The first time Oklahoma offensive linemen verbal commits Ty Darlington (Apopka, Fla./Apopka) and John Michael McGee (Texarkana, Texas/Texas) met each other was on their official visits to OU two weeks ago.
They won’t have to wait nearly as long for their second meeting as both will be in San Antonio this upcoming week for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
“I’m real excited about this opportunity and to get a chance to spend more time with some of the commits,” Darlington said. “The level of competition is going to be incredible.”
OU has five commits in the U.S. Army game and three in the Under Armour All-America Game next week.
Under Armour All-America Game
Date: Thursday, Jan. 5. Site: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Fla. Time: 6:30 p.m. CT. TV: ESPN
Commits: RB Alex Ross (Jenks, Okla./Jenks). Ross is still making the trip though he will not be participating in the game or practices. Ross re-injured his collarbone in a semifinal playoff game and isn’t about to risk further injury. He recently had surgery and said he will be back better than ever.
WR Sterling Shepard (Oklahoma City/Heritage Hall). Not too many people got invited to the game the way Shepard did as ESPN’s Tom Luginbill offered the invitation following a four-touchdown performance by Shepard in a 55-10 win against Bethany, Okla., on ESPNU in October. Shepard is the top-ranked OU receiver commit in what is shaping up to be one of the best classes at the position in team history.
CB De’Vante Harris (Mesquite, Texas/Horn). Harris has worked his way into being a four-star prospect and is known for his physical play. Ever since committing to OU, Harris has been the most vocal supporter of the Sooners. Harris and Shepard are on opposite teams so it will be interesting to see if they line up against each other.
Targets: DE Mario Edwards (Denton, Texas/Ryan). No bigger target than the No. 1-ranked player in the ESPNU 150. Edwards has already made an official visit to OU. Though a solid Florida State commit, this will be another opportunity for OU’s kids to try to get into Edwards’ ear.
TE Sean Price (Citra, Fla./North Marion). A new name to add to the target list. It will be interesting to see how the commitment of Taylor McNamara (San Diego/Westview) impacts everything. Entering this week, the fourth-ranked tight end and South Florida commit was talking about trying to visit OU in January.
WR Nelson Agholor (Tampa, Fla./Berkeley Prep). Another top target that OU has already done everything it can. Agholor was a surprise official visitor two weeks ago. It’s a long shot, for sure, but it’s a lot better than it was at this point last month.
OT Avery Young (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Palm Beach Gardens). After routinely mentioning OU in the fall, Young hasn’t brought up the Sooners in a while. Perhaps a stage like this and getting to talk to some OU commits will turn the tide. Young appears set to be an SEC recruit at this point.
U.S. Army All-American Bowl
Date: Jan. 7. Site: Alamodome, San Antonio. Time: Noon CT. TV: NBC
Commits: C Ty Darlington (Apopka, Fla./Apopka). Darlington will be making the trip from Florida to San Antonio for the event and is pumped about what the week will bring. Listed at 275 pounds, Darlington said he has lost a lot of weight during the season and needs to put the pounds back on his frame. He is the only OU commit on the East team.
TE Taylor McNamara (San Diego/Westview). The newest OU commit will get a chance immediately to bond with some of his future teammates. McNamara also was on his official visit at the same time as Darlington and John Michael McGee and already knows Derrick Woods. He didn’t want to enter the week not knowing his commitment and pledged to OU on Wednesday night.
OG John Michael McGee (Texarkana, Texas/Texas). McGee is enjoying his extended winter break, and it continues into this week. One of the top guards in the nation, McGee becomes more of a solid commit with each passing day, saying he cannot wait to get back to Norman.
WR Durron Neal (St. Louis/De Smet Jesuit). Neal is putting the pressure on himself. His goal is to do whatever he can to try to convince wide receiver target Dorial Green-Beckham that OU is the place to be. Neal and Green-Beckham are both from Missouri and have been in consistent communication with each other this season.
WR Derrick Woods (Inglewood, Calif./Inglewood). Woods is the latest of the great incoming OU wide receiver class, committing earlier this month. Woods is a playmaker more than anything else and this will be his first opportunity to meet Neal, McGee and Darlington.
Targets: WR Dorial Green-Beckham (Springfield, Mo./Hillcrest). Edwards is the focus in Florida and Green-Beckham is the main target in Texas. Green-Beckham has OU in his final five, and despite not making an official visit yet to Norman, the Sooners are in good position regarding the third-ranked prospect in the nation. Don’t expect a commitment at the event.
WR Stefon Diggs (Olney, Md./Good Counsel). Diggs considered taking an official visit to OU two weeks ago but opted to stay home. Diggs has developed a bond with Green-Beckham, which is a good sign. However, OU is in an uphill climb to land one of the best receivers in the nation.
OT Zach Banner (Lakewood, Wash./Lakes). Skill position players get a lot of attention, but Banner might be the one target that OU needs the most. The Sooners have done what they can during his official visit and in-home visits, but it’s going to be tough to keep Banner from staying close to home. Banner loved his Washington visit and still has USC on his list.
S Elijah Shumate (Ramsey, N.J./Don Bosco). There was talk of Shumate making an official to OU on Thanksgiving weekend, but he decided to focus on state playoffs. Don Bosco won the championship and now Shumate is back on the trail. Getting Shumate on campus would go a long way in the battle, but it won’t be easy. South Carolina is in great position with Shumate right now.