Oklahoma Sooners: California Golden Bears
2015 QB Hilinski earning early attention 
March, 26, 2013
Mar 26
7:59
PM CT
By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
The 2015 quarterback class in California is shaping up to be one of the best in recent memory, and Tyler Hilinski (Upland, Calif./Upland) is well on his way to putting himself in the middle of that conversation.
The 6-foot-3 quarterback led his team to the finals of the Gamebreaker Classis this past weekend, as he put together a terrific performance on the second day. In a tournament filled with 2015 talent, Hilinski stood out as one of the most productive underclassmen in attendance.
The 6-foot-3 quarterback led his team to the finals of the Gamebreaker Classis this past weekend, as he put together a terrific performance on the second day. In a tournament filled with 2015 talent, Hilinski stood out as one of the most productive underclassmen in attendance.
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Is the Class of 2014 crop of in-state talent the best Oklahoma has seen since 2006? With six recruits in the ESPN Watch List, it’s shaping up to be a busy recruiting year in the Sooner State. For the next three weeks, SoonerNation is going to profile the OKPreps’ 14 for ’14: a look at some of the top names and where they stand with OU.
WR Jeffery Mead (Tulsa, Okla./Union, 6-7, 168)
2012 stats: 33 catches for 614 yards with 7 touchdowns.
WR Jeffery Mead (Tulsa, Okla./Union, 6-7, 168)
2012 stats: 33 catches for 614 yards with 7 touchdowns.
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All along the speculation has been that four-star offensive tackle Aaron Cochran (Atwater, Calif./Buhach) would join his brother at California.
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Scouts: Cavil's key for several reasons
January, 14, 2013
Jan 14
9:18
PM CT
By
Tom Luginbill | ESPN.com
Having a continued presence in Texas is huge for Oklahoma, and the addition of ESPN 300 talent Dannon Cavil (San Antonio/James Madison) keeps them there and adds to a position of need, especially if Cavil morphs into a jumbo WR/H-back that can be a threat out of the slot, but still flex out and be a jump-ball target. He is a massive prospect that will add a different dimension than that of Sterling Shepard out of the 2012 class, who played as a freshman.
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WR Cavil reverses course, flips to Sooners
January, 14, 2013
Jan 14
5:28
PM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
ESPN 300 wide receiver Dannon Cavil (San Antonio/Madison) hasn’t been bashful about saying Oklahoma is his dream school.
When he was committed to Ole Miss in the summer, the Sooners were still No. 1. After flipping to California in the fall, OU was still on his mind.
And now, days away from enrolling early, Cavil is realizing his dream. Cavil tweeted Monday afternoon he has switched his commitment one more time, pledging to the Sooners.
San Antonio Madison coach Jim Streety confirmed Cavil's plans to enroll early at OU.
“Committed to the University of Oklahoma… enroll in the next couple of days,” Cavil tweeted, followed with a picture of him in OU gear.
Cavil is OU’s fourth wide receiver commit and second in as many days. Three-star wide receiver K.J. Young (Perris, Calif./Citrus Hill) pledged to OU on Sunday afternoon.
While Young is considered a deep-play, explosive threat, Cavil brings a much different skill set to the table: size.
None of OU’s three previous receiver commits is as big as Cavil, who is 6-foot-5, 205 pounds and ranked No. 239 in the ESPN 300 and No. 35 at wide receiver. He is OU’s highest-ranked wide receiver commit.
When he was committed to Ole Miss in the summer, the Sooners were still No. 1. After flipping to California in the fall, OU was still on his mind.
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Miller Safrit/ESPN.comFour-star prospect Dannon Cavil is the Sooners' fourth receiver commitment of the Class of 2013.
Miller Safrit/ESPN.comFour-star prospect Dannon Cavil is the Sooners' fourth receiver commitment of the Class of 2013.San Antonio Madison coach Jim Streety confirmed Cavil's plans to enroll early at OU.
“Committed to the University of Oklahoma… enroll in the next couple of days,” Cavil tweeted, followed with a picture of him in OU gear.
Cavil is OU’s fourth wide receiver commit and second in as many days. Three-star wide receiver K.J. Young (Perris, Calif./Citrus Hill) pledged to OU on Sunday afternoon.
While Young is considered a deep-play, explosive threat, Cavil brings a much different skill set to the table: size.
None of OU’s three previous receiver commits is as big as Cavil, who is 6-foot-5, 205 pounds and ranked No. 239 in the ESPN 300 and No. 35 at wide receiver. He is OU’s highest-ranked wide receiver commit.
Sooners offer committed ESPN 300 WR
January, 11, 2013
Jan 11
12:23
PM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
There could be another receiver in the competition to replace Kenny Stills at Oklahoma this spring. With Stills and Justin Brown moving on to the next level, Sooners receivers coach Jay Norvell is looking to add another receiver to his 2013 class.
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The plan was for four-star offensive tackle Aaron Cochran (Atwater, Calif./Buhach) to make his decision at the Semper Fidelis All-American game.
But with the game looming later this week, Cochran is in no position to make that call. Instead of trying to force a decision, Cochran is opting to delay the decision.
“I’m going to wait, there’s no doubt about that,” Cochran said. “I’m not going to put a date on it. It’s going to be whenever I feel like it.”
But with the game looming later this week, Cochran is in no position to make that call. Instead of trying to force a decision, Cochran is opting to delay the decision.
“I’m going to wait, there’s no doubt about that,” Cochran said. “I’m not going to put a date on it. It’s going to be whenever I feel like it.”
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OT Sean Dowling decommits from UCLA
December, 14, 2012
12/14/12
7:55
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Saying he needs to figure out what is the best situation for him, offensive tackle Sean Dowling (Fallbrook, Calif./Union) decommitted from UCLA late Thursday night, he confirmed via text message to ESPN.com.
Dowling, a 6-foot-6 and 260-pound three-star prospect, was the first offensive lineman to commit to the Bruins in April. UCLA has added seven more commits on the line since then, including two in the last seven days. Dowling declined to say if that was a factor in his decision.
He has taken official visits to Washington State, Oklahoma and Oregon State and has said in the past he is hopeful to take an official visit to Vanderbilt.
Dowling, a 6-foot-6 and 260-pound three-star prospect, was the first offensive lineman to commit to the Bruins in April. UCLA has added seven more commits on the line since then, including two in the last seven days. Dowling declined to say if that was a factor in his decision.
He has taken official visits to Washington State, Oklahoma and Oregon State and has said in the past he is hopeful to take an official visit to Vanderbilt.
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Cornerback L.J. Moore (Fresno, Calif./Central) was scheduled to take an official visit to California this weekend, but the 6-foot, 164-pound athlete said on Monday that his plans had changed. Now, Moore will take his official visit to Texas Tech this weekend, which is a school not previously included in his top five or six choices.
"I can go to Cal on unofficials because it's close," Moore said via text. "But I wouldn't be able to get out to Tech, so I want to go see what Texas football is like."
It won't just be Texas football that Moore will get an opportunity to watch this weekend. The Red Raiders host the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday, which will give Moore -- who has an official visit scheduled to Oklahoma later this month -- his first opportunity to see the program where his good friend and teammate, Hatari Byrd, is committed.
Moore took his first official visit to Notre Dame two weeks ago and hasn't been shy about volunteering the Fighting Irish and UCLA Bruins as his top two schools. But he plans to allow his entire recruiting process to play out before making a decision. Moore also has official visits scheduled to Oregon State in October and UCLA on the first weekend of November.
"I can go to Cal on unofficials because it's close," Moore said via text. "But I wouldn't be able to get out to Tech, so I want to go see what Texas football is like."
It won't just be Texas football that Moore will get an opportunity to watch this weekend. The Red Raiders host the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday, which will give Moore -- who has an official visit scheduled to Oklahoma later this month -- his first opportunity to see the program where his good friend and teammate, Hatari Byrd, is committed.
Moore took his first official visit to Notre Dame two weeks ago and hasn't been shy about volunteering the Fighting Irish and UCLA Bruins as his top two schools. But he plans to allow his entire recruiting process to play out before making a decision. Moore also has official visits scheduled to Oregon State in October and UCLA on the first weekend of November.
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Safety Tyler Foreman (Encino, Calif./Crespi) holds more than one dozen scholarship offers, but Sept. 1 moved the recruiting process to another level for him, as college coaches began to call. Foreman said he heard from California, Oklahoma, UCLA and Utah within the first few days of the month. But the 6-foot-2, 161-pound standout is doing what he can to keep recruiting quiet, as he focuses on his team this season.
“I’m just going to stick with what me and my parents said, and wait until after the season [for recruiting],” Foreman said. “I want to focus on the season because we have a goal and I want to follow that to the end. I’ve told the coaches that’s what I’m going to do.”
Crespi has several bye weeks on their schedule this season, so while Foreman won’t begin narrowing down his final list or think about committing in-season, he will use two of his official visits.
“I’m just going to stick with what me and my parents said, and wait until after the season [for recruiting],” Foreman said. “I want to focus on the season because we have a goal and I want to follow that to the end. I’ve told the coaches that’s what I’m going to do.”
Crespi has several bye weeks on their schedule this season, so while Foreman won’t begin narrowing down his final list or think about committing in-season, he will use two of his official visits.
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TE Sandland adds offer, preps for visit
August, 21, 2012
8/21/12
9:30
AM CT
By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
Junior college tight end Beau Sandland (Woodland Hills, Calif./Pierce College) is making the most of his first foray into the recruiting process. A non-qualifier out of high school, the 6-foot-5, 250-pound athlete turned in an impressive showing on the recruiting trail this offseason. Beginning in February, Sandland said it felt as though he collected an offer -- and sometimes two -- each day, through the end of spring. Though things have slowed considerably since then with the end of the spring evaluation period and fall camps starting, Monday proved that it isn’t over completely, as Tennessee stepped forward with a scholarship offer.
“It’s been fun,” Sandland said of recruiting. “This is the first time I’ve ever gone through it, so I didn’t fully know what to expect. You hear stories and see the sophomores from last year, but it’s been a really exciting and fun time. It can get a little hectic, but in a good way. It’s been really humbling talking to these schools and having offers from some of the top programs in the nation.”
Several SEC heavyweights extended offers to Sandland, including Florida, Georgia, LSU and Mississippi, though he took opportunities this summer to get a better feel for programs in other conferences. Pac-12 programs Arizona State, California and UCLA received unofficial visits, while Nebraska was the recipient of an official visit. This weekend, Sandland will travel for Oklahoma for his second official visit.
“It’s been fun,” Sandland said of recruiting. “This is the first time I’ve ever gone through it, so I didn’t fully know what to expect. You hear stories and see the sophomores from last year, but it’s been a really exciting and fun time. It can get a little hectic, but in a good way. It’s been really humbling talking to these schools and having offers from some of the top programs in the nation.”
Several SEC heavyweights extended offers to Sandland, including Florida, Georgia, LSU and Mississippi, though he took opportunities this summer to get a better feel for programs in other conferences. Pac-12 programs Arizona State, California and UCLA received unofficial visits, while Nebraska was the recipient of an official visit. This weekend, Sandland will travel for Oklahoma for his second official visit.
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California cornerback has a top group
August, 1, 2012
8/01/12
9:41
PM CT
By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
Cornerback L.J. Moore (Fresno, Calif./Central East) took to Twitter on Wednesday to announce his top group of schools. Though he announced it as a top five, he couldn't cut out a sixth school, so the final two are tied for fifth.
He listed, in order, Notre Dame, UCLA, California, Oregon State and a tie between Arizona State and Washington.
"Notre Dame is a great, prestigious program and Coach [Mike] Denbrock and I have a great relationship," Moore said via text message about why the Irish are out front. "They said I will have a chance to compete for a starting spot as soon as I get there."
He listed, in order, Notre Dame, UCLA, California, Oregon State and a tie between Arizona State and Washington.
"Notre Dame is a great, prestigious program and Coach [Mike] Denbrock and I have a great relationship," Moore said via text message about why the Irish are out front. "They said I will have a chance to compete for a starting spot as soon as I get there."
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While many of the nation's recruits are making verbal commitments this summer, three-star offensive tackle Kenny Lacy (Phoenix/Mountain Pointe) is content to take his time.
The 6-foot-5, 260-pound lineman is down to a final seven schools, but will likely wait until after he takes all five of his official visits to make a commitment.
The 6-foot-5, 260-pound lineman is down to a final seven schools, but will likely wait until after he takes all five of his official visits to make a commitment.
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Priest Willis (Tempe, Ariz./Marcos De Niza) planned to release a list of his top 15 schools shortly after the opening, but settled on a final 16 when it became too difficult to cut an additional program.
The schools that made the cut for Willis are Arizona, Arizona State, California, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, UCLA, USC, Utah, Virginia and Washington.
The schools that made the cut for Willis are Arizona, Arizona State, California, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, UCLA, USC, Utah, Virginia and Washington.
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Rapid Reaction: No. 4 OU upsets No. 1 Cal
June, 1, 2012
6/01/12
8:45
PM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Oklahoma City -- Oklahoma could be emerging as the favorite to win the Women’s College World Series. And Keilani Ricketts is the main reason.
The Sooners ace pitcher dominance continued on Friday night as she led OU to a 3-0 win over top-seeded California at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City. Ricketts has been incredible during OU’s run through the NCAA Tournament, having allowed one earned run in six tournament games.
Turning point: When OU gave Ricketts the ball on the mound. She kept the Golden Bears off balance throughout the night and never faltered, even when Cal got runners in scoring positions. It was one of the best pitching performances of her career.
Player of the game: Ricketts. She struck out 16 batters and allowed just two hits in the victory. The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, Ricketts added a bases-loaded walk to give the Sooners a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning. She has struck out 27 batters and allowed five hits in 14 innings pitched in two WCWS games.
Unsung hero of the game: Georgia Casey. The freshman make her mark in her second WCWS game with a solo home run and two runs scored. She went 1 for 2 and walked twice from her leadoff position in OU’s lineup.
Stat of the game: .714. That was the Sooners' batting average leading off innings. OU was 5 for 7 hitting lead off against Cal, which created several scoring opportunities for the Sooners and they capitalized in the third and fourth innings, scoring one run in each inning.
Missed opportunities: OU left 10 runners on base in the victory but it didn’t matter thanks to Ricketts’ dominance and clutch pitching.
What it means: The Sooners are one win away from a berth in the WCWS championship series. OU will have Saturday off before playing at noon on Sunday needing one win to advance to the championship series.
Quotable: “I thought Keiliani was the best I had ever seen her.” -- OU head coach Patty Gasso
“They’re such a huge part of our team. They’re students of the game, students of hitting. They’re wonderful students who want to get better.” -- Gasso on freshmen Lauren Chamberlain and Georgia Casey
“I had my adrenaline going and I was hitting my spots.” -- Ricketts
“When pitchers have a good change ups, it’s about which team can adjust better.” -- Casey
The Sooners ace pitcher dominance continued on Friday night as she led OU to a 3-0 win over top-seeded California at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City. Ricketts has been incredible during OU’s run through the NCAA Tournament, having allowed one earned run in six tournament games.
Turning point: When OU gave Ricketts the ball on the mound. She kept the Golden Bears off balance throughout the night and never faltered, even when Cal got runners in scoring positions. It was one of the best pitching performances of her career.
Player of the game: Ricketts. She struck out 16 batters and allowed just two hits in the victory. The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, Ricketts added a bases-loaded walk to give the Sooners a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning. She has struck out 27 batters and allowed five hits in 14 innings pitched in two WCWS games.
Unsung hero of the game: Georgia Casey. The freshman make her mark in her second WCWS game with a solo home run and two runs scored. She went 1 for 2 and walked twice from her leadoff position in OU’s lineup.
Stat of the game: .714. That was the Sooners' batting average leading off innings. OU was 5 for 7 hitting lead off against Cal, which created several scoring opportunities for the Sooners and they capitalized in the third and fourth innings, scoring one run in each inning.
Missed opportunities: OU left 10 runners on base in the victory but it didn’t matter thanks to Ricketts’ dominance and clutch pitching.
What it means: The Sooners are one win away from a berth in the WCWS championship series. OU will have Saturday off before playing at noon on Sunday needing one win to advance to the championship series.
Quotable: “I thought Keiliani was the best I had ever seen her.” -- OU head coach Patty Gasso
“They’re such a huge part of our team. They’re students of the game, students of hitting. They’re wonderful students who want to get better.” -- Gasso on freshmen Lauren Chamberlain and Georgia Casey
“I had my adrenaline going and I was hitting my spots.” -- Ricketts
“When pitchers have a good change ups, it’s about which team can adjust better.” -- Casey
ABOUT SOONER NATION
Jake Trotter
Jake Trotter joined ESPN.com in 2011 after four years with The (Oklahoma City) Oklahoman, covering OU and Big 12 football. He's a graduate of Washington and Lee (Va.) University and lives in Oklahoma City with his wife. Email him at trotterjake@gmail.com.
Brandon Chatmon
Brandon Chatmon joined ESPN.com in 2011 after spending eight years with The Oklahoman, covering Oklahoma State University, high schools and recruiting. Chatmon lives in Norman, Okla. Email him at bchatmonespn@gmail.com.
Bob Przybylo
Bob Przybylo joined ESPN.com in 2011 after spending four years with The Oklahoman, covering high schools and recruiting. Przybylo lives in Oklahoma City. Email him at bprzybyloespn@gmail.com.