Simmons Scoop: Oklahoma in great spot for 4-star safety Makari Vickers

Tallahassee (Fla.) Robert F Munroe Day School four-star safety Makari Vickers is announcing his commitment on Aug. 26. The 6-foot-1, 189 pound defensive back is choosing between Alabama, Michigan and Oklahoma.

According to On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons, the Sooners are in the lead for Vickers, the No. 87 overall prospect and No. 8 safety in the 2023 On3 Consensus. Vickers took an official visit to Norman on June 3 and was also at Oklahoma for an unofficial visit on July 28.

“He was out in Norman over the summer,” Simmons said. “He’s had a great relationship with (head coach Brent) Venables, that coaching staff, Jay Valai, the (defensive backs) coach who went from Alabama to Oklahoma. I like where Oklahoma’s at for Vickers.”

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According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, the Sooners have a commanding lead for Vickers’ commitment at 94.3% following multiple expert predictions. Alabama has the next-best odds of his finalists at 1.5%.

Simmons believes that the Crimson Tide are the Sooners’ biggest competition for Vickers’ commitment. Alabama got an official visit from the four-star recruit on June 17 and his good friend, cornerback Terrion Arnold, was a member of Alabama’s 2021 recruiting class.

“The two are very much in contact,” Simmons said about Arnold and Vickers. “Bama’s done a good job recruiting Vickers, but I like where Oklahoma’s at.”

Vickers would be a big win for Venables on the recruiting trail. If he chooses the Sooners, he would be the program’s sixth top-100 recruit in the 2023 class. Oklahoma’s 2023 recruiting class currently ranks No. 7 in the 2023 On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings and No. 2 in the Big 12.

Makari Vickers On3 Scouting Summary

The following is the On3 Scouting Summary for Makari Vickers:

“Well-rounded safety prospect with athleticism and ball skills. Has a good combination of size and speed. Measured at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds as a junior. Was a state finalist in the 100 meters as a junior, running a 10.89 second mark. Plays all over the field for his high school, making plays as a safety, receiver and return man. Instinctive and makes plays on the ball in coverage. Can come down with contested grabs. A form tackler who finishes with physicality. Shows his athleticism when the ball is in his hands. Does not play tough competition. Lacks some length for the position. Younger for the cycle, turning 17 years-old in May of his junior year.”