In a matter of hours, Oklahoma’s 2022 recruiting class has leapfrogged all the way up to No. 13 nationally according to the 247Sports composite team rankings.
That’s thanks in part to class of 2022 linebacker Kobie McKinzie announcing today that he’s flipped his commitment back to Oklahoma.
— kobie (@kobiemckinzie26) December 13, 2021
It’s been a whirlwind of late in the recruitment of McKinzie.
McKinzie had committed to the Sooners all the way back on Jan. 15 of 2020. McKinzie took an official visit to Oklahoma this past summer on June 18.
Then, after Lincoln Riley left Oklahoma to become USC’s head coach, McKinzie decommitted from Oklahoma on Nov. 28 and subsequently flipped his commitment to Texas on Dec. 5.
Now, a little over a week later, McKinzie is back committed with the Crimson and Cream.
The Lubbock, Texas, product is a consensus four-star linebacker. McKinzie is rated as the No. 13 linebacker and No. 144 player overall in the 2022 class according to the 247Sports composite rankings.
In the Rivals rankings, McKinzie checks in as the nation’s No. 6 inside linebacker and No. 166 player nationally.
247Sports’ Gabe Brooks evaluated McKinzie on Nov. 5 and had this to say about McKinzie.
Possesses adequate height with advanced mass at this stage of development. College-ready size as an off-ball linebacker, but may outgrow the position given high school size, despite not being overly long. Very stout base with upper-body space to continue to add mass. Almost exclusively an off-ball linebacker in high school, but has gotten limited reps at edge. Consistently strong tackler who finishes strikes and flashes impact arriving pop. Best when playing downhill. Impressive in forward pursuit with athleticism to chase to perimeter in many scenarios. Possesses the size and strength to take on blocks and play through action in the box. Linear pursuit ability suggests intriguing potential as a blitzer. Occasionally arrives high as a tackler. Has coverage experience but must prove requisite coverage ability against high-major skill players. Will need to maximize fluidity, lateral twitch, and body control to reach ceiling in coverage situations. Again, most comfortable playing forward, and size could dictate full-time move to the edge or as a hand-on-the-ground player, depending on scheme and personnel packaging. Power Five-caliber front seven defender whose best fit will be subject to scheme. High-floor physical traits with proven production and playmaking ability against good high school competition. Projects to the high-major level as a throwback off-ball linebacker or an edge-setting line-of-scrimmage hybrid who could become a matchup problem with pass-rushing technical development. Potential to become an impact player with a long-term ceiling beyond college. – Brooks, 247Sports
Brooks, 247Sports’ Midlands Region recruiting analyst, has the Baltimore Ravens’ Daelin Hayes as McKinzie’s player comparison.
The Sooners also secured a commitment earlier today from four-star quarterback Nick Evers out of Flower Mound, Texas.
McKinzie hinted that there could be more good news on deck for Oklahoma shortly after he announced his commitment to the Sooners.
oh and I’m not coming back by myself! 🔒
— kobie (@kobiemckinzie26) December 13, 2021
McKinzie tweeted, “oh and I’m not coming back by myself!”
With the Early Signing Period set to begin this Wednesday, Dec. 15, there should be plenty more recruiting news to follow with Oklahoma.
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