Just mere hours after extending a scholarship offer to 2013 wide receiver Jordan Smallwood (Jenks, Ok.), the Sooners received their ninth verbal commitment for the 2013 class. Clearly, he needed very little time to determine that OU was the school for him and now he'll have the opportunity to play close to home.
Playing for in-state powerhouse Jenks, Smallwood is no stranger to big games or top competition. At 6'2" 190 pounds, he has good size and leaping ability to go up and attack the ball at its high point but has also shown the burst to run by and away from defenders. There had been some questions about his ability to do just that, but at a recent scrimmage he impressed many in attendance by creating separation against several other Division I recruits. All that said, what really stands out with respect to Smallwood's game is the way he uses his size to shield off defenders and especially his hands. Drops are an extremely rare occurrence when it comes to Smallwood which can be a problem for younger players who at times are more just athletes playing the position than a true wide receiver.
Jenks is a school that has been very good to Oklahoma in the past, so it's encouraging from a fan's perspective to see the OU staff continuing to maintain that positive relationship with one of the state's top high school football programs.
The Oklahoma coaching staff have made a very obvious and concerted effort to recruit the in-state schools, even more so than they have done in years past. And it's no coincidence that the 2013 and especially the 2014 classes are two of the more talented for the state in some time.
(h/t to SoonerScoop for breaking the news of the commitment)
Loading comments...