When Oklahoma was making trips to the BCS Championship Game back in the mid-2000s, the Sooners were consistently bringing in top-ten recruiting classes. However, over the past several years, those classes have sunk into the teens. This year is no exception, as Oklahoma’s 17-player class is clocking in between 13 and 19 in the major scouting service rankings.
Oklahoma football recruiting: Downward trend continuing for Sooners
The Sooners may not be bringing in the top-five classes they were five years ago, but talented players are still set to come to Norman in 2013.
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However, make no mistake, Oklahoma is still bringing in good players. When viewed through the lens of their past success, though, things have slipped in Norman. Head coach Bob Stoops has had to deal with significant staff turnover over the past few seasons, which could be a contributing factor.
Here’s a closer look at some of the bigger commits for the Sooners at the moment:
Cody Thomas: The 6’5, 220 lb pro-style quarterback from Texas has ideal size, and could be in the mix to replace the outgoing Landry Jones. He’s a four-star prospect, and is rated as one of the top-ten pro-style quarterbacks in the country.
Keith Ford: Ford is a five-star prospect according to Scout, and is the top-rated player in Oklahoma’s 2013 recruiting class. The top-50 running back is 5’11, 203 lbs, and is another pull for the Sooners out of Texas.
D.J. Ward: The 6’4, 242 lb Oklahoma City native is the top-rated defensive player in Oklahoma’s class. He’s a consensus four-star recruit, and could step in quickly to help a pass rush that was only 69th in the nation in sacks in 2012.
Stanvon Taylor: Depending on which service you look at, Taylor is either a wide receiver or cornerback. Either way, the 5’11, 160 lb Tulsa native runs a 4.5 40-yard dash and gives the Sooners options for speed on the outside.
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