The Oklahoma Sooners don’t have any plans to slow down in recruiting for the 2023 class. They started strong and have remained strong through the summer into the fall. The start was strong enough that they lay claim to the nation’s number one recruiting class as it currently stands on 247Sports.
The latest member to join the class is DeAndre Moore Jr. He’s really a five-star athlete with the ability to play wide receiver or safety at the Power 5 level. Currently, the Sooners have plans to use him as a wide receiver when he gets on campus. Here’s what Oklahoma is getting in DeAndre Moore Jr:
Moore’s film showcases why he’s going to be a dangerous weapon for the Sooners’ offense. Moore routinely wins out of the slot and lined up outside.
He’s listed at 5’11 190 pounds and could conceivably grow another inch or so before he even laces up his cleats to play for Oklahoma. Moore’s ability to run and threaten defensive backs vertically opens up underneath and intermediate routes for himself. He looks comfortable catching passes in awkward spots like falling backward or adjusting mid-air over defenders.
His ability to stack receivers and get them out of their backpedal due to his speed will help him push for early playing time as the Sooners are always looking for guys to help open up the vertical passing game. He has strong hands and a wide catch radius as well. Moore missed an entire year of high school due to COVID which was a reason for his transfer to Los Alamitos High School.
As with many high school receivers that look to make the transition from high school to college, the biggest thing Moore will have to compete with is himself in the weight room. Defensive backs in college are stronger and more like to put hands on him coming out of his releases. More strength will allow him to play through and let his legs and feet do what they do best.
Personally, I love the way he attacks the ball in the air. It never feels like he’s waiting for it to come to him. He looks like he’s going to get it. Take a look below as he is catching a touchdown pass from his current and future teammate at Oklahoma, Malachi Nelsonn.
First game back since 2019 felt great!đ @UTRScouting pic.twitter.com/5bPeRTYzyB
â á´ á´á´. (@DeandreMooreJr) August 23, 2021
Moore is confident and has good lateral quickness in short routes as well. He’s not afraid to go and get a ball despite being listed at just 5’11.
Las Vegas (Nev) Desert Pines WR DeAndre Moore is one of the elite athletes in the â23 class, makes everything look easy pic.twitter.com/uhAtF4Vkek
â Greg Biggins (@GregBiggins) April 25, 2021
Lincoln Riley, DeMarco Murray, and Dennis Simmons are doing major work right now surrounding Caleb Williams and Malachi Nelson with the players to be successful. The work on the recruiting trail can and will pay massive dividends on the field when the time comes.