College football signing day tracker 2024: Live updates on Oklahoma high school athletes

Here are some takeaways from early signing day for Oklahoma high school football in the 2023-24 school year.

OU TRACKER: Catch up on OU football's 2024 recruiting class, rankings & more

OSU TRACKER: Catch up on OSU football's 2024 recruiting class, rankings & more

Choctaw edge rusher Will Smith signs with Tulsa

Jake Corbin makes a point to remove himself from college football fandom when he’s guiding Choctaw High School athletes through the recruiting process.

When his former players are actually suiting up on Saturdays, it’s a different story.

“My favorite teams are always the teams that our kids play for,” Corbin said. “That’s all I care about.”

On National Signing Day, he gained another reason to root for Tulsa.

Edge rusher Will Smith signed with the Golden Hurricane during his Wednesday afternoon ceremony at Choctaw’s McCharen Center. He will reunite with Choctaw alumnus RJ Jackson, a defensive lineman entering his sophomore season at Tulsa.

Jackson was active for the Golden Hurricane as a freshman, and that inspired Smith.

“That’s great (to) see a freshman playing and knowing that they do that,” Smith said. “And then seeing that I could work the same amount as RJ and potentially get playing time as a freshman.”

At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, Smith recorded 34 tackles and eight sacks despite limited playing time as a senior. He underwent an appendectomy at the start of the season and later had a concussion, but he made the most of times when he was healthy, helping Choctaw reach the Class 6A-II state semifinals.

Initially, Smith committed to Oklahoma State, but he reopened his recruitment and announced Oct. 17 he had chosen the Golden Hurricane. He said he knew Tulsa was the place for him because of head coach Kevin Wilson.

Wilson has assembled a 2024 class featuring a substantial group of in-state stars. Smith is joining Colten Christian of Collinsville, Brody Duffel of Bixby, Ross Johnston of Blanchard, Elijah Green of Classen SAS and Dax Collins of Poteau.

Because Choctaw wasn’t yet on winter break Wednesday, Smith had the opportunity to celebrate his signing with a large group of peers at school.

“I’ve been working for this moment,” Smith said. “And now, it’s paid off.”

—Hallie Hart, Staff writer

More: Why Washington tight end Cooper Alexander says Iowa State football 'felt like family'

Norman North's Harrison Utley signs with Kansas football

Harrison Utley stood in the middle of Norman North's weight room, grinning from ear to ear.

Surrounded by his family, friends, teammates, and coaches who stood beside him every step along his journey, the moment for Utley was thrilling yet bittersweet.

"The support system for me here has always been great," Utley said. "So it's really nice to see every one, even former teammates, come back to show me love today. It's weird because I was just a freshman in high school and the next thing you know, I'm signing to Kansas. I can't wait to get to Lawrence and get moving."

Utley officially signed his letter of intent to play at Kansas on Wednesday for National Signing Day. The Timberwolves' three-star offensive lineman committed to play for the Jayhawks after receiving offers from Iowa State, Tulsa, Dartmouth, and OU.

The 6-foot-3, 280-pound senior is currently ranked No. 13 in the state in 247Sports' high school recruiting rankings. He helped spearhead a Norman North offense under head coach Justin Jones that finished 9-3 in 2023.

"The Kansas football program is getting one of the best football players I've ever coached," Jones said.

"I think if Harrison continues on with the trend he's on, I don't say this very often, but he's going to have a really good opportunity to play on Sundays. The world is at his fingertips. If anyone deserves the recognition on a day like this, it's Harrison Utley."

Utley will enroll at Kansas this summer after Norman North's Baseball season concludes and upon graduation in May.

"My motivation each day is just to become the best version of myself possible," Utley said. "If I keep my head down and stay on the grind, I'm sure I'll be proud of the results. I'm driven to leave a mark on the Kansas program because they believed in me more than anyone throughout this process."

—Jordan Davis, Staff writer

More: Oklahoma State football flips LaDainian Fields from TCU on National Signing Day

Stillwater trio to walk on at OSU

Each playing key roles in the rise of Stillwater football, culminating with two state finals appearances and one Class 6A-II title the last two seasons, three Pioneers are set to stay home and play for Oklahoma State as walk-ons.

Receiver/defensive back Talon Kendrick, receiver/defensive back Heston Thompson and his twin brother, running back Holden Thompson, announced their plans at a ceremony in the Stillwater High School gym Monday afternoon.

Holden Thompson led the Pioneers with 24 total touchdowns and 167.2 rushing yards per game. Heston Thompson was the leading receiver with 71.5 yards per game to go with three interceptions on defense. Kendrick was second on the team with 11 touchdowns and also second with five interceptions.

“This has been my dream growing up as a kid,” said Kendrick, the son of Stillwater media personality Casey Kendrick. “Getting the chance to play for Oklahoma State is awesome.

“As soon as I was out of the womb, I was going to Oklahoma State games.”

—Scott Wright, Staff writer

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Which colleges Oklahoma high school football players are signing with