Oklahoma legend Gerald McCoy leading charge to flip Five-Star Plus+ DL Williams Nwaneri
The Oklahoma football program got a much-needed dose of good news on Saturday night when Five-Star Plus+ defensive lineman David Stone committed to the Sooners over Miami and Michigan State.
Keeping a kid who grew up just outside of Oklahoma City home is a major recruiting victory for Brent Venables, but especially so after the Sooners lost out on Lee’s Summit (Mo.) North Five-Star Plus+ defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri earlier this month.
OU had been considered the favorite to land him for much of the summer, but he ultimately committed to the in-state Missouri Tigers. Intrigue around Nwaneri hasn’t stopped since then, though.
Last week — just a few days after his commitment — Nwaneri showed up the opening game of his senior season wearing Oklahoma gloves and cleats. The Sooners colors do match his high school’s, but that didn’t stop speculation from running rampant about his commitment.
On Saturday, former Oklahoma All-American defensive lineman Gerald McCoy only added to the fire by tweeting a photo of Nwaneri wearing Oklahoma gloves with, “Hey Missouri Tigers, don’t think it’s over wit the kid either……….. We’re just getting started. Stay tuned………….”
Saturday isn’t the first time McCoy has made a pitch for the Sooners or gotten involved in the recruiting process, either. This spring, he tweeted at the recently committed Stone to announce for the Sooners as well following the departure of a key Michigan State coach.
Top 10
- 1
Mike Norvell
$4.5M of salary going back to FSU
- 2
Commish shreds portal
Marshall bowl opt-out spotlights issue
- 3
Predicting AP Poll
Chaotic Saturday will shake up rankings
- 4
Tom Brady
Reaction to Bill Belichick to UNC
- 5Hot
Pop-Tart Bowl
New trophy with functioning toaster
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
And last October, McCoy sparred with former Texas players over four-star EDGE Colton Vasek, who committed to the Sooners, then decommitted and flipped to the rival Longhorns.
Sooners will continue to push for Nwaneri
Despite Nwaneri’s pledge to the Tigers, that won’t stop Oklahoma’s pursuit of him. And the Sooners will certainly try to get him on campus for at least one unofficial visit this fall. Following the game where he was spotted in Oklahoma gear though, he remained steadfast in his feelings about Missouri.
“I had to show some love… They’re still recruiting me and I’m going to let the season play out, but I’m committed to Mizzou… Just having fun with it,” Nwaneri told SoonerScoop’s George Stoia after.
The 6-foot-6, 265-pounder is the No. 3 overall prospect in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. On3 ranks him even higher, tabbing him as the No. 1 player in the entire class.