2019 Could Be a Big Year
Oklahoma's class of 2018 is just getting their feet wet in the recruiting world but 2019 already shows the promise of being another special year in the state of Oklahoma. Though we're not yet ready to rank the list it is time to look at some of the best young names in the Sooners State amongst the rising junior class. Take a look and get familiar with the names to know in 2019.
Early Interest: N/A.
The Early Word: Ansley will be aided by the fact the Patriots have, after a long hiatus, produced a few prospects in 2017 and with so many schools through they'll have noticed the big safety with good short area quickness. Ansley is a natural playmaker that likes to be physical and reads quarterbacks quite well.
Early Interest: Boomer has offers from Nebraska, Oklahoma State, and Texas Tech amongst others.
The Early Word: The young teammate of current Sooner freshman linebacker Levi Draper, Boomer is a player who is truly interesting at a pair of positions rather than a player who just happens to pay two spots. Boomer as a tight end is an athletic receiver who shows surprising ability in the open field. As a defender he has a tremendous frame who could play multiple positions along the line.
Early Interest: N/A.
The Early Word: Bryant isn't the world's biggest offensive lineman but as a young guy with plenty of movement ability Bryant could take off in the right offensive blocking schemes.
Early Interest: N/A.
The Early Word: Gaines could be the next in, what is becoming, Southmoore's endless line of elite prospects. Gaines is an ultra-physical safety who looks at his best coming up and playing run but as you watch more and more of his tape you see there is more than just that to his game. The talented young hybrid defender sometimes shines as a more traditional safety but looks very good working near the line of scrimmage.
Early Interest: SMU has already hosted Grantham and expressed early interest.
The Early Word: Grantham is a violent interior offensive lineman but is more athletic than most might expect. Grantham drives his feet well and is physical at the point of attack but the more you watch him the more you appreciate that he is explosive with his hands.
Early Interest: Hill has an offer from Oklahoma with plenty of interest from Oklahoma State, Tulsa, and more.
The Early Word: One of the early contenders for the state's top spot, Hill is a freakishly gifted safety who also makes plenty of plays for the Hornets on the offensive side of the ball. Hill is the younger brother of current Oklahoma State star freshman running back Justice Hill and though they are very different body types the level of play is absolutely there and Hill is well on his way to being the state's next great safety prospect.
Early Interest: Houston is waiting for his first offer but has interest from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and numerous others.
The Early Word: It's not every year that Oklahoma produces an elite receiver but when they do names like Ryan Broyles, Sterling Shepard, Justin Blackmon, and Rashaun Woods are a few of the names to come from the ranks. It feels that the next in line may well be Woods' fellow Millwood product, Houston. With explosive speed, elite change of direction and the ability to attack the ball in the air Houston is another legitimate contender as the state's No. 1 player in 2019.
Early Interest: N/A.
The Early Word: Howard spent his first year at Millwood, after spending his prior year at Oklahoma Centennial, and was a key part in leading Millwood to it's sixth state title, and first in a decade. Howard features a lot at quarterback in his highlights but what sticks out, whether it's on offense or defense is the athleticism he brings to the field in spite of being a big-framed guy.
Early Interest: N/A.
The Early Word: It's not everyday you see a guy with a defensive lineman's body that lines up and makes a load of plays at running back. But that's what makes Jackson so interesting. Sure he may not be the state's biggest player but his level of athleticism at his size isn't easily found.
Early Interest: Mashburn has offers from Memphis and Iowa State along with interest from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and many others.
The Early Word: Mashburn started emerging early in his sophomore year but really made a name for himself by giving our Sooner State Junior of the Year, Brey Walker, plenty of trouble when North and Southmoore hooked up in midseason. Mashburn is a powerful defensive end that is nearly unmovable in the ground game but what surprises is his ability to shoot gaps and attack up field in the passing game.
Early Interest: N/A.
The Early Word: Nance is another slot type receiver though he is very different in the way he gets things done from some others. Nance is a long-strider who has speed to separate vertically but is still developing in his short area quickness. He has good hands and is a natural pass-catcher at almost any angle.
Early Interest: N/A.
The Early Word: Phillips is already one of the state's best two-way players shining at both running back as well as defensive back for the Plainsmen. As a runner Phillips has real patience and great feet to change direction quickly. As a defensive back he's a big-time playmaker who attacks balls in the air but can also come up and play run.
Early Interest: N/A.
The Early Word: Roberts, a relative to some of the biggest names in Ardmore football - namely Jermaine Gresham, is a twitchy defensive back that looks incredibly natural sticking his foot in the ground and changing direction. Roberts has some very natural skills as a cover corner and the speed and quickness to bring it all together. If he grows a bit more he can become one of the state's more sought after prospects.
Early Interest: N/A.
The Early Word: It's been some time since there was a Union offensive lineman who made some real waves in recruiting but Stromberg could change that. Stromberg may have to move to center in the college game but is a guy who is powerful with his punch and drive-blocking. In tight spaces he is a dominant blocker.
Early Interest: N/A.
The Early Word: It's hard to call what Carl Albert had gone through the previous three seasons as 'struggling' but in that time there had been little production of college talent. Then in 2016 the Titans got back to the 5A mountaintop with a state title and now look to have their next high caliber running back. Taylor is a back with explosive speed who, as much as anyone in the class seems to vary from tape to tape. When Taylor looks his best he shows off home run speed but is definitely a one-cut runner who wants to get North and South as quickly as possible.