Sooners Ink 17
NORMAN, Okla. – Seventeen high school prospects signed letters of intent with Oklahoma as the Sooners once again added one of the nation’s top-rated recruiting classes.
Nine different positions and five states are represented on the list.
“We like the depth and versatility of this class,” said OU Head Coach Bob Stoops. “It’s a talented, athletic group that will contribute in a lot of different positions.”
And some may have the opportunity to contribute quickly.
“We were and still are a young team, but our philosophy has been to play the guys who are ready to play,” Stoops said. “We’re seeing more and more who are coming to us with the maturity to be on the field. If they can help us, they’ll have that opportunity.”
Three of the signees are defensive tackles. The Sooners added two each along the offensive line, at defensive end, wide receiver, defensive back and running back. Another is a tight end while two more list as tight end/defensive end.
Twelve of the signees are from Texas with two from Oklahoma and one each from South Dakota, Kansas and Missouri.
“We’ve recruited nationally and will continue to do so, but we also recognize that proximity to campus matters and it just so happened that we were able to sign this class from states that are close to Oklahoma,” Stoops said.
Three of the new players are already attending classes at Oklahoma. Those three are defensive tackle Marquis Anderson, quarterback Kendal Thompson, who is the son of former OU quarterback Charles Thompson, and running back Brandon Williams.
Oklahoma Head Coach Bob Stoops
Signing Day Press Conference | Feb. 2, 2011
Opening Statement
“Welcome everybody. It’s good to be here at the basketball game and doing our press conference. I know everybody has been dealing with the weather the last couple of days so we’ll make this work. Today, we are excited about this signing class. Although 95 percent of it has been in place since this summer, we are still ecstatic about the number of players, the players we have at each position, quality players and it’s really a typical class that we have where we’ve got a little bit of every position.
“We feel it is obvious by the way people have respected our class with all the different rankings, to know that there are only 17 players and it’s still regarded as one of the better ones in the country. I think again it speaks of the quality of players. I feel we’ve met all our needs with big guys on o-line, d-line, speed positions, receivers, a defensive back, running backs. You know all those guys and then you got the linebackers and tight ends, those guys in the middle. They’re all our style of players. So anyways, it’s just a quality class, like usual. You know we’ve got players from five or six different states and a large portion down through Texas, which is always, being so close, is always excellent to go recruit down there.”
On the most critical needs of the recruiting class:
“I never feel ,fortunately for a good number of years now, that we’ve ever been depleted anywhere. So as you see it’s just a really good mix of a couple (positions), three o-linemen, you get a couple tight ends, you get a running back, you get a couple wide receivers, you get a couple linebackers, d-ends. You know, it’s a little bit of everything. So to us, I feel in a good number of years now, we’ve been able to be fairly balanced and never be really short anywhere, just add to what we have.”
On the class size and how the roster will work out:
“It will [work out.] It’s just like last night, one guy changes his mind, goes somewhere else so I feel good about it and it’s similar to what we’ve done in the past. So, I feel it’s where most everybody is these days and I feel comfortable about it.”
On recruiting in Kansas:
“Well they do have excellent players throughout Kansas. I think the biggest issue, always in recruiting, two things that I feel have always helped us overall: proximity I think always makes a difference to families and recruits and the fact we’ve done well. You look at players that are here from those areas that are having great careers and we’ve had success. You look at the championships and the bowl games, those kind of things that matter to the players. They’re close enough for their families to come down and participate in it without a lot of great expense without flying and those type of things. Usually, they pay attention and relate to, follow certain players in their area that they may know a little bit.”
On the three players who enrolled early:
“We haven’t had much chance to get around them a lot in workouts, we really haven’t. We’ve been out on the road for the most part. Players are just now back doing some things this week and we had a few days where we haven’t been in school so I haven’t really had time to be with them in work outs. But, they are here and you know listening to Coach Schmidt attest to what they’ve been doing to this point, they are very impressive. They are guys we really like. Kendal Thompson at quarterback, Brandon Williams at running back and Marquis Anderson at defensive line are the three that are here now.”
On having two Elite 11 quarterbacks:
“I’m not sure, to be honest with you, if we have or not [had two Elite 11 quarterbacks.] Coach Heupel does a great job in his evaluations in what he likes and you know Kendal’s (Thompson) a guy that throws the ball really well. He’s been developed really well at a young age and in our camps the last few years also, so we are excited about him as a passer. But then you look at him athletically, he brings another dimension to be able to escape some things and get you out of trouble sometimes with his legs. He gives you the opportunity also to have six, seven plays a game where the quarterback is designed to take off with it.”
On comparing Roy Finch to Brandon Williams and Finch’s recovery:
“He’s [Roy Finch] coming along just fine. We don’t have him running just yet but there haven’t been any setbacks. Brandon is much bigger than Roy. Brandon is more in the style of, I’d say, DeMarco [Murray] and Adrian [Peterson] or somewhere in between the two. He’s a guy that’s all of 6-1 and probably 205-210 pounds, got incredible speed. He’s a physical type guy in the way he likes to run.”
On recruiting Nila Kneubuhl and Bennett Okotcha:
“Well like a lot of times you have guys that maybe you’ve been working on for a long time and it just fortunately came together here in the last few days or last week. They’re guys that we think could really have really great careers here. They are similar to a lot of guys who’ve had great careers here that we’ve signed and sometimes late. Bennett has excellent size for a corner. When I say size, I mean height and strength to him. He’s got great ball skills. Brandon Carter dropped out a while back and this gave an opportunity here with him and it was perfect. We are really excited about him. Nila is very physical guy that really can play on either side of the ball. He’s a guy that right now weighs 290 but looks like he weighs 240. You love guys like that that have that kind of size to them. He’s going to have great strength and ability to be a physical player for us on one side or the other.”
On Trey Metoyer:
“A little bit of everything makes him special. I think everybody has watched him, I’m always amazed when I watch him play where he’ll have two or three guys surrounding him and he goes up and gets the ball. He’s one of those guys that has those incredible hands that if you get the ball within 10 yards of him he’s going to get it, but then you look at the speed and athleticism with it and the great size, he has a chance to be a really special player.”
On Kendal Thompson’s living up to his father’s [Charles Thompson] name:
“I think in the end he has to be his own guy. Charles [Thompson] has done a great job to this point, along with his high school coach of really bringing him up and developing him. He has a lot of polish to him as a young guy and quarterback with his footwork and the way he throws the football. So in the end, that will be for them as a family to work through those kinds of things. We just want him to be Kendal. Do what you’re able to do and grow in the program and I’m sure he will. He’s had a great high school career and I think he will do well with us.”
On getting LOIs faxed in with the weather conditions:
“A lot of telephone calls. Fortunately all the networks were still operating and the biggest issue was kids making sure they were able to get to a fax machine. I guess it just took away from some of the pageantry at different schools and being able to get there in front of the whole school and have all of that, but as long as they could sign it with their parents and find a fax machine it worked ok for us since we aren’t able to be there anyway.”
Signee Bios:
Marquis Anderson
DT | 6-2 | 270 | Cibolo, Texas | Steele High School
Named to the 2011 U.S. Army All-American Bowl … four-star recruit by ESPN.com and Rivals.com … three-star recruit by Scout.com … No. 8 defensive tackle nationally by Rivals.com … No. 15 player in the state of Texas by Rivals.com … No. 15 defensive tackle nationally by ESPN.com … had 61 tackles as a senior, 21 of which were unassisted … also had 20 tackles for loss, two sacks, 19 quarterback hurries, two fumbles forced and three fumble recoveries … had 35 tackles with 6.5 sacks and one forced fumble as a junior … twenty-two tackles and one sack as a sophomore.
Dylan Dismuke
OT | 6-6 | 292 | Duncan, Oklahoma | Duncan High School
Four-star recruit by Rivals.com … three-star recruit by ESPN.com and Scout.com … No. 22 offensive tackle nationally by Rivals.com … No. 38 offensive tackle nationally by Scout.com … No. 54 offensive tackle nationally by ESPN.com … No. 2 recruit in Oklahoma by Rivals.com … No. 4 player in the state of Oklahoma by Scout.com.
Derek Farniok
OT | 6-9 | 320 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | Washington High School
Three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Rivals.com and Scout.com … No. 1 player in the state of South Dakota by Scout.com … No. 55 offensive tackle nationally by ESPN.com … No. 76 offensive tackle nationally by Rivals.com … No. 77 offensive tackle nationally by Scout.com … No. 3 recruit in the state of South Dakota by Rivals.com … older brother Tom is committed to Iowa State … dad played at St. Cloud State and uncle played at South Dakota State … pronunciation: FAR-nee-ock.
Nathan Hughes
DE | 6-5 | 257 | Spring, Texas | Klein Oak High School
Under Armour All-American … five-star recruit by Scout.com … four-star recruit by ESPN.com and Rivals.com … No. 5 defensive end nationally by Scout.com … No. 11 defensive end nationally by ESPN.com … ranked in ESPNU 150 … No. 22 defensive end nationally by Rivals.com … No. 5 player inn the State of Texas by Scout.com … collected 82 tackles and 11 sacks and one forced fumble in 2009 … had 68 tackles, four sacks, two pass break ups, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 2008.
Kameel Jackson
WR| 6-1 | 185 | Arlington, Texas | Sam Houston High School
Participated in NUC All-World Gridiron Classic … four-star recruit by ESPN.com and Rivals.com … No. 39 wide receiver nationally by ESPN.com … No. 34 wide receiver nationally by Rivals.com … three-star recruit by Scout.com … No. 69 wide receiver nationally by Scout.com … No. 61 player in the state of Texas by Scout.com … caught 13 passes for 322 yards and two touchdowns in 2009 despite missing time due to a knee injury … had 54 catches for 761 yards and seven touchdowns in 2008 … cuh-MEEL Jackson.
P. L. Lindley
LB | 6-2 | 205 | Round Rock, Texas | Stony Point High School
Four-star recruit by ESPN.com … No. 11 outside linebacker nationally by ESPN.com … three-star recruit by Scout.com and Rivals.com … No. 34 inside linebacker by Rivals.com …No. 43 outside linebacker nationally by Scout.com … in 2009 recorded 90 tackles, four sacks, two interceptions and forced two fumbles … in 2008 recorded 61 tackles and three sacks.
Trey Metoyer
WR | 6-2 | 185 | Whitehouse, Texas | Whitehouse High School
ESPNU All-American … U.S. Army All-American … Parade Magazine All-American … five-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com … No. 1 wide receiver nationally by Scout.com … No. 2 wide receiver nationally by Rivals.com … four-star recruit by ESPN.com … No. 8 wide receiver nationally by ESPN.com … ranked in ESPNU 150 … No. 12 overall player nationally by Rivals.com … No. 2 player in the state of Texas by Rivals.com … No. 4 player in the state of Texas by Scout.com … No. 21 recruit nationally by 247Sports.com … had 108 receptions for 1,540 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2010 … first team Class 4A all-state selection … district offensive player of the year … hauled in 72 receptions for 1,105 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2009 … collected 74 receptions for 1,105 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2008 … pronunciation: MUH-toy-yer.
Kneubuhl
OL | 6-4 | 280 | Euless, Texas | Trinity High School
Three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Rivals.com and Scout.com … No. 38 tight end by Scout.com … No. 50 offensive lineman by Rivals.com … No. 77 tight end by ESPN.com … No. 75 player in the state of Texas by Scout.com … No. 77 in the state of Texas by Rivals.com … had 10 catches for 180 yards and a touchdown in 2010 … pronunciation: NEE-luh NAY-bull.
Bennett Okotcha
CB | 6-0 | 175 | Coppell, Texas | Coppell High School
Three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Rivals.com and Scout.com … No. 42 cornerback by Scout.com … No. 50 cornerback by ESPN.com … No. 64 cornerback by Rivals.com … No. 98 player in Texas by Rivals.com … had two interceptions in 2009 along with catching nine passes for 142 yards and a TD … pronunciation: O-cott-chuh.
Jordan Phillips
DT | 6-6 | 290 | Towanda, Kansas | Circle High School
Under Armour All-American … five-star recruit by Scout.com … four-star recruit by ESPN.com and Rivals.com … ranked in ESPNU 150 … No. 4 defensive tackle nationally by Rivals.com … No. 6 defensive tackle nationally by Scout.com … No. 10 defensive tackle nationally by ESPN.com … No. 50 recruit nationally by Rivals.com … No. 1 recruit in Kansas by Rivals.com and Scout.com … No. 68 recruit nationally by 247Sports.com … had 68 tackles and 8.5 sacks in 2010 … also recorded 17 receptions for 400 yards and four touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns and had a 36.9 yard punting average … class 4A all-state selection in 2010 … recorded 40 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in 2009 … also caught 15 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns.
Frank Shannon
S | 6-3 | 205 | Dallas, Texas | Skyline High School
Four-star recruit by Scout.com … three-star recruit by ESPN.com and Rivals.com … No. 17 safety nationally by Scout.com … No. 37 outside linebacker nationally by Rivals.com … No. 48 safety nationally by ESPN.com … No. 35 player in the state of Texas by Scout.com
Max Stevenson
TE | 6-6 | 240 | Spring, Texas | Klein Oak High School
Four-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com … No. 12 tight end nationally by Rivals.com … No. 11 tight end nationally by Scout.com … three-star recruit by ESPN.com … No. 17 tight end nationally by ESPN.com … No. 47 player in the state of Texas by Scout.com … had 46 receptions for 736 yards and five touchdowns in 2010 … hauled in 19 receptions for 314 yards and two touchdowns in 2009 … had five receptions for 64 yards and one touchdown in 2008 … played key role in Klein Oak’s rushing attack.
Dan Tapko
DE/TE | 6-5 | 235 | Kansas City, Missouri | Rockhurst High School
Four-star recruit by Scout.com … three-star recruit by ESPN.com and Rivals.com … No. 24 tight end nationally by ESPN.com … No. 25 tight end nationally by Rivals.com … No. 1 recruit in Missouri by Rivals.com and Scout.com … No. 32 defensive end nationally by Scout.com … first team All-State selection in 2008.
Kendal Thompson
QB | 6-2 | 175 | Moore, Okla. | Southmoore High School
Under Armour All-American … three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Rivals.com and Scout.com … No. 2 player in Oklahoma by Rivals.com … No. 14 quarterback nationally by Rivals.com … No. 17 quarterback nationally by ESPN.com … No. 2 player in the state of Oklahoma by Scout.com … played in just three games as a senior due to an injury in the season’s second game … completed 25-of-34 passes for 295 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions in those three games while logging 42 rushing attempts for 237 yards and one TD … completed 166 of 259 passes in 2009 for 2,793 yards and 29 touchdowns while rushing for 466 yards and 10 TDs … as a sophomore in 2008, threw for 1,025 yards and 13 TDs with 76 completions on 148 attempts while rushing for 136 yards and one TD … son of former OU quarterback Charles Thompson … high school teammate of current Sooners Austin Haywood, Julian Wilson and Nyko Symonds.
Jordan Wade
DT | 6-4 | 290 | Round Rock, Texas | Stony Point High School
Four-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com and Rivals.com … No. 8 defensive tackle nationally by ESPN.com … ranked in ESPNU 150 … No. 15 defensive tackle nationally by Rivals.com … No. 21 defensive tackle nationally by Scout.com … No. 49 player in the state of Texas by Scout.com … recorded 40 tackles and five sacks in 2010 … recorded 77 tackles, 14 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and six pass breakups in 2009 … recorded 48 tackles, one forced fumble and one pass breakup in 2008.
Brandon Williams
RB | 6-0 | 190 | Brookshire, Texas | Brookshire Royal HS School
Under Armour All-American … five-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com … No. 3 running back nationally by Rivals.com and Scout.com … four-star recruit by ESPN.com … ranked in ESPNU 150 … No. 7 running back nationally by ESPN.com … No. 16 overall player nationally by Rivals.com … No. 3 player in the state of Texas by Rivals.com and Scout.com … No. 18 recruit nationally by 247Sports.com … rushed for 2,438 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2010 while racking up 144 yards receiving with two TDs … 2010 Texas 3A all-state … rushed for 1,815 yards and 14 TDs as a junior while totaling 38 receptions for 512 yards and four TDs.
Danzel Williams
RB | 5-9 | 190 | Arlington, Texas | Martin High School
Under Armour All-American … four-star recruit by ESPN.com … No. 8 athlete nationally by ESPN.com … ranked in ESPNU 150 … three-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com … No. 37 running back nationally by Rivals.com and No. 18 athlete nationally by Scout.com … No. 72 player in the state of Texas by Scout.com … rushed the ball 211 times for 1,659 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2010 … also recorded eight receptions for 79 yards and one touchdown … rushed the ball 152 times for 1,221 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2009 … also recorded 21 receptions for 255 yards and 2 touchdowns … rushed for 621 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2008.
Updated 02-02-2011
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