Oklahoma Sooners make top-5 for 4-star DL Kelby Collins out of Alabama

Oklahoma Sooners make the top 5 for 2023 4-star defensive lineman Kelby Collins.

The Oklahoma Sooners have a long way to go in the 2023 recruiting cycle to secure a top 10 recruiting class. But if they were to land [autotag]Kelby Collins[/autotag], that would go a long way to putting them among the best in the country for 2023.

Via his Twitter account, Collins released the top five teams remaining in his recruitment and the Oklahoma Sooners were among those who made the cut.

Colllins’ top five includes Oklahoma, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina. Four teams in the SEC and one that will be in the next few years.

The Oklahoma Sooners made their offer to Collins back in January as they look to reset their 2023 recruiting class. Venables and defensive tackles coach Todd Bates have had a long-standing relationship with Collins dating back to their time at Clemson. The Tigers offered Collins during the summer of 2021. Safe to say that that relationship has remained strong even after Venables and Bates relocation to Norman.

Collins is a top 70 prospect in both the 247Sports composite rankings and On3’s consensus rankings. ESPN has the Alabama product as the No. 55 prospect in their ESPN 300 rankings while Rivals has him as the No. 37 overall prospect. According to 247Sports, the four-star prospect had 75 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks as a junior in 2023.

Here’s what national recruiting analyst Cooper Petagna had to say about Kelby Collins in his recruiting profile at 247Sports.

Explosive athlete that has the ability to play the run and the pass. Could grow into a 300-pound plus interior player, but more than likely projects to beginning his career as a three-technique at the next level. Well built player with an ideal frame that will more than likely need one to two years to develop and projects as an impact multi-year starter at a Power Five program at the next level. – Petagna, 247Sports

Though Alabama looks to have the lead in this recruitment, don’t count out Brent Venables and Todd Bates’ ability on the recruiting trail. And if they can land Kelby Collins, it would be a huge win for the 2023 class.

Kelby Collins’ Recruiting Profile

Crystal Ball

No crystal ball projections are available at this time but On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine has the Alabama Crimson Tide out in front.

Film

Hudl

Four-star DL Aaron Bryant commits to Longhorns over Georgia, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M

On Thursday, Aaron Bryant announced his commitment to Texas over Georgia, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M.

Nine days before the season and Texas’ recruiting has finally taken a positive uptick. It was a rough summer for Steve Sarkisian and the staff but ending with a win can carry momentum into football season.

On Thursday, Aaron Bryant announced his commitment to Texas over Georgia, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M. The four-star defensive lineman makes the 18th pledge in the cycle, moving the Longhorns to the No. 10 class in the country, jumping Clemson.

All four previously mentioned schools received visits during the summer, with Ole Miss receiving two. Georgia, Texas, and Texas A&M were all official, while the hometown program’s were both unofficial.

Defensive line coach Bo Davis was able to win out in the end. Beating three future conference members is something to note, especially from the northern part of Mississippi.

On the 247Sports composite, Bryant ranks as the No. 335 overall prospect and the No. 9 player from his home state of Mississippi. He is the No. 46 defensive lineman within the cycle. He was bumped up to four-star status on Thursday.

Talk about BOMC…

Bryant joins an already stacked defensive line class for Texas. Kristopher Ross and Zac Swanson are already in, making it a widely successful first cycle in Austin for Davis. Snagging potential defensive tackles from the states of Arizona, Mississippi, and Texas shows his range.

Needing to build depth in a major way at the interior part of the defensive line, Texas is far from finished at the position. Four-star Justice Finkley is down to Alabama, Colorado, and Texas with a commitment rumored to be soon.

Jaray Bledsoe should be the priority, though. The four-star seems to be one of the many Texas vs Texas A&M battles throughout the 2022 class.

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.