Oklahoma's Woodi Washington and transfer Key Lawrence go way back

Oklahoma has seen an influx of Tennessee talent in the last couple years. Just this offseason, the Sooners have added three transfers from the University of Tennessee. For Oklahoma defensive back and Tennessee native Woodi Washington, it’s been a welcome sight.

Washington told media recently that he and Tennessee transfer Key Lawrence have known each other since they were in fourth grade.

Washington and Lawrence played against each other in AAU basketball, with Washington playing for the Middle Tennessee Impact while Lawrence played for The Ballers.

Lawrence moved to Nashville from Mississippi when he was young and played at Ensworth High School. Washington hails from Murfreesboro in Tennessee and played at Oakland High School.

The two are expected to start together in the defensive backfield for the Sooners, an opportunity Washington described as “exciting”

“I think it would be an exciting and a great thing,” Washington said. “Just because we grew up knowing each other for a long time so it’ll be exciting.”

Volunteer State reunion

Washington is also very familiar with freshman Reggie Grimes, a four-star recruit from Ravenwood and Tennessee running back transfer Eric Gray, who he played against in high school.

Woodi Washington has welcomed the influx of talent from his home state, and hinted that there could be more coming.

“It’s kind of a surprise I really wasn’t expecting it,” Washington said. ‘I’m glad they’re starting to take notice of our state, I think it’s going to be a big deal here coming soon and I think we’ll get some more guys in the next class”

As it stands, Oklahoma doesn’t hold a commitment from the state of Tennessee in the 2022 or 2023 class. The lone uncommitted player from Tennessee that holds an Oklahoma offer in the 2022 class is five-star Walter Nolan, who’s recruitment is trending towards the likes of Michigan, Tennessee and Florida, among others.

In 2023, the Sooners have yet to offer a prospect from the state of Tennessee.

Influx of Tennessee talent

This offseason, Oklahoma added three transfers from Tennessee. The aforementioned Lawrence and Gray, who are both expected to play a major role for the Sooners this season, as well as Wanya Morris. Morris is a former blue-chip recruit from Georgia powerhouse Grayson.

Elsewhere on the roster, Oklahoma edge and former Ravenwood standout Reggie Grimes is entering his second year with the Sooners.

Lawrence, Gray, Grimes and Morris are all expected to be impact contributors for the Sooners this season. Morris is expected to start this season while the other three are expected to be key rotational pieces. Gray specifically has made waves this offseason since arriving in Norman and will split starting running back reps with Kennedy Brooks.

At defensive back, Lawrence and Washington are expected to see the field often. The two are joined by Jeremiah Cridell, DJ Graham, Delarrin Turner-Yell and Pat Fields as expected starters in the secondary.