Sooners Mining for Talent

Oklahoma often recruits Kansas, visits Iowa on occasion and of course the lifeblood of the program largely comes from it's own state and Texas. One Big 12 home base that they've not regularly gone into?

West Virginia.

Last week they went on an abnormal path by offering Fairmont (W. Va.) Fairmont Senior Rivals250 defensive end Dante Stills. The 6-foot-4, 265-pound standout is currently ranked as the Mountain State's top prospect and recently caught the eye of defensive line coach Calvin Thibodeaux.

"He is fun to talk to and I'm excited to get to know him. He is a good coach also," Stills said. "They loved my film so he told me to give him a call and offered me and they really want me to come for a visit soon during the spring."

So with the Sooners not having much of a presence in West Virginia is it possible they can get the nation's No. 8 defensive end to Norman for a visit?

"Yes, (I plan to take) a visit," he said.

And though the Sooners may not know all of the country roads of West Virginia that hasn't stopped Stills from following Oklahoma's successes in recent years.

"They had a great season last year, finished I think No. 3 and they are in the Big 12, a great conference," he said.

Currently Stills is busy trying to lead his team to a third state title game appearance in as many years and says that his team's current 18-3 record and attempt for back-to-back state titles has made it difficult to schedule visits to his numerous suitors.

"It's just hard scheduling visit since basketball is right now," he said. "We're going to have another shot at winning state again."

But when his season does come to an end and he begins to make his trips what will he be looking for?

"The coaching staff, seeing if I get along with them and the atmosphere. Also, to see if I can go to college and actually like the town or city and the style of play."

Stills is the younger brother of 2017 West Virginia signee Darius Stills.