While Saturday night marks the first game of significance for the Sooners, it also marks the first big recruiting opportunity for Oklahoma. And OU is certainly wasting no time as they will be hosting a number of top remaining 2013 targets, as well as a couple 2014 recruits as well. It should be a good atmosphere for those recruits in attendance with it being a night game and a match of two Top 15 teams.
We're obligated to remind you that these are teenagers and plans can change with little to no notification. So the following recruits are all scheduled to be in Norman, but that in no way guarantees everyone listed below will show or that a couple not listed might make the trip.
2013 Targets
Defensive Tackle - Justin Manning - 6'2" 275 lbs - Dallas, Tx.
At this point, there isn't much more we can tell you about Manning. He's the younger brother of former Sooner Demarcus Granger. He's one of those rare defensive tackles who can dominate against the run as well as rush the passer. Almost every recruiting expert believes it is simply a matter of time before he commits Oklahoma, but Manning is not in a hurry and plans to take up to all five of his allowed official visits. In addition to OU, the other contenders for Manning are Texas A&M, TCU, and LSU.
Safety - Marcell Harris - 6'1" 207 lbs - Orlando, Fl.
If I'm being totally honest, there is a more than decent chance this is just a free trip for Harris. That isn't meant to disparage Harris necessarily, but at this point the legitimacy of OU's actual chances are not to believed to be, um, that great. Harris is one of the top safety prospects in the country and it's hard to see the Florida schools letting him leave the state. Most believe Florida is comfortably in the pole position, but Texas and Florida State are also in the picture. Somewhat complicating things with respect to Oklahoma's chances is the fact that the Sooners already have commitments from two safeties. Harris is everything Mike Stoops loves in his defensive backs, but he might be fighting a losing battle here. All that said, you never know what can happen once you get a kid on campus.
Safety - Tyler Foreman - 6'2" 190 lbs - Encino, Ca.
After just telling you how OU already has two safeties in the fold, Foreman will be the second safety expect on campus this weekend. Another very physical player, he spends a lot of time down in the box for his high school team. It's possible Mike Stoops sees him in that hybrid safety/linebacker role Oklahoma has made famous. Has shown above average cover skills, even though it's not asked to do it all that often, as well as excellent ball skills.
Offensive Guard - Caleb Benenoch - 6'5" 321 lbs - Katy, Tx.
Oklahoma and Benenoch has been flirting back and forth for some time and for good reason given his talent. He plays tackle now, and could in college, but most services see him as a future guard. He is a kid whose No. 1 school can change by the hour and from the look of things he's definitely enjoying the recruiting process (not that there's anything wrong with that). He is a self confessed Texas fan and for that reason most feel everyone else is playing for second place. The Sooners interest isn't necessarily surprising, but it is slightly odd when they have a similar player relatively in their own backyard in Rob Boyd (Vian, Ok.).
Offensive Tackle - Na'Ty Rodgers - 6'5" 278 lbs - Pomfret, Md.
Rogers is actually an OU legacy, his father played with the Sooners for one season before transferring to Washington. However, his father is reportedly the driving force behind his son's interest in Oklahoma. Most believe Rogers has a very solid top two of Maryland and South Carolina, but he's remained adamant that he is open to all comers. Tackle is very much a premium position for OU in this 2013 class and Rogers would be an outstanding addition. Having his father on our side certainly cannot hurt.
Athlete - Chevoski Collins - 5'11" 185 lbs - Livingston, Tx.
Collins is listed at an athlete, but most schools (including Oklahoma) are looking at him as a corner. He's a bit raw as a prospect, but it's all about the upside here. He's a fantastic athlete with speed for days. He has a frame that looks like he could add another 10 pounds and be right where Mike Stoops prefers his secondary guys. Collins has said he has a Top 5 of OU, Texas, Baylor, TCU, and Okie State.
Running Back - Adam Taylor - 6'2" 200 lbs - Katy, Tx.
Taylor was a player that had it not been for the unexpected commitment of Greg Bryant (who has since decommitted), he might already be a Sooner. He is expected to make the trip this weekend with his teammate and OU commit, Matt Dimon. Taylor believes he is committed to LSU, but there seems to be some question about whether or not LSU agrees. The Sooners may pounce on that uncertainty this weekend if things go as planned. It's a little bit surprising because with 2013 Keith Ford already in the fold and a roster full of talent at the position, running back isn't really a huge need so taking two seems to be a bit of a luxury on OU's part.
Defensive Tackle - Toby Johnson - 6'4" 305 lbs - Hutchinson, Ks. (VIDEO)
Johnson is arguably the top JUCO defensive tackle in the country for this 2013 class while also being one top overall recruits on Oklahoma's big board. He has been quoted as having a very good relationship with Jackie Shipp and spoken very highly of both he and OU. He has offers from just about every top program you can name and many believe he's destined for SEC country. However, this will be his second visit to Norman and you can rest assured the Sooners will be pulling out all the stops.
Linebacker - Jordan Evans - 6'3" 205 lbs - Norman, Ok. (VIDEO)
Another position of need is linebacker and the Sooners have a good one right in their backyard in Evans. He doesn't yet have an offer from OU, but got his senior season off to a really good start and obviously word won't have to travel far for the OU coaches to take notice.
2013 Commitments
CB/WR - Stanvon Taylor - 5'11" 165 lbs - Tulsa, Ok. (VIDEO)
LB - Jordan Mastrogiovanni - 6'3" 225 lbs - Dallas, Tx. (VIDEO)
WR - Austin Bennett - 6'0" 170 lbs - Manvel, Tx. (VIDEO)
DE - D.J. Ward - 6'3" 245 lbs - Moore, Ok. (VIDEO)
DE - Matt Dimon - 6'3" 252 lbs - Katy, Tx. (VIDEO)
DE/OT - Dalton Rodriguez - 6'6" 258 lbs - Tulsa, Ok. (VIDEO)
2014 Targets
QB - Coleman Key - 6'5" 210 lbs - Broken Arrow, Ok. (VIDEO)
LB - Jake Blomstrom - 6'2" 225 lbs - Katy, Tx. (VIDEO)
OT - Ty Barrett - 6'5" 290 lbs - Dallas, Tx.
TE - Koda Martin - 6'6" 245 lbs - Manvel, Tx.
S - Steven Parker - 6'2" 185 lbs - Jenks, Ok.
S - Jamal Adams - 6'1" 195 lbs - Lewisville, Tx.