Oklahoma 2013 recruiting bios
BY ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer
Wednesday, February 06, 2013
2/06/13 at 7:47 PM
Signing Day 2013: Stay up to date with the latest news on recruiting day with videos, bios and stories on Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Tulsa.
DOMINIQUE ALEXANDER
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6-2
Weight: 198
High school: Booker T. Washington
Scout ranking: 3 stars
Rivals ranking: 3 stars
Fast fact: Alexander comes from a football family. His father Derrick Alexander (Oklahoma State) was Tulsa World’s 1985 metro defensive player of the year. His brother Derrick Alexander (Tulsa) was Tulsa World’s 2010 state player of the year.
Immediate impact: Alexander’s versatility could be a plus for the Sooners. Expected to be an outside linebacker, he could work his way into a safety position. He may be hard to keep off the field early, especially in special teams.
DAKOTA AUSTIN
Position: Cornerback
Height: 5-11
Weight: 167
High school: Lancaster (Texas)
Scout ranking: 3 stars
Rivals ranking: 2 stars
Fast fact: Austin was the Sooners’ second cornerback to commit, joining East Central’s Stanvon Taylor. He comes from the same hometown as Oklahoma players Demontre Hurst and Quentin Hayes.
Immediate impact: Austin’s size — which may be generous at 170 pounds — will be something to watch. He would benefit greatly from a redshirt year to bulk up and learned OU’s style of play.
JED BARNETT
Position: Punter
Height: 6-2
Weight: 215
High school: Oakland (Calif.) Mountain View
Junior College: Laney (Calif.) C.C.
Scout ranking: 2 stars
Rivals ranking: 2 stars
Fast fact: Barnett was a preferred walk-on at Cal and spent two seasons at the Pac-12 school before transferring to Laney C.C. in California. He competed with OU kicker Michael Hunnicutt at numerous kicking camps while in high school.
Immediate impact: Barnett, who is already on campus, will battle 2012 grayshirt Jack Steed for the vacant punting position. Barnett averaged 41.3 yards per punt last season. He has two years of eligibility remaining, but could petition for a third (medical redshirt).
AUSTIN BENNETT
Position: Wide receiver
Height: 6-0
Weight: 175
High school: Manvel (Texas)
Scout ranking: 3 stars
Rivals ranking: 3 stars
Fast fact: Bennett’s father, Greg Bennett, is Manvel’s wide receivers coach. Greg Bennett was a wide receiver at Louisville (1988-90) and was in camp with several NFL teams post-college.
Immediate impact: A three-year starter at Manvel, Bennett originally committed to Arkansas. Coach says he possesses quick feet and is solid beating press coverage at the line of scrimmage. Could see time at the slot behind Jalen Saunders and Sterling Shepard.
HATARI BYRD
Position: Safety
Height: 6-1
Weight: 195
High school: Fresno (Calif.) Central East
Scout ranking: 4 stars
Rivals ranking: 4 stars
Fast fact: Byrd first built a relationship with OU defensive coordinator Mike Stoops when he was the head coach at Arizona. It proved a good foundation for the recruiting process.
Immediate impact: Byrd may be one of those difference makers on defense. A very physical, hard-hitting defensive back, some are already comparing him to a young Roy Williams. That’s yet to be seen, but he has the physical attributes.
DANNON CAVIL
Position: Wide receiver
Height: 6-5
Weight: 205
High school: San Antonio Madison
Scout ranking: 3 stars
Rivals ranking: 3 stars
Fast fact: Cavil’s full potential may not be realized. He was injured in his junior season (hamstring, ACL) and didn’t get many ball thrown his way in 2012 (33 receptions, 720 yards, seven touchdowns) after the Mavericks’ starting quarterback was lost for the season.
Immediate impact: Cavil is already on Oklahoma’s campus, and will benefit from that time. His size gives him an opportunity to play early, but it may also depend on his work in the weight room to help him get more physical.
CHRISTIAN DAIMLER
Position: Offensive tackle
Height: 6-6
Weight: 270
High school: Houston Stratford
Scout ranking: 3 stars
Rivals ranking: 3 stars
Fast fact: Daimler comes from the same high school that produced Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. Daimler originally was an Arizona State commit before changing to OU in early December.
Immediate impact: Daimler will provide much-needed depth at the position for years to come. A likely redshirt candidate, he can use 2013 to gain strength and improve on his fundamentals.
MATT DIMON
Position: Defensive end
Height: 6-2
Weight: 252
High school: Katy (Texas)
Scout ranking: 4 stars
Rivals ranking: 3 stars
Fast fact: Dimon was an anchor on a Katy defensive line that won a Texas state championship. Coach Gary Joseph said Dimon made himself into a good football player because of his work ehtic and habits.
Immediate impact: Dimon plays a position that possibly could need contributions from newcomers right away. Depending on Dimon’s development in fall camp, there’s a chance you may see him right away.
JORDAN EVANS
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6-3
Weight: 210
High school: Norman North
Scout ranking: 3 stars
Rivals ranking: 3 stars
Fast fact: Evans’ athleticism alone is amazing. The linebacker and son of former OU great Scott Evans had 94 tackles and nine sacks in 2012 and returned five kicks for touchdowns, including one in each playoff game prior to the state championship contest.
Immediate impact: Evans said that Oklahoma’s coaches have no intention of redshirting him next fall. Evans is one of only two linebackers on the recruiting list, meaning he could work himself into playing time pretty quick.
KEITH FORD
Position: Running back
Height: 5-11
Weight: 208
High school: Cypress Ranch (Texas)
Scout ranking: 5 stars
Rivals ranking: 4 stars
Fast fact: Ford was the first player to commit to the Sooners’ 2013 class. After an injury-plagued junior campaign, he was still ranked the 10th-best running back nationally by Rivals.com.
Immediate impact: Bob Stoops isn’t shy about playing true freshmen. Ford will be entering a running backs position where carries were mainly split between Damien Williams, Brennan Clay and Trey Millard last season. If Dominique Whaley returns to 100 percent, he’ll command touches. Still, look for Ford to find some way to make an impact.
KERRICK HUGGINS
Position: Defensive tackle
Height: 6-3
Weight: 289
High school: Dallas Skyline
Scout ranking: 4 stars
Rivals ranking: 4 stars
Fast fact: Huggins was a longtime Texas A&M commit (nearly 11 months) before flipping and joining the Sooners’ recruiting list in December.
Immediate impact: The defensive tackle position is a question mark for next season and, if Huggins can prove he can hold his own on the interior, there’s a chance he could get limited action. It is just a tough spot to throw a true freshman at, though.
L.J. MOORE
Position: Cornerback
Height: 6-1
Weight: 175
High school: Fresno (Calif.) Central East
Scout ranking: 4 stars
Rivals ranking: 4 stars
Fast fact: Moore considered Oregon State, Arizona State and Cal, but was reportedly persuaded to OU in part by high school teammate and future Sooner Hatari Byrd.
Immediate impact: Moore is part of an athletic five-member class of defensive backs that could see immediate playing time in 2013.
OGBONNIA OKORONKWO
Position: Defensive end
Height: 6-3
Weight: 220
High school: Houston Alief Taylor
Scout ranking: 3 stars
Rivals ranking: 3 stars
Fast fact: For six months, Okoronkwo was destined for Oklahoma State after pledging to the Cowboys last June. But as the season went on, he said he realized he made a hasty decision (accepting an offer one day after tendered) and changed his mind.
Immediate impact: The first thought is that Okoronkwo will need time to develop physically and build strength. But OU coaches will probably give all comers a chance at defensive end, so don’t be stunned if he finds his way on the field.
QUINCY RUSSELL
Position: Defensive tackle
Height: 6-4
Weight: 315
High school: San Antonio Sam Houston
Junior college: Trinity Valley C.C.
Scout ranking: 3 stars
Rivals ranking: 3 stars
Fast fact: Russell was an Under Armour All-American and Texas commit out of high school, but didn’t qualify academically. An NJCAA All-American in 2012, he finished with 75 tackles, two sacks and five pass breakups for Trinity Valley as a sophomore.
Immediate impact: Russell will be needed to contribute immediately to help out a defensive tackle position filled with inexperience. Only Jordan Phillips saw action at a spot that loses three defensive tackles to graduation.
DIONTE SAVAGE
Position: Offensive guard
Height: 6-5
Weight: 345
High school: Flint (Mich.) Carman-Ainsworth
Junior college: Arizona Western
Scout ranking: NR
Rivals ranking: 2 stars
Fast fact: Alexander played with current OU running back Damien Williams in 2010 at Arizona Western. After returning home in 2011 to concentrate on academics, he returned to Arizona Western in 2012.
Immediate impact: Savage is expected to provide depth at the guard position. He will provide a physical style of play. The question is where he fits in with returns Adam Shead, Bronson Irwin and Tyler Evans at the position?
JORDAN SMALLWOOD
Position: Wide receiver
Height: 6-2
Weight: 190
High school: Jenks
Scout ranking: 3 stars
Rivals ranking: 3 stars
Fast fact: The Jenks wide receiver played in the Semper Fi All American Bowl, grabbing instant attention with a 42-yard grab on the first play. For Jenks in 2012, he ended with 48 catches for 835 yards and 11 touchdowns for state champions.
Immediate impact: Smallwood’s size (think Justin Brown) could make him a candidate for playing time. But with the wide receivers in camp right now, there’s a chance he could be redshirted.
JOSIAH ST. JOHN
Position: Offensive tackle
Height: 6-6
Weight: 305
High school: Pickering, Ontario, Canada
Junior college: Trinity Valley C.C.
Scout ranking: 3 stars
Rivals ranking: 3 stars
Fast fact: St. John began playing football in Canada and then transferred to Fresno City College. After one season, he moved to Trinity Valley to complete his junior college career.
Immediate impact: Junior college players are expected to contribute immediately and St. John will be no different. While he may not be a starter, he could join the offensive tackle rotation in 2013.
MATT ROMAR
Position: Defensive tackle
Height: 6-3
Weight: 268
High school: Port Arthur, Texas
Scout ranking: 3 stars
Rivals ranking: 3 stars
Fast fact: Romar was a late pickup for the Sooners, the fourth of four defensive tackles to commit to the 2013 class.
Immediate impact: Romar is going to enter a position with a difficult learning curve. While a redshirt year is typical for incoming defensive tackles, he likely will get a look at contributing next season.
STANVON TAYLOR
Position: Cornerback
Height: 5-11
Weight: 175
High school: East Central
Scout ranking: 4 stars
Rivals ranking: 4 stars
Fast fact: The last two recruits from East Central — Jimbo Elrod (Class of 1972) and Tony Casillas (1981) — were All-Americans and won national championships with the Sooners.
Immediate impact: Taylor is one of the biggest pickups for the Sooners. He’s expected to compete for time immediately at cornerback. Everything is contingent upon how he makes the transition to Division I football.
AHMAD THOMAS
Position: Cornerback
Height: 6-1
Weight: 205
High school: Miami (Fla.) Central
Scout ranking: 3 stars
Rivals ranking: 3 stars
Fast fact: Thomas played for a very successful high school program that captured two state championship in three years. The only Floridian in the recruiting class, he played in the Semper Fi game with Hatari Byrd and Jordan Smallwood.
Immediate impact: Thomas will benefit greatly by already being on campus, as he was a mid-semester enrollee. His size and athleticism will be intriguing. If he can make the transition, OU will be in good shape.
CODY THOMAS
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6-5
Weight: 220
High school: Colleyville (Texas) Heritage
Scout ranking: 4 stars
Rivals ranking: 4 stars
Fast fact: Thomas isn’t only an outstanding quarterback, he is a MaxPreps 2013 preseason baseball All-American. He’ll be one to watch when major league baseball holds its June draft.
Immediate impact: Thomas appears to be an instant redshirt candidate because of the depth that Oklahoma has at the quarterback position. He fully expects to compete for the starting position when his time comes.
CHARLES WALKER
Position: Defensive tackle
Height: 6-3
Weight: 280
High school: Garland (Texas)
Scout ranking: 3 stars
Rivals ranking: 3 stars
Fast fact: Walker hit his stride during his senior season, despite playing with a labrum injury. Says Garland coach Mark Cox: “My favorite story is watching him develop into a man. He stepped into a leadership role. He was a distruptive force in the middle of our defensive line. We played him inside at nose guard, but hes athletic enough to play defensive end.”
Immediate impact: Walker may not be needed to not only provide depth (via redshirt), but also contribute to the 2013 team at a position seeking help right away. Look at possible on-the-job training for him.
D.J. WARD
Position: Defensive end
Height: 6-2
Weight: 245
High school: Southmoore
Scout ranking: 4 stars
Rivals ranking: 4 stars
Fast fact: Ward did not play during his senior season after transferring to two different high schools after leaving Lawton. Despite that, he remained on Tom Lemming’s top 100 list nationally. Said Lemming: “He was definitely the best player in the state as a junior.”
Immediate impact: Ward could be an impact player in his first season, especially in pass-rush situations. The biggest benefit he’ll get is being a mid-year enrollee and he can get a full spring of coaching.
K.J. YOUNG
Position: Wide receiver
Height: 6-1
Weight: 182
High school: Perris (Calif) Citrus Hill
Scout ranking: 3 stars
Rivals ranking: 3 stars
Fast fact: Young had 91 catches for 1,591 yards and 18 touchdowns for his state championship team. In the title game, he grabbed three scoring catches. His high school quarterback, Trevor Hodge, is going to Iowa State.
Immediate impact: Young is a slot receiver, a position that’s solidified by Jalen Saunders and Sterling Shepard. An early impression in fall camp could lead to playing time, but it may benefit him to redshirt 2013.
