Oklahoma Football Recruiting: Meet the Sooners' 2014 Class
The Oklahoma Sooners football program has a lot of reasons to be proud about their 2014 class.
Following a late surge—the team went 5-of-5 on its late signing-day targets—Oklahoma closes out with a total of 26 commitments. The class ranks No. 14 in the nation and No. 1 in the Big 12, via 247Sports’ football-recruiting team rankings.
Other than the usual hotbeds of Oklahoma and Texas, this year’s class includes players from California, Arizona, Louisiana, Florida and Alabama.
Join B/R as we take a closer look at each of the Sooners' newest recruits.
Jonathan Alvarez
1 of 26
Height/Weight: 6’3”, 301 lbs
Position/Ranking: 2-star OG, not ranked
High School: Horn (Mesquite, Texas)
Senior-Year Stats: N/A
Other Finalists: Houston, Louisiana-Monroe, New Mexico State
Commit Date: 9/10/2013
Analysis
It was a surprise when the Sooners reached out to offer Jonathan Alvarez. However, the coaches seemed to like what they saw from the 6’3”, 301-pounder.
Although he should be an interior lineman with Oklahoma, his versatility is a quality that made Alvarez stand out. He has playing experience at tackle, guard and center.
The Sooners expect good things from Alvarez throughout his career in Norman.
Dwayne Orso
2 of 26
Height/Weight: 6’5”, 255 lbs
Position/Ranking: 3-star WSDE, No. 1,674 overall
High School: Homewood (Birmingham, Ala.)
Senior-Year Stats: 45 TCK (9.5 TFL)
Other Finalists: Western Kentucky
Commit Date: 11/17/2013
Analysis
The Sooners are certainly proud about scooping Dwayne Orso right out of SEC country.
At 6’5” and 255 pounds, Orso has the frame and size to succeed at the next level. Although his first step and speed need some work, the Birmingham, Ala., native has solid hand quickness and is great at the point of attack.
With some conditioning, Orso can grow into a very good end for Oklahoma.
Dimitri Flowers
3 of 26
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 215 lbs
Position/Ranking: 3-star ATH/TE, not ranked
High School: Churchill (San Antonio, Texas)
Senior-Year Stats: 80 CAR, 439 YDS, 6 TD; 56 REC, 1,076 YDS, 16 TD
Other Finalists: Boise State (flipped)
Commit Date: 11/6/2013 (early enrollee)
Analysis
Dimitri Flowers did a little of everything in high school.
He played Wildcat quarterback for Churchill, along with running and catching the ball. The versatility Flowers brings to the table has the Sooners coaching staff reminded of Trey Millard.
Look for the team to also bulk him up and rely on his blocking at the fullback position as well.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Isaac Ijalana
4 of 26
Height/Weight: 6’5”, 235 lbs
Position/Ranking: 3-star JUCO TE, No. 133 overall
College: Los Angeles Pierce College (Woodland Hills, Calif.)
2013 Stats: 8 REC, 80 YDS (five games)
Other Finalists: Purdue, Utah State
Commit Date: 12/15/2013 (early enrollee)
Analysis
Isaac Ijalana is another one of those players who could surprise some people in the fall.
A junior-college transfer, his work ethic and pedigree—he has a brother who plays for the New York Jets—won him over with the Sooners coaching staff. Ijalana will be expected to compete at the tight end position.
In an area that Oklahoma has zero depth, the Woodland Hills, Calif., native has the same opportunity everyone else will to step in and start.
Devante Bond
5 of 26
Height/Weight: 6’3”, 230 lbs
Position/Ranking: 3-star JUCO OLB, No. 122 overall
College: Sierra College (Rocklin, Calif.)
2013 Stats: 77 TCK (27.0 TFL), 17.0 SCK, 3 FR
Other Finalists: Nebraska
Commit Date: 11/18/2013 (early enrollee)
Analysis
With Devante Bond, the Sooners are getting a physical linebacker who likes to hit.
Bond has the drive and determination to become a disruptive force in the backfield while also being athletic enough to drop into space. He has great explosiveness, and his strength is rushing the passer.
Expect Bond to only increase the depth of a great group of linebackers at Oklahoma.
Joseph Paul
6 of 26
Height/Weight: 6’4”, 335 lbs
Position/Ranking: 3-star OG, No. 942 overall
High School: St. Augustine (New Orleans)
Senior-Year Stats: N/A
Other Finalists: Florida (flipped)
Commit Date: 1/8/2014
Analysis
Although Joseph Paul is just a 3-star, he was coveted by teams such as Florida State, Texas and Texas A&M.
Paul’s size and power made him a priority for the Sooners coaching staff. The drive and talent are there, as he didn’t allow a single sack last season while leading St. Augustine High to the state championship.
In an attempt to rebuild depth on the offensive line, Oklahoma got a good one here.
Tay Evans
7 of 26
Height/Weight: 6’3”, 200 lbs
Position/Ranking: 3-star OLB, No. 786 overall
High School: Allen (Allen, Texas)
Senior-Year Stats: 78 TCK (13 TFL), 7.0 SCK, 5 FF
Other Finalists: Stanford, Baylor
Commit Date: 7/2/2013
Analysis
The son of former Sooners basketball player Bobby Evans, Tay Evans is a player the team can’t wait to see on the field.
The Allen, Texas, native played an integral part on defense, leading his school to the state championship last year. Evan’s versatility to play both inside and outside linebacker is an added bonus.
This is a guy who will bring the "winner mentality" to a unit that should be very formidable in 2014.
Courtney Garnett
8 of 26
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 280 lbs
Position/Ranking: 3-star DT, No. 772 overall
High School: St. Augustine (New Orleans)
Senior-Year Stats: N/A
Other Finalists: Notre Dame, Texas (flipped), Texas A&M
Commit Date: 1/30/2014
Analysis
The Sooners sweated over Courtney Garnett's decision until the last second.
In the end, it was worth it as the team is set to welcome a very fundamentally sound defensive tackle into the class—one who can beat you with his speed and athleticism.
It is a scary thought to think about what Garnett will evolve into after coming out of Oklahoma’s strength and conditioning program.
Carson Meier
9 of 26
Height/Weight: 6’6”, 220 lbs
Position/Ranking: 3-star TE, No. 759 overall
High School: Union (Tulsa, Okla.)
Senior-Year Stats: 33 REC, 433 YDS, 3 TD
Other Finalists: Wisconsin, Duke
Commit Date: 5/22/2013
Analysis
Carson Meier is a guy who is pretty underrated.
At 6’6” and 220 pounds, he has the size and athleticism that makes him a prototypical tight end. That’s something Meier puts into good use, as he has the ability to go up and grab the ball over the middle.
There’s a good chance that he could be the Sooners’ steal of this class.
Vontre McQuinnie
10 of 26
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 190 lbs
Position/Ranking: 3-star S, No. 688 overall
High School: DeSoto (DeSoto, Texas)
Senior-Year Stats: N/A
Other Finalists: Iowa, SMU
Commit Date: 2/2/2013
Analysis
Vontre McQuinnie was the first commit of the Sooners' class of 2014 and for good reason.
At 6’2” and 190 pounds, he should bring a physicality to the defense next season. McQuinnie is a strong-safety type and should create havoc in the lower box.
With practice and experience, don’t be surprised if he grows into a key playmaker for the Oklahoma defense.
Tito Windham
11 of 26
Height/Weight: 5’10”, 175 lbs
Position/Ranking: 3-star CB, No. 659 overall
High School: Harrison Central (Gulfport, Miss.)
Senior-Year Stats: N/A
Other Finalists: Florida State, Southern Miss
Commit Date: 5/17/2013
Analysis
Tito Windham is another one of those players who is very underrated.
He’s a very great tackler, with explosiveness and quickness. In fact, Windham could very well be one of the fastest guys in the country, clocking in with a 40 time of 4.32. Look for Windham to also contribute on special teams as a returner.
All in all, he’s a very good pickup by the Sooners.
Marcus Green
12 of 26
Height/Weight: 6’0”, 178 lbs
Position/Ranking: 3-star CB, No. 636 overall
High School: Cedar Hill (Cedar Hill, Texas)
Senior-Year Stats: 53 TCK, 1 INT, 15 PD
Other Finalists: TCU, Ole Miss
Commit Date: 5/12/2013
Analysis
Marcus Green is the type of player with the versatility to play any position in the secondary.
A Semper Fi All-American, Green has the speed and quickness to close in on receivers. Look for him to pack on a little more weight during the offseason and improve on his physicality.
Green is certainly a guy to keep a close eye on.
Curtis Bolton
13 of 26
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 215 lbs
Position/Ranking: 3-star OLB, No. 538 overall
High School: Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, Calif.)
Senior-Year Stats: 109 TCK, 13.0 SCK, 2 FF
Other Finalists: Arizona
Commit Date: 8/23/2013
Analysis
Curtis Bolton is a player who will draw comparisons to current Sooners playmaker Eric Striker.
The Murrieta, Calif., native possesses the athleticism and instincts to become an integral part of the pass rush. He also has the versatility to play both on and off the line of scrimmage.
With a great first step, look for Bolton to make a charge for significant playing time as a freshman.
Orlando Brown
14 of 26
Height/Weight: 6’8”, 338 pounds
Position/Ranking: 3-star OT, No. 448 overall
High School: Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee, Ga.)
Senior-Year Stats: N/A
Other Finalists: Tennessee (flipped)
Commit Date: 2/5/2014
Analysis
Flipping Orlando Brown from Tennessee was a late signing-day surprise for the Sooners.
The Suwanee, Ga., native is still raw in terms of pass blocking and run blocking. However, his size and frame scream potential, and that has the Oklahoma coaching staff salivating.
Brown may not make an immediate push for playing time, but he is certainly someone whom the staff will look to develop into a key piece on the offensive line.
Jordan Thomas
15 of 26
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 175 lbs
Position/Ranking: 3-star S/WR, No. 478 overall
High School: Klein Collins (Spring, Texas)
Senior-Year Stats: 140 CAR, 610 YDS; 27 REC 444 YDS; 1 INT
Other Finalists: Northwestern (flipped)
Commit Date: 1/19/2014
Analysis
Flipping Jordan Thomas from Northwestern was huge for the Sooners.
Now, the team brings in a guy who contributed on both sides of the ball in high school. Thomas possesses great ball skills, which makes him a threat when the ball is thrown in his vicinity.
Throw in his speed and height and the Spring, Texas, native will be able to handle any and all wide receivers.
Alex Dalton
16 of 26
Height/Weight: 6’4”, 280 lbs
Position/Ranking: 3-star OT, No. 407 overall
High School: Troy (Troy, Ohio)
Senior-Year Stats: N/A
Other Finalists: Stanford, Indiana
Commit Date: 5/17/2013
Analysis
The Sooners coaching staff went deep into Big Ten country to pick up Alex Dalton.
A smart and athletic lineman, Dalton uses his leverage and balance well. These qualities, along with his relentlessness, helped him earn first-team All-Conference and All-Ohio honors.
Oklahoma will expect Dalton to compete immediately as an interior lineman.
Kenyon Frison
17 of 26
Height/Weight: 6’5”, 290 lbs
Position/Ranking: 3-star OT, No. 363 overall
High School: Granger (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Senior-Year Stats: N/A
Other Finalists: Utah
Commit Date: 2/5/2014
Analysis
The Sooners worked hard to pull Kenyon Frison away from hometown Utah.
Although he has only played two years of high school football, the Salt Lake City, Utah, native has displayed tremendous potential for growth. Frison has great flexibility and tenacity on the line.
Adding Frison was a major pickup for Oklahoma; look for the team to get him involved as soon as it can.
Natrell Curtis
18 of 26
Height/Weight: 6’3”, 335 lbs
Position/Ranking: 3-star OG/DT, No. 345 overall
High School: Mountain Pointe (Phoenix)
Senior-Year Stats: N/A
Other Finalists: Washington
Commit Date: 1/6/2014
Analysis
Natrell Curtis is yet another signee the Sooners snagged from the West Coast.
At 6’3” and 335 pounds, one of Curtis’ biggest assets is his strength. With great quickness and lateral movement, expect his blocking to be a vital piece in Oklahoma’s rushing attack in the future.
Curtis has all the tools to succeed.
Jeffery Mead
19 of 26
Height/Weight: 6’5”, 170 lbs
Position/Ranking: 4-star WR, No. 312 overall
High School: Union (Tulsa, Okla.)
Senior-Year Stats: 65 REC, 1,095 YDS, 14 TD
Other Finalists: Oklahoma State, Texas A&M
Commit Date: 6/22/2013
Analysis
A three-sport athlete, Jeffery Mead brings the versatility and athleticism that will make a force at the position.
For his size, the Tulsa, Okla., native is exceptionally explosive. He spent the majority of his football-playing career as a quarterback, so he is still raw at receiver.
Mead’s best football is still ahead of him.
Samaje Perine
20 of 26
Height/Weight: 5’11”, 233 lbs
Position/Ranking: 4-star RB, No. 248 overall
High School: Hendrickson (Pflugerville, Texas)
Senior-Year Stats: 158 CAR, 1,492 YDS, 12 TD
Other Finalists: TCU, Alabama
Commit Date: 3/13/2013
Analysis
At first glance, Samaje Perine might seem like a prototypical fullback.
However, the Pflugerville, Texas, native has the quickness—he runs a 4.53 40—and elusive ability to succeed as a tailback. He also has great hands for a bigger guy.
Expect the Sooners to get Perine on the field anyway they can.
Dallis Todd
21 of 26
Height/Weight: 6’5”, 210 lbs
Position/Ranking: 4-star WR, No. 215 overall
High School: La Mirada (La Mirada, Calif.)
Senior-Year Stats: 66 REC, 1,163 YDS, 8 TD
Other Finalists: UCLA
Commit Date: 4/13/2013
Analysis
Dallis Todd was a great pickup for the Sooners out of California.
The La Mirada, Calif., native is a great route-runner and knows how to use his body well in space. Todd possesses big-play ability and has the hands to make difficult catches look easy.
With a little work and refining, Todd should have a successful career at Oklahoma.
Justice Hansen
22 of 26
Height/Weight: 6’3”, 212 lbs
Position/Ranking: 4-star QB, No. 150 overall
High School: Santa Fe (Edmond, Okla.)
Senior-Year Stats: N/A
Other Finalists: Texas A&M
Commit Date: 4/13/2013 (early enrollee)
Analysis
The Sooners might be set at quarterback, but having Justice Hansen on the depth chart certainly doesn’t hurt.
After seeing the success of Trevor Knight last season, it’s no surprise that the team went after another dual-threat quarterback. Aside from solid arm strength, Hansen also possesses great feet and has the ability to scramble when needed.
Most likely, he will redshirt next season.
Mark Andrews
23 of 26
Height/Weight: 6’6”, 230 lbs
Position/Ranking: 4-star WR, No. 129 overall
High School: Desert Mountain (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
Senior Year Stats: 68 REC, 1,122 YDS, 17 TD
Other Finalists: Texas A&M, Notre Dame
Commit Date: 8/2/2013
Analysis
At 6’6” and 230 pounds, Mark Andrews is easily the tallest receiver the Sooners have had in quite some time.
But other than his size, the Scottsdale, Ariz., native has other abilities that make him standout. Andrews possesses great hands and has the ability to extend plays after the catch.
A big-play threat, look for Oklahoma to make use of him right away.
Steven Parker
24 of 26
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 188 lbs
Position/Ranking: 4-star S, No. 108 overall
High School: Jenks (Jenks, Okla.)
Senior Year Stats: 72 TCK, 6 INT
Other Finalists: Texas A&M, Auburn
Commit Date: 2/4/2014
Analysis
Given that head coach Bob Stoops and the coaching staff have been recruiting him since day one, there was no doubt that Steven Parker was going to land in Norman.
At Jenks High, Parker starred on both sides of the ball, leading his team to the state championship. At 6’2”, he has the height and arm length to make plays with the ball in the air and has the closing speed and ability to make tackles in open space.
This is a guy who immediately fills a need for the Sooners and should see playing time early on.
Michiah Quick
25 of 26Height/Weight: 6’0”, 170 lbs
Position/Ranking: 4-star WR/ATH, No. 56 overall
High School: Central East (Fresno, Calif.)
Senior Year Stats: N/A
Other Finalists: Notre Dame, USC, UCLA
Commit Date: 2/5/2014
Analysis
With Jalen Saunders graduating, the signing of Michiah Quick came at a perfect time.
Quick is one of the most explosive prospects in the country. With his athleticism and change of direction, expect the Fresno, Calif., native to not only make an impact at receiver but also in the return game.
“He is a super explosive and dynamic playmaker in space,” said wide receivers’ coach Jay Norvell, via SoonerSports.com. “He has a lot of qualities like Jalen Saunders but he is a stronger athlete at this point. He is just a really dynamic kid.”
There’s no doubt that Quick will be a key playmaker for the Sooners as a freshman in 2014.
Joe Mixon
26 of 26Height/Weight: 6’2”, 195 lbs
Position/Ranking: 5-star RB, No. 21 overall
High School: Freedom (Oakley, Calif.)
Senior Year Stats: 201 CAR, 1,443 YDS, 20 TD; 18 REC, 383 YDS, 6 TD
Other Finalists: Wisconsin, UCLA, Cal
Commit Date: 1/4/2014
Analysis
The lone 5-star prospect in the Sooners’ 2014 class, Joe Mixon is guaranteed to have success in Norman.
His breakaway speed and explosiveness make him a formidable rushing threat. But throw in his excellent hands and ability to contribute in the passing game and the Oakley, Calif., native is literally one play away from taking it to the house every time he is on the field.
“He has play making ability and size,” said running backs’ coach Cale Gundy, per SoonerSports.com. “He is a home run threat any time he touches the ball. The impressive thing about him is how dangerous he is running down the field catching the ball as a receiver.”
Drawing comparisons to Adrian Peterson and DeMarco Murray, there is certainly a lot of excitement to see what Mixon can do in 2014.
Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
