Tag: ESPN300

Oklahoma target David Stone among ESPN’s top 10 prospects in the next three cycles

ESPN ranked the 25 best prospects over the next three recruiting cycles, with David Stone landing in the top 10.

The class of 2024 is kicking off their final seasons of high school ball this week or next. For those fortunate enough to play football at the collegiate level, their college decisions have mostly been made. One of the best senior prospects in the nation, defensive tackle David Stone, plans to announce his decision on Saturday. He’s a consensus top-10 recruit nationally and a five-star across the board.

ESPN ranked the 25 best high school prospects of the next three cycles. Oklahoma’s number one target, [autotag]David Stone[/autotag], came in at No. 9.

ESPN (ESPN+) had this to say about David Stone.

Uncommitted | 2024 ESPN 300 ranking: 5

IMG Academy (Florida) has produced a large quantity of FBS talent over the years, and Stone has the physical tools to be the best DT the elite program has ever produced. Over the past three years, he has continued to develop his frame, going from 259 pounds in 2021 to a solid 278 back in March. For a defender with his bulk, he moves exceptionally well — he ran the shuttle in 4.6 seconds — with great initial quickness and body control. Stone is a disruptive presence of size and explosiveness on the interior who should develop into an elite Power 5 defensive lineman.

Player comparison: Zacch Pickens, South Carolina

Stone is a talented prospect that the Oklahoma Sooners must land on Saturday.

Great defensive tackles are transformative and can elevate defenses to new heights. He has the size, speed, and explosiveness to be a problem for SEC offensive linemen as early as next year.

Momentum for Oklahoma has been present for a while now. Still, a recent 247Sports crystal ball prediction from a Michigan State insider has furthered the belief that the Sooners may be pulling away in his recruitment.

Stone is set to pick between Oklahoma, Michigan State, Miami, Florida, Texas A&M, and Oregon.

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Sooners ranked 16th in ESPN’s team recruiting rankings with plenty of time to rise

Oklahoma’s 19 commits have them No. 16 on ESPN’s team recruiting rankings. Craig Haubert takes a look at Oklahoma’s class.

The Oklahoma Sooners went from zero commits in the class of 2024 to 19 pledges in a little over four months. Their first one of the cycle came when four-star cornerback Jeremiah Newcombe out of Arizona announced his commitment out of nowhere on March 25. Since then, the Sooners have been rolling along, progressively claiming the recruiting rankings where they sit 16th with a massive commitment decision looming on August 26 for five-star defensive tackle David Stone. His commitment could help vault Oklahoma ever so close to the top 10.

ESPN has the Sooners ranked 16th overall (ESPN+) with seven commitments in the ESPN300. The Sooners are also the top team in the Big 12 in their latest update.

That seems right in line with other services like 247Sports, who also have Brent Venables’ team slotted at No. 16 in their team rankings. Craig Haubert of ESPN had this to say about Oklahoma. The Sooners’ win over USC for [autotag]Taylor Tatum[/autotag] is the highlight of the class thus far.

One of the top RBs in the class, Taylor Tatum has put up impressive testing numbers on the camp circuit, and that translates to his play as he brings a dangerous blend of speed and power.  – Haubert, ESPN

Oklahoma’s recruiting haul has been heavy on the offensive side of the ball. 13 of their 19 commits will be featured in [autotag]Jeff Lebby[/autotag]’s offense. The top three prospects in Oklahoma’s class, according to ESPN. Tatum comes in as the No. 38 prospect in the nation. But the Sooners also have other ESPN300 players like wide receivers [autotag]Zion Kearney[/autotag], [autotag]Zion Ragins[/autotag], and [autotag]Ivan Carreon[/autotag], four-star tight end [autotag]Davon Mitchell[/autotag], and four-star quarterback [autotag]Michael Hawkins[/autotag].

Defense is less represented right now, with [autotag]Jaydan Hardy[/autotag] the lone commit in the ESPN300 at No. 146. That could change if Oklahoma wins recruiting battles for blue chip defensive linemen [autotag]David Stone[/autotag] (8/26) and [autotag]Nigel Smith[/autotag] II (9/8) in the coming weeks. The Sooners enter the home stretch of both recruitments as leaders, but recruiting isn’t about how you start but how you finish.

Oklahoma knows that well. Last summer provided much of the same recruiting push we’ve seen this summer. They closed their recruiting class for 2023 by flipping five-star safety [autotag]Peyton Bowen[/autotag] from Oregon on signing day. Could they do the same to five-star EDGE player [autotag]Williams Nwaneri[/autotag]? Recent comments from the Lee’s Summit North prospect suggest the Sooners are still in pursuit despite his commitment Monday to the Missouri Tigers.

There are so many unknowns with this 2024 recruiting class despite Oklahoma’s hot summer. One thing Brent Venables and Co. can hang a hat on is that this staff has shown a penchant for finishing strong on the recruiting trail. The Sooners will look to do the same this fall as well.

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Marvin Mims among the best in the nation in ESPN’s 2020 recruiting re-rank

Looking back at the 2020 recruiting class, Marvin Mims landed inside ESPN’s top 25 players from that cycle.

With 2022 coming to a close in the next few months, it means we are closer and closer to the 2023 NFL draft. For college football players that came into college in 2020, that number is significant. Any member from that 2020 recruiting class would be NFL draft-eligible following the current NFL season.

There are quite a few notable juniors across the college football landscape that will be looking toward April of 2023 to hear their names called in the draft.

One of Oklahoma’s very best players could very well declare for the NFL Draft following the season. Wide receiver Marvin Mims has dazzled in his time at Oklahoma, and while he’s shined bright for years, he wasn’t highly coveted to the degree that one would expect, considering how much he has produced.

ESPN recently re-ranked the 2020 recruiting class team rankings and updated the top 25 in the country based on what they’ve done since they arrived on campus. Oklahoma’s Marvin Mims came in at No. 23 (ESPN+), just ahead of TCU’s Quentin Johnston.

An Under Armour All-American coming out of high school, Mims has been a key target in the Sooners’ high-powered passing attack since arriving in Norman. He earned freshman All-America honors and has led the offense in receiving in each of his first two seasons. (He is on his way again with a team-high 542 yards so far this year.) Whether Spencer Rattler, Caleb Williams, or Dillon Gabriel is under center, Mims remains a prominent piece in the Sooners’ offense. He has totaled 1,857 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in his career. – Tom Lugibill and Craig Haubert, ESPN

In ESPN’s final top 300 for the 2020 recruiting class, Mims came in at No. 161. He’s greatly exceeded expectations and has himself on a fast track to being taken with one of the top 100 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Mims continued success despite a new QB every year is eerily similar to former Sooner turned Dallas Cowboys wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb. Lamb was the Oklahoma receiver taken within the top 20 picks, and he also played with a different quarterback every year of his Oklahoma career. In consecutive seasons he played with Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and then Jalen Hurts. Mims has had Spencer Rattler, Caleb Williams, and now has Dillon Gabriel. Needless to say, if you’re talented and can get open like Mims or Lamb, as long as your quarterback can get you the ball, you will shine.

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Where each Texas commit stands in the updated 2023 ESPN 300

ESPN has updated its top 300 recruiting rankings for the 2023 cycle.

ESPN has updated its top 300 recruiting rankings for the 2023 cycle. A total of 11 Texas commits saw their ranking adjusted in the ESPN300.

Defensive back Derrick Williams and defensive lineman Sydir Mitchell took massive leaps up the list. Williams’ jump from No. 76 to No. 52 proved to be enough to make him a 247Sports composite five-star. Mitchell rose from No. 148 all the way to No. 83.

Quarterback commit Arch Manning lost his top spot in the ESPN300 as he fell to No. 2 on the list. The conscious five-star still ranks at the top of the other major publications prospect boards.

Wide receiver Johntay Cook and cornerback Mailk Muhammad remain inside the top 50, just outside of five-star status. The two will have the opportunity to make that jump with good senior campaigns.

Texas’ 2023 recruiting class currently sits at No. 4 in the nation and tops in the Big 12 conference. Here is a look at where each Longhorns commit is listed in the updated ESPN300.

Oklahoma adds one of nation’s most electric playmakers as four-star WR Jaquaize Pettaway commits

Oklahoma Sooners pick up big-time commitment from Top 50 player in the 2023 class, wide receiver Jaquaize Pettaway.

Oklahoma’s quest to make fools out of people who questioned their recruiting prowess is officially full steam ahead. As the month of July continues on the Sooners have landed their 11th commitment in the 2023 class and their third prospect in less than 10 days.

Jaquaize Pettaway, a four-star wide receiver from Houston, Texas bypassed a chance to go play on the Forty Acres in Austin on Wednesday.

It was a Red River battle to the end but ultimately the Sooners won out as Pettaway joins the Sooners 2023 recruiting class. He stands at 5-foot-11 and clocks in under 180 pounds but he’s as dynamic and explosive a player in the nation. With legit short area quickness, a lightning bolt first step, and top-end sprinter speed, Pettaway is a certified speed merchant.

Cale Gundy continues to be as steady as they come at recruiting top flight offensive playmakers from the state of Texas. He can add Pettaway to a list of players that includes Adrian Peterson, Marvin Mims, Theo Wease, CeeDee Lamb, Rodney Anderson, and Austin Stogner.

Pettaway looks to be an easy candidate for day one snaps considering he offers something currently no one else in the remainder of the Sooners’ 2023 class does and that’s elite speed.

He can return punts and kicks and has scored on multiple returns in his high school career and he can take jailbreak, bubble screens, and jet handoffs for big plays. Those are simple and easy ways to get an explosive player like him the ball that may not know the full nuances of a college offense just yet.

With Pettaway’s commitment, Oklahoma now has two top 50 recruits with five-star QB and Elite 11 MVP Jackson Arnold being the other. Pettaway now joins Floridian Keyon Brown as the Sooners’ lone wide receiver commits.

There’s still room for one maybe two more wide receivers in this class for Oklahoma and having someone like Pettaway who offers game-changing speed is very noteworthy. There’s no reason to belive that Pettaway with an excellent senior year and a good postseason showing in All-Star settings couldn’t challenge for a fifth star either.

Nonetheless, the talented wide receiver is a Sooner and will get an opportunity to make plays in the open field under Jeff Lebby’s lightning fast offense.

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A surprise projection has the Oklahoma Sooners landing Top 75 2023 LB Tausili Akana

Oklahoma earns crystal ball prediction to land top 75 2023 recruit Tausili Akana out of the state of Utah.

Reports of Oklahoma’s recruiting demise have been highly exaggerated, and we explained why here at Sooners Wire. If that doesn’t move you, what should drive you to reconsider your stance is predictions on the recruiting trail that Oklahoma will land a top 75 prospect like four-star linebacker Tausili Akana.

Akana is one of the nation’s best players and reigns supreme as the state of Utah’s number one player. At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, he’s incredibly well built for a high school player and has plenty of room to add on weight in college.

He’s plenty athletic to play the run and the pass from the edge spot but we won’t honestly know where he fits until he gets to college. His film showed him rushing the passer with his hand on the ground one play and dropping into coverage the next.

Oklahoma has been on him since last July. While the previous regime ahead of Brent Venables’ arrival started the recruitment, Brent Venables and Co. have locked in on it and were able to get Akana to sign up for an official visit on July 29th. A crystal ball projection from Parker Thune of OUInsider at 247Sports provides cautious optimism that the Sooners will land the highly-regarded defender.

Tausili Akana’s Recruiting Profile

Crystal Ball

Film

HUDL

Where Texas’ 2022 defensive commits and top targets rank after ESPN’s updated rankings

Four of Texas’ commits in the ’22 class are on defense. Here is where Texas’ defensive commits, top targets are in the latest ESPN300.

Four of Texas’ seven commits in the 2022 class come from the defensive side of the ball. Safety Bryan Allen and cornerback Jaylon Guilbeau will headline the secondary, while defensive tackle Kristopher Ross and linebacker Trevell Johnson are monsters within the front seven.

In ESPN’s latest rankings update, all but Johnson make it into the top 300 prospects. Allen is the highest rated out of the four, coming in at No. 77 and the No. 5 safety in the country.

Plenty of Texas targets are highly ranked as well, highlighted by five-star outside linebacker Harold Perkins and four-star cornerback Denver Harris. These are two guys considered a must for Pete Kwiatkowski’s group in the ’22 class. Their talent is too good to allow outside of Austin.

The early signing is not until December, giving the Longhorns plenty of time to make a few more splashes. With official visits occurring over the month of June, Sarkisian and his staff will have the opportunity to sell the 2022 class on their product in person. Some of the top players in the country have already locked down official visit dates.

Here is where Texas’ defensive commits and top targets rank after the ESPN300 update.

Where Texas’ 2022 offensive commits and top targets rank after ESPN’s updated rankings

A plethora of Steve Sarkisian’s top remaining ’22 offensive targets is highly ranked. Here is where they stand in the latest ESPN300 update.

Steve Sarkisian has done well locking down some of the top offensive players in the country early into his days as Texas’ head coach. Maalik Murphy, Jaydon Blue, and Armani Winfield are currently committed, with more elite talent surely to follow.

The early signing is not until December, giving the Longhorns plenty of time to make a few more splashes. With official visits occurring over the month of June, Sarkisian and his staff will have the opportunity to sell the 2022 class on their product in person. Some of the top players in the country have already locked down official visit dates.

After 247Sports updated their 2022 class rankings in February, another top recruiting website did the same on Thursday.

ESPN revised their top 300 prospects for the 2022 class, with Blue being Texas’ highest-rated commit. He is the No. 5 running back in the country, just ahead of Oklahoma‘s Raleek Brown. Murphy and Winfield are in the ESPN300 as well.

A plethora of Sarkisian’s top remaining targets is highly ranked. Former commit Evan Stewart earned five-star status, while quarterback Quinn Ewers remained the No. 1 player in the entire country. The offensive line trio of Kelvin Banks, Devon Campbell, and Kam Dewberry are also top 125 prospects.

Here is where Texas’ commits and top targets rank after the ESPN300 update.

The nine ESPN 300 commits that make up Texas’ 2021 recruiting class

Texas is one of the top five programs in the nation in terms of how many ESPN 300 commits are in their 2021 recruiting class.

The hype continues to surround Texas head coach Tom Herman’s 2021 recruiting class. Continue reading “The nine ESPN 300 commits that make up Texas’ 2021 recruiting class”