The year was 2016.
Charles Walker, Jordan Wade, and Matt Damon run out onto the field. Behind them sit two future NFL players, Jordan Evans and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo.
However, next to them stand two defensive backs. O wait no, those aren’t defensive backs that’s starting ILB Emmanuel Beal and OLB Will Johnson. Their backups, Kapri Doucet, Rueben Hunter, Caleb Kelly and Curtis Bolton would go on to be all-Americans, but today was not their time.
Luckily, the paltry linebacking core had an elite safety net of DBs behind them including none other than; Jordan Thomas, Steven Parker, Ahmad Thomas, and Dakota Austin.
The 2016 season ends with a Big 12 title and a huge win over Auburn.
February come and the making of a dynasty continues with the 7th ranked recruiting class including elite athletes; Troy James, Tyrece Lott, Zacchaeus McKinney, K’Jakyre Daley, Addison Gumbs, Kenneth Murray, Isiah Thomas, Tre Brown, Justin Broiles, Levi Draper, Dillion Faamatau, and Robert Barnes. Elite receiver Ryan Jones looks like he can play either side of the ball.
Luckily with the incoming 2017 class and outstanding young talent on the roster, Mark Jackson, Amani Bledsoe, Change Slyvie, and the highest rated defensive tackle OU had gotten in years, 4* 5.9 rated Neville Gallimore. The Oklahoma Sooners would be slated to have a big turnaround on the defensive side of the ball in 2017.
I thoroughly enjoy going through past recruiting classes and depth charts and seeing how stuff played out so here is a little breakdown below of what I’m seeing.
Average Star Ranking
2023=3.67
2022=3.71
21=3.88 (thanks 3 5*s)
20=3.52
19=3.83 (thanks 5*)
18=3.61
Looking back at the last few recruiting cycles and then the Freshman and Sophomores that played the last two years, I’m pretty excited about the direction of this team/program. Sunshine incoming.
From the 2022 class 5 players have left.
11 players have played, of those, 9 look to be in the starting rotation next year.
R Mason Thomas, Gracen Halton, Jaren Kanak, Jovantae Barnes, Gentry Williams, Jake Taylor, R. Spears Jennings, Jacob Sexton, Gavin Sawchuck.
From the 2019 class, 4 possible starters.
David Ugwoegbu, Jaden Davis, Woodi Washington, Marcus Major.
From the ’20 class, 4 possible starters.
Reggie Grimes, Marvin Mims, Andrew Raym, Key Lawrence
From the ’21 class, 7 possible starters.
Savion Byrd, Isiah Coe, Billy Bowman, Farooq, Damond Harman, Stutsman, Downs.
From the ’23 class I expect the following to contribute at some level.
Kendal Dolby, Makari Vickers, PJ Adebawore, and Pettaway.
Needless to say while I obviously would hope to get another 5* dlineman in Hicks and 5* safety in Bowen, the disparity in position groups between what Lincoln brought in and what BV is bringing in is quite different. Seems like we are finally building a roster and some depth and won’t have walk-on LBs or LBs under 200 lbs playing for OU anytime soon. To me it seems online and dline still need more depth, but overall this roster from top to bottom is looking more complete than previous years. Highly recommend going through past depth charts and recruiting classes.
Lastly, TL
R. Flame away and hope your Holidays are amazing.
Charles Walker, Jordan Wade, and Matt Damon run out onto the field. Behind them sit two future NFL players, Jordan Evans and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo.
However, next to them stand two defensive backs. O wait no, those aren’t defensive backs that’s starting ILB Emmanuel Beal and OLB Will Johnson. Their backups, Kapri Doucet, Rueben Hunter, Caleb Kelly and Curtis Bolton would go on to be all-Americans, but today was not their time.
Luckily, the paltry linebacking core had an elite safety net of DBs behind them including none other than; Jordan Thomas, Steven Parker, Ahmad Thomas, and Dakota Austin.
The 2016 season ends with a Big 12 title and a huge win over Auburn.
February come and the making of a dynasty continues with the 7th ranked recruiting class including elite athletes; Troy James, Tyrece Lott, Zacchaeus McKinney, K’Jakyre Daley, Addison Gumbs, Kenneth Murray, Isiah Thomas, Tre Brown, Justin Broiles, Levi Draper, Dillion Faamatau, and Robert Barnes. Elite receiver Ryan Jones looks like he can play either side of the ball.
Luckily with the incoming 2017 class and outstanding young talent on the roster, Mark Jackson, Amani Bledsoe, Change Slyvie, and the highest rated defensive tackle OU had gotten in years, 4* 5.9 rated Neville Gallimore. The Oklahoma Sooners would be slated to have a big turnaround on the defensive side of the ball in 2017.
I thoroughly enjoy going through past recruiting classes and depth charts and seeing how stuff played out so here is a little breakdown below of what I’m seeing.
Average Star Ranking
2023=3.67
2022=3.71
21=3.88 (thanks 3 5*s)
20=3.52
19=3.83 (thanks 5*)
18=3.61
Looking back at the last few recruiting cycles and then the Freshman and Sophomores that played the last two years, I’m pretty excited about the direction of this team/program. Sunshine incoming.
From the 2022 class 5 players have left.
11 players have played, of those, 9 look to be in the starting rotation next year.
R Mason Thomas, Gracen Halton, Jaren Kanak, Jovantae Barnes, Gentry Williams, Jake Taylor, R. Spears Jennings, Jacob Sexton, Gavin Sawchuck.
From the 2019 class, 4 possible starters.
David Ugwoegbu, Jaden Davis, Woodi Washington, Marcus Major.
From the ’20 class, 4 possible starters.
Reggie Grimes, Marvin Mims, Andrew Raym, Key Lawrence
From the ’21 class, 7 possible starters.
Savion Byrd, Isiah Coe, Billy Bowman, Farooq, Damond Harman, Stutsman, Downs.
From the ’23 class I expect the following to contribute at some level.
Kendal Dolby, Makari Vickers, PJ Adebawore, and Pettaway.
Needless to say while I obviously would hope to get another 5* dlineman in Hicks and 5* safety in Bowen, the disparity in position groups between what Lincoln brought in and what BV is bringing in is quite different. Seems like we are finally building a roster and some depth and won’t have walk-on LBs or LBs under 200 lbs playing for OU anytime soon. To me it seems online and dline still need more depth, but overall this roster from top to bottom is looking more complete than previous years. Highly recommend going through past depth charts and recruiting classes.
Lastly, TL
R. Flame away and hope your Holidays are amazing.
