After Stoops Says JC DTs are Focus, Names to Know

With Bob Stoops' admission on Monday that Oklahoma would begin looking into the junior college ranks for a defensive tackle SoonerScoop.com thought it was time to start looking into exactly what players could figure into the final months of Oklahoma's recruiting efforts. And while there are always a great number of defensive tackles to scour the country for the three Rivals.com regards most highly, Jesse Williams, Sheldon Richardson, and Jonathan Jenkins are already committed to Alabama, Missouri, and Oklahoma State, respectively.

The good news is that there are four other members of the RivalsJUCO50 at the position that remain uncommitted. We'll first take a look at a few of the bigger names in the Kansas junior colleges that have been so good to Oklahoma through the years.

The highest ranked player at the position in the prestigious conference is Garden City's Maurice Couch. Right now Couch is in the middle of an SEC recruiting battle and while it may be impossible to overcome Oklahoma's late start Sooner fans know the Broncbuster program has sent Phil Loadholt, J.R. Bryant and Cameron Kenney to Norman in recent years. That relationship with the program, and head coach Lucas Aslin has to be meaningful should the Sooners come calling.

All that said Couch has hinted at a commitment to Tennessee, then again as the Vols continue to unfold could someone get in his ear to take another visit or two?

Perhaps a more plausible option from the Jayhawk conference could be Sylvester Williams of traditional powerhouse Coffeyville. Currently Williams lists North Carolina, Oklahoma State, and Tennessee as his favorites. Perhaps the most intriguing thing about the 6-foot-3, 310-pound potential one-technique is that he was an early high school graduate who went on to a job directly from high school before deciding he had given up on football a bit early.

Williams returned to the game at Coffeyville and has quickly become a force in the junior college ranks. He is joined on the defensive line by former Muskogee, Okla. standout Robert Thomas, who has already confirmed his previous commitment to Arkansas, and Jenks star Tony Gillespie who has previously expressed interest in Oklahoma.

Finally is Fort Scott's Rod Davis, a former Rivals250 prospect who signed with Texas A&M out of Aldine (Texas) Eisenhower. Oklahoma gave Davis a look out of high school and are undoubtedly aware of his talent in the Kansas junior college ranks.

While lesser known some names to keep an eye on are Bo Tillman of Wesson (Miss.) Copiah-Lincoln C.C., and from the state of California names to watch are Ronnell Wright, Jordan Gross, Devin Dyer, and Jerome Culp.

Perhaps most interestingly is Council Bluffs (Iowa) Iowa Western C.C. defensive tackle Jared Ebert. With a considerable offer list Elbert is among the most highly regarded junior college prospects at this point in the season but should Oklahoma choose to get involved things could be interesting.