Tag: 2023 four-star defensive lineman

4-star defensive lineman Derrick LeBlanc commits to Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Sooners continue to solidify their 2023 recruiting class with commitment from four-star defensive lineman Derrick LeBlanc.

It would appear Brent Venables’ recruiting strategy is paying off quite nicely for the Oklahoma Sooners. In May and June when those outside Norman were wondering about the Sooners mid-40s rank in team recruiting, Venables and his staff were making chess moves to put together one of the top classes in the country.

Days after landing four-star cornerback Jasiah Wagoner, the Sooners landed another commitment for the defensive side of the ball: four-star defensive lineman Derrick LeBlanc.

LeBlanc is the No. 64 player in the 247Sports Top247 rankings and No. 31 according to ESPN.

LeBlanc shared with Hayes Fawcett of On3 why he chose the Oklahoma Sooners and much more.

“I was going to commit to coach Venables since they were at Clemson,” LeBlanc said to On3 Sports. “Everything about them felt like home, and it just was where I belong. Honestly the developmental aspect and relationship we had was second to none.”

Venables and Todd Bates’ success at Clemson has paid huge dividends for the Sooners in their eight months in Norman. LeBlanc’s commitment further solidifies the Sooners are trending toward a top-10 class in the 2023 cycle.

LeBlanc marks the 18th commitment to the Sooners’ 2023 recruiting class and the ninth commitment in the month of July. He joins Adepoju Adebawore along the defensive line for the 2023 class, and the Sooners have grand plans to add more to that group.

LeBlanc represents the first commitment for the 2023 class for Bates and provides an athletic, versatile lineman for Venables’ defense to work with.

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Four-star defender A’Mauri Washington lists Oklahoma Sooners in his top 4

Oklahoma makes the top four for 2023 four-star DL A’Mauri Washington..

July will be a huge month for prospects in the 2023 recruiting class. An overwhelming amount of players are beginning to slowly whittle down their recruitments and focus on a handful of schools. In some cases, even pull the trigger and commit.

Oklahoma recently landed four-star linebacker Samuel Omosigho and not even a full day later find themselves in the top four for another four-star defensive player.

Defensive line prospect A’Mauri Washington dropped a video to highlight the schools he looks to be focusing on the most intently going forward.

Along with the Sooners, Oregon, Florida, and LSU made the top four for Washington.

Defensive tackles coach Todd Bates is the primary recruiter for Washington and has the Sooners very much in contention. An old name Sooners’ fans may remember opposes them here as former OU outside linebackers/defensive ends coach Jamar Cain is also recruiting Washington for the LSU Tigers. Cain is a wizard recruiting the west coast so going to recruit a kid from Arizona isn’t unfamiliar territory.

Washington visited Oklahoma for the Champ U BBQ and took an official to LSU and Michigan State back-to-back weekends.

Washington stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs just under 300 pounds. He figures to be a big interior defended by the time he gets into a collegiate strength and conditioning program. He has a quality first step loaded with quickness and power. His tape shows a decent understanding of leverage and uses his hands and length to dictate where he wants to take offensive linemen. Chris Singletary, a national recruiting analyst for 247Sports sees Washington being able to play in a three or four-man front in college.

A’Mauri Washington’s Recruiting Profile

Crystal Ball

No crystal ball predictions at this time

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Oklahoma Sooners receive crystal ball projection for 2023 4-star DL Derrick LeBlanc

After landing in his top three, the Oklahoma Sooners received their first crystal ball projection for 2023 four-star DL Derrick LeBlanc.

The four-star defensive lineman out of Florida has Brent Venables’ name written all over him. Scouts rave about Derrick LeBlanc’s versatility and ability to fit into plenty of defensive schemes.

LeBlanc clocks in at 6-4, 270 pounds before taking a single snap at the college level. Get him in the weight room and on a nutrition plan and he’s going to put on some more size. In a year or two, this kid could be a physical monster.

Before today, each of LeBlanc’s crystal ball projections had him heading to Florida. Well, Phillip Dukes of Auburn Undercover is flipping the trend, sending LeBlanc to the Oklahoma Sooners.

OU co-defensive Coordinator Todd Bates has been spearheading LeBlanc’s recruitment. On June 27, LeBlanc named Florida, Penn State, and Oklahoma as his top three schools and plans to make his decision on July 28.

As for where on the D-line he’ll end up playing, it sounds like they could put him anywhere. At the moment his size screams defensive end, but with Todd Bates leading the recruitment, they may have plans to play him inside after he bulks up.

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2023 4-star DL Derrick LeBlanc sets commitment date and includes Oklahoma in top 3 schools

The Oklahoma Sooners continue to trend upward on the recruiting front, this time landing inside the top three for 2023 4-star DL Derrick LeBlanc.

It’s been steady as she goes for the Oklahoma Sooners on the recruiting front. While the Texas Longhorns and other schools are landing commitments, the Sooners continue to plug away and will begin to reap the benefit as the summer months move along.

Seemingly, week by week, the Sooners are adding to their 2023 recruiting class, most recently with four-star running back [autotag]Kalib Hicks[/autotag] out of Denton Ryan. The Sooners will be on commitment watch this week as Samuel Omosigho is planning to make his decision on Thursday.

As days go by, we’re beginning to see the fruit of Brent Venables and his coaching staff’s labors. Now, the Sooners land inside the top three for four-star defensive lineman Derrick LeBlanc out of Kissimmee, Fla.

Right now, the only crystal ball projections for LeBlanc have him staying home and attending the University of Florida, but never count Brent Venables and Todd Bates out of a recruitment. The Sooners, along with Florida and Penn State make up LeBlanc’s top three heading into the final month of his recruitment.

LeBlanc intends to make his decision on July 28.

Here’s what 247Sports Cooper Petagna had to say about LeBlanc:

Versatile defensive line prospect that can play in multiple defensive fronts with excellent length and physical traits. Needs to continue to develop as a pass-rusher and refine his technique at the point of attack but has the natural ability to develop into a potential all-conference prospect at the next level. Will need two years to develop before playing into his ceiling at the next level. – Petagna, 247Sports

LeBlanc has been thorough with his unofficial visits. He’s visited Norman more than a handful of times while also making time to visit Gainesville nearly 20 times over the last couple of years. With recent visits for the spring game and Brent Venables’ camp, LeBlanc had a great opportunity to see what Oklahoma Football is all about.

This will be a tight recruiting battle between Venables and Florida’s first-year head coach Billy Napier. If the Sooners are able to land a commitment from LeBlanc, it will be a huge win in the battleground state of Florida.

Derrick LeBlanc’s Recruiting Profile

Projections

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