Addison Gumbs to Oklahoma: Sooners Land 4-Star DE Prospect
Oklahoma added to an already stellar 2017 recruiting class on Wednesday, as 4-star defensive end Addison Gumbs announced his verbal commitment in a Twitter post:
Gumbs, who stars at Stellar Prep in Hayward, California, is the No. 167 overall prospect and 10th-ranked weak-side defensive end in the 2017 class, per 247Sports' composite rankings. He's ranked 19th among Californian prospects.
His commitment marks the 19th prospect landed by head coach Bob Stoops for the upcoming class, which includes 13 4-star players. He joins 3-star Oklahoma product Isaiah Thomas among Stoops' defensive end recruits.
Listed at 6'4" and 220 pounds, Gumbs will have to bulk up or make a switch to outside linebacker at the next level. He hinted in an interview with Brandon Huffman of Scout.com that the latter might be the likeliest option.
"Coach (Tim) Kish is the main coach recruiting me at Oklahoma," Gumbs said. "I talk to Coach Mike (Stoops) and Coach Bob (Stoops), and I feel I have a great relationship with that staff. Coach Kish, though, is who I have a great relationship with. I went out there during their spring ball, and I liked how they use their linebackers."
A pass-rushing specialist, Gumbs recorded 74 total tackles and 23 sacks during a brilliant junior season. He's also moved up in 247Sports' composite rankings this year, ascending from a borderline top-200 prospect to pushing the top 150. Size is his biggest detriment at this point, as he largely uses his otherworldly athleticism to blow by overmatched offensive linemen.
That won't be as easy playing in the Big 12, but Gumbs said he has faith in how the coaching staff plans to use him, per Adam Gorney of Rivals.com:
"I just had a great time when I went down there I believe last April. It felt like home. They treated me like family.
I felt like coach Mike Stoops, the first day of spring recruiting, he was at my school, so that made a really big impression on me. I feel like I fit really great into their scheme and I feel like I could be a great fit and win some championships with coach Stoops.
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Oklahoma ranks fifth in 247Sports' team recruiting rankings for 2017. Only Ohio State, Alabama, LSU and Georgia rank ahead. The next-best Big 12 team is Oklahoma State all the way back in 29th.
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Unless otherwise noted, recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
