MOORE — In front of a gymnasium full of students, media and family members, 12 Southmoore football players signed National Letters of Intent Wednesday. But it was a couple of future Sooners who received most of the attention.
TIght end Austin Haywood and cornerback Julian Wilson were decked out on their Oklahoma shirts and hats as they smiled for pictures, signed autographs and looked forward to joining the Sooner Nation.
“It’s a big day for me,” Wilson said. “It was a dream to go to a big school like OU. It feels good. Signing with OU is something that is real big for me and my family. I am going to go in there and make the best of this opportunity.”
Haywood, who is the second-ranked player in the state, played only one season at Southmoore after transferring from Anadarko. But his dreams of playing at Oklahoma have been around for quite a while.
“It’s been my family’s dreams since I was little,” Haywood said. “Been my dream since I was little. Always wanted to be an Oklahoma Sooner and the day has come. So all my family is proud.”
Both players plan to come in as freshmen and try to compete for playing time. Haywood may have the best shot of getting on the field early because of his immense talents and the lack of tight ends at OU.
Haywood hauled in 34 receptions for 578 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also carried the ball 33 times for 134 yards and eight more scores. Rivals.com currently has him ranked as the second best player in the state and the No. 7 tight end in the country.
“Those tight ends are good guys,” OU coach Bob Stoops said. “Austin Haywood is a really physical, bigger guy that can run. Reminds you of a Keith Jackson type guy.”
But Wilson also sees himself with a chance to make an impression early.
“I want to go in there and play early,” Wilson said. “At least be an asset to the team. If it comes down to it and I have to redshirt then I will redshirt. But I am going to go in there and try and make an impact. I’m going in there with a chip on my shoulder because most guys from in-state don’t go to OU. I’m going in their with a chip on my shoulder with something to prove.”
Overall, the Sooners had a solid recruting class. They signed 29 freshman from around the country, with17 coming from Texas. Oklahoma accounted for four, Kansas with three, California with two and Missouri and Florida with one each.
But Stoops and his coaches know how important it is to lock up the best in-state kids like Haywood and Wilson.
“Our thought process hasn’t changed a lot in that respect,” Stoops said. “We want to recruit well in our most immediate areas, but we’re also a program with a national reputation and it’s important that we capitalize on that reputation as we look for players who fit with our program.”
OU Sports
Sooners sign a pair of SaberCats
Haywood, Wilson look to make impact next season
- OU Sports
-
-
It’s a recipe for success
Oklahoma softball coach Patty Gasso was answering questions Saturday after her Sooners clinched another return to the Women’s College World Series when, without really meaning to, she began to make it clear her job has, sort of, become ...
-
Tigers deny Sooners’ Big 12 title hopes
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma wanted to win its first Big 12 tournament in 16 years on Sunday. Missouri needed to win it to get in the NCAA Tournament. Need topped desire at Bricktown Ballpark....
-
Sooners make winning look easy
As Oklahoma’s players locked arms around the pitching circle, coming together for what passed as a celebration following Saturday’s 7-1 NCAA Super Regional-clinching victory over Arizona, three gloves remained near second base....
-
There are no easy outs in the lineup
Looking for a gameplan to stop Oklahoma? Well, one may or may not be available, but walking two of the first three Sooners you face certainly isn’t part of it. Just ask Arizona’s Kenzie Fowler....
-
Sooners will play for Big 12 championship
OKLAHOMA CITY, — It’s been 16 years since Oklahoma won the Big 12 tournament. It’s closer now than its ever been to ending the streak. The Sooners rolled through Baylor, 7-2, on Saturday at Bricktown Ballpark to advance to the tournament’s ...
-
Sooners send five more to nationals
AUSTIN, Texas — Oklahoma track and field teams had five more individuals qualify for the NCAA Championship on Saturday evening at the NCAA West Preliminary. The men’s 4x100-meter relay team also advanced to the national semifinals....
-
OU sophomore Jao-Javanil wins NCAA golf title
FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Oklahoma’s Chirapat Jao-Javanil made Oklahoma golf history Friday, becoming the first Sooner, man or woman, to win an individual NCAA national championship....
-
Pitching staff is exactly where Golloway wants it to be
When the Big 12 tournament began, Oklahoma felt like it had the pitching staff to make a deep run. Dillon Overton, Jordan John, Jonathan Gray and Damien Magnifico gave them four quality starters and a closer — Steven Okert — capable of ...
-
Sooners shut out Wildcats, need one more win for WCWS entry
Oklahoma might have scored more runs, not committed an error and starting pitcher Keilani Ricketts could have been just a little more efficient along the way....
-
Sooners send 4 more to NCAAs
AUSTIN, Texas – Oklahoma’s track and field teams added four individuals to the list of Sooners advancing to the NCAA championship Friday at the NCAA West Preliminary. In addition to the four new qualifiers, Brittany Borman advanced to the ...
- More OU Sports Headlines
-
It’s a recipe for success
