OKPreps Watchlist: 27 for 2027

With recruiting getting earlier than ever, it’s just never too early to take stock of the Sooners in-state crop of talent. And with Oklahoma now heading into year two in the nation’s deepest and most talent-rich conference they could use a big year from their own state more than ever. And it seems that in 2027 the Sooner State is set to deliver. There are seven scholarships already out from Oklahoma and more could be on the way.

Ozias Adams – RB – Moore

Thoughts: Adams was one of the really intriguing surprises of my annual winter 6A-A video breakdown. He’s an explosive athlete who looks incredibly natural in space and has the speed to turn six yards into 60. I’m frankly surprised he isn’t already getting more notoriety – big-time potential seems to be here.

Case Alexander – LB/TE – Washington

Thoughts: One of the early Sooners offers and for good reason. Many expected Alexander to emerge as a tight end as his father and brother had before him. But Alexander seems to have found his role at linebacker and has the look of a special one. He’s big, physical, and shows impressive closing speed.

Bryson Brown – CB – Owasso

Thoughts: Another of Oklahoma’s early offers, Brown has been a name to know since very, very early in his high school career. Brown has a great frame and could play at either corner or safety in the college game.

Tucker Brown – CB – Mustang

Thoughts: Brown is a guy with a great natural feel for what receivers are trying to do. He changes direction with ease and is very fluid in his movement. He’s got a chance to be a good one and seems like a guy who could be a nickel type of player in certain schemes.

Kailib Dillard – S – Jenks

Thoughts: Dillard is one of a pair of Trojans safeties on the list and for good reason. He’s big and physical but he also shows a great ability to play the ball in the air. Sooner or later the offers will start truly rolling in and he’ll be seen differently.

Drew Frankenfield – QB – Owasso

Thoughts: Frankenfield had a great first year as a starter for the Rams and took them within inches of the 6A-1 state title. He’s a solid athlete but it’s his accuracy and calm under fire that really stand out about the talented passer.

Kamdin George – DL – Sapulpa

Thoughts: George was another one of the real stories to emerge out of some of our December and January tape review. George is a mountain on the inside who doesn’t have a ton of tape but what you can see is a guy who can stack up blockers and create plays upfield.

Noah Gillespie – CB – Tulsa Union

Thoughts: I can’t deny a long track record of liking cornerbacks from Union. Gillespie, like some before him, may be a bit undersized but he’s also very instinctive. He’s a guy I’m very intrigued to watch as a junior later this year.

Kyng Golston – DL – Valliant

Thoughts: Golston is a defensive lineman that will only see his stock grow as he continues to get bigger and fill out his frame. He’s got the athleticism to play in a lot of roles but it’s hard not to imagine him as a pass-rushing defensive tackle. If that can happen, he may land just about any offer one could seek.

Joseph Graves – DL – Booker T. Washington

Thoughts: Graves, son of former Texas Tech defensive lineman Pearlie, exploded onto the scene as a sophomore and picked up a Sooners offer following a huge camp performance last summer. He’s incredibly twitchy and seems to still be growing. He’s a potentially dangerous pass-rushing three-technique.

Cooper Hackett – OT – Ft. Gibson

Thoughts: Hackett, another Sooners in-state offer, is a guy with a massive frame and impressive length and athleticism. As he continues to fill out his frame Hackett is going to be seen as a guy whose upside is tremendous.

Izzy Hammons – EDGE – Choctaw

Thoughts: People at Choctaw have been raving about Hammons for quite some time and watching his sophomore take you can see why. He’s a guy that makes plays at safety, EDGE, and linebacker. He’s an unusual prospect but the talent is immense – look for him to be one who explodes over the next six months.

Malachi Hardiman – OL – Mount St. Mary

Thoughts: Former Sooners fullback J.D. Runnels took charge at Mount St. Mary last season and the Rockets have been showing real signs of life. Hardiman is a good example of it. He shows some ability as a defensive lineman but it’s on offense where you see his pop and athletic ability really play up.

Titus Hawk – TE – Choctaw

Thoughts: Hawk, another of the Sooners offers on the list, seems to be the latest in line of the state’s ever-growing tight end products. Hawk is an outstanding and though still very lean he’s a better blocker than one would expect, in short, he’s willing to mix it up. He’s also an outstanding baseball player for the Yellowjackets top-end program.

Cooper Hooker – WR – Salina

Thoughts: No, Oklahoma hasn’t annexed Kansas. Tiny Salina has a true standout at receiver and few tapes are more fun to watch than Hooker. He’s got outstanding ability to work in space and is a true technician. He’s going to get his due sooner or later.

Greydon Howell – ATH – Broken Bow

Thoughts: Speaking of fun tape, you won’t find more jaw-dropping work than Howell making plays all over Southeast Oklahoma. His explosive speed and easy change of direction are rare traits. If he keeps growing in his game he’s got a chance to be near the top of the state rankings in the next six months.

Dawayne Jones – DL – Booker T. Washington

Thoughts: Jones is part of a two-headed monster for the Hornets and he and Graves make for a dangerous combination. Jones works at defensive end for Booker T. but he could end up sliding inside at the collegiate level as he keeps filling out his frame.

Deakon Jones – WR – Stillwater

Thoughts: Though his teammate, David Thomas, has gotten a lot of the early headlines Jones is a really good receiver to keep an eye on. He’s sturdily built and has ability after the catch. Jones is definitely a player who should be getting more attention.

Ben Kolar – TE – Norman North

Thoughts: North is enjoying the talent of yet another Kolar. The third Kolar brother seems to be yet another FBS prospect. Ben moves well and has the potential to be a solid three-down tight end. It’s possible he ends up the biggest recruit of the three Kolars.

Bradford Mitchell – LB/EDGE – Stillwater

Thoughts: Mitchell is an intriguing prospect who shows off big-time closing speed and some natural instincts as a pass rusher. He’s one we want a longer look at this spring to really see where he fits in at the college level.

Odaefe Oruru – OL – Jenks

Thoughts: It’s been a few years since the Trojans had a big-time offensive line prospect but this could be only the program’s fifth FBS offensive line signee since 2006. Oruru is still raw but he has some natural ability to slide his feet and the size to lean on run defenders.

Gabriel Osborne – ATH – Putnam City

Thoughts: Osborne is one that the folks in Warr Acres have been excited about for a long time. He’s a two-way star for the Pirates and is one who actually seems to have a future on either side of the ball. He’ll be interesting to watch develop and see if offense or defense becomes a more prevalent possibility.

Kaeden Penny – OL – Bixby

Thoughts: One of the early favorites for the state’s top prospect in the class. Penny, who already holds a Sooners offer, is an outstanding talent and figures to be one of the country’s premier guards in 2027. He moves with ease and finishes with violence, in short, a very ideal big man.

Paxton Pitchford – OL – Stillwater

Thoughts: Pitchford is a guy who has already picked up an offer and is yet another Pioneer on this list. He’s got good size and some physicality to his game, we’ll definitely be keeping an eye on him this spring and summer.

Semaj Stanford – S – Jenks

Thoughts: The final Sooners offer to make this list, Stanford has been well known since he was in middle school. His older brother, Jalyn, was a quality recruit for the Trojans and throughout his recruitment there was always a feeling of ‘look out for Semaj’. He wasted no time living up to that promise and is on the path to be a rare four-year starter for the Trojans.

T.J. Taylor – S – Booker T. Washington

Thoughts: Taylor is a talented safety that shows off a lot of ability coming up and playing in run defense. But it’s his footwork and lateral quickness that make for a dynamic pass defender. Taylor hasn’t picked up a lot of attention so far but it’s still going to happen.

Daniel Yebit – CB – Yukon

Thoughts: Yebit is maybe the most raw player on this list but when you see a guy with his size and length and realize he was a three-time medalist in the 6A state championship as a freshman. Those sort of physical tools are hard to come by and the potential is there for him to be a breakout star.