Sooners Recruiting Update: First look at 2015

Oklahoma now has four commitments for 2015, all linemen on both sides of the ball. It’s the best early start that I can remember for OU, especially in the trenches. Every prospect is a four-star player by at least one service.

2015 Verbal Commitments

Josh Wariboko, OG
(6-3, 300, 5.1)

Marquise Overton, DT
(6-2, 295, 5.0)

Du’vonta Lampkin, DE
(6-4, 275, 4.8)

Bobby Evans, OT
(6-6, 255, 4.8)

Thoughts on the four commits so far:

*Right now, Lampkin projects as a DE for OU in the new 3-4 scheme. He’s a huge athlete with an unreal upside.

*Overton is a classic nose guard prospect. He’s going to anchor the middle and he just dominated in the state playoffs for Jenks. In addition, he’s also a talented heavyweight wrestler. There might not be a better preparation for playing interior DL than wrestling. (Ask Kelly Gregg if you want an opinion on the issue.)

These two DL verbals will allow Montgomery to focus on pursuing the best DL in the country knowing that he has depth already committed. It could be a huge year for Montgomery, proving why he was so highly regarded.

*Josh Wariboko is probably the best interior OL prospect in Oklahoma in the last three or four years. He would be receiving more attention if not for the fact that Lawton’s Jalin Barnett is getting five-star national attention.

*Bobby Evans is the younger brother of LB recruit Tay Evans and the son of former OU hoops player Bobby Joe Evans. He will end up as an elite OT prospect once his frame fills out. He’s going to be a power forward playing OT.

The momentum from the Sugar Bowl win might be seen more in 2015 recruiting than 2014. The 2015 list of offers is significantly larger at this point than any year before. The Sooners are probably going to host their first junior day before the Feb. 5 signing day for the 2014 class.

Here are some names to watch who appear to be either OU targets and/or are interested in playing for the Crimson and Cream. This list will change significantly going forward. And there’s no QB name, yet.

*Jalin Barnett (6-4, 310, 5.0), OG – No. 1 player in the state of Oklahoma – and maybe the top OG in the country. OU might have a big lead and get a quick verbal.

*Will Sunderland (6-3, 195, 4.5), DB – Maybe the best DB in Oklahoma. He’s this year’s Steven Parker. Great range and speed. One of the many players talking on Twitter about playing with Joe Mixon.

*Malik Jefferson (6-2, 215, 4.5), LB – Even last year Jefferson might have been the best LB in Texas as a junior. OU will hope to get him quickly to a junior day.

*Soso Jamabo (6-2, 200, 4.5), RB – Will fight for the mantle of best RB in Texas.

*Kahlil McKenzie (6-3, 300, 4.9), DT – Son of Oakland Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie. Recent Twitter traffic indicates a Sooner offer and serious interest in OU.

*Chris Warren (6-2, 215, 4.5), RB – Son of former NFL RB Chris Warren. Got hurt last year, but bwas an elite big back.

*Kendall Sheffield (5-11, 180, 4.5), CB – Early leader for best CB in Texas. OU is chasing UT and the rest of the SEC.

*Cameron Townsend (6-2, 200, 4.5), LB – Has already visited Norman for a game last year.

*Rick Deberry (6-3, 240, 4.6), LB – The big LB who OU is chasing this year. He visited OU’s campus last year.

*Alex Ofodile (6-3, 185, 4.45), WR – OU offer at WR. He seems interested in the Sooners, but he has Missouri family connections.

*Dahu Green (6-3, 200, 4.5), WR – Moved to the OKC area in 2013 and had a massive junior year at Westmoore. Might be the best WR in the state.

*Osa Masina (6-4, 205, 4.5), LB/Athlete – Jerry Montgomery is going to land some big-time player from Utah for OU. It’s just a matter of when, and it could be Masina.

*George Brown (6-6, 265, 5.0), OT – Big-time OT prospect who has a Sooner offer and is very interested in OU based on his Twitter traffic.

*DaMarkus Lodge (6-2, 185, 4.5), WR – OU has been tracking Lodge, who might be the best WR in Texas. He's a teammate of OU 2014 verbal Marcus Green.

*Trevor Ebert (6-6, 280, 5.2), OT – OU offer. Seems interested in OU via his Twitter feed.

*Christian Kirk (5-10, 185, 4.49), WR – Arizona prospect who's already talking on Twitter about visiting OU during spring ball. You want a Jalen Saunders-like playmaker? Kirk could be it.

-Atlantasooner