What’s Next on the Defensive Line for Sooners?

With the decision from Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy defensive tackle Jayden Jackson the Sooners now have to pledges in their defensive line class. Jackson joined Wyatt Gilmore on Thursday evening but now it’s time to look at what the Sooners hope to add to their current two-man defensive line class.

Big Men on the Inside for Sooners

With Jackson now on board it’s impossible not to start with his teammate David Stone. Their connection is notable as Stone stopped by Norman to hang out with Jackson during his midweek official visit. The nation’s No. 7 prospect according to On3’s industry rating is a 5-star+ and has been a key Sooners target since he was a freshman at Del City, Okla.

Now at Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy, while starring next to Jackson, Stone accumulated 25 tackles and eight tackles for loss. As a senior expectations will be even bigger against one of the nation’s toughest prep schedules. What’s interesting is whether the Sooners offer will have his decision made by the start of his senior year?

There is some sentiment that his decision could come, even by the end of the month. But as of yet Stone hasn’t made publicly stated his plan.

Though Stone is an elite prospect he isn’t the only five-star defensive tackle that the Sooners have momentum with. Since getting Dominick McKinley to campus back in late January it’s felt like Oklahoma had a realistic chance. There’s no way to deny the in-state pull of LSU for elite Louisiana stars there’s considerable talk his three June official visits – Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas A&M are going to be big players in his recruitment.

OU Looking for Elite Pass Rushers

Though Thursday marked the entrance of a defensive tackle to their ranks, Miguel Chavis and co. are chasing elite pass rushers as well. Gilmore was the first commitment of that group but Oklahoma has their eyes set on more.

Notably among that group is the nation’s new No. 1 prospect, Williams Nwaneri. It’s been reported over and over again but the Sooners seem in a three-way fight with Missouri and Georgia. To be sure of what Nwaneri is thinking has proved near impossible, even for those who know him well. Still though, Oklahoma definitely seems to be, at the very least, even with its competition.

Danny Okoye – Photo by: Josh McCuistion – SoonerScoop/On3

Sticking to top-ranked prospects, Tulsa NOAH’s Danny Okoye is the state’s No. 1 in-state prospect and Oklahoma has made a recent move in his recruitment. Early on the Sooners seemed to be in great shape but things fell off during the winter. Now Oklahoma seems back in the running and Okoye expects to be in Norman for the Party at the Palace on July 28.

Two Texas prospects in Northeast Dallas that the Sooners are also working hard to chase are Melissa star Nigel Smith and Allen’s Zina Umeozulu.

Smith has felt like an Oklahoma lean for a while after nine trips to Norman, including his June 16 ChampUBBQ official visit. Still though an official visit to Texas on Sept. 1 looms before his scheduled Sept. 8 commitment announcement.

On the other hand, Umeozulu will be a tough battle for Oklahoma as the Longhorns have numerous advantages, not the least of which is his brother, Neto, who is currently a second-year Texas offensive lineman.

With all this in mind, the Sooners seem ready to potentially make a dramatic change to the depth and talent of their defensive line. But much the same was said last year, can Oklahoma close on their elite prospects? As ever, time will tell.

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