Oklahoma in a good spot for two of Rivals remaining uncommited 5-star prospects
The month of July is finally upon us, and we should start to see commitments funnel in favor of the Sooners.
Depending on where you look or who you talk to, the Sooners could see six to 10 commitments this month.
Rivals has 13 uncommitted five-stars, and Oklahoma sits in a really good spot for two of them, according to national recruiting director Adam Gorney.
The first is defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri. Rivals ranks him the No. 3 overall player and the highest-rated player without a home.
Oklahoma has been the front-runner here for some time, but in recent months Georgia has made significant in-roads in this recruitment and it could come down to the wire for the five-star defensive end. Nwaneri has more connections to the Sooners especially with former teammate Cayden Green recruiting him there, but the success of the Bulldogs’ defensive linemen and development into the NFL – plus back-to-back national titles – cannot be understated. Tennessee, Missouri and others are also in this one. – Gorney, Rivals
What was long thought to be an Oklahoma versus Tennessee Volunteers race has turned into the Sooners battling the back-to-back defending champion Georgia Bulldogs.
This one could go all the way to signing day, but signs are pointing to a decision being made as early as this month. Gorney is predicting the Sooners to win out in the end.
The next on the list is defensive tackle David Stone. Stone is the 10th overall player in the nation and second-best player at his position, behind Justin Scott, who committed to the Ohio State Buckeyes on Sunday.
Stone has long been thought of as an Oklahoma lean since he is from Oklahoma, and his family still lives there even though he plays at IMG Academy in Florida.
There is going to be talk about Michigan State and Stone really likes Miami with Florida also trying to get in this thing with the five-star defensive lineman, but everything here comes back to Oklahoma. He’s from the state, any comments about his mother not wanting him at Norman were a little misguided and taken out of context and the Sooners have done everything possible to convince the Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy standout that he could shine in their system. – Gorney
Stone would be a huge get for Oklahoma as it heads to the SEC. He would bolster a defensive line that greatly needs elite defensive tackle play. Gorney also predicts the Sooners to be his choice in the end.
While there’s not been a date set for Stone’s commitment, there is a belief he wants to be done with it before his season starts in August. But we’ll have to wait and see.
If you are wondering about Dominick McKinley, he’s not listed as a five-star with Rivals. But he’s someone Oklahoma feels confident with as well, although the LSU Tigers and Texas Longhorns are lurking. The long-held belief has been it would be difficult to lure McKinley away from the hometown Tigers. That Oklahoma is in the race for McKinley is a credit to Brent Venables and Todd Bates.
Ultimately, if Oklahoma lands Nwaneri and Stone, it would be the greatest defensive line recruiting class in a long time. It’s exactly why you bring in Brent Venables to be your head coach and why Miguel Chavis and Todd Bates came with him.
The Sooners have needed a bunch of game wreckers along the defensive line for years, and the they look to be on the verge of heading to the SEC with at least a pair of the best defensive line prospects in the 2024 recruiting class.
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