Oklahoma top 10

[RedRiverPony]

Just got a copy of Sooners Illustrated. On the whole, it's not a great magazine, but they do their homework on the recruiting scene. Here's their list of the top players in Oklahoma and a synopsis of the magazine's comments on each.

1. DE Bryan Pickryl (Jenks) 6-4, 230, 4.6
Called "an awesome pass rush guy" by head coach Allan Trimble, whose team annually is one of the best in the state. "He has those long arms you look for in a pass rushing end." Had 7 sacks as a junior … already qualified academically … offered by OU, also being recruited by A&M, OkState, Colorado, K-State, Stanford, Kansas and Mizzou.

2. RB Ronnie Osborne (Piedmont) 6-2, 212, 4.45
Three-sport athlete who's considered good enough to be a Div. I-A hoops prospect, as well, but likely will stick to football … Rushed for 2,082 yards on 248 carries last year, scored 31 touchdowns … also rushed for over 2,000 yards as a sophomore … may play some quarterback in his senior season … carries a 2.9 GPA … considering OU, OkState, Tulsa, K-State, Florida, OhioSt., Michigan, Northwestern, Miami, Colorado.

3. TE Curtis Jenkins (Perry) 6-6, 225, 4.7
Looks thin, but can play -- should fill out frame with more strength/weight as he grows … caught 32 passes for 507 yards as a junior … great hands, considered strong blocker … OU (offered), Nebraska, OkState, Kansas, K-State, Mizzou, Texas, A&M.

4. DE J.D. Runnels (Midwest City Albert) 6-1, 225, 4.6
Coach says Runnels has great hands, technique and enthusiasm, and plays hard … as a TE, caught 34 passes for 747 yards and 8 touchdowns … vertsatile athlete will see time this year at DE, TE, slot receiver, outside receiver and in the backfield … bench presses 280, squats over 600 … OkState, OU, Florida, FloridaSt., MichSt., TA&M, Arkansas, K-State, Nebraska, Toledo, New Mexico State.

5. OL Nick Cole (Lawton Eisenhower) 6-2, 290, 5.3
One of the strongest players in Oklahoma … coach also cites his quickness for a big player, comparing him to former Eisenhower (and NFL) OL Will Shields … bench presses 380 … already fully academically qualified … contacted by "all the major schools."

6. DE Larry Birdine (Lawton Eisenhower) 6-3, 230, 4.6
Has a knack for knocking down passes … stepbrother of former OSU and current Steeler LB Jason Gildon … knocked down 10 passes as a junior … strong against pass and run … coach calls him "best defensive player we've had here" … finalist in state track meet in discus … Nebraska, OkState, OU, K-State coaches said offering Birdine was "no-brainer."

7. OL Ismail Simpson (Lawton Eisenhower) 6-5, 285, 5.3
Lanky frame, looks like he can carry a lot more weight … bench presses 380 … frame suggests to coach he will add strength and quickness with maturity … coach says he's definite Div. I-A prospect … academic qualifier.

8. TE Sean Harmon (Edmond Santa Fe) 6-4, 260, 4.8
Big enough to play either line, speed to play in backfield … played TE and DE last year and had two carries (for 25 yards) at FB … shared TE spot last year with Virginia Tech signee Andrew Fleck … needs to be more consistent … not eligible yet, but being watched by as many as 30 schools.

9. DB Trumaine Young (Lawton Eisenhower) 6-0, 170, 4.5
Member of school's 4x100 relay team … excellent jumper with strong knowledge of the game … also plays WR … had 5 interceptions as a junior … plays FS.

10. WR D'Juan Woods (OKC Millwood) 5-11, 185, 4.5
Younger brother of OkState WR Rashaun Woods. Not as big as his brother, but a little faster … caught 44 passes for 838 yards and 9 touchdowns as a junior … one of handful of juniors named all-state by Daily Oklahoman … three-sport star who also competes in track and basketball … not heavily recruited thus far.

[PK]

Well, it's very noticeable that SMU is not mentioned by any of those kids. Are we afraid to compete with the schools listed or just forgetting that most of Oklahoma is closer to Dallas then some parts of south Texas?

[RedRiverPony]

Some other strong players from north of the Red River:

DB Jason Carter (Jenks) 5-11, 175, 4.5
Appears on many Oklahoma top 10 lists … already has an offer from OU … physical DB who is expected to play CB or SS in college … finished third in the 100 meters (11.27) and sixth in the long jump (21'6.5")

QB Shane Davison (Bixby) 6-0, 170, 4.7
Good athlete, good arm and instincts … completed 121-of-205 passes as a junior for 1,761 yards, 16 touchdowns and 13 interceptions … some schools scared off by his size

LB Jeremy Harper (Pauls Valley) 6-0, 195, 4.5
Considered a sleeper … size and speed make him an ideal candidate to move to S in college … 173 tackles (110 unassisted) as a junior … vicious hitter

DB Keystone Hughes (Midwest City) 5-11, 185, 4.5
Had 5 interceptions as a junior … size and speed make him potential TB in college … will play both spots this fall

DB Alphonso Key (Lawton Eisenhower) 6-2, 165, 4-4
Bone-thin, but tall and extremely fast, meaning college coaches will come calling … completements speed with pure cover skills … won the 200 meters (21.86) at the state meet and teamed with teammate Trumaine Young on school 4x100 relay team … expected to add considerable weight and strength in college

TE/DE Chris Messner (Frederick) 6-7, 238, 4.9
Has played QB since seventh grade, may play some QB as a senior … future is as a TE or DE … had 69 tackles, 7 sacks, 1 blocked punt, 1 blocked FG as a junior … could grow enough to move to interior lineman … brother went to West Point, making Army early leader

WR Ryan Nutt (Moore) 6-4, 195, 4.6
Can make spectaular, acrobatic catch … not true burner, but enormous target … projects as slot receiver in college

RB T.J. Rushing (Pauls Valley) 5-10, 170, 4.45
Rushed for 1,321 yards on 199 carries (6.6 ypc) as a junior, scoring 15 touchdowns … earned four gold medals at state track meet … weight could force move to WR or DB in college … options include OkState, Tulsa, many out-of-state schools

QB Zac Taylor (Norman) 6-1, 190, 4.5
Son of former OU DB Sherwood Taylor … OU not likely to offer … could move to DB in college, but presents good run/pass balance at QB … completed 142-of-275 passes for 1,964 yards, 14 touchdowns and 14 interceptions

RB Cori Williams (Beggs) 5-10, 185, 4.4
Speedster with deceptive strength … scatback type who jukes his way through defenses … rushed for 1,035 yards on 127 carries (9.7 ypc) last year … lots of interest from colleges, few offers