Tag: Wyatt Gilmore

Where each of the Oklahoma Sooners signees finished in final 2024 recruiting rankings

A look at where each Oklahoma Sooners 2024 signee finished in the final rankings for the 2024 recruiting cycle.

The 2024 recruiting class finished in the top 10 for the Oklahoma Sooners. It was an important class, as it marked the first group of players that would play their entire career in the [autotag]SEC[/autotag].

Given the need to rebuild the offensive and defensive lines to be able to contend in the SEC, additional importance was placed on landing a strong offensive and defensive line class. And [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and his staff did just that.

But that’s not where the impressive returns stopped. Oklahoma also came through with the top running back in the cycle and a blue-chip set of wide receivers. It was an impressive cycle for [autotag]Emmett Jones[/autotag] and [autotag]DeMarco Murray[/autotag].

[autotag]Davon Mitchell[/autotag] was considered the top tight end in the 2025 recruiting cycle before reclassifying to 2024, giving Joe Jon Finley a bonafide star to work with.

At defensive back, Jay Valai and Brandon Hall continued to pull in impressive talents, landing four-star prospects [autotag]Jaydan Hardy[/autotag], [autotag]Reggie Powers[/autotag], [autotag]Jeremiah Newcombe[/autotag], [autotag]Mykel Patterson-McDonald[/autotag], [autotag]Eli Bowen[/autotag], and [autotag]Devon Jordan[/autotag].

At quarterback, the Sooners landed highly productive passers from two big football states in [autotag]Michael Hawkins[/autotag] from Texas and [autotag]Brendan Zurbrugg[/autotag] from Ohio. Two years ago, the depth at the position was questionable. Now [autotag]Seth Littrell[/autotag] has an impressive group of passers to lead his offense into the future.

Looking back at the trenches. The Sooners landed two legit studs in [autotag]David Stone[/autotag] and [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag] for the interior and three blue-chip prospects to work along the edge in [autotag]Nigel Smith[/autotag], [autotag]Danny Okoye[/autotag], and [autotag]Wyatt Gilmore[/autotag].

It was a necessity heading into the SEC, where the offensive line play and physicality in the trenches go to another level. And as much as we love the defensive line recruiting, the offensive line recruiting could end up being just as impactful.

Sure, aside from [autotag]Eugene Brooks[/autotag], Bill Bedenbaugh’s group didn’t receive a ton of recognition in recruiting circles. But it’s an athletically impressive group with a strong work ethic and a lot of upside.

So as we turn the page on Oklahoma’s 2024 recruiting class, let’s take a look at how each player finished in the final player rankings from ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports, and On3.

At the end, you can see which recruiting service liked each of Oklahoma’s signees the most.

Oklahoma Sooners’ top 10 moments from 2023

From multiple national championships, to Red River heroics, what were the best moments from the Oklahoma Sooners in 2023?

The Oklahoma Sooners had magical moments in 2023. There were national championship runs and new records set. There were incredible individual performances and great team accomplishments.

Big things happened off the field as well for the Sooners that helped set the stage for their move to the SEC.

So what were the top moments of 2023? Here’s Sooners Wire’s top 10.

2024 4-star edge from Minnesota officially signs with the Oklahoma Sooners

Wyatt Gilmore brings his high-motor to Norman after signing his National Letter of Intent.

It was another up-and-down season for [autotag]Miguel Chavis[/autotag]’ group. There were numerous bright spots, but also moments they hope to forget.

Still, the defensive end group has abundant promise with nice young prospects. Another officially signed his national letter of intent to join that group next season. [autotag]Wyatt Gilmore[/autotag] from Minnesota is a 6-foot-4, 240-pound four-star edge.

Oklahoma Sooners fans are going to love him. He plays with a high motor and is constantly around the ball making plays. He most likely will spend the 2024 campaign developing his body and getting bigger for the 2025 season. But he could become a rotation piece in 2024 because of how hard he plays.

More from the [autotag]2024 Early Signing Period[/autotag]

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Social media reacts: 4-Star EDGE Danny Okoye commits to the Oklahoma Sooners

Social media reacts to the commitment of 2024 four-star DE Danny Okoye, another blue chip DL for 2024 and the No. 1 player in the state of Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma Sooners football program has done an incredible job on the recruiting trail since arriving in Norman in December of 2021. They’ve secured a pair of top-ten classes, one of which was a top-five class in the 2023 cycle. They look well on their way to another great recruiting class in 2024.

The latest addition was in-state talent [autotag]Danny Okoye[/autotag], a four-star prospect who plays for NOAH. He’s an incredible athlete who can do backflips at 6-foot-4 and 240 lbs and deadlift more than three times his weight at over 700 pounds.

Danny Okoye’s commitment highlights the work the Sooners have done this cycle to put together an incredible group along the defensive line. Okoye joins [autotag]David Stone[/autotag], [autotag]Nigel Smith[/autotag], [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag], and [autotag]Wyatt Gilmore[/autotag] in the 2024 cycle. When this group gets to Norman, it will arguably be the best defensive line recruiting hall in the history of the program and also provide incredible competitive depth to the Sooners defensive front.

With Okoye, they added a disruptive talent who has a chance to be an elite pass rusher at the next level.

With the addition of Okoye, the Sooners move up to No. 7 in the 247Sports team rankings, No. 5 over at Rivals, and No. 8 in On3’s rankings.

Brent Venables and his staff have the Sooners recruiting elite defensive prospects again and here’s how social media reacted.

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.

Sooners receive prediction for 4-star defensive lineman from Texas

August and September could be a big month for OU recruiting, it could be capped off with a top 100 defensive line commitment.

The [autotag]Oklahoma Sooners[/autotag] are hoping to finish one of the best defensive line classes in program history. They have had two dominos fall: [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag] and [autotag]Wyatt Gilmore[/autotag] committed to OU.

Several more big fish plan to announce their college destinations in the coming weeks. [autotag]Williams Nwaneri[/autotag], [autotag]David Stone[/autotag] and [autotag]Dominick McKinley[/autotag] top that list. However, there is also someone whom not enough people are talking about, [autotag]Nigel Smith II[/autotag]. Smith is a top 100 player and he has been an Oklahoma lean for some time.

He announced recently he would not taking any more official visits and planned to stick with his Sept. 8, 2023, commitment date. That is a big development for Oklahoma. Smith was expected to be in Austin the weekend before he commits. The Sooners received even more good news when [autotag]247Sports[/autotag]’ Collin Kennedy put in a crystal ball prediction in favor of Oklahoma.

Smith is a high four-star prospect, someone who would have been the best defensive lineman in the entire class for the previous regime. He would be the one Sooner fans would be drooling over, hoping to get. But with the Sooners in the thick of a race for three five-star defensive linemen, he almost gets pushed to the side.

If you’ve watched him though, you know he’s no afterthought. He would be a massive addition to the class.

Good height and general build that fits myriad front-line defensive roles. Strength- and power-oriented defensive playmaker who often overwhelms high school blockers. Displays above average first-step explosion. Capable of getting on top of offensive linemen quickly and getting them on their heels. Also flashes knife-through ability at times to make plays in the backfield. Encouraging redirecting suddenness for a bigger-bodied D-lineman. Dangerous bull rusher vs. high school opponents. Will take a blocker into the quarterback if required. Also displays encouraging pursuit athleticism and range relative to size and role, including some chase-down examples. – Gabe Brooks National Scouting Analyst 247Sports

Smith was named Texas District 7-5A-II Defensive Lineman of the Year as a junior, Texas District 7-4A-I unanimous Defensive Lineman of the Year as a sophomore, and Texas District 7-4A-I Co-Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a freshman.

The Sooners have a little more than a month until Smith announces his commitment. If it can land him, it’ll be well worth the wait.

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Fresh crystal ball predicts Oklahoma to land 4-star DL Nigel Smith

Tuesday evening, the Oklahoma Sooners received a fresh prediction to land top 100 defensive lineman Nigel Smith.

The Oklahoma Sooners have been working overtime to build a defensive line class that can lay the foundation for their move to the SEC.

A strong defensive line is how Brent Venables had success at Oklahoma. It’s how he helped Clemson win national championships. And the Sooners are looking to stockpile as much talent along the defensive front as they can.

The plan received a bit of a boost on Tuesday evening when Horns 247’s Jordan Scruggs issued a crystal ball prediction favoring the Oklahoma Sooners in the recruitment of four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Nigel Smith[/autotag].

247Sports joins Rivals and On3 in favoring the Oklahoma Sooners in this top-100 recruitment.

The Texas Longhorns are another of the teams on the shortlist for Smith. Also on the list are Ohio State, Penn State, Texas A&M and Rutgers.

Smith is the No. 84 player in the country according to the 247Sports composite and the No. 12 defensive lineman in the 2024 cycle.

At 6 feet, 5 inches and 260 pounds, Smith has the size to be a force at multiple spots along the defensive line. He’s an athletic player that plays with really good technique and a motor that will not quit. Smith is quick off the line of scrimmage, using a great first step to work through the offensive line to make plays in the backfield.

Oklahoma has a pair of defensive linemen committed to the 2024 class. [autotag]Wyatt Gilmore[/autotag] and [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag] are just the first in a grand plan set forth by [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag], [autotag]Todd Bates[/autotag] and [autotag]Miguel Chavis[/autotag] to construct a blue-chip defensive line through the 2024 class.

In addition to Smith, the Sooners are favored to land [autotag]Williams Nwaneri[/autotag] and [autotag]David Stone[/autotag]. Oklahoma is also in hot pursuit of Danny Okoye, Dominick McKinley and Zina Umeozulu.

There’s no telling if they’ll land all eight of their defensive line targets in the cycle, but with the way events are unfolding, the Sooners could add as many as six of these blue-chip talents.

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Commitment dates on the horizon for Oklahoma 2024 targets

Over the next seven weeks, a number of the Oklahoma Sooners high-profile 2024 prospects will be making their commitments. Who are they?

The summer months have already been kind to the Oklahoma Sooners on the recruiting trail, and we still have a month and a half until most high school seasons kick off for the 2023 season.

More than half of the Sooners’ commitments have come since June 1. They’ve picked up pledges from [autotag]James Nesta[/autotag], [autotag]Dozie Ezukanma[/autotag], [autotag]Xavier Robinson[/autotag], [autotag]Wyatt Gilmore[/autotag], [autotag]Davon Mitchell[/autotag] and [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag]. With 13 commitments in the class of 2024, the Sooners sit 26th in the 247Sports team rankings and No. 17 in the On3 team rankings.

And that’s with a number of highly regarded prospects still to make their pledge in the coming weeks and months.

Here’s a look at who’s slated to commit during the next couple of months. We’ll update the list as players release commitment dates.

Four-star DT Jayden Jackson commits to the Oklahoma Sooners

After speculation that Texas and Miami were destinations, Oklahoma is the choice for four-star defensive tackle Jayden Jackson.

Oklahoma is starting to heat up on the recruiting trail. Oklahoma just landed their seventh recruit since June 19th as four-star nose tackle [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag] committed to Oklahoma on Thursday.

Jackson brings college-ready size and will likely add more to his already impressive frame. Jackson chose the Sooners over Texas, Ohio State, and in-state school Miami.

Oklahoma first offered Jackson in March when they were likely checking in at IMG Academy and continuing to fill out the remainder of their board for 2024. Jackson’s teammate and friend at IMG is five-star defensive linemen David Stone, a priority target for the Sooners. In recruiting Stone, the Sooners identified Jackson as an intriguing option at defensive tackle.

The rest of the story took off. Jackson took an official visit to Norman on June 20th and used the remainder of June for other official visits before ultimately choosing Oklahoma.

Much has been said about Oklahoma’s perceived lack of preparedness for their jump to the SEC. It was felt that the Sooners weren’t in a position in the trenches to compete in the SEC. While that may have been true before Brent Venables’ arrival, it’s quickly becoming a stale narrative that is dying out quickly. The last two recruiting classes for Oklahoma have seen the Sooners recruit some of the most talented defensive linemen.

Jackson is a four-star player in the 247Sports composite. While he may not have a high overall ranking, his offer list clearly reveals that high-level Power Five teams saw him as an impact player.

It’s hard not to recognize how strong he is, how laterally quick he moves for a guy his size, and his motor on the playing field. Teams should line up for that type of one-technique defensive tackle in the middle of their defense to help establish physicality up front.

Here’s what Sooners Wire Managing Editor John Williams had to say about Jayden Jackson when he dropped his top 12 back in April, which included the Oklahoma Sooners.

Jackson is a 6-foot-2, 300-pound defensive tackle that is the definition of a people mover. He is quick off the line of scrimmage and displays really good play strength. Jackson can dart through the line to get into the backfield or utilize his strength to defeat double teams at the point of attack. – Williams, Sooners Wire

Jackson’s commitment is another feather in the cap of Todd Bates, who came to Oklahoma with a reputation on the recruiting trail and a notable talent developer. He’s starting to get the guys he wants that fit the style of defense the Sooners want to play.

With Jackson in the Sooners’ 2024 recruiting class, his next objective will be to ensure his teammate and friend David Stone commits to Oklahoma.

The Sooners have appear to be the overwhelming favorite for Stone according to the predictions from 247Sports, On3, and Rivals. However, Stone has yet to announce a commitment date. Still, with his close friend and teammate now a Sooners commit, Stone’s decision may have gotten just a little bit easier.

Oklahoma isn’t done along the defensive front. Stone, five-star EDGE Williams Nwaneri, and four-star prospects Nigel Smith and Danny Okoye still have upcoming decisions that loom large for the Sooners.

Like the weather in Oklahoma, things are heating up for the Sooners and Brent Venables on the recruiting trail.

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Oklahoma Sooners earn commitment from four-star EDGE Wyatt Gilmore

Oklahoma’s 10th commitment of the 2024 class comes from four-star EDGE Wyatt Gilmore out of Minnesota.

Oklahoma’s recruiting momentum is starting to materialize indeed. For the second straight day, the Sooners landed a commitment. Yesterday it was three-star 2024 RB Xavier Robinson. Today, it’s four-star EDGE and the No. 2 player in Minnesota, Wyatt Gilmore.

Gilmore committed to Oklahoma over Miami, Minnesota, Oregon, and Kansas State.

Oklahoma offered the 6-foot-4 240-pound defender in February and, after visiting the schools in his top five, chose Oklahoma when all was said and done.

Landing Gilmore helps open the door for other defensive linemen to commit to Oklahoma too. Defensive line in particular is where some of Oklahoma’s most highly sought-after targets for 2024 play.

Gilmore’s official visit to Oklahoma for the ChampU BBQ was the cherry on top. Not long after, predictions from recruiting services started to pour in.

Oklahoma hasn’t recruited the state of Minnesota often, so being able to pull any talented defender away from the allure of playing in the Big Ten is a solid recruiting win. Miguel Chavis continues to find success on the recruiting trail.

Gilmore’s commitment gives Oklahoma No. 10 for the class of 2024 and brings them up to 35th in the nation.

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