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A Sooners Heat Check

Oklahoma's class of 2018 already has three commitments including Rivals100 members Cameron Rising and Brey Walker. But even with those two, along with pledge of Sooner legacy Jordon Austin, the Sooners have plenty of work ahead of them. So it's time for SoonerScoop.com to offer you a look at not only who are some of the key participants at this point in Oklahoma's recruiting efforts.

Quarterback

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Commitments: 1 - Cameron Rising

2018 Returning Players: 3

Spots Remaining: 0

Key Targets: Cameron Rising

The Skinny: Oklahoma's lone position that is already in place and put to bed. Rising is one of the nation's really elite quarterbacks and has a chance to be a five-star. He also has begun to work on many of the Sooners top targets in hopes of becoming a leader of another high-quality class.

Rising could be the second year in a row a quarterback is the foundation of a class.
Rising could be the second year in a row a quarterback is the foundation of a class.

Running Back

Commitments: 0

2018 Returning Players: 6

Spots Remaining: 2

Key Targets: Lyn-J Dixon, Lorenzo Lingard, T.J. Pledger

The Skinny: Oklahoma's running back class is off to a strong start in spite of not having any commitments. Pledger is an explosive back with great open-field ability, has already made a trip to Norman and seems likely to return again this spring. If the Sooners can close him they can then zero in on their final few targets, along with the duo mentioned above keep an eye on Carthage, Texas star Keaontay Ingram.

Receivers

Commitments: 0

2018 Returning Players: 11

Spots Remaining: 3

Key Targets: Brennan Eagles, Jalen Hall, Joshua Moore

The Skinny: At receiver there seem to be a bevy of good options but no one seems to be leaning heavily in the Sooners direction just yet. With Eagles and Moore Oklahoma has two players from Texas - even though Moore recently announced he'll be moving to IMG Academy - who have either already visited or plan to soon. Another Texas star who has mentioned Oklahoma prominently in recent years is Manvel's Jalen Preston.

Offensive Line

Commitments: 1 - Brey Walker

2018 Returning Players: 14

Spots Remaining: 3

Key Targets: Curtis Dunlap, Darrell Simpson, Reuben Unije, Brey Walker

The Skinny: Oklahoma couldn't have started this group off with a bigger bang than Walker, one of the nation's most physically gifted left tackle prospects. The Sooners now begin to look around to try and fill out the class with him. The group figures to be heavy on tackles with maybe only one interior player being a real option based on strong numbers in the younger classes. If the Sooners could make that one player Dunlap, one might think it could open the door for the highly talented Unije.

Defensive Line

Commitments: 0

2018 Returning Players: 11

Spots Remaining: 4

Key Targets: Calvin Avery, Bobby Brown, Jalen Redmond, Ron Tatum

The Skinny: With Oklahoma's future defensive alignment still up in the air things can get a little confusing as to how the numbers and even style of player will turn out. However Oklahoma has the benefit of an early start with several high-quality prospects. Inside Avery seems to be big on Oklahoma but it's early. After that you get a lot of variation on the type of player the Sooners might focus on but in-state stars like Redmond and Tatum could be key.

Linebackers

Commitments: 0

2018 Returning Players: 9

Spots Remaining: 3

Key Targets: Byron Hobbs, Alston Orji, Solomon Tuliaupupu

The Skinny: Oklahoma's class of 2017 was a huge success on nearly every front but there is no question that the Sooners need to address their shortage of inside linebackers. Orji seems the top option for one of those, likely two, spots right now but who else could fit in there is a bit unclear. However like defensive line the potential change of alignment could throw some things into flux right now.

Orji is one of Texas' most heavily recruited defenders.
Orji is one of Texas' most heavily recruited defenders. (Rivals.com)

Defensive Backs

Commitments: 1 - Jordon Austin

2018 Returning Players: 14

Spots Remaining: 3

Key Targets: Anthony Cook, B.J. Foster, Jalen Green, Josh Proctor

The Skinny: Oklahoma's class of 2018 at defensive back has a chance to be a special group with some truly elite prospects from the state of Texas as well as a potential star in in-state star Proctor. Meanwhile the Houston area boasts the other three members of the list and it of course forgets that Dakota Austin's younger brother is already on board with the Sooners.

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