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Published Jan 11, 2017
Oklahoma's Next and Best
Josh McCuistion  •  OUInsider
Editor
Twitter
@Josh_Scoop

Oklahoma's class of 2018 already has more than a Baker's Dozen of players holding FBS scholarship offers and after hours and hours of film review SoonerScoop.com is finally ready to release it's initial update of the annual Sooner State Rankings. Take a look at Oklahoma's top rising juniors and see where four in-state stars already holding Oklahoma offers fall.

1. Brey Walker

Thoughts: The Oklahoma commitment was a near shoe-in for the state's top spot with his massive frame and natural ability. The scary part for Walker's opponents is that, as of yet, he still hasn't reached his potential and is just scratching the surface of the player he could become if he can become the physical mauler that his talent, and wrestling background, says he can be.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 1 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 1 (1/11/17)

2. C.J. Moore

Thoughts: Moore is the next in line of Union's seemingly never-ending procession of major FBS products. Moore is a long and lean wide receiver with game-breaking speed and a huge catch radius. At times Moore has struggled with catching the ball but his physical tools and big moments on the field say this is probably an issue with concentration more than any over-riding problem.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 2 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 2 (1/11/17)

3. Josh Proctor

Thoughts: Proctor missed almost all of his junior season but had already shown so much that it's hard to worry about it too much. The talented and rangy safety is an explosive athlete, who also stars for the Rams in basketball, that was also playing quarterback for Owasso. If he can come back healthy next year it's not crazy to think of him challenging Walker and Moore's spots.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 3 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 3 (1/11/17)

4. Ron Tatum

Thoughts: Tatum is one of the later emerging stars of this class but defensive linemen with his size and athleticism don't fall off trees. The thing that developed for Tatum once he moved from Putnam City North to Putnam City is a bit more comfort in being physical. He is a player that everyone will be anxious to see him focus more against elite talent this spring and summer.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 4 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 4 (1/11/17)

5. Casey Thompson

Thoughts: Thompson was one of the first stars of the class but has been a bit quiet over the last six months. But that's not to say he didn't put together, yet another, strong season for the Sabercats. Thompson did plenty of the ever-emerging Southmoore program and is ready to lead them in what will, again, be a hope for a real state title attempt.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 5 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 5 (1/11/17)

6. Patrick Fields

Thoughts: One of the most under appreciated players in the state Fields has such a great feel for his role in a defense and is willing to be physical but can also make play after play in the passing game. Due to being a bigger guy some might expect him to struggle in pass coverage but it's actually becoming a real strength of his game.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 6 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 6 (1/11/17)

7. Sean Shaw

Thoughts: This year Jones won their first state title and Shaw was a big part of it. The big receiver has a huge catch radius and with his size is natural at high-pointing the ball. Shaw is faster than he sometimes gets credit for and has the hands to catch anything near him.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 7 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 7 (1/11/17)

8. Jalen Redmond

Thoughts: Few players in this class have a bigger chance for upward movement than Redmond who is still, very much, figuring out the game. Redmond spent most of his high school career focused on basketball but last spring got serious about football and on his first day of spring practice - picked up a scholarship offer from Memphis. Redmond is a guy with real explosion that will become more and more apparent the more he plays.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 8 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 8 (1/11/17)

9. Bryce Bray

Thoughts: One of SoonerScoop.com's favorites for quite some time now Bray is an absolute technician on the offensive line. Another strength of his game is that he could work as a tackle but could also slide inside and be the physical, phonebooth, type of player that could work as a pulling guard.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 9 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 9 (1/11/17)

10. Wayne Jones

Thoughts: Few players made a bigger move forward as a junior than the Owasso star. As a sophomore Jones, at times, looked a little stiff and upright but looked more fluid as a junior and showed more ability in pass defense. One thing Jones never struggled with was the ability to play in run defense and be a physical presence on the back end of a defense.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 10 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 10 (1/11/17)

11. Dezmond Howard

Thoughts: Another player that caught the Scoop staff's eye early on, though it was when Howard as a sophomore at Oklahoma City Centennial. Howard is a highly active defender that is a bit of a tweener. He'll likely have to play in something of a hybrid role but with his great closing speed and violence on arrival some schools are sure to take a shine to him.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 11 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 11 (1/11/17)

12. Kade Wilson

Thoughts: As a sophomore Wilson was a big piece of the Bulldogs 2015 state championship team that played ground and pound on their way to the gold ball. Wilson cleared much of the way with his physical and mauling style of play.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 12 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 12 (1/11/17)

13. Nikia Jones

Thoughts: Jones is already one of the state's true superstars after being a key piece of Wagoner's last two state championship teams including scoring the game-winning touchdown in 2015. Jones has a knack for making his biggest plays in the biggest moments and has a great frame to fight off defenders and shield them away from the ball.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 13 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 13 (1/11/17)

14. James Palmer

Thoughts: Palmer is one of the state's more unique offensive weapons with the ability to help his team as a blocker, as a receiver in space or even as a runner for the Jaguars. Palmer is a multi-faceted weapon that a few years ago might have been overlooked but in the ever-evolving offenses of college football he might find many suitors.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 14 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 14 (1/11/17)

15. Dominick Neal

Thoughts: Early on in his career Neal had the look of a cornerback but as time has gone on his frame, and long speed, has lent itself more naturally to the offensive side of the ball. Neal really came on down the stretch for the Wolverines and became one of the state's true big-play receivers.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 15 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 15 (1/11/17)

16. Isaac Beverley

Thoughts: The Eagles had a noticeable lack of elite talent last talent but look ready to clear that up with Beverly. He is a physical prospect who could work almost anywhere in the defensive backfield. He is a long and rangy defensive back who looks natural in coverage but is also extremely violent at the point of attack.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 16 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 16 (1/11/17)

17. Jackson Greenwood

Thoughts: Greenwood is the kind of player that in 1995 would be earmarked for 20 offers and ready to become the darling of elite college football programs from coast to coast. But with his huge frame and physical style of play he is a bit lost in today's game. The interesting idea? Could he move to defensive end or even as a three-technique tackle and become a top quality athlete on the defensive line?

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 17 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 17 (1/11/17)

18. Rymond Green

Thoughts: Green is one of the darkhorses on this list that the SoonerScoop.com staff doesn't know much about. However when you look at his junior tape you see an explosive player who is twitchy off the edge and arrives at the ball carrier with bad intentions. Green could move around on this list considerably as we learn more and more.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 18 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 18 (1/11/17)

19. Damian Close

Thoughts: Another player that kind of came out of nowhere but when you turn on the tape of Close he's got a skill that just can't be taught - so much speed. The Owasso transfer runs away from one defender after another and, as a track star, somewhat surprisingly shows an ability to make a tough catch and is willing to block.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 19 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 19 (1/11/17)

20. Rylan McQuarters

Thoughts: That name and that school, it's not a coincidence. There is no question that some have been waiting to see a McQuarters star at Booker T. Washington for roughly two decades. And finally it is Rylan's time and though not the biggest player on the field there is little else that McQuarters could do to be on this list. Return man, playmaking defensive back, offensive multi-weapon. McQuarters' speed and agility are impressive to behold.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 20 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 20 (1/11/17)

21. Nigel Brannon

Thoughts: Brannon is easily one of the state's most physically imposing prospects and as a junior his production began to, somewhat, match his potential. The latest in the growing line of John Marshall products Brannon is a player that, if he might shed some of his bad weight, could truly emerge as a difference maker.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 21 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 21 (1/11/17)

22. Owen Condon

Thoughts: Condon is yet another massive Oklahoma City area offensive tackle that has loads of potential but, like many guys with such big frames, is still growing into his body somewhat. Condon has the length to be a quality offensive lineman but is still working to get his feet to a level that can match his potential.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 22 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 22 (1/11/17)

23. Miguel Fulgencio

Thoughts: Fulgencio is another in a line of players in this class of a very similar make and model. He is a hybrid that could be a safety but could also be an outside linebacker in the right scheme. But again he's a player that has the great frame and the ability to work in space and close in the run game.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 23 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 23 (1/11/17)

24. Ace Vick

Thoughts: Vick is the latest in the line of defensive backs the Bombers have produced over the last decade. He is a player who has spent a lot of time on the track and is still figuring some things out in the finer points of the game. Keep an eye on Vick he could develop considerably over the next year.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 24 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 24 (1/11/17)

25. Israel Antwine

Thoughts: A player that we liked on tape as a sophomore but after seeing him at the Kansas City Rivals Camp no one was quite sure what to make of his game. Then Antwine put together another huge season as a junior and has the look of a player that will garner plenty of attention.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 25 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 25 (1/11/17)

26. Drake Stoops

Thoughts: Stoops is a player that probably should be higher up this list but the chance to see him against more elite competition this spring will have some impact on his ranking. No receiver in the state was more productive than Stoops and the man with the famous last name showed up huge in his team's biggest games.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 26 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 26 (1/11/17)

27. Jordan Kelley

Thoughts: Few defensive linemen in the state in recent years flash as often as Kelley but too often the flashes are met with long silent interims. The big man can be a high-level recruit if he can show that his potential is something that he can consistently reach. Thanks to his frame and natural athletic ability there is plenty of promise for Kelley.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 27 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 27 (1/11/17)

28. Trey Miller

Thoughts: It wasn't Jenks' usual team this year but with returning talent like Miller the Trojans may quickly be back on the path. Miller is a physical linebacker that, and again, we understand the broken record is playing will have to find his role in the college game as he fits several different roles.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 28 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 28 (1/11/17)

29. Doug Collins

Thoughts: The son of former Sooner standout Tink Collins, the younger Collins is a playmaker that had one of the big moments of the 6A-1 playoffs with a huge pick six against Jenks that had the Trojans on the ropes in the second half. Collins, as is becoming a common refrain of this ranking list, is a tweener on defense but with that he blends loads of athleticism with some size.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 29 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 29 (1/11/17)

30. Hunter Anthony

Thoughts: The fourth massive offensive lineman in this breakdown. Anthony showed real growth as a junior as his feet began to look more like a FBS prospect. The immense lineman is likely to slide inside in the college game and if those feet continue to progress could be a mauler as a blocker.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 30 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 30 (1/11/17)

31. Braeden McLaughlin

Thoughts: One of the pleasant surprises of this list, McLaughlin is your prototypical phonebooth blocker that wants to get his hands on a defender and drive them into the ground. McLaughlin could be a very natural pulling guard at the next level thanks to surprising athleticism.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 31 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 31 (1/11/17)

32. Adrian Wilson

Thoughts: As a sophomore Wilson was a favorite to be one of the state's top prospects but his junior season saw him have some issues with drops and as a slot receiver few things could be more concerning. That being said Wilson still is an explosive playmaker with the ball in his hands and if he can answer some of those questions he could fly up the list.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 32 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 32 (1/11/17)

33. Jaycson Bereal

Thoughts: The only player on the list who didn't play any football in 2016. Bereal transferred to Booker T. Washington and had to sit out a year. That said as a sophomore at Holland Hall his amazing frame and surprising speed showed up in a big way on tape. There is some question of whether he'll attempt football in 2017 but if he does schools will take notice.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 33 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 33 (1/11/17)

34. Jason Harris

Thoughts: Harris is a player that SoonerScoop.com wants to watch much more closely this spring. Harris is a standout on tape but as a pure inside linebacker there are going to be questions about his size. If that question is answered he belongs much higher on this list.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 34 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 34 (1/11/17)

35. TK Wilkerson

Thoughts: Wilkerson is a player that has a great frame and the ability to work in space both offensively and defensively. There is some desire to see him in person and see just how good his movement skills are but once those questions can be answered Wilkerson is another player who could climb considerably.

Last Ranking: N/A

Highest: 35 (1/11/17)

Lowest: 35 (1/11/17)