Okie Round-Up

For those of you interested in Oklahoma kids, this is my Okie Round-Up where I highlight Oklahoma high school players that are showing out on Fridays and have the chance to make a name for themselves on Saturdays!

Let’s start with the 2015 class in the state.

2015

McKinley Whitfield (Athlete from Spiro)- this past week one of our favorite players, McKinley Whitfield, committed to Tulsa. He picked Tulsa over schools like Minnesota, Houston and Purdue. It’ll be interesting to see if this sticks because we’ve been hearing that some Big 12 schools along with Indiana, Tennessee, and Louisville are very interested.

Demikal Harrison (Defensive Tackle from MWC) – Harrison is a big, strong player that has picked up a couple offers (South Dakota and Emporia State. His recruitment is picking up. He’s been hearing from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Kansas State. As other plays start to commit, it’ll be interesting to see if some of the other regional schools come in on Harrison. A lesser known high school big man from Oklahoma, Davion Pierson, is making a name for himself at TCU.

William Collins (Quarterback from Lawton Macarthur) – This guy is interesting to me. Committed to the University of Louisiana-Monroe, but his recruitment is starting to heat up. He has stayed in contact with Heupel at OU. University of Ohio, New Mexico, Oklahoma State and Auburn are in contact with him. He is waiting on ACT scores to come back right now.

Jace Sternberger (Tight End/Defensive End from Kingfisher) – Oklahoma State came by and visited this freakish athlete recently. He’ll be traveling to Oklahoma State this weekend for a visit and he’ll take a trip to Manhattan to visit Kansas State on November 29th. Has offers from Texas State, New Mexico, Sam Houston and South Dakota. Stays in contact with Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Iowa State and Memphis. 

Marquiz Simpkins (Running Back from Clinton)- Another interesting prospect. He’s an all-purpose back that is under the radar, in my opinion.  Coach Gundy from Oklahoma continues to stay in touch with him and Simpkins attends every OU home game. Southern Mississippi is showing really strong interest, as well.

 

2016

Terry Wilson (Quarterback from Del City) – Guy is immensely talented. Raw. Has a strong arm. High upside. He’s hearing from just about everyone. You all should expect his recruitment to take off after 2015 signing day is over. OU, OSU, Baylor, Kansas State, BYU, TCU, Tulsa and Arkansas State are all in contact with Wilson. He is taking an unofficial to Tulsa on December 12th. I expect him to be offered then. 

Darran Williams (Running Back from Edmond Santa Fe) – You all need to see his film. It’s very, very impressive. His stats on the year are as well. He had 1902 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns in his junior year. He’s hearing from Utah, Northwestern, Tulsa, OSU, Indiana and UNT.

Rowdy Frederick (Offensive Lineman from Broken Arrow) – Another guy that is guaranteed to be a top prospect in the state. He is talented. Shows good feet in his pass blocking and is powerful in his run blocking. He has been to numerous OU and OSU games. OU, OSU and Houston are the main schools in contact with him. Oh, and if his hairdo doesn’t just look like a lineman…well, he plays just as good as it looks. Like a bad, bad man on the field. 

Calvin Bundage (Safety from Edmond Santa Fe) – This guy has burst onto the scene this year. He has the frame to be a linebacker, but his speed and versatility make him a potential safety prospect. He was just offered by Tulsa this past week. He’s in contact with OU, OSU, Arizona and TCU. Bundage is being trained by TFB friend and DB Guru Clay Mack. Mack trained LSU safety, Jamal Adams, Texas safety, Jason Hall and many others so the skill training he will receive from Mack coupled with his raw natural ability should make for a serious in-state prospect. Don’t be surprised if he ends up with an OU offer at some point. 

Tyler Banta (Offensive Lineman/Defensive Lineman from Carl Alber) – Raw. Raw, but very strong. He has a high motor. Plays to the whistle. He hasn’t filled out to his frame. But has high ceiling. He is currently in contact with OU, OSU, Kansas State and TCU. 

Chandler Garrett (Quarterback from Mustang)- Okay. He reminds me somewhat of OU quarterback, Cody Thomas. Mobile. Not just a runner. Kid can throw. He’s accurate and he’s a gamer. He’s hearing from OU, OSU, Tulsa, TCU, Notre Dame and Wyoming. He just got back from the TCU vs. Kansas State game.

Quan Hogan (Running Back from Norman North)- This kid is the epitome of versatile, in the terms of a running back. He can line up in the slot. Great hands out of the backfield and speed and agility to blow by you. He’s in contact with OU, OSU, Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Arkansas, Arizona State, Kansas State and Auburn. 

Tariq Bitson (Wide Receiver from Booker T Washington)- He’s fast. Great hands. Should be interesting to see where his recruitment goes, because he’s a talent. There’s no doubt about that. He’s in contact with Stanford, Mizzou, Nebraska, OSU, OU, Nebraska, Arizona State and Tulsa. 

That’s just a sample of the players I know are getting looks right now in 2016 class. That’s, obviously, going to grow. Now, in 2017, there’s several guys getting looks,but one guy, in particular that is starting to make a BIG name for himself.

Quindon Lewis (Athlete from Southmoore)- Kid is a ballhawk on defense and looks good on the offensive side of the ball as well. He’s a gamer. Makes big plays in big moments. Only a Sophomore and he’s already receiving serious interest from TCU, Nebraska, Miami and Notre dame.

Same team. Familiar name. Yes, there’s another Thompson coming up. This time, Casey Thompson, and  yes, he’s a quarterback in the class of 2018.

Casey Thompson (Quarterback from Southmoore) – Look. They are a talented family. This Thompson might surpass, both, dad and older brother, Kendall (former OU QB and current Utah QB). He’s off to a ridiculous start as freshman. During a make or break game last week vs Norman North, he led Southmoore to victory in overtime. He’s fast, good arm and just makes plays at the highest level in Oklahoma. Again… FRESHMAN! Already in contact with OU, Florida State, Nebraska and TCU.

I’d like to make a note that if you’re a high school football player in the state in of Oklahoma and you’re getting interest from universities please contact me on twitter @thedraketfb. Would love to hear from you all and help get your name out.

36 Comments

  • Chris White says:

    Connor McGinnis QB of District Champs Heritage Hall high school just beat Kingfisher to put Heritage in first place for playoffs, and got the necessary ACT scores to commit to Yale for Football

  • Stephen Dale says:

    Not any special LB/ DB mentioned.

    • There’s several DB’s mentioned.

      • SoonerBred says:

        Brandon, what’s your take and the OU coaches on a kid from Guthrie named L’liott Curry? I’ve been watching him since he was maybe still a sleeper, but seeing him play both basketball and football he sure seems special. He may be a DB/WR as far as football, but he seems very quick. Is he thinking about BB or football at the next level?

  • F1at1ined says:

    Very interested to see how Calvin Bundage develops under that tutilage. Great round up. Sounds like some interesting prospects that could really make some noise on the recruiting trail.

    • Super K says:

      Mack says he feels confident he can make him a good cover safety to compliment his physicality in the run game. Everyone sees what Mack did with Jamal Adams and Jason Hall. So glad he’s finally starting to work with some of the Oklahoma kids.

  • Zack says:

    2 names stick out, Williams who yes everyone needs to watch his film very finch like. And 2 Casey Thompson who I’m sure would love to go to ou but I think he will end up elsewhere and he looks like he’s already as big as kendall.

    • I agree. This 2016 class is deep. Anxious to see who’s nanes pop up for 2017 and 2018 classes.

      • Let me add that I’m a firm believer in all those kids. All will succeed if put in the right scheme and situation.

      • Coach K says:

        Tre Brown is a name everyone should know in the class of 2017. Might be the best overall athlete in that grade.

        Ran a sub 11 sec 100m FAT last spring. Vertical of 34 inches as an 8th grader.

        He is a CB that they put at WR when they need to score.

        • I will keep that in mind. Definitely will start to follow him and his career!

        • Went and watched some of his film. Definitely think he fits into an OU type of scheme, defensively. Guy reads and pursues well. He has good speed and tackles well in open field. Kind of plays with a chip on his shoulder, too. I love how he comes out of his break. One thing I saw is how bent over at the waist he is in his stance. Easily corrected. All in all, Tre will play on Saturdays in my opinion.

          • Coach K says:

            Oh, OU already knows about him and numerous other schools are already sending information. He has more speed and quickness than Dominique Franks did at the same time. He has good hips and good enough speed.

            His running form still needs some work so I am sure he bends at the waste too much.

            He will be a D1 player and could very easily be a high major player. Especially if he gets to be 6’0, he is probably 5’10 now.

        • Where do you coach and are you on Twitter?

  • MrBigsby says:

    How about the TE out of Roland? Pretty sure he’s an Arkansas lock, but you never know.

    • He’s solid to the hogs. Kid is a small town guy. Arkansas, to me, seems like it fits him better. Just my opinion.

      • Stephen Dale says:

        Don’t think OU offered him earlier in the recruiting season and when the Sooners struck out on some others, Cantrell politely told them no. Shortly thereafter, they offered the QB/TE from McAlester…if I remember correctly.

      • red clay says:

        Don’t understand. Norman is not small town? Is he more Dixieland-southern than he is western-prairie southwestern? Does that question make any sense? Maybe its no use trying to make sense of recruiting.

        • Norman is in a metro that nearly has 1.4-1.5 million people. That’s more than triple what’s in NW Arkansas region.

          • red clay says:

            I can kind of comprehend. Individual perspective. I’ve been to Fayetteville, it is a likeable area. If a person is outdoorsy, there is a lot of outdoors to like.
            I now live in Houston. When I go back to Norman or OKC, it feels like a sprawling small town to me now. When I’m stuck in Houston traffic, I’d sure like to be back in OKC area. But, lots of work in Houston. What do they say about where the grass is greener?

        • Stephen Dale says:

          Red…….i believe Cantrell was expecting an OU offer , got crossways with the Sooner staff when no offer came, and committed to Arky when that offer came through. It would have been interesting had OU offered early . Believe he would be a Sooner had it happened.

      • JT says:

        “Dear Okie, if you see Arkie, tell ‘im Tex…”

        …-as still sucks.

  • JT says:

    Would love to see a roster full of Okies.

  • ty says:

    Hear anything about the sophomore corner out of union getting attention?…tre brown I believe. Looks pretty good for a sophomore.

    • Coach K says:

      Best CB athletically to come out of Union and that includes Dominique Franks.

      Good speed with great hips.

  • Wand777 says:

    Brent Girdner from Stilwell, class of 2016. Plays LT at 6-4 330, projects to a OG at the next level. Medal winner in both disc and shot as a Fresh and Soph. Really good kid as well.

  • Stephen W Hembree says:

    wonder how firm Whitfield is ? Wonder if he gets a late offer from the Sooners

  • Stephen W Hembree says:

    thought there was a linebacker from Carl Albert that OU might have some interest in

  • ouguy777 says:

    Do you guys ever hear anything about small town kids? I am an assistant coach at a small school (we’re terrible) but I’ve wondered if some of the kids we’ve played against have heard anything from the college level. I’m talking about schools like Thomas etc.

  • Ricky Tilley says:

    Anyone seen the kid Robert Thomas from union? He broke the reception record last night and the single game record first game of the year at Texas stadium against Southlake