Oklahoma Football Recruiting: Grading the Sooners 2018 class
To get one step closer to the National Championship, the Oklahoma football program will look to add more pieces on National Signing Day.
It was almost a title-winning season for the Oklahoma program. The opportunity sat in front of them, but blowing the lead to Georgia in the College Football Playoff cost them the chance to face Alabama.
One month later, the Sooners program must move on. This starts with National Signing Day, which allows the coaching staff to focus on the players it will acquire for the 2018 season and beyond. These athletes can be the difference-makers toward a potential 2019 National Championship, even without quarterback Baker Mayfield in the fold.
According to 247Sports.com, entering National Signing Day, Oklahoma has the No. 7 recruiting class in the nation. Who’s part of this group? Let’s take a look:
Offensive tackle Brey Walker leads this class. He’s a five-star recruit from Oklahoma City, OK, and should find a spot on the offensive line soon, protecting the future quarterback in Norman. He may take outgoing left tackle Orlando Brown’s spot.
Behind Walker, there are multiple four-star players on the defensive line that will join Oklahoma. The program swiped Ron Tatum from the Texas Longhorns, who he originally committed to. Tatum will be joined by Ronnie Perkins and Jalen Redmond, all of whom should make an impact on the defensive front.
Other offensive linemen joined OU, too, including Tramonda Moore and Darrell Simpson. Both are considered offensive tackles, however, and may need to change positions to receive a better chance at playing time. That’s potentially at center, with senior Erik Wren on his way out.
Oklahoma may have caught most of its big recruits, but more damage can be done on National Signing Day. It made an offer to uncommitted offensive tackle Nicholas Pierre-Frere, so could he be a late addition? If not him, multiple three-star players that received offers remain available.
So far, so good for head coach Lincoln Riley. However, there’s still work to be done for this group to be the best class from the Big 12.
Next: National Signing Day predictions for top 25 uncommitted recruits
Grade: A