NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing top 4 teams for 4-star C Jayden Leverett

The state of Texas offers plenty of talent in the 2025 NCAA Basketball recruiting class, including Jayden Leverett. He's a 6'10 center prospect from El Paso, who is a quality athlete that can run the floor and be a lob threat. The two-way potential and a growing offensive game makes him an intriguing developing player to watch, one that power conferences have shown interest.

Now, there are four programs officially in the running to land Leverett. Which of them makes the most sense from a roster standpoint? Here's a closer look at his options.

Colorado Buffaloes

The Buffaloes lost several frontcourt players from last season, leading NAIA transfer Elijah Malone as the projected key big man this season. He's gone after this year, creating a potential wide open lane for Leverette to have a big role as a freshman center at the Big 12 level.

OK State Cowboys

New OK State head coach Steve Lutz added some senior veterans to the frontcourt in Abou Ousmane and Patrick Suemnick, who are one-year rentals. There's also freshman big man Andrija Vukovic, who could be a long-term impact piece. There's room here for Leverett with so many unknowns and it's a rebuilding situation, which offers both playing time but a risky spot in terms of winning viability.

New Mexico Lobos

El Paso is close enough to New Mexico's campus to qualify as Leverett's hometown option. However, the team will also lose all of its key bigs after this season, including projected starters Atiki Ally Atiki and Nelly Junior Joseph. This team would allow Leverett to have a massive role in year 1 and like with JT Toppin, could be a breakout star in the Mountain West.

Vanderbilt Commodores

With the news that USC transfer Kijani Wright is out indefinitely, the Commodores' frontcourt depth is even thinner than normal. Transfers, Jaylen Carey and Devin McGlockton will get most of the minutes inside but neither are proven in the SEC.

All four programs could reasonably offer Leverett early playing time, and all could be rebuilding for the future. Coach Tad Boyle of Colorado has the resume edge compared to the others. Could that help with this recruitment?