Tag: KJ Daniels

Oklahoma Sooners 2024 Early Signing Period Tracker

Get to know the 2024 recruiting class with our Oklahoma Sooners 2024 early signing period tracker.

It’s Day 1 of the [autotag]2024 early signing period[/autotag], and the Oklahoma Sooners are already off to the races. A number of their prospects started the ball rolling first thing this morning, signing their national letters of intent to play ball at Oklahoma.

It’s expected that nearly all of Oklahoma’s committed players in the 2024 class will sign for the Sooners on Day 1 of the early signing period. However, as we saw in the Peyton Bowen recruitment a year ago, there could be a surprise or two during the early signing period.

As Oklahoma welcomes in its 2024 recruiting class, here are the players that officially became members of the Oklahoma Sooners.

The Sooners have officially signed each of their 2024 commitments.

Get to know the Sooners 2024 recruiting class with our early signing period tracker.

Follow along for all of our [autotag]2024 Early Signing Period[/autotag]

Sooners continue to build momentum for talented 2024 wide receiver

Oklahoma looks to be picking up steam for four-star wide receiver Zion Ragins out of Georgia.

Oklahoma’s recruiting momentum at wide receiver is a sight to behold. Of course, Ohio State has been the standard bearer at wide receiver recruiting for the last several years, but Oklahoma and Emmett Jones are hitting all the right buttons on the recruiting trail.

Oklahoma has four wide receiver commits for the class of 2024: K.J. Daniels, Zion Kearney, Ivan Carreon and Dozie Ezukanma. By the looks of it, the Sooners could be adding a fifth: four-star lightning bolt Zion Ragins.

Ragins is a blur with the ball in his hands, and the Georgia native was predicted to land with Oklahoma by Florida State insider Chris Nee. Nee covers FSU for 247Sports. He doesn’t issue predictions often, but when he does, he doesn’t seem to miss.

Ragins’ heaviest suitors included Florida State, Georgia, Oklahoma and South Carolina. UGA, Oklahoma and Florida State received official visits as the summer unfolded. With weeks passed since Ragins was at any of those officials, the talented wide receiver prospect looks to be sorting things out with a potential decision sometime soon.

Georgia has the hometown advantage, and it is the back-to-back national champion in search of a three-peat. That will hold a lot of weight for a Georgia kid. However, Jones has done a great job to put Oklahoma in a fantastic spot.

Ragins’ ability to stretch the field vertically is a match made in heaven for Oklahoma’s penchant for throwing the deep ball under Jeff Lebby. If the Sooners could land the four-star playmaker, it would all but wrap up one of the best-receiving hauls of the 2024 recruiting cycle.

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ChampU BBQ Visitor List: Who’s coming to Norman this weekend?

A look at who’s coming to town for the ChampU BBQ this weekend.

Oklahoma’s future looks bright. Less than a day ago, they received news of their first slate of SEC opponents when they begin play in their new conference in 2024. It’s a compelling slate and something that gets the competitive energy flowing.

If they plan to make an impact when they get there, the class of 2024 will have a profound hand in that. This class will be the first class that hits the ground and is immediately thrown into the fire that is the SEC. They’ll spend their whole careers being molded by the best football conference in the country. For the Sooners to compete for the top, this 2024 class must be unique.

It’s only fitting that Oklahoma has its premier recruiting event, the ChampU BBQ this weekend, right after the SEC opponents were revealed.

The Sooners can use the SEC to their advantage, selling the appeal of playing in an elite conference to any athlete unafraid of competing against the best in the country.

Last year’s ChampU BBQ had attendees signing with the Sooners and are now on campus with the current roster. Here’s a running count:

  • OT [autotag]Cayden Green[/autotag]
  • LB [autotag]Phil Picciotti[/autotag]
  • ATH [autotag]Jacobe Johnson[/autotag]
  • RB [autotag]Daylan Smothers[/autotag]
  • CB [autotag]Makari Vickers[/autotag]
  • WR [autotag]Jaquaize Pettaway[/autotag]
  • OT [autotag]Logan Howland[/autotag]
  • QB [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag]

In short, a nice chunk of OU’s 2023 class came to the event. Arnold was already committed before the BBQ, but having him there helped Oklahoma recruit and, ultimately, the remaining players committed in the months after.

The visitor list for the event is long, with well over 20 official visitors already confirmed.

This weekend in Norman will be jam-packed with an extensive amount of talent. David Stone, a consensus top-10 recruit, is the headliner. He’s a hometown kid who grew up a Sooner fan. A commitment from him would be massive. He’s at the top of the Sooners’ recruiting board and a must-have in this cycle.

[autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag] and [autotag]Taylor Tatum[/autotag] are two talented four-star running backs Oklahoma would be delighted to have.

Oklahoma has four 2024 commits in the building this weekend, and aside from them enjoying their officials, they can and will likely be used to recruit some of their uncommitted counterparts. [autotag]K.J. Daniels[/autotag], [autotag]Zion Kearney[/autotag], [autotag]Isaiah Autry[/autotag], and [autotag]Jaydan Hardy[/autotag] are the four commits who will enjoy their officials as Oklahoma Sooners.

[autotag]Joseph Jonah-Ajonye[/autotag], [autotag]Nigel Smith[/autotag], and [autotag]Dominick McKinley[/autotag] join David Stone as highly touted defensive linemen in Norman this weekend. Aside from landing Stone, can Oklahoma at least snag two of the remaining three? This weekend of visits could go a long way in determining that.

This weekend will have ripple effects for the 2024 cycle and help lay the foundation for Oklahoma’s future in the SEC. Last year’s event netted Oklahoma seven commits in the weeks and months after. The Sooners will be thrilled if the same happens this year.

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Oklahoma offers four-star WR and Texas Tech commit Ivan Carreon

Oklahoma offered Ivan Carreon, a four-star receiver from Odessa, Texas. Carreon was previously recruited by Emmett Jones at Texas Tech.

Oklahoma has already secured commitments from two 2024 wide receivers, four-star [autotag]Zion Kearney[/autotag] and three-star [autotag]K.J. Daniels[/autotag]. Both players are talented and have tantalizing traits that the Sooners should be excited about.

Oklahoma remains in an intense battle for five-star receiver [autotag]Bryant Wesco[/autotag], and while the Sooners have done a lot of heavy lifting, the battle is far from over.

While that recruitment rages on, Oklahoma will continue to recruit other receivers.

Their latest offer goes to another 2024 receiver, Ivan Carreon, a 6-foot-6 playmaker from Odessa High School. Carreon is currently a Texas Tech commit and was recruited at Texas Tech by none other than current Oklahoma wide receivers coach Emmett Jones. There’s quite a relationship between the two, and after coming to compete at an Oklahoma last week, Carreon received an offer.

It remains to be seen how Jones’ new location may affect his relationship with Carreon. Still, if anything, the familiarity between the two is noteworthy and could play a significant part if this is to move just past the offer phase.

Carreon finished his junior season with 51 catches for 1,168 yards and 14 receiving touchdowns on a 22.9-yard average per catch. He plays basketball and runs track, in which he was a Texas 5A regional qualifier as a sophomore in the 110-meter hurdles.

Ivan Carreon’s Recruiting Profile

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Sooners recruiting stays on fire, four-star WR Zion Kearney commits to Oklahoma

Oklahoma stays hot on the recruiting trail as the No. 89 player in the nation, Zion Kearney chooses Oklahoma.

April has officially started to feel a lot like July 2022 if you follow Oklahoma football recruiting. The Sooners landed another commitment, they’re fifth in the month of April.

Four-star wide receiver Zion Kearney announced his pledge to the Sooners. Oklahoma was contending with Nebraska, LSU, Arkansas, Texas A&M, and the University of Houston.

Oklahoma had been in the top spot for the last few months. After a visit to Norman for the spring game, predictions continued to roll in, favoring Oklahoma.

Kearney hails from Missouri City, Texas. He is a talented wide receiver standing at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds. Ranked as the 16th-best prospect in the state of Texas. He is the No. 89 player according to 247Sports and is the No. 64 player in the composite rankings.

Kearney also runs track, and his ability to get up to top speed in the open field is very evident on tape. During his junior season, he posted 100-meter times of 10.89 and 10.98 in February. In the fall, he was a unanimous selection to Texas District 20-6A first-team after tallying 39 catches for 765 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022.

Kearney also displays an ability to operate as a big slot or out wide. From the slot, he caught bubble screens or ran drags that allowed him to utilize his speed and frame to be a huge target for his quarterback while on the move.

With his commitment, Oklahoma vaults into the top 25 in 247Sports’ composite rankings for the first time this cycle. Kearney joins fellow wide receiver K.J. Daniels, who committed last week.

And the door remains wide open for five-star wide receiver [autotag]Bryant Wesco[/autotag] to walk thru as the final wide receiver commit for the Sooners 2024 class.

The haul of the three receivers would be an excellent start for wide receiver coach Emmett Jones in his first recruiting cycle with the Oklahoma Sooners. On the job for just a few months, Jones has made a significant impact on the recruiting trail and the Sooners are going to benefit greatly because of it.

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Four-star running back Taylor Tatum includes Oklahoma in his Top 7

The Sooners are still in the running for four-star running back Taylor Tatum, who included Oklahoma among his top 7.

Oklahoma has seen its offensive recruiting efforts get off to a splendid start for 2024. They’ve landed a commitment from four-star QB [autotag]Michael Hawkins[/autotag], four-star wide receiver [autotag]K.J. Daniels[/autotag], and three-star tackle [autotag]Isaiah Autry[/autotag].

The Sooners look to continue to add more offensive weapons for the future. Four-star wide receiver [autotag]Zion Kearney[/autotag] plans to announce his commitment on Wednesday, and the Sooners still remain out in front. Five-star WR [autotag]Bryant Wesco[/autotag] remains the priority offensive target for the Sooners.

For a team like Oklahoma, where the running game means so much, the Sooners have yet to land a commitment from a running back in the 2024 recruiting class.

One target [autotag]DeMarco Murray[/autotag] has on his radar is four-star [autotag]Taylor Tatum[/autotag]. Tatum’s a talented and explosive running back out of Longview, Texas. He dropped a top-seven list after his visit to Columbus and the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Tatum is one of the nation’s best backs, and it’s only fitting that his top seven would include some of the nation’s best. Oklahoma, Texas, Michigan, USC, Georgia, Ohio State, and Texas A&M, all remain possible landing spots.

 

Texas and Texas A&M have the home-state draw, while Oklahoma boasts a history of talented runners and an offensive coordinator who loves running the ball. The two schools to look out for right now would be the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines. The two Big 10 rivals, along with the Texas schools, feel like they have a bit of a lead on the Sooners, and Oklahoma will have some ground to make up.

Oklahoma does, however, have an official visit locked in with Tatum. He plans to visit on June 16. The time in Norman will afford Oklahoma the opportunity to put a dent into the standing the other schools have built with Tatum.

With so many schools still in the running, this recruitment seems far from over, and Oklahoma has a chance to make a substantial impression.

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Sooners beginning to take lead in recruitment for 2024 four-star DL Joseph Jonah-Ayonje

.Oklahoma continues to widen their net for defensive line prospects and now lead for 2024 four-star defensive lineman Joseph Jonah-Ajonye.

Oklahoma continues to see its [autotag]2024 recruiting[/autotag] stock pick up major momentum in April. It started with the commitment of four-star QB Michael Hawkins. On Monday evening, it continued with three-star wide receiver KJ Daniels’ commitment.

Mixed in between the commitments, the Sooners have been on the receiving end of a bevy of predictions for several prospects.

The latest prospect joining that group was 2024 defensive lineman Joseph Jonah-Ajonye.

Ajonye, a composite four-star on 247Sports, hails from Conroe, Texas. He plays a versatile game, lining up inside and outside for his high school team. He looks like he could have the ability to bulk up and play inside as a 3-technique defensive tackle in his college years or outside and play a strong-side defensive end position.

Oklahoma received three projections from OUInsider’s Parker Thune and Brandon Drumm to go along with a prediction from On3 recruiting maven Sam Spiegelman on Thursday.

Once considered a Texas A&M lean, the tide has shifted significantly to favor the Crimson & Cream.

Oklahoma has no committed defensive linemen and awaits decisions from their top two targets, [autotag]Williams Nwaneri[/autotag] and [autotag]David Stone[/autotag]. A possible commitment from Ajonye would not take the Sooners out of the running for either top-10 player.

Ajonye looks like a rapid riser in recruiting rankings, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see such a talented player end up as a consensus top-75 prospect.

Joseph Jonah-Ajonye’s Recruiting Profile

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Oklahoma set to host over 20 prospects in Norman for Junior Day

Oklahoma is set to host over 20 prospects this weekend in Norman for their March 4th Junior Day,

While there’s no fancy title for it, Norman will be jumping this weekend as Oklahoma will host many prospects from multiple classes. While Oklahoma previously had a Junior Day earlier this year, they’ll be having another round of prospects on campus for an unofficial visit.

The 2024 class has yet to bear any fruits for Oklahoma, but with the sheer number of prospects from said class in town, it’s tough to imagine this drought lasts much longer. If we learned one thing from the last recruiting class under Brent Venables and Co., the Sooners might not start fast, but that doesn’t matter because it’s not a sprint. Recruiting is truly a marathon. And the Sooners are more than willing to go the distance and come out on top.

That said, we’ve compiled a list of all the 2024 names expected on campus this Saturday. Some of the names are players that have previously visited OU, while others are visiting Oklahoma for the first time since receiving an offer.

2024 Prospects

2025 prospects

The list is packed with talent across the board. While some names are just popping up on the Sooners’ radar, Oklahoma has a real shot at making impressions and strengthening bonds with players they already have built relationships.

First impressions can go a long way, so Oklahoma will look to impress this weekend. Names like [autotag]Michael Hawkins[/autotag] and [autotag]Williams Nwaneri[/autotag] stick out because the Sooners have been recruiting them heavily since last year. Newcomers like [autotag]KJ Daniels[/autotag], [autotag]Bennett Warren[/autotag], and others are getting to experience Norman for the first time.

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Oklahoma sends out offer to three-star WR KJ Daniels out of Louisiana

Oklahoma offers a three-star WR from the state of Louisiana in KJ Daniels. Daniels also plans to visit on March 4th.

Oklahoma’s offer explosion has simmered down as of late. While they aren’t shooting out offers nearly as frequently as they were, the Sooners have identified another target they deem worthy of an offer.

Recently, the Sooners offered three-star KJ Daniels out of Louisiana. Daniels is a small but explosive wide receiver that projects to play in the slot due to his size.

Daniels, a 2024 prospect, still has one more season of high school to play. His recruitment has seen notable movement over the last few months and just looking at his offer sheet, the Sooners are far and away the most prestigious program on his list.

The Sooners’ offer resonated with Daniels, who confirmed his intentions to visit Norman for one of Oklahoma’s recruiting weekends in March. Daniels will be on campus on March 4th.

KJ Daniels’ Recruiting Profile

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