National ranking: No. 31

Prized prospect: Shaun Lewis, LB, 4 stars

Height, weight, hometown: 6-1; 205; Missouri City, Texas

Impact: With Donald Booker and Andre Sexton lost to graduation, Lewis should compete for a starting job in 2010.

5. Baylor

National ranking: No. 39

Prized prospect: Ahmad Dixon, safety, 4 stars

Height, weight, hometown: 6-1; 194; Waco, Texas

Impact: Baylor had to love landing the local product Dixon, who reportedly received interest from USC and Tennessee. With Jordan Lake lost to graduation, Dixon should compete for a starting role in 2010.

Scouting report: “Could be an impact freshman at the next level, because he is not afraid to hit and has very good ball skills. Dixon will see plenty of action on special teams. Expect him to possibly be a three-year starter with NFL potential.” — Barry Every

6. Texas Tech

National ranking: No. 41

Prized prospect: Jackson Richards, DE, 4 stars

Height, weight, hometown: 6-4; 245; Southlake, Texas

Impact: New Tech coach Tommy Tuberville had the same challenge Turner Gill had at Kansas, in terms of keeping as many recruits as possible in the class of 2010. Tuberville lost four-star wide receiver Kadrone Boone to LSU, but kept most of the other recruits onboard.

Richards, who also received offers from Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas State, LSU, North Carolina, Texas A&M and UCLA, has a chance to make an impact on the defensive line as a freshman. Both of Texas Tech’s defensive ends were seniors last season. Brandon Sharpe was second in the country with 15 sacks, while Daniel Howard had eight.

That should be all for now, friends. As always, discuss.