Oklahoma Sooners Football Recruiting: Updates on 2014 Commits and Targets

After capping off an up-and-down season with an impressive Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama, the Oklahoma Sooners will look to continue their success on the recruiting trail.

Since that victory, Oklahoma has added commitments from 5-star all-purpose running back Joe Mixon, as well as 3-star offensive guards Natrell Curtis and Joseph Paul. The three additions have boosted the team up to the No. 18 overall recruiting class for 2014 as of the original publishing date (Jan. 17). 

But with a couple weeks still remaining before national signing day on Feb. 5, the Sooners have the chance to increase that ranking even more.

Here’s everything you need to know about Oklahoma’s 2014 recruiting class.

Author's Note: All information regarding commits, targets, rankings and grades are courtesy of 247sports.com

Latest News

Brett Deering/Getty Images

Flipping Clark would be huge for the Sooners.

Jan. 21, 2:23 p.m. ET

3-star DB Kendall Randolph had flirted on Twitter about committing to Oklahoma in the past week. But on Tuesday, he announced via his Twitter page that the Sooners were no longer in play. 

Kentucky has been a name that has been connected with Randolph a lot lately. 


Jan. 20, 1:01 a.m. ET

According to 247Sports' Jason Jewell, 3-star linebacker and Oklahoma target Ismael Murphy-Richardson has committed to Arizona State.

Other than the Sooners and Sun Devils, Murphy-Richardson also had offers from USC, Texas A&M, Arizona, Florida, Nebraska, Michigan and Washington.

In better news, The Oklahoman's Jason Kersey reports that Oklahoma has gotten 3-star safety Jordan Thomas to flip his commitment from Northwestern. 

Stay tuned. This could be the first of a lot of good news for the Sooners following a big recruiting weekend. 

Jan. 17, 2:37 p.m. ET 

The Sooners are prepping for a big recruiting weekend in Norman over the next couple of days.

Among the recruits expected to make an official visit are Steven Parker, Deondre Clark, Curtis Bolton, Jonathan Alvarez, Joseph Paul, Courtney Garnett, Jeffery Mead, Jordan Thomas and Carson Meier, via 247Sports' James Hale (subscription required). The notable names are Parker and Clark, who are both 4-stars.

Oklahoma will have an opportunity to flip Clark, who had originally committed to LSU last June.

Stay tuned for updates after what should be an exciting weekend for head coach Bob Stoops and his staff.

Quarterbacks

TARGETS

• n/a

COMMITTED

• Justice Hansen (DUAL) – 4-star – 93.19 – 6’3” – 212 lbs.

ANALYSIS

Thus far, Justice Hansen is the lone prospect at quarterback for the Sooners’ 2014 recruiting class. And with Trevor Knight, Blake Bell, Kendal Thompson and Cody Thomas all on the depth chart, expect it to stay that away.

Still, throwing the 247sports composite No. 151 overall prospect and No. 4-ranked dual quarterback into the mix couldn’t hurt.

Hansen still has to work on his delivery, and his arm strength is solid at best. But the Edmond, Okla., native definitely makes up for that with his feet, boasting a 4.53 40 time.

If things go south with Knight, don’t be surprised to see Hansen in contention for playing time.

Running Backs

TARGETS

• n/a

COMMITTED

• Joe Mixon (APB) – 5-star – 98.97 – 6’2” – 195 lbs.
• Samaje Perine – 4-star – 90.33 – 5’11” – 233 lbs.
• Dimitri Flowers (ATH) – 3-star – 83.21 – 6’2” – 215 lbs.

ANALYSIS

The Sooners hit it out of the park by snagging the commitment of No. 20-ranked overall prospect Joe Mixon.

An all-purpose back who can catch as well as he can run, expect Mixon to make an immediate impact for Oklahoma next season. Already the Oakley, Calif., native is drawing comparisons to DeMarco Murray.

Other acquisitions at the position include 4-star Samaje Perine and 3-star athlete Dimitri Flowers.

Perine has the build at 233 pounds to be a bruiser and is a good switch up from Mixon. On the other hand, Flowers’ versatility has coaches hoping they can utilize him in a similar role as the graduating Trey Millard.

These guys should step in around soon-to-be sophomore Keith Ford and help the Sooners rebuild their backfield. 

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

TARGETS

• Michiah Quick (ATH) – 4-star – 96.99 – 6’0” – 170 lbs.

COMMITTED

• Mark Andrews – 4-star – 94.76 – 6’6” – 230 lbs.
• Dallis Todd (WR) – 4-star – 91.27 – 6’5” – 210 lbs.
• Jeffery Mead (WR) – 4-star – 89.06 – 6’5” – 170 lbs.
• Carson Meier (TE) – 3-star – 85.17 – 6’6” – 220 lbs.
• Isaac Ijalana (JUCO/TE) - 3-star - 83.63 - 6'5" - 235 lbs.

ANALYSIS

After losing three of their top four leaders in receiving—including Jalen Saunders—the Sooners knew they had to rebuild at wide receiver.

Thus far, the team has done a fantastic job on the recruiting trial.

Already, Oklahoma has the commitment of three 4-star receivers in Mark Andrews, Dallis Todd and Jeffery Mead. Furthermore, all three of those guys are 6’5” or taller.

In comparison, Lacoltan Bester was the tallest among the receivers who got frequent playing time at 6’3”.

As of now, the incoming receiving corps is good. Adding highly touted 4-star athlete Michiah Quick would be the icing on the cake.

Offensive Line

247sports

Curtis (center) was a nice addition for the Sooners.

TARGETS

• Damian Prince (OT) – 5-star – 98.68 – 6’5” – 295 lbs.
• Braden Smith (OG) – 4-star – 96.77 – 6’6” – 290 lbs.
• Roderick Johnson (OT) – 4-star – 94.17 – 6’6” – 315 lbs.

COMMITTED

• Natrell Curtis (OG) – 3-star – 88.88 – 6’3” – 335 lbs.
• Alex Dalton (OT) – 3-star – 87.70 – 6’4” – 280 lbs.
• Joseph Paul (OG) 3-star – 86.25 – 6’4” – 335 lbs.
• Jonathan Alvarez (OG) – 2-star – 77.85 – 6’3” – 301 lbs.

ANALYSIS

Graduation wasn’t kind to the Sooners in terms of their offensive line. Both All-American center Gabe Ikard and guard Bronson Irwin will be graduating.

As a result, head coach Bob Stoops and his coaching staff have made it a point to target offensive lineman for the 2014 recruiting class.

Oklahoma believes they found a diamond in the rough with the acquisition of 2-star guard Jonathan Alvarez. After playing mostly as a tackle, the Mesquite, Texas, native switched to center and guard in 2013 and thrived.

With three guards already committed, you can tell that the Sooners see the position as important.

Don’t expect the team to be finished at this position yet.

Defensive Line

TARGETS

• Solomon Thomas (SDE) – 5-star – 98.87 – 6’2” – 258 lbs.
• Andrew Williams (WDE) – 4-star – 90.76 – 6’4” – 247 lbs.
• DJ Williams (DT) – 3-star – 85.60 – 6’4” – 275 lbs.
• Cedric Johnson (DT) – 3-star – 85.22 – 6’1” – 298 lbs.
• Courtney Garnett (DT) – 3-star – 85.10 – 6’2” – 280 lbs.

COMMITTED

• Brandon Glenn (SDE) – 3-star – 82.36 – 6’4” – 254 lbs.
• Dwayne Orso (WDE) – 3-star – 80.93 – 6’5” – 255 lbs.

ANALYSIS

The Sooners have yet to make much progress on the defensive line. However, with the team returning its entire front seven in 2014—led by junior Geneo Grissom and sophomore Charles Tapper—the need isn’t necessarily that high.

Still, Oklahoma would like to get some more depth at the position.

The additions of Brandon Glenn and Dwayne Orso are solid. But if the team can follow that up by bringing in two or three of their targets, the Sooners will be in good shape.

Not to mention, as mentioned early, the team looks to have 4-star strong-side defensive end Deondre Clark thinking about flipping his commitment from LSU. 

Linebackers

TARGETS

• Jonathan Thomas (OLB) – 3-star – 85.96 – 6’3” – 210 lbs.
• Vincent Jackson (OLB) – 3-star – 85.72 – 6’2” – 235 lbs.

COMMITTED

• Curtis Bolton (OLB) – 3-star – 86.50 – 6’2” – 215 lbs.
• Tay Evans (OLB) – 3-star – 85.04 – 6’3” – 200 lbs.
• Devante Bond (JUCO/OLB) – 3-star – 84.03 – 6’3” – 230 lbs.

ANALYSIS

There’s a good chance the Sooners will possess one of the best linebacker corps in the nation, returning sophomore Frank Shannon, freshman Dominique Alexander and sophomore Eric Striker.

That unit should only get better with the addition of 3-star’s Curtis Bolton, Tay Evans and Devante Bond. Bond is a JUCO transfer.

As it is, Oklahoma has done a pretty solid job at the position. However, the team still has its eyes on a couple more targets.

All in all, expect the Sooners to try to build the depth that made them one of the nation’s most fierce defenses in the early 2000s.

Defensive Backs

TARGETS

• Adoree’ Jackson (CB) – 5-star – 99.59 – 5’10” – 182 lbs.
• Steven Parker (S) – 4-star – 94.72 – 6’2” – 188 lbs

COMMITTED

• Marcus Green (CB) – 3-star – 85.85 – 6’1” – 178 lbs.
• Tito Windham (CB) – 3-star – 85.74 – 5’10” – 175 lbs.
• Vontre McQuinnie (S) – 3-star – 85.54 – 6’2” – 190 lbs.

ANALYSIS

With cornerback Aaron Colvin and free safety Gabe Lynn graduating, the Sooners secondary is set to take a hit.

Although freshman Zack Sanchez seemed to step up late in the season, the depth is still lacking at the position.

Thus far, Oklahoma has done a solid job addressing the issue, bringing in a trio of 3-star prospects. Out of those players, cornerback Tito Windham—backed by a 4.32 40 time—has the potential to make a difference.

If the Sooners could snag 4-star safety Steven Parker, the team might not have to worry about taking too much of a step back in this department next season.

Special Teams

Brett Deering/Getty Images

Sooners fans are optimistic for 2014.

TARGETS

• n/a

COMMITTED

• n/a

ANALYSIS

With both punter Jed Barnett and kicker Michael Hunnicutt back next season, there was no immediate need for special teams help this offseason. Both have played exceptionally well, and their starting jobs are as secure as can be.

All stats and rankings used in this article are courtesy of CFBstats.com.

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