NORMAN — As late as November, Oklahoma had a light year planned on the recruiting trial. Then things changed with the exodus of players in December. Its 2012 recruiting went from plugging a few holes to a major overhaul.
On Wednesday, the renovation was complete with a class of 26 signees.
“We answered all of our needs,” OU coach Bob Stoops said Wednesday afternoon.
Those needs were mainly on offense and at the skill positions. Eleven of the signees were wide receivers (5), tight ends (3) and running backs (3). The group also included five offensive linemen.
The receivers are the most heralded of the group. All five are rated as four-star recruits or higher. Trey Metoyer, who originally signed with OU last year but had to spend a semester at Hargrave (Va.) Academy to raise his grades for admission, is a five-star recruit. Heritage Hall’s Sterling Shepard, St. Louis De Smet’s Durron Neal, Derrick Woods (Inglewood, Calif.), Daniel Brooks (Port Lavaca, Texas) and junior college transfer Courtney Gardner provide the instant talent influx OU required.
“I love all these guys, they are all special athletes. When you look at Durron Neal, Sterling Shepard, Derrick Woods, the high school guys are fabulous athletes in speed, quickness, size, catching the football, running with the football, returns. And Courtney Gardner, as well,” Stoops said.
The Sooners were down to only four scholarship receivers by the end of the last season and two were seniors. Metoyer is already enrolled in school and will go through spring practice. The rest will arrive in the fall.
The Sooners didn’t have a tight end on scholarship heading into spring practice. Wednesday’s haul brought in two for the spring and at least one more for the fall.
Fort Scott (Kan.) Community recruit Brannon Green gives OU the physical blocking presence its lacked from the position. Taylor McNamara, who graduated from Westview High School in San Diego a semester early so he could enroll in January, is a four-star recruit and the No. 2 prep tight end in the country. OU also added Sam Grant from North Royalton, Ohio (St. Edward). Tallahassee (Fla.) Godby tight end Laith Harlow also signed Wednesday, but there are questions whether a high school injury will prevent him from playing football.
At running back, landing Arizona Western Community College’s Damien Williams was big for the Sooners. The 215-pound San Diego native was the No. 1 JUCO running back in the country and could jump to the top of the Sooners’ depth chart next season. He joins Jenks running back Alex Ross and David Smith from Midlothian, Ill.
The offensive line picked up needed depth for next season with the additions of John Michael McGee (Texarkana, Texas), Kyle Marrs (San Antonio, Texas Brandeis), Ty Darlington (Apopka, Fla.), and Will Latu (College of the Canyons).
The Sooners also added San Antonio Reagan quarterback Trevor Knight.
“We came into this recruiting season and knew where most of our shortcomings where we would have to sign more offensive players than defensive players, that was where the biggest need was,” Stoops said.
OU defensive needs centered on the secondary and at defensive end. It inked three cornerbacks with Pierce College (Calif.) standout Kass Everett, and prep athletes Zack Sanchez (Keller, Texas) and Gary Simon (St. Petersburg, Fla.)
OU picked up Chaz Nelson (Garden City Community College), Charles Tapper (Baltimore) and Edmond Santa Fe’s Mike Onuoha to fill defensive end voids.
Linebacker Eric Striker (Seffner, Fla.) and defensive tackle Jordan Wade (Round Rock, Texas) completed the defensive haul.
Rivals.com currently has the class ranked No. 10. ESPN.com has the Sooners at No. 11.
One oddity about the group is that OU hit the junior college ranks hard this season. Six of the players will enter school with only two years of eligibility remaining.
“This is more than we have had in the past, but I felt we had more immediate needs this year than maybe at some other times,” Stoops said. “I feel these guys all really fit what we need and are special players.”
John Shinn 366-3536 jshinn@normantranscript.com
