Tag: Dominick McKinley

Can the Oklahoma Sooners land another top five class in 2024?

The Sooners’ staff are working to get another top five class under their belt but can it be done?

[autotag]Oklahoma Sooners[/autotag] fans woke up Sunday morning with big smiles on their faces. The team closed on a five-star defensive lineman.

Now, people forget the staff signed Adeboju Adebawore last year, but if you ask Sooner fans, you’d think they can’t land anyone, and the coaches aren’t doing a good job.

People only remember the misses such as [autotag]David Hicks[/autotag] and [autotag]Williams Nwaneri[/autotag] (TBD). They forget the Sooners wouldn’t even be in those battles if it wasn’t for [autotag]Todd Bates[/autotag], [autotag]Miguel Chavis[/autotag], and, of course, [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag].

On Saturday night, they received the great news that five-star [autotag]David Stone[/autotag], the No. 6 player in the nation, is coming back home.

With the commitment of Stone, the Sooners vaulted to No. 10 in Rivals‘ team rankings, No. 13 in 247Sports‘ rankings and No. 14 in On3‘s team rankings. Can the Sooners land another top-five class two years in a row?

The answer isn’t one people will be satisfied with, but it is possible. A lot of things would have to go their way. Some notable commitments Sooner fans are waiting for are [autotag]Dominick McKinley[/autotag], [autotag]Nigel Smith II[/autotag], [autotag]Brayden Platt[/autotag], [autotag]Grant Brix[/autotag] and [autotag]Danny Okoye[/autotag].

Oklahoma is a finalist for McKinley and Platt, but neither appear heading the Sooners’ way. Now, Oklahoma has shocked people come decision day as recently as Jayden Jackson this summer.

If Oklahoma lands Smith II, Brix and Okoye without any other schools getting commitments, the Sooners would pass the Alabama Crimson Tide for fourth in 247Sports team rankings. That would solidify a top-five class. However, assuming Alabama or other schools in the top 10 don’t add players is unlikely with four months remaining until the early signing period.

The rankings will change throughout the fall. But Oklahoma has to close on those three to give it a chance at a top-five class.

Smith II plans to announce on Sept. 8 and is deciding between Oklahoma and the Texas A&M Aggies.

Brix hasn’t set a date, but it could happen any day. Oklahoma, the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Kansas State Wildcats are the final three.

Okoye hasn’t set a date yet either. Many think Oklahoma has a good chance of landing him. If I had to bet right now, I’d bet Oklahoma lands in that 7-9 range, which is still a really good class.

It’s no secret since coming to Norman, Brent Venables and his staff have shown you can recruit at a high level on both sides of the ball. No matter what a previous coach made you believe.

They now have to work to close a class that will be the first to play their entire career in the [autotag]SEC[/autotag].

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Five-star defensive tackle David Stone commits to the Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma finally breaks through and lands their first five-star defensive tackle in over a decade as David Sone committed to the Sooners on Saturday

The drought is over. After a decade-plus with no five-star defensive tackles coming through Norman, the Oklahoma Sooners finally broke Saturday evening through by landing one of the nation’s best players: five-star defensive tackle [autotag]David Stone[/autotag].

Stone was arguably the highest priority for the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2024 recruiting cycle. Defensive tackles that move the way Stone moves can be transformative for a defense.

It’s hard to quantify what it means for Oklahoma. However, after missing on five-star edge [autotag]Williams Nwaneri[/autotag], landing Stone became more paramount.

The Sooners entered August with the possibility of landing Nwaneri, Stone and [autotag]Dominick McKinley[/autotag]. Two out of the three would have been spectacular, but not landing any would be concerning, especially if they missed on Stone.

Stone is a native Oklahoman who went to IMG Academy after his sophomore year to take his game and education to another level. He’s been open about being a fan of the OU after growing up in the Sooner State.

Oklahoma had its foot in the door with the previous coaching regime, but [autotag]Todd Bates[/autotag] grabbed this recruitment when he was hired and ran with it. Last year, Michigan State had positioned itself well. Oklahoma found a way to fend off the Spartans before battling the Miami Hurricanes in recent weeks.

Stone committed at halftime of IMG’s second game of the season. He chose the crimson and cream over Miami, Michigan State, Oregon Ducks, Florida Gators and Texas A&M Aggies. With him committed, Oklahoma has back-to-back years with multiple five-star prospects and back-to-back years with five-star defenders.

Oklahoma rises from 15th to 12th in team recruiting rankings, leapfrogging Clemson, Auburn and Oregon.

Stone is Oklahoma’s 22nd commit for the class of 2024 and will likely be its highest rated.

He’s a consensus five-star across all the primary recruiting services. He’s the No. 10 prospect and No. 3 defensive lineman in the country, according to 247Sports. He’s the third-ranked defensive lineman in the country. He’s the sixth-ranked player on the 247Sports composite.

Bates has been an extremely busy man this summer. This commitment culminates two years of work and building a relationship with Stone and his family.

With Stone in the boat, Oklahoma’s defensive staff will turn its attention to ensuring four-star defensive lineman Nigel Smith II is a Sooner come Sept. 8 when he plans to make his announcement.

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Defensive line depth Oklahoma’s biggest need for its 2024 recruiting class per ESPN

ESPN analyzed the biggest needs for the top 25 schools in their 2024 recruiting rankings. DL depth the biggest need for the Sooners.

This week, ESPN examined the 2024 recruiting landscape as less than four months stand between us and the early signing period. For Oklahoma, they sit in an advantageous position. They comfortably have a top-25 recruiting class and are on the cusp of potentially landing three more commitments over the next week. It all starts with five-star defensive tackle [autotag]David Stone[/autotag] on Saturday evening.

David Stone’s recruitment means a lot to Oklahoma. He’s been arguably the top priority in the cycle for two years. Not only is he a must-get because of his talent, but the Sooners have to earn his commitment because of how many upperclassmen they have on their defensive line.

After this season, they could see a multitude of interior defensive linemen depart the program for graduation or to play in the NFL. Because of that, ESPN lists Oklahoma’s most significant need for their 2024 class as defensive line depth.

Craig Haubert of ESPN analyzed the biggest needs for the top 25 recruiting classes, and here’s what he had to say about the No. 15 ranked Sooners (ESPN+).

The Sooners must improve their defense and get stronger in the trenches as they prepare to move to the SEC. They began to address those changes last cycle with several signings led by elite edge prospect Adepoju Adebawore, multiple three-stars and transfer portal additions. But 2023 ESPN 300 signee Derrick Leblanc has already transferred from the program, and Oklahoma’s current unit is heavy on upperclassmen. Five-star DL David Stone is expected to decide soon, and the Sooners are in a good position for the Oklahoma native, who plays at IMG. Stone is an explosive and agile big man that could immediately contribute. ESPN 300 DE Nigel Smith could be another key addition and is expected to decide in early September. LSU would love to keep Dominick McKinley at home, but the Sooners are contenders here as well, as they look to address this need in a potentially big way. – Haubert, ESPN

Oklahoma’s surplus of upperclass defensive linemen should serve them well as they look to bounce back from an abysmal defensive performance in 2022.

As Haubert points out, the interior of the defensive line is dependent on the veterans making an impact this season. There are intriguing youngsters inside like [autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag], [autotag]Ashton Sanders[/autotag], [autotag]Kelvin Gilliam[/autotag], and [autotag]Markus Strong[/autotag], but we’ve yet to see them take significant snaps at the collegiate level.

It makes Stone’s decision even more critical. It also adds to the importance of [autotag]Nigel Smith[/autotag] II’s impending decision. Four-star EDGE [autotag]Danny Okoye[/autotag], a star from Oklahoma, also becomes a must-have for the Sooners.

The Sooners don’t just want these three talented defensive linemen. They need them. Oklahoma looks like they have been lapped by Texas, who seems to have run away from OU in the recruitment of [autotag]Dominick McKinley[/autotag].

Oklahoma has commitments from defensive tackle [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag] and [autotag]Wyatt Gilmore[/autotag]. With all that said, Oklahoma has a promising chance to add some defensive line depth for next season in the coming weeks and months. It’s about finishing and closing the deal for the Sooners, something they have shown us they aren’t afraid to do.

Texas A&M is still in the mix for 2024 5-Star DL Dominick McKinley

Ahead of his Sept. 1 commitment, Texas A&M remains a finalist for 2024 5-star DL Dominick McKinley

No matter what the prediction machines spit out weekly, nearly every 2024 prospect who remains uncommitted will likely come to a decision a day or two before their official commitment date. In the case of five-star defensive lineman Dominick McKinley, Texa A&M is still in the mix for his talents despite his predictions to land with the Texas Longhorns.

McKinley took most of his official visits in June, taking trips to Ohio State on June 2, Texas A&M on June 9, Oklahoma on June 16, and Texas on June 23, so yes, it is reasonable to think that the Longhorns hold all the cards. Still, with the track record, Head Coach Jimbo Fisher has built-in landing top-tier defensive line talent in the past three recruiting classes, including 2023 five-star DL David Hicks Jr., who is currently slated to see substantial playing time during his freshman campaign.

According to 247Sports, McKinley, who stands at 6-5 and 290 pounds, is currently positioned as the 38th-ranked player in the 2024 cycle, the 7th-ranked defensive lineman, and the No.1-ranked player in Louisiana, fresh off his impressive 2022 junior season at Acadiana (LA), recording 86 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, ten sacks, and two interceptions on the year.

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Texas continuing to trend for five-star DL Dominick McKinley

Dominick McKinley has a commitment date set for Sept. 1.

Texas has emerged as the favorite to land five-star defensive lineman Dominick McKinley. Continue reading “Texas continuing to trend for five-star DL Dominick McKinley”

Three-star LSU OL commit an underrated prospect, per On3

Ory Williams ranks outside the top-450 nationally, but LSU had to beat out several top programs to land him.

LSU continues to look for elite talent to add to its 2024 recruiting class, with five-star Louisiana defensive lineman [autotag]Dominick McKinley[/autotag] being the top remaining target.

The Tigers don’t currently have an elite class, but they will hope they picked up some diamonds in the rough. On3 put out a list of 22 unheralded prospects that scouts are high on in the 2024 class, and three-star offensive tackle commit [autotag]Ory Williams[/autotag] was one of them.

“He falls directly in line with NFL offensive tackle profiles when they’re in high school,” one anonymous scout said of Williams.

The San Marcos, Texas, prospect ranks outside the top 450 nationally, but he was being heavily recruited by Florida and Texas A&M. The Tigers ultimately won out for Williams last month after hosting him for an official visit in June.

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Uncommitted five-star prospects include three Sooners targets

Sooners are in the running for three of the top nine uncommitted players, can they close on them?

The [autotag]Oklahoma Sooners[/autotag] saw a red-hot July and early August for recruiting. But with the most recent loss of the No. 1 player in the country, [autotag]Williams Nwaneri[/autotag], Sooner faithful are on the edge of their seats on how the rest of this class will play out.

The Sooners are currently in play for three of On3’s top nine five-star uncommitted players. Those players are [autotag]Terry Bussey[/autotag], [autotag]David Stone[/autotag], and [autotag]Dominick McKinley[/autotag].

Stone is the first one of the trio that is set to make his announcement. He’s long been thought to be an Oklahoma lean, but lately, the [autotag]Miami Hurricanes[/autotag] are making a push.

After losing Nwaneri and [autotag]David Hicks[/autotag] the year before, the Sooners are still looking for their first five-star defensive linemen win with the new regime. But it’s not just the Hurricanes the Sooners are fighting off.

Many have penciled in David Stone to Oklahoma’s 2024 recruiting class for about two years. The Sooners could still be that choice, but others have asserted themselves in this race as contenders. A decision is coming on Aug. 26, live on ESPN during IMG Academy’s game against St. Joseph’s Prep (Pa.) and it is coming down to Miami, Michigan State and Oklahoma. There is still some level of confidence in each office, but Miami may be the biggest competition for Oklahoma less than two weeks out. There was a time (or two) that Stone was close to committing to the Spartans too, so you cannot rule Mel Tucker‘s program out just yet. – Chad Simmons, On3

It’ll be an interesting week, and it just feels like Oklahoma really needs a win here.

Next up is [autotag]Dominick McKinley[/autotag]. He’s another five-star defensive lineman who has long felt like a long shot for Oklahoma.

Then things started surfacing that it might be down to Oklahoma and the Texas Longhorns. But now it seems like Texas has stopped any strides Oklahoma has made.

Dominick McKinley continues to keeps his contenders close to the vest. In and around McKinley’s circle, much of the conversation has continued to center around three teams: Texas, LSU, and Oklahoma. But Ohio State remains a legitimate dark horse contender for the elite big man. He has maintained lines of communication with each of his finalists, including Texas A&M. LSU got him on campus at the end of July for a visit, and they continue to push for the No. 1 player in the state. But Oklahoma and Texas both check a lot of boxes and the most buzz around their names right now. With exactly two weeks to go, a lot can still play out with this one. – Simmons, On3

McKinley is someone Oklahoma fans shouldn’t get their hopes up for. He’s set to commit on Sept. 1, 2023.

Someone who is also in that same boat is Bussey. Bussey enjoyed his visit to Oklahoma in June but has long been thought to be a Texas A&M Aggies lean.

Terry Bussey, the do-it-all playmaker from Timpson (Texas) High will choose from LSU, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Texas and Alabama on September 28. The Aggies have been trending on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine for a good chunk of the past year, and there was a sense that the team could close with the state’s No. 5 overall recruit and top priority target in this cycle after his visit back to campus last month. LSU and Alabama have come on strong this summer though, and Bussey will take official visits to both programs before his late-September decision. If there is a team poised to give Texas A&M some run it might just be LSU. – Simmons, On3

Bussey cancelled his most recent trip to Oklahoma which seemed to end any momentum Oklahoma gained. But Oklahoma did make his top five before his commitment date. So, as Lloyd Christmas once said, “so, you’re telling me there’s a chance.”

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Five-star DL Dominick McKinley receives recruiting prediction to Texas

Dominick McKinley now trends to Texas.

Texas’ raid on elite Louisiana talent could continue this season. After securing pledges from five-star quarterback Arch Manning and elite safety Derek Williams Jr. in the 2023 class, the team trends for another five-star talent.

Louisiana defensive lineman Dominick McKinley is trending toward the Texas Longhorns as we move closer to McKinley’s decision. He received an On3 recruiting prediction machine pick from Inside Texas’ Justin Wells this week.

The news comes on the heels of five-star, No. 1 edge rusher Colin Simmons’ commitment to Texas. McKinley’s decision would be a hit to LSU and Oklahoma in this recruiting cycle. LSU already lost a head-to-head battle with Colin Simmons while Oklahoma is striking out on the elite defensive tackles it was projected to win.

The Texas machine is rolling, but perhaps the only unit in which the program has lagged with five-star and high four-star talent is the defensive line. That trend looks to be coming to an end.

Oklahoma comes up short against Missouri for the commitment of five-star Williams Nwaneri

Oklahoma just misses out as five-star EDGE Williams Nwaneri committed to Missouri over Oklahoma, Georgia, and Tennessee on Monday afternoon.

In what can only be described as game-changing, Oklahoma missed on its most significant recruiting prospect in a long time as five-star defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri committed to Missouri on Monday afternoon.

Chronicling the nature of this recruitment is likely a story for another day. Still, Oklahoma entered the final rounds for one of the nation’s most elite defenders. Ultimately, the Sooners couldn’t overcome Missouri’s hometown advantage. Nwaneri picked Missouri over Oklahoma, Georgia and Tennessee.

Missouri’s pitch to Nwaneri was simple. They are the in-state school with the added proximity bonus and NIL opportunities that Nwaneri could capitalize on before stepping foot on campus. He would be revered as a hero forever for being a high-profile prospect who decided to stay home and play for the Missouri Tigers.

Oklahoma’s advantages or connection with Nwaneri stem from his relationship with the coaching staff. There is a strong bond between Nwaneri and defensive coaches Miguel Chavis and Todd Bates.

Oklahoma has been building a pipeline to Lee’s Summit North (Nwaneri’s high school). Lee’s Summit North produced true freshman offensive tackle Cayden Green and 2025 nose tackle Ka’Mori Moore commit, both teammates of Nwaneri’s. The Sooners are also pursuing current teammate and 2025 four-star receiver Isaiah Mozee. Mozee is an Oklahoma legacy by way of his father and the head coach at Lee’s Summit North, Jamar Mozee. The elder Mozee played at OU when Brent Venables was at Oklahoma as a defensive coordinator.

It’s been tough for Oklahoma to land five-star defensive linemen consistently. While last year saw them land Adepoju Adebawore, the hit rate for Oklahoma in these five-star defensive line recruitments is hardly something to be proud of.

Even with the commitment to Missouri, Oklahoma will continue to pursue Nwaneri until the No. 1 player in the On3 rankings officially signs his national letter of intent. So the potential for his recruitment turning in Oklahoma’s favor remains until signing day. We saw last year how that worked out for Oklahoma for former five-star safety Peyton Bowen.

In the immediate future, Oklahoma turns its attention to the decisions of five-star defensive tackle [autotag]David Stone[/autotag] (Aug. 26), five-star defensive lineman [autotag]Dominick McKinley[/autotag] (Sept. 1) and four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Nigel Smith[/autotag] (Sept. 8). Oklahoma has more than a puncher’s chance to land at least two out of the three. If Oklahoma can land at least two, it still would be one of the better defensive line hauls in recent Sooners history.

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Elite Louisiana cornerback Wardell Mack commits to Florida

LSU lost out on one of the top players in the state of Louisiana.

LSU lost out on one of the top players in the state of Louisiana in the 2024 cycle on Friday as four-star Marrero (La.) John Ehret cornerback [autotag]Wardell Mack[/autotag] committed to coach Billy Napier and the Florida Gators.

Mack ranks as the No. 72 player nationally and No. 2 player in the state of Louisiana, according to On3. It’s a tough loss, but it’s softened by the fact that the Tigers already have a top-100 cornerback on board in [autotag]Cai Bates[/autotag].

Still, it’s a bit disappointing that the Tigers have struggled to land the top players in the state in this cycle. LSU boasts commitments from eight of the top-10 players in Louisiana, but with Mack committing to Florida and No. 1 prospect [autotag]Dominick McKinley[/autotag] trending toward Texas, it seems like LSU is poised to miss on the two best prospects in the state.

In addition to Bates, LSU has commitments from cornerbacks [autotag]Ondre Evans[/autotag], [autotag]Ju’Juan Johnson[/autotag] and [autotag]Wallace Foster[/autotag] in the 2024 cycle.

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