Oklahoma’s Nov. 5 showdown against Texas A&M is easily the must-see game of the year. Several of the Sooners’ verbal commits for the 2012 class already have confirmed they’ll be making unofficial visits for the matchup that right now would feature two top 10 teams.
OU's game this weekend against Missouri, however, is attracting big names, too. It will be a chance to make a good impression on three highly-ranked national 2012 prospects: offensive tackle Zach Banner (Lakewood, Wash./Lakes), wide receiver Jordan Payton (Westlake Village, Calif./Oaks Christian) and defensive end Mario Edwards (Denton, Texas/Ryan).
Edwards is committed to Florida State but said last week he is still interested in Oklahoma.
And looking ahead, several prospects of the class of 2013 also will be on hand. Offensive tackle Jake Raulerson (Celina, Texas/Celina) and defensive end D.J. Ward (Lawton, Okla./Lawton) lead the OU offers for 2013 that are making the trip, but they aren’t the only ones.
This will be an important weekend for prospects in Oklahoma as several of the state’s top high school juniors are among the other notable visitors attending the game in Norman this weekend.
“I was able to talk to coach [Brent] Venables on Facebook last week and confirm everything,” said linebacker Devin Rolan (McAlester, Okla./McAlester). “It’s going to be great, because I haven’t been able to talk to him in person since the summer.”
Rolan has said in the past that if OU offers, he will commit. Rolan also will be able to have his father with him. He has visited the campus twice in the past without his father.
Three of Oklahoma’s top quarterback prospects plan on showing up. Juniors Joel Blumenthal (Edmond, Okla./Deer Creek) and Brayden Scott (Tahlequah, Okla./Sequoyah) will be joined by sophomore Justice Hansen (Edmond, Okla./Santa Fe).
“I’m really pumped up,” Blumenthal said. “I got my invite in the mail last week.”
It will also be a special day for Scott, who will be attending his first OU game. Scott recently said OU and Arkansas are currently his two favorites. Scott has offers from Arkansas and Alabama, among others. Hansen is already getting looks from major programs.
Running back Darius Graham (Lawton, Okla./MacArthur) is also making the trip. MacArthur has been kind to the Sooners lately, with running back Dominique Whaley and safety Javon Harris both being products of the Lawton school.
Defensive back commit De’Vante Harris (Mesquite, Texas/Horn) also plans on making an unofficial visit. This weekend could go a long way in solidifying the 2012 class and starting the building blocks for 2013.