Entering the early signing period, the Oklahoma Sooners have the nation’s No. 8 recruiting class and room to climb.
Oklahoma is still awaiting a possible flip from Guyer (Texas) five-star safety Peyton Bowen, as well as the possible commitment of several four-star defenders.
In other words, there’s still a lot of uncertainly.
Still, here are the position-by-position grades for Oklahoma’s class so far*:
*Grades will be updated based on new commitments/decommitments
Quarterback: A+
5-star QB Jackson Arnold (Guyer; Texas)
When Jackson Arnold committed to Oklahoma in January, it was seen as a major “get.”
But the 6-foot-1, 205-pound signal-caller has been on an absolute tear as a senior and is now widely recognized as one of the nation’s best overall prospects.
Arnold, an Under Armour All-American and Elite 11 finalist, is rated the nation’s No. 7 overall prospect and No. 4 quarterback.
Running back: B
4-star RB Daylan Smothers (West Charlotte; North Carolina)
3-star RB Kalib Hicks (Ryan; Texas)
Daylan Smothers is the nation’s No. 20 running back, but has seen his stock slide ever-so-sightly over the last six months.
That came, in large part, due to his suspension as a senior after transferring.
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound ball-carrier chose the Sooners over Alabama, Florida State, Miami and Penn State.
Kalib Hicks is on the cusp of four-star status and collected an offer sheet to match.
He held offers from Alabama, Auburn, Miami, Penn State, Wisconsin and many others.Â
Wide receiver: B-
4-star WR Jaquaize Pettaway (Langham Creek; Texas)
4-star WR Keyon Brown (James Rickards; Florida)
Nothing against Jaquaize Pettaway and Keyon Brown – more on them later – this grade reflects the near-misses in this class.
Oklahoma suffered so many decommitments at the position that its lost pledges alone would make up the nation’s No. 1 collection of pass-catchers – 5-star wide receivers Brandon Inniss (Ohio State) and Makai Lemon (USC), as well as four-star playmakers DeAndre Moore Jr. (Louisville; Texas flip coming?), Ashton Cozart (Oregon) and Anthony Evans (Georgia).Â
A good deal of that attrition was due to coaching turnover, but the bottom line is that this group was, at one point, America’s best.
Pettway collected nearly 30 scholarship offers during the recruiting process and is one of the best deep-threat wide receivers in the country.Â
He is the nation’s No. 10 wide receiver and has immense upside.Â
Brown, only a three-star prospect on 247Sports, had offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Miami, Tennessee and many others.Â
Both players are quality additions.
Neither can make up for the loss of multiple All-Americans.Â
Tight end: B-
3-star TE Kade McIntyre (Archbishop Bergen; Nebraska)
Oklahoma pursued several bluechip tight ends this cycle, but secured the commitment of Kade McIntyre this summer and the two parties never wavered.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound jumbo pass-catcher contributed all over the field for his high school as a runner, receiver and defensive standout, drawing the interest of Nebraska this fall.
He’ll get to focus on one position in college, and could flourish.
Offensive line: B+
4-star OL Cayden Green (Lee’s Summit North; Missouri)
4-star OL Joshua Bates (Durango; Colorado)
3-star OL Heath Ozaeta (Mount. Si; Washington)Â
3-star OL Logan Howland (Hun School; New Jersey)Â
Cayden Green is a 6-foot-5, 315-pound offensive lineman who is rated the nation’s No. 68 overall prospect and No. 10 offensive tackle.Â
The Under Armour All-American selection chose the Sooners over Florida, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon, Tennessee, USC and many others.Â
Joshua Bates is an All-American Bowl selection as an interior offensive lineman.
Logan Howland is rated the nation’s No. 30 offensive tackle and falls just short of four-star status.Â
Heath Ozaeta has an intriguing 6-foot-6, 300-pound frame and could develop into a quality tackle over time.Â
Defensive line: A-
5-star DE Adepoju Adebawore (North Kansas City; Missouri)
4-star DL Derrick LeBlanc (Osceola; Florida)
3-star DL Ashton Sanders (Cathedral; California)
Adepoju Adebawore is a five-star prospect who is the nation’s No. 25 overall prospect and No. 4 edge-rusher.Â
The 6-foot-4, 240-pound defensive lineman is one of the best athletes in the country, and as such has a sky-high ceiling.
Adebawore is oozing with potential.
LeBlanc is a top-20 defensive lineman nationally and provides both size (6-5, 265) and versatility.
Ashton Sanders projects as an interior defensive lineman given his 6-foot-1, 270-pound frame.
He chose Oklahoma over offers from several Pac-12 programs, as well as Notre Dame and Wisconsin.
Linebacker: A-
4-star LB Samuel Omosigho (Crandall; Texas)
4-star LB Lewis Carter (Tampa Catholic; Florida)
3-star LB Phil Picciotti (IMG Academy; Florida)
3-star EDGE Taylor Wein. (Nolenville; Tennessee)
Samuel Omosigho is the clear headliner of the group.
The 6-foot-1, 208-pound ‘backer is rated the nation’s No. 67 overall prospect and No. 6 linebacker.Â
Omosigho is a modern linebacker who can be a thumper against the run or drop back into coverage.
Those types of players can be hard to find, and Oklahoma got itself a potential gem.
Joining Omosigho is Lewis Carter, who is the nation’s No. 9 linebacker and an Under Armour All-American selection.
Phil Picciotti may be a three-star prospect, but his offer sheet highlights his value.
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound defender chose Oklahoma over Auburn, Miami, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Penn State, USC and others.Â
Taylor Wein is a 6-foot-5, 235-pound edge-rusher with upside that the Sooners took a chance on.Â
Defensive back: A
4-star S Makari Vickers (Robert F. Monroe Day School; Florida)
4-star ATH Jacobe Johnson (Mustang; Oklahoma)
4-star CB Jasiah Wagoner (Spanaway Lake; Washington)
4-star S Daeh McCullough (St. Joseph’s; Indiana)
4-star JC CB Kendel Dolby (Northeastern Oklahoma A&M; Oklahoma)
3-star S Erik McCarty (McAlester; Oklahoma)Â
There’s no question Oklahoma wanted to bolstered its defensive back room this cycle.Â
Makari Vickers and Jacobe Johnson are a pair of potential stars at safety. Â
Vickers is a top-100 prospect nationally, while Johnson is an Under Armour All-American selection and the nation’s No. 4 athlete.Â
Daeh McCullough adds depth to the group, but is a talented player in his own right, choosing the Sooners over Florida, Michigan, Penn State, Utah and others.
Kendel Dolby is the top junior college cornerback in the country and provides immediate depth to the defensive backfield.Â
Jasiah Wagoner is a hard-working, talented cornerback from Washington who has already established college work habits.
The 5-foot-11, 170-pound defensive back is a top-25 corner with a high floor.
