Tag: Ahmad Moten

2022 EDGE Kevonte Henry receives 247Sports crystal ball projection for Oklahoma

Oklahoma target Kevonte Henry, a 2022 EDGE, has been crystal-balled to wind up with the Sooners on national signing day.

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is reportedly leaving his post as the Wolverines’ head coach to become the next head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.

Chris Balas, senior editor of The Wolverine, is reporting that Harbaugh plans to sign with the Minnesota Vikings.

This news about Harbaugh just might have been enough to tilt the scales in Oklahoma’s favor in the recruitment of Kevonte Henry.

Oklahoma already had an On3 prediction for class of 2022 EDGE Kevonte Henry to wind up with the Sooners from On3 director of recruiting Chad Simmons.

Now, Harbaugh’s decision to leave Michigan has others forecasting that Henry will indeed sign with Oklahoma on national signing day.

OUInsider’s Parker Thune was the first reporter from 247Sports to flip his crystal-ball prediction for Henry from Michigan to Oklahoma. After Thune submitted his crystal-ball flip for Henry, OUInsider’s Brandon Drumm and Joey Helmer flipped their predictions in favor of the Sooners as well.

247Sports’ director of recruiting, Steve Wiltfong, and 247Sports national recruiting analyst Greg Biggins flipped their predictions from Michigan to Oklahoma, too.

According to 247Sports, the 6-foot-4, 225 pound recruit is a four-star. Henry is ranked as the No. 216 player nationally by 247Sports and as the country’s No. 24 EDGE in the 2022 class.

On3 also rates Henry as a four-star prospect and as the No. 175 player overall in the 2022 class. Henry is listed as the No. 19 EDGE and ninth-best player from the state of California according to On3.

Rivals and ESPN rank Henry as a three-star recruit. According to Rivals, Henry is the No. 33 weakside defensive end in the 2022 class. ESPN rates Henry as the No. 47 outside linebacker in the 2022 class.

Here’s a taste of Henry’s Hudl tape.

It feels like it’s turning into a big signing day for OU with late EDGE and defensive line talent. R Mason Thomas is picking up traction toward signing with Oklahoma tomorrow and his high school teammate Ahmad Moten is as well.

There’s also multiple predictions that former Oregon commit and four-star defensive lineman Gracen Halton will sign with OU, too.

Here’s a good look at some of OU’s final targets ahead of national signing day.

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On3 experts flip predictions from Iowa State to Oklahoma for R Mason Thomas ahead of national signing day

A pair of On3 recruiting experts flipped their predictions from Iowa State to Oklahoma for 2022 EDGE R Mason Thomas.

There’s a list of recruits to keep an eye on for Oklahoma on national signing day. One of those names to follow is class of 2022 defensive end and EDGE rusher R Mason Thomas.

Thomas is listed as a 6-foot-2, 215 pound prospect on 247Sports. He’s been committed to Iowa State since Jul. 6, 2021, but he received an offer from Oklahoma on Dec. 10 and took an official visit to OU on Jan. 21.

The Cardinal Gibbons High School product out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is teammates with fellow OU target and 2022 defensive lineman Ahmad Moten.

247Sports’ Parker Thune has had a crystal-ball prediction in for Thomas to sign with Oklahoma since Dec. 19. Now, a pair of On3 recruiting experts have flipped their predictions from Iowa State to Oklahoma for Thomas.

On3 senior recruiting editor Jeremy Crabtree and On3 director of recruiting Chad Simmons each flipped their predictions for Thomas to Oklahoma just ahead of national signing day.

On3 ranks Thomas as a four-star recruit. He’s rated as the country’s No. 139 player nationally, the No. 17 EDGE and the 20th-best player in the state of Florida.

According to 247Sports, Thomas is a four-star EDGE. He’s ranked as the No. 205 player nationally by 247Sports, the No. 22 EDGE and the 24th-best player from the state of Florida.

Rivals and ESPN rank Thomas as a three-star recruit. Rivals has Thomas as the nation’s No. 34 weakside defensive end and the No. 79 player from Florida. ESPN lists Thomas as the No. 67 defensive end and 119th-rated player from Florida.

OU Insider’s Brandon Drumm also submitted a crystal-ball prediction for Thomas to Oklahoma.

Here’s a look at Thomas’ Hudl film.

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Oklahoma Sooners National Signing Day Preview: Here are the players you need to know

A deeper look at the Sooners as they head into National Signing Day and a look at the 7 prospects they’re trying to finalize commitments for.

At long last, the time is nearing. The close of another recruiting cycle across the NCAA.

For the Oklahoma Sooners, this cycle has been nothing short of eventful. There’s been ups and downs, highs and lows, and yet with the national signing day on the horizon the Sooners currently sit with a top 10 class and are knocking on the door of adding more,commits to that class. We’ve taken the liberty of mapping all you need to know for this signing class below.

The Committed

As it stands the Sooners currently have 16 signees already in the boat. Of that total over half are currently on campus and enrolled at Oklahoma while others like four-star OL Jake Taylor, four-star RB Gavin Sawchuk will join the team in the summertime.

The Sooners made sure to make in-state Oklahoma star, and commit, Gentry Williams a priority and because of it will have fought off the likes of Florida, Arkansas, and Jackson State. They will see him sign for Oklahoma on signing day.

Williams needed to meet and hear from the current staff before making any final decisions on if he would back off his commitment or not. He won’t and he’ll be a Sooner we will be able to see in the summer.

The Targets

The Sooners have seven prospects in their sights as we approach signing day. One of these particular seven won’t be signing until March but the others will be seeing their recruitments close in just a short few days.

Oklahoma’s updated 2022 class rankings ahead of signing day

Just a few days away from national signing day, where do the Oklahoma Sooners stand in 2022 team recruiting rankings?

Though the Oklahoma Sooners experienced a few decommitments in the aftermath of Lincoln Riley’s departure to USC, Brent Venables and his staff have done a fantastic job rebuilding OU’s 2022 class while looking ahead to 2023 and 2024.

With national signing day right around the corner, let’s take a look at how each of the major recruiting services sees the Sooners class in the 2022 team recruiting rankings.

  • 247Sports: 10
  • On3 Recruiting: 8
  • Rivals: 10
  • ESPN: 15

The Sooners are the only team in the top 10 without a five-star commitment. That could certainly change with a commitment from five-star offensive lineman Devon Campbell. However, their ranking speaks to the level of talent the Sooners have in their four-star commitments.

Oklahoma is one of two teams in the top 10 of 247Sports team composite rankings that has fewer than 20 commitments. With potential signing day additions, that will change, but will it be enough to see the Sooners rise in the recruiting rankings?

Players that Oklahoma could still get commitments from on national signing day:

  • Devon Campbell: five-star offensive lineman
  • Gracen Halton: four-star defensive lineman
  • Ahmad Moten: four-star defensive lineman
  • John Locke: three-star tight end
  • Gavin Freeman: three-star athlete
  • Kevonte Henry: four-star edge (Michigan commit projected to flip).
  • Jamarrien Burt: four-star athlete/cornerback
  • R. Mason Thomas: three-star edge

The Sooners could offer some signing day surprises since new names have popped up on the recruiting radar with the change in the coaching staff. As things stand now, Oklahoma’s firmly set as a top 10 recruiting class for 2022 and has a chance to move up a bit in the rankings.

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Offers list at DL/EDGE illustrates Brent Venables and Oklahoma’s commitment to transformation up front

Since being hired, Brent Venables and his staff have sent out at least 25 offers to EDGE/DL talent. What does it say about the future at OU?

Since being officially introduced as Oklahoma’s head football coach on Dec. 6, Brent Venables and his staff have sent out at least 25 offers to edge and defensive line talent spanning the 2022, 2023 and 2024 classes.

Oklahoma will need to replace its top three sacks and tackles for loss producers from the 2021 season: outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, defensive lineman Isaiah Thomas and defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey. The three announced ahead of OU’s bowl game versus Oregon their intentions to declare for the 2022 NFL draft.

Venables quickly offered and signed Deerfield Beach High School (Florida) defensive lineman Alton Tarber. Then, OU added Hawaii defensive lineman Jonah Laulu and Tulane defensive tackle Jeffery Johnson from the transfer portal. That pair combined for 77 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2021.

The Sooners were one of the final choices for Missouri transfer defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo, too, before he chose LSU. OU has offers to 2022 defensive linemen and edge prospects Gracen Halton, Kevonte Henry, Ahmad Moten and R. Mason Thomas.

Halton, Henry, Moten and Thomas all have predictions from a variety of reporters to wind up signing with Oklahoma next week.

247Sports’ Parker Thune submitted a crystal-ball prediction for Halton to Oklahoma several days before Halton decommitted from Oregon. Since then, multiple 247Sports reporters have jumped on board with Halton ending up at OU.

Henry is a Michigan commit and listed as an edge by 247Sports, but the Sooners offered him on Dec. 29, and he visited Oklahoma on Jan. 14. On3 director of recruiting Chad Simmons updated his prediction for Henry from Michigan to Oklahoma. It’s worth noting 247Sports national recruiting analyst Greg Biggins flipped his prediction for Henry from Michigan to Arizona several days ago, so that’s a conflicting prediction.

Moten was offered by OU on Dec. 7. Thune submitted a crystal-ball prediction for Oklahoma on Dec. 19, and 247Sports’ Southeast recruiting analyst Andrew Ivins put in a crystal-ball prediction for Moten to Oklahoma last week.

Thomas earned an Oklahoma offer on Jan. 12. Thune flipped his prediction for Thomas from Iowa State to Oklahoma on Dec. 19.

Whether or not Oklahoma lands all of these prospects, it seems safe to assume the Sooners are adding at least a couple of prospects on national signing day. All of this is just in the 2022 class to potentially go along with defensive line signee Cedric Roberts.

In the 2023 class, Oklahoma has sent out offers to 13 recruits listed as either defensive linemen or edge players since Venables was hired. That list comprises Rueben Bain, Vic Burley, Kelby Collins, Enow-M’beleke Etta, Keldric Faulk, Derion Gullette, Bai Jobe, Kayden McDonald, Xzavier McLeod, Jaquavious Russaw, Desmond Umeozulu, Colton Vasek and A’mauri Washington.

In the 2024 class, the Sooners have sent out four offers to defensive linemen since Venables’ hiring. The 2024 list comprises T.A. Cunningham, Hevin Brown-Shuler, Nigel Smith II and a re-offer to David Stone.

What does all of this mean? For starters, it indicates Venables and his staff knew they needed an infusion of proven collegiate starters, Johnson and Laulu, out of the transfer portal to help offset the losses of Bonitto, Thomas and Winfrey.

After that, it’s a clear indication of two things: Venables understands a move to the SEC means Oklahoma needs to address its depth up front defensively. It also shows a belief that Oklahoma’s foundation moving forward needs to start in the trenches defensively.

It’s probably worth pointing out that a couple of these prospects listed as edge players could end up playing linebacker. Still, the message has been sent loudly and clearly.

Now and into the future, it starts at Oklahoma along the defensive front.

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Oklahoma Sooners receive 247Sports Crystal Ball projection for Florida DL Ahmad Moten

The Oklahoma Sooners continue to trend in the right direction, earning a Crystal Ball Projection for 2022 defensive tackle Ahmad Moten.

Brent Venables and the Oklahoma Sooners have made great strides in their attempts to reshape the OU defense since coming on board. They’ve brought in players like Jaren Kanak that weren’t previously on the Sooners radar. They look like they’re about to land Gracen Halton, who recently decommitted from Oregon and look to be in on another defensive line prospect.

With National Signing Day less than a week away, the Sooners picked up another Crystal Ball projection from 247Sports. This time from southeast recruiting analyst Andrew Ivins.

Moten, a three-star defensive tackle prospect according to 247Sports is considered a four-star prospect per Rivals. Out of Florida, Moten ranks as the No. 80 defensive line target according to the 247Sports Composite, but is the No. 78 player in the state of Florida.

Despite the ranking, Moten is one of the fastest-rising prospects in the 2022 class. Earning his signature on National Signing Day would be a huge coup for Brent Venables, Todd Bates, and the Oklahoma Sooners.

Ahmad Moten’s Recruiting Profile

Rating

Stars Overall State Position
ESPN N/A N/A N/A N/A
Rivals 4 N/A 45 20
247Sports 3 N/A 122 132
247 Composite 3 572 78 80
On3 Recruiting 4 N/A 41 36
On3 Composite 4 430 57 47

Vitals

Hometown Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Projected Position DL
Height 6-3
Weight 290

Recruitment

  • Offered on Dec. 7, 2021
  • Visited on Jan. 21, 2022

Offers

  • School list
  • Oklahoma
  • Iowa State
  • Miami
  • North Carolina
  • Tennessee

Crystal Ball

Film

Here’s the link to all of Moten’s hudl tape.

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Sooners land a Crystal Ball projection for Oregon commit Gracen Halton following official visit

After his official visit, the Sooners landed a crystal ball prediction for Gracen Halton, a four-star defensive lineman committed to Oregon.

With what was the first major recruiting weekend of the Brent Venables era at Oklahoma, the Sooners probably did as well you can imagine. The Sooners are weeks away from national signing day and looking to close out the 2022 recruiting cycle on fire. They hosted numerous recruits this weekend from the 2022 and 2023 recruiting cycles.

One of those recruits was Gracen Halton. Currently committed to Oregon, Halton seems to be shopping around to make sure he does his due diligence before signing on the dotted line. Defensive tackles coach Todd Bates and Venables apparently have prioritized the talented and versatile defensive linemen and got him into Norman for a visit.

The visit must have gone well with OUInsider at 247Sports Recruiting Analyst Parker Thune issuing a Crystal Ball prediction in favor of the Oklahoma Sooners.

Halton is a versatile four-star defensive lineman and could be a part of Todd Bates and Brent Venables’ makeover to the Sooners’ defensive tackles room.

While no official flip has occurred, this has become a recruitment of note that bears paying significant interest to over the next few weeks. With national signing day right around the corner, the Sooners are hoping to bolster the 2022 recruiting class and Halton would be a major addition.

It’s also important to note that a Halton commitment would not stop the Sooners from continuing to pursue Ahmad Moten, another defensive lineman who was in town for an official visit this weekend.

The bottom line is that the Sooners did an excellent job of giving themselves a real opportunity here. Considering they just got involved with Halton in the time since Venables and Bates left Clemson and became Sooners is all you can ask for. Halton leaves Norman with a lot ot think about and now the question is can Todd Bates and Brent Venables close the deal?

Gracen Halton’s Recruiting Profile

Rating

Stars Overall State Position
ESPN 4 264 18 24
Rivals 4 – 19 17
247Sports 4 244 21 32
247 Composite 4 263 23 32
On3 Recruiting 4 – 22 37
On3 Composite 4 251 19 30

Vitals

Hometown San Diego, CA
Projected Position DL
Height 270
Weight 6-2

Recruitment

  • Offered on Dec. 30, 2021
  • Visit on Jan. 22, 2022

Notable Offers

  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon (Committed – 1/27/2021)

Film

See more Gracen Halton highlights at HUDL 

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Oklahoma Sooners offer 2022 Iowa State commit R. Mason Thomas

The Sooners are still in hot pursuit of multiple 2022 targets such as EDGE R. Mason Thomas, an Iowa State commit who the Sooners offered.

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Recruiting never stops and for the Oklahoma Sooners, they are living that down to the very last second. When Brent Venables officially became the Sooners head coach, the 2022 class was in limbo with multiple decommits, targets they were closing in on completely turned the other way. The Sooners weathered that storm and picked up the pieces with commitments, signing the guys who stayed on board and flipping guys who were committed elsewhere.

The job is not done and their latest offer on the recruiting trail proves it. The Sooners recently offered 2022 edge, R. Mason Thomas, out of Fort Lauderdale. Thomas is currently committed to Big 12 foe Iowa State and has been since July 6th of 2021. His commitment was pretty firm up until the college season ended and coaching staffs began to be fractured as coaches took jobs at other schools. With the change at Oklahoma, the Sooners locked in on immediately Thomas almost immediately. Miguel Chavis went down to visit Thomas and teammate Ahmad Moten both of whom hold Oklahoma offers.

The Sooners aren’t competing with only Iowa State for Thomas’ signature as the home town team that’s virtually in his backyard have offered. That team would be the Miami Hurricanes and with Mario Cristobal involved that’s no easy feat to knock him off on the recruiting trail. Cristobal has helped put together some very impressively talented defenses in his time as a head coach (Oregon) and with that pedigree it only makes it easier for him to sell other prospects on what he can do on that side of the ball.

The Sooners will likely get one final chance to impress Thomas with an official visit on the weekend of January 21st. The following weekend he has a visit scheduled with the Miami Hurricanes. Following those visits, Thomas is looking to wrap his recruitment up with a final decision before national signing day.

Defensive ends coach Miguel Chavis  will be in full closing mode over the next month or so as they try to secure the commitment of a highly talented and productive edge rusher from the Sunshine state to Norman.

R. Mason Thomas’ Recruiting Profile

Rating

Stars Overall State Position
247Sports 4 214 25 18
Rivals 3 – 90 35
ESPN 3 – 119 66
247 Composite 3 412 54 29
On3 Recruiting 4 263 34 28
On3 Composite 4 348 43 28

Vitals

Hometown Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Projected Position EDGE
Height 6-2
Weight 215

Recruitment

  • Offered on 1/14/22
  • visit scheduled for Jan. 21

Notable Offers

  • Committed to Iowa State
  • Oklahoma
  • Miami
  • South Carolina
  • LSU

Crystal Ball

Film

Via HUDL 

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Crystal ball projections send Oklahoma Sooners 2022 prospects out of Florida

Brent Venables continues to scour Florida for top talent and two crystal ball projections have the Sooners adding Sunshine State DL talent.

Brent Venables hasn’t been shy about redirecting Oklahoma’s recruiting efforts toward the Southeast. The first official offer from the Venables-led Sooners went to Jayden Gibson, the four-star wide receiver out of Florida. The big-time commitment from that 6-foot-5 wideout helped get Oklahoma back into the top 10 in 247Sports’ and On3’s team recruiting rankings.

Those efforts in Florida have continued late into December. OUInsider recruiting analyst Parker Thune issued new crystal ball projections on Sunday for Cardinal Gibbons High School teammates, defensive tackle Ahmad Moten and edge rusher R. Mason Thomas.

With the losses the Sooners are facing to the 2022 NFL draft, Oklahoma needs to replenish its defensive line, and Brent Venables hasn’t wasted time putting his stamp on the Oklahoma Sooners defense.

He already received commitments from Cedric Roberts and Alton Tarber to play along Oklahoma’s defensive interior. Adding Moten would provide a really strong rotation for the Sooners once those guys are up and running for the defense.

R. Mason Thomas represents the only edge rusher prospect committed to the Sooners at this point, but landing the three-star player who also runs track would provide a nice boost to the defensive talent for the Sooners. Adding the speed of a 100-meter, 200 and 400 runner rushing the passer will give the Sooners’ pass rush incredible juice when he begins to get opportunities.

If Oklahoma does land these two defensive prospects out of Florida, the Sooners defense will begin to take on the image of Brent Venables and defensive coordinator Ted Roof.

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Where do the Oklahoma Sooners stand with several big name 2022 recruits?

The Sooners have already started signing their 2022 class. They still have a shot to add several big names. Who are they?

We’ve reached the last month of the year, which means that another college football recruiting cycle is entering its third and final act. Much like any movie, the plot of this particular movie has evolved and we’ve finally reached the endgame where we find out where the movie’s journey has taken all of the characters.

For college football, the movie is the world of recruiting and its twists and turns sometimes feel like it could only be penned by a decorated Hollywood writer.

For the Oklahoma Sooners, the last month or so has been a roller coaster of crazy proportions, and their recruiting world was turned upside down. They lost their head coach of the last five years to USC and had a week-long search to find his replacement. The week of uncertainty cost them recruits across the 2022 and 2023 classes. Bob Stoops and Sooners assistants, followed by the additions of Brent Venables and Jeff Lebby have helped them recover their 2022 recruiting class, providing optimism that 2023 will see similar results.

There is no time like the present and that’s where we are with the Sooners’ 2022 class. Sooners Wire has made it easy to track all of the 2022 commitments with this handy-dandy tracker. With the early signing period already here and the official national signing day in February, a hefty amount of those names will put ink to paper and officially complete the paperwork to become Oklahoma Sooners.

The Sooners are still out on the recruiting trail trying to swing last-minute recruits to join this class. We’ve compiled a list notable names that are trending up or down with the Sooners and updates on other players who are or were Sooners commits below.