The Pac-12 officially returns in 12 days as six new universities join Oregon State and Washington State to relaunch the conference.
These schools won’t kick off their 2026 football seasons for months. But they’re already making an impact in 2027 recruiting.
The Pac-12 name still carries weight with high school prospects, even in its rebuilt form.
Pac-12 dominates Group of Six recruiting rankings
According to 247 Sports, only one Group of Six program ranks higher than all Pac-12 teams in recruiting. That’s UNLV, who leads the depleted Mountain West Conference.
Beyond UNLV, the Pac-12 controls the non-power conference recruiting landscape.
Four Pac-12 programs rank above the next closest Group of Six school. Independent Connecticut holds that spot.
Washington State sits 63rd nationally. Boise State ranks 65th. Texas State comes in at 67th. San Diego State holds 69th.
Those rankings put them alongside Power Four programs like Arizona, South Carolina, Baylor, UCF, and Alabama.
Having half the conference at the top of Group of Six recruiting is significant for the Pac-12. The transfer portal has changed college football and reduced the value of recruiting classes. But strong recruiting still matters.
The commitment window remains open. These rankings will shift in the coming weeks and months.
The best teams usually land the best recruiting classes. The Pac-12 is positioning itself to prove its claim as a top five league and the premier Group of Six conference.
