OU signees, Carl Albert trio Trystan Haynes, Marcus James, Trynae Washington look to finish in style

Next month, they’re all going to be at OU. But this weekend? This trio from Midwest City (Okla.) Carl Albert has some unfinished business.

Or a chance at history because they’ve finished this business before. The Titans are going for the three-peat this weekend. It will be familiar foes Carl Albert against Guthrie for the OKPreps 5A state championship Saturday night at Central Oklahoma.

SoonerScoop’s Josh McCuistion will be in attendance.

And it’ll mark the final game in the incredible careers for OU signees tight end Trynae Washington, cornerback Trystan Haynes and linebacker Marcus James.

“There’s a lot of great qualities when you play for Carl Albert,” said OU head coach Brent Venables last week. “They’re coming from a really strong culture that understands how important team is. So the selflessness, the blue-collar mindset, the consistency, the depth of development, preparation, being on a big stage in the high school space, understanding the value of high standards and expectations and then showing up every day, willing to compete, to create value for yourself and to outwork people.

“I could probably go on and on. I just watched them for the last few years, since we’ve been here together. And those are the qualities I think a lot of the guys that come from that program are going to have in their tool belt.”

The trio does a little bit of everything for Carl Albert. They’ll have more defined roles in Norman when they arrive as mid-year enrollees.

Carl Albert has outscored its three playoff opponents 129-21. If any school can give it a battle, it’s Guthrie. These two have been among the cream of the crop in 5A for a long, long time.

Of course, Carl Albert is the same high school as late-rising freshman running back Xavier Robinson. Robinson became a force for OU down the stretch.

BV on James

Marcus James comes from one of the best, again, we signed three guys from one of the best programs in the state of Oklahoma, Carl Albert, and what they’ve been able to achieve is really special. To have the level of elite consistency is really remarkable. But Marcus has been a big part of that. He’s a very versatile outside linebacker, plays tight end, can play middle linebacker. Can rush the passer really well. A good athlete. Plays in space. We noticed him a few years ago coming to camp. Just a really long, rangy athletic guy, and really excited to see what he’s going to develop into. Got a great frame as well. So love where he’s at right now.

BV on Haynes

They know where to put their eyes. They know how to flip their hips. Know how to attack the ball. They know how to tackle and chew up space, running the alley. And this is a group of guys, like I said, they’re incredibly confident group of guys. They all had an elite level of success their senior years as well.

BV on Washington

There’s nothing that he can’t do. We’ve projected him as a tight end. He came to our campus last summer as a commit and Coach Finley was able to work him out. He was fantastic. He’s got natural hands. Super physical. He’s got a great frame. He played safety and corner and receiver for Carl Albert. I saw him have pick-sixes, great toe-touch receptions as a receiver. Physical presence to him. Was able to watch them twice over the last two years in person. One of the most unassuming guys as well, but when he gets into the weight room and starts working with the fundamentals, man again, there’s no limits on what he can do. Just great instincts as a football player.