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Published Feb 1, 2017
The Scoopies! 2017 Class Awards
Joe DuVall  •  OUInsider
Staff Writer

Senior class yearbook awards are almost as Americana as a slice of homemade apple pie.

"Most Likely to Succeed" and "Best Hair" share the same page, side-by-side, preparing students for what really matters most in the real world as their career as a high school student comes to an end.

With the Oklahoma football recruiting class of 2017 signing their letters of intent, their career as a prospect has come to an end. SoonerScoop has been there through it all; from Chris Robison's commitment 20 months ago, to Troy James and Ryan Jones's commitment four days ago.

So, we thought there would be no one better to present this group with their own Sooner football class of 2017 awards.

Class President

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Breakdown: There may be no prospect that has ever enjoyed the process of being an Oklahoma commitment and recruiting others to join him more than the state's No. 1 ranked player, Justin Broiles. The affable Rivals250 member has never been shy about his leadership role in this class and his passion for being a Sooner is something that will likely endear him to OU fans for years to come.


Honorable Mention: Robert Barnes

Mr. Out of Nowhere

Breakdown: As signing day approached, many wondered who would fill Oklahoma's final cornerback spot in their class and it was ultimately Fort Smith (Ark.) Northside three-star cornerback Tre Norwood. SoonerScoop.com editor Josh McCuistion hinted about a silent Sooner commit down the stretch that was ultimately discovered to be the 5-foot-11, 168-pound Norwood. How out of nowhere was Norwood? He became the first ever signee in the Bob Stoops era from the state of Arkansas.


Honorable Mention: K'Jakyre Daley

The Game-Changer

Breakdown: Oklahoma's No. 2 ranked total offense, led by Heisman Trophy favorite quarterback Baker Mayfield, will have a large vacuum of production at wide receiver next season with the loss of Biletnikoff Award-Winner Dede Westbrook and reliable third down option Geno Lewis. Look no further than 6-foot-3, 189-pound Richmond (Texas) Foster Rivals100 wide receiver Cedarian Lamb, whose 33 touchdowns in 2016 lifted his team to an undefeated state championship season. Lamb may not only come in and play, he may not only come in and produce, he may have a chance to be the most explosive true freshman wide receiver OU has seen to date.


Honorable Mention: Marquise Brown

Schmitty's Pet

Breakdown: This award goes to whichever hulking figure is most likely to come in and impress longtime Oklahoma strength and conditioning coach Jerry "Schmitty" Schmidt in the weight room. The very first time I laid eyes on Humphrey, underclassmen were fighting each other in line at a camp to make sure they didn't have to be the one to face the intimidating Humphrey. Unlike many young guys who understandably can go through awkward phases as they grow into their frame, Humphrey is already nearly 300 pounds of solid mass, with plenty of room left to go. This is almost cheating, because word has already started to leak out that the former Shawnee Wolf, who is already on campus, has been impressing those in the program with his strength.


Honorable Mention: Troy James

Most Likely to Surprise 

Breakdown: This oxymoronic award is given to whichever player may have flown under the radar during the recruiting season, but has the potential to impress once he sees the field. Charlotte (N.C.) Vance tight end Jeremiah Hall will likely need one season of patience behind senior h-back Dimitri Flowers before filling his role, a role that Flowers has proven to be a vital one in Lincoln Riley's offense.


Honorable Mention: Kenneth Murray

Mr. Congeniality

Breakdown: While the public spotlight took some adjusting to, Robison transformed into a comfortable presence around recruits, commitments, and media while never losing his strong, confident personality. The Mesquite (Texas) Horn Rivals100 quarterback seized a role many coaches hope for their class's signal-caller and became a representative for the program after becoming its first pledge. Whether in the confines of Norman, the heat of Texas, or a Rivals camp in Atlanta, Robison was a friend to all not named Tate Martell.


Honorable Mention: Justin Broiles

The Waffler

Breakdown: Every year there are commitments who have their eyes wander to other programs that haven't given up the fight, much like Oklahoma themselves continues to pursue commitments to other schools. It's not really indicative of future success or love of alma mater. Just watch the NCAA's all-time receiving leader and multiple-time Oklahoma State commitment Ryan Broyles on television for SoonerSportsTV should be a reminder that being unsure down the stretch of your recruitment has no bearing on what will happen next. With that in mind, this year it can go to none other than Tulsa (Okla.) Union four-star cornerback Tre Brown, who teased Sooner fans with a possible flip to the University of Florida after a visit at the final hour before being the 27th and last signee of the class to send in his letter of intent.

Honorable Mention: Charleston Rambo

Mr. Reliable

Breakdown: It's hard to imagine now that there once concerns on Oklahoma's end about Draper's interest in leaving the state for other early big-time offers like Alabama, Clemson, and Florida State. However, the Collinsville Rivals250 linebacker has never wavered since his commitment to the Sooners back in December of 2015. It's a good thing, too, since the Sooners also missed out on Jacob Phillips and Tyler Taylor, Draper becomes vital to Oklahoma's long-term plans at inside linebacker.


Honorable Mention: Tyrese Robinson