Tag: 2024 recruiting class

Sooners pick up Rivals futurecast for 2026 quarterback Dereon Coleman

The Oklahoma Sooners received a Rivals Futurecast for 2026 QB Dereon Coleman.

When Jeff Lebby took over the offense for the Oklahoma Sooners, Brent Venables made it abundantly clear Lincoln Riley’s previous strategy of taking a quarterback every other year would no longer fly. Since then, the Sooners have replenished the quarterback cupboard with talent every year. At least two new quarterbacks joined the program via the high school ranks or transfer portal each year.

As Oklahoma heads into the 2024 season, it legitimately has three scholarship quarterbacks. Jackson Arnold leads the way for 2023, but the Sooners welcome two quarterbacks from the 2024 recruiting class: four-star [autotag]Michael Hawkins[/autotag] and three-star [autotag]Brendan Zurbrugg[/autotag]. [autotag]Kevin Sperry[/autotag] is already committed to 2025, and the Sooners are pivoting to 2026.

This winter, they’ve offered a couple of the top quarterbacks in the cycle: Jared Curtis and Faizon Brandon. Joining the list of signal callers the Sooners have offered in 2026 is Dereon Coleman out of Orlando, Florida. That Oklahoma offer has seemingly moved the needle for Coleman so much that OUInsider’s and Rivals recruiting analyst Parker Thune issued a futurecast favoring the Sooners Thursday evening.

Coleman is a smaller quarterback prospect, standing at six feet. He throws a nice tight spiral and showcases some arm strength, ripping passes over the middle of the field. He also showed the ability to buy time with his athleticism while simultaneously looking down the field to make plays with his arm.

Coleman is a solid prospect, and it will behoove many not to sleep on him as he continues to grow and improve. He isn’t rated for the 2026 cycle, but with Oklahoma, Arkansas, SMU, Ole Miss and Nebraska in pursuit, it’s only a matter of time until he receives an evaluation from the recruiting services.

Dereon Coleman’s Recruiting Profile

Film

Hudl

Oklahoma Sooners No. 8 in ESPN’s 2024 team recruiting rankings

The Oklahoma Sooners finished the 2024 recruiting cycle No. 8 in ESPN’s team recruiting rankings.

[autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and the Oklahoma Sooners have done a fantastic job on the recruiting trail since their head coach arrived in December of 2021. They’ve put together three consecutive top 10 classes, highlighted by the No. 5 class in the 2023 recruiting cycle.

In 2024, they’ll finish with the No. 8 recruiting class, according to ESPN (ESPN+).

He and his staff continue to stack talent year after year, building the competitive depth on the roster as they prepare for year one in the SEC. And they’ve done so by taking advantage of their proximity to the State of Texas.

The Sooners are preparing to enter the SEC by adding more talent to a 2023 class that ranked in the top five. Texas remains a key recruiting ground, as the Sooners have added several ESPN 300 prospects from there. – Haubert, ESPN

While Oklahoma and Texas make up 13 of their 28 signees, the Sooners 2024 recruiting class spanned 12 states.

It’s a balanced class with blue-chip prospects on both sides of the ball. But it’s what they did along the defensive line that may prove to be the most important moving forward.

Five-star DT [autotag]David Stone[/autotag] returns to his home state via IMG and, as an explosive and agile big man, he can be an immediate contributor and impact presence for them in the trenches.  – Haubert, ESPN

[autotag]David Stone[/autotag] is the cornerstone piece for the Sooners this cycle. His blend of power, quickness, speed, and incredible work ethic give him an opportunity to be an instant contributor in 2024. Oklahoma needs to find some interior pass rush. While expecting a true freshman to come in and be a day-one impact player may not be reasonable, David Stone has the talent to exceed all expectations for the true freshman in year one.

In addition to Stone, the Sooners added four-star prospects Jayden Jackson, Nigel Smith, Danny Okoye, and Wyatt Gilmore. Because of their size and athleticism each of their blue chip defensive linemen has an opportunity to be instant contributors in 2024. Even if they don’t, though, this group will serve as the foundation of Oklahoma’s defensive lines for the next four years.

The Sooners have done a fantastic job on the recruiting trail and the results are beginning to follow with a 10-win season in 2023. Now they have to take a step in their development and performance as Oklahoma wades into the SEC waters in 2024.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.

Michigan State football adding Onsted TE Easton Boggs as a PWO

Onsted (MI) TE Easton Boggs commits to MSU as a PWO:

Michigan State has tapped in to the southern part of the state to add another preferred walk-on to the 2024 recruiting class, this time, earning the commitment of Easton Boggs.

Boggs is a native of Onsted (MI) and attended Lenawee Christian High School. He will be coming to MSU as a 6’6″, 225 pound tight end.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on Twitter @Cory_Linsner.

Top 5 recruiting wins for Alabama in the 2024 recruiting class

Here are some of Alabama football’s biggest wins from the 2024 recruiting class.

It took quite a bit of work for Alabama to hold on to some of the top recruits in the country for the 2024 recruiting class. After a coaching change, the general belief would be that numerous signees and current players on the roster would transfer or de-commit. That was not the case in a broader sense.

Alabama lost one signee from the 2024 recruiting class. Outside of that, the new coaching staff was able to sell the other signees on their futures as well as the future of the football program.

While the new coaching staff was not a factor in early national signing day, there were some key wins on the recruiting trail.

Roll Tide Wire takes a look at the top five recruiting wins in the  2024 recruiting class for the Alabama football program.

Top uncommitted 2024 target Keona Wilhite trending towards Nebraska

One of the nation’s top uncommitted recruits is trending towards Nebraska.

One of the most watched recruitments over the last several weeks has been the recruitment of four-star defensive end Keona Wilhite. The former Washington signee was released from his letter of intent with the Huskies following the departure of Kalen DeBoer to Alabama.

Since then, the Cornhuskers, UCLA, and Michigan State have all been pushing for Wilhite extremely hard over the last few weeks, leading into this Wednesday’s National Signing Day.

With National Signing Day just a day away, the Cornhuskers appear to be trending in the right direction for Wilhite.

Recruiting insiders and experts on 247Sports, Rivals, and On3 have all submitted predictions for Wilhite to sign with the Cornhuskers on Wednesday.

Wilhite is considered a four-star prospect by Rivals and a three-star prospect by the rest of the recruiting industry. Rivals also lists Wilhite as a top-25 defensive end prospect nationally and a top-15 player in the state of Arizona.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.

Walk-on linebacker to sign with Cornhuskers on Wednesday

A Nebraska walk-on commitment will be signing with the Huskers on Wednesday.

Nebraska preferred walk-on linebacker Rowdy Bauer will be signing with the Cornhuskers on Wednesday.

The standout at Norfolk Senior High School in Norfolk, Nebraska announced his plans on Monday evening via X.

Bauer chose to walk-on at Nebraska over an offer from Louisiana-Monroe. He also had some interest from Kansas State, South Dakota, South Dakota State, and Wyoming.

As a senior in 2023, Bauer rushed for 719 yards and nine touchdowns on 110 carries while totaling nearly 1,100 all-purpose yards including 215 receiving yards. On the defensive side of the ball, he collected 27 tackles including one interception.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.

2024 Midland DL commits to Michigan State football as PWO

An instate defensive lineman will be heading to MSU as a PWO

Michigan State has picked up another commitment in their 2024 recruiting class, earning the commitment of Mason Nickel.

Nickel is an instate product, coming from Midland, attending Midland Dow High School. He is a 6-foot-2, 255 pound defensive lineman. Nickel had a plethora of D2 offers from schools inside the state of Michigan, plus several walk on opportunities.

2024 MICHIGAN STATE FOOTBALL COMMITMENT TRACKER

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on Twitter @Cory_Linsner.

Michigan State football picks up commitment from 2024 DT Mikeshun Beeler

BREAKING: MSU picks up commitment from a 2024 Chicago defensive tackle:

There is never a bad time to add to the roster, and despite the fact that the 2024 recruiting cycle has almost come to an end, Jonathan Smith and his staff have added a new piece to the puzzle.

The Spartans have picked up the commitment of Mikeshun Beeler, a 6’4″/280 pound defensive tackle from Chicago, attending Chicago Simeon High School.

Beeler is a 3-star prospect that held over 30 offers, but narrowed his top five to Colorado, Georgia Tech, Indiana, MSU and Oregon, the Spartans won the race.

Beeler is a solid late addition at a huge position of need, with the Spartans only signing Alex VanSumeren in the past three recruiting classes.

Stay tuned for more updates as signing day approaches on Wednesday.

Oklahoma Sooners signee Andy Bass ranked as a top 10 athlete in the 2024 class by On3

Oklahoma Sooners 2024 signee Andy Bass gets a big time recognition in On3’s latest rankings.

The final On3 [autotag]2024 recruiting class[/autotag] rankings have dropped. Oklahoma Sooner fans have been upset with how On3 has ranked their signees for the most part.

But one signee that On3 actually has ranked higher than any other recruiting service is [autotag]Andy Bass[/autotag]. The Heritage Hall product comes in as a four-star prospect in On3’s latest ranking. They also rank him as the No. 10 ranked athlete in the country.

This comes after a massive senior season by the do-everything player from Oklahoma. Bass played quarterback for Heritage Hall. He finished with 3,144 passing yards and 34 touchdowns. He also ran for 1,480 yards and 31 touchdowns.

He’s someone with elite speed and really caught the eyes of a lot of people when he came to Oklahoma’s camp this past summer. During the camp, he ran a lot of routes at wide receiver. That showed his elite speed and that he could catch the ball.

From what it sounds like, he’ll be in the running back room and will be coached by [autotag]DeMarco Murray[/autotag], but he will be a gadget guy for the Sooners once he recovers from the injury he suffered in his final game. He’ll play some at wide receiver but also some at running back. I see him as the next [autotag]Gavin Freeman[/autotag] in the sense of just finding ways to get him the ball.

It remains to be seen how much of an impact he will have in his first year in the Crimson and Cream but if he can get back from his injury and learn the playbook, it’ll be hard to keep that speed off of the field.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.

Eugene Brooks finishes as a top 10 interior offensive lineman in the 2024 class per On3

Eugene Brooks rose quickly to end the year. So much so he finished in On3’s top 10 2024 IOL rankings.

Much was made about the Oklahoma Sooners’ offensive line class in 2024. Some were even questioning [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag]’s ability as a recruiter and coach.

Although Oklahoma missed out on some of their top prospects, that narrative was crazy talk.

Bedenbaugh has built a reputation for taking guys who aren’t highly recruited and turning them into stars. [autotag]Orlando Brown Jr.[/autotag], [autotag]Creed Humphrey[/autotag], [autotag]Cody Ford[/autotag], [autotag]Tyler Guyton[/autotag] and [autotag]Ben Powers[/autotag], just to name a few, were all three-star players according at least one of the recruiting services coming out of high school. Four of the five have carved out nice NFL careers, and the other is projected to be taken in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Still, you hope to land some of the big fish that you are going after. However, one guy who could be an overlooked prospect who becomes the next great one is [autotag]Eugene Brooks[/autotag]. Brooks was once a three-star but shot up the recruiting boards after impressive camps and All-American games. He made the move all the way into On3’s top 10 interior offensive linemen of the [autotag]2024 recruiting class[/autotag].

Brooks is a consensus top 185 player in the country and is as high as a top 75 according to 247Sports. All four major recruiting sites have him as a top 10 interior offensive lineman, with 247Sports ranking him the highest at No. 3.

It’s unclear what position he will play at Oklahoma. Many thought he would play guard, but there have been some rumblings that he could be Oklahoma’s next great center. That remains to be seen, as well as how much playing time he will receive in year one.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.