Michael Kinney
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.”
