Oklahoma Sooners: LSU Tigers
2015 CB Sheffield bonds with Texas coach 
May, 16, 2013
May 16
10:00
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By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
AUSTIN, Texas -- Class of 2015 defensive back Kendall Sheffield (Fort Bend, Texas/Marshall) walked with a bit of a lean forward on Saturday, but with good cause. He’d just won three silver medals at the UIL State Track and Field Meet in Austin.
Sheffield placed second in the 4A 110-hurdles, 300-meters and 4x100-meter relay.
Sheffield placed second in the 4A 110-hurdles, 300-meters and 4x100-meter relay.
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Q&A: 4-star prospect Martin deciding soon
May, 15, 2013
May 15
1:00
PM CT
By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
AUSTIN, Texas -- Versatility is a trait widely admired by college programs, but one that doesn’t always come in the form of someone 6-foot-6 and 247 pounds.
Koda Martin’s size alone makes him an attractive prospect, but couple it with his ability to play on either side of the ball and it’s easy to see why the four-star recruit from Manvel, Texas, has close to 20 offers.
Martin, who is rated as the No. 21 offensive tackle and No. 43 player in the state of Texas, was in Austin on Saturday to get a better feel for one of those schools that offered him.
We caught up with Martin at the Texas State track and field meet to see how everything went with the visit with Texas, and where he stands overall.
Koda Martin’s size alone makes him an attractive prospect, but couple it with his ability to play on either side of the ball and it’s easy to see why the four-star recruit from Manvel, Texas, has close to 20 offers.
Martin, who is rated as the No. 21 offensive tackle and No. 43 player in the state of Texas, was in Austin on Saturday to get a better feel for one of those schools that offered him.
We caught up with Martin at the Texas State track and field meet to see how everything went with the visit with Texas, and where he stands overall.
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NORMAN, Okla. -- Is it possible that Oklahoma could be shut out from all of the elite defensive backs in the state of Texas for the Class of 2014?
It didn’t seem likely last year. But now, in the middle of spring, it’s getting a lot tougher to gauge where the Sooners fit in with some of the best the Lone Star State has to offer.
There were only four defensive backs in Texas that finished in the ESPN 300 for the Class of 2013, so it wasn’t that big of a deal for OU to not get one of them.
It didn’t seem likely last year. But now, in the middle of spring, it’s getting a lot tougher to gauge where the Sooners fit in with some of the best the Lone Star State has to offer.
There were only four defensive backs in Texas that finished in the ESPN 300 for the Class of 2013, so it wasn’t that big of a deal for OU to not get one of them.
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Plenty of choices for 2014 prospect Martin
May, 1, 2013
May 1
10:30
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By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
MANVEL, Texas — On the wall across the Manvel (Texas) High School locker room and weight room, there is a poster with the words "Hoka Hey."
Though the term's original meaning was "It's a good day to die," when Crazy Horse let the Sioux to a victory at the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876, around Manvel High, it takes on a much more amiable meaning. Specifically, it's used to symbolize teamwork. At the top of the poster are the words "Hoka Hey = Play Unselfish."
Though the term's original meaning was "It's a good day to die," when Crazy Horse let the Sioux to a victory at the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876, around Manvel High, it takes on a much more amiable meaning. Specifically, it's used to symbolize teamwork. At the top of the poster are the words "Hoka Hey = Play Unselfish."
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#BlueChipBattles: ESPN 150 release edition
April, 19, 2013
Apr 19
11:49
AM CT
By RecruitingNation | ESPN.com
Student Sports, ESPN, ESPNSpeedy Noil, Adoree Jackson and Da'Shawn Hand are three of the most coveted recruits in the Class of 2014.
: RecruitingNation summoned its writers from around the country to outline the recruiting battles for the ESPN 150's top 10 prospects.
Plus, rank the battles in SportsNation.
#TopFBMixtapes: Athlete mixtapes are all the rage in this highlight-crazed era of sports. We reached out to our Twitter followers to find out which 2014 football stars had the best highlight reels on YouTube, then had our staff rank and comment on the top submissions.
Tom Luginbill writes
: After talking to many coaches across the country and hearing their frustrations, here are their five biggest complaints about homemade highlight videos.
With spring evaluation here, the offer totals for some prospects are going to rise. One recruit to keep tabs on is defensive tackle Cedric Johnson (Rowlett, Texas/Rowlett).
Johnson, who is 6-foot-2 and 267 pounds, has offers from Baylor, Tulsa and Washington State. But other schools are looking in his direction, with Oklahoma and LSU showing strong interest.
He has been busy this spring with visits to OU, LSU and Baylor but now he’s ready to focus on his spring season and seeing what else is going to happen on the recruiting front.
Johnson, who is 6-foot-2 and 267 pounds, has offers from Baylor, Tulsa and Washington State. But other schools are looking in his direction, with Oklahoma and LSU showing strong interest.
He has been busy this spring with visits to OU, LSU and Baylor but now he’s ready to focus on his spring season and seeing what else is going to happen on the recruiting front.
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Watching ESPN Watch List cornerback Tony Brown (Beaumont, Texas/Ozen) compete is almost like watching a one-man show. No matter what he does, there’s the understood notion that he’s going to excel.
On the football field, he’s one of the nation’s best cornerbacks, an athlete with more than 20 scholarship offers. Over the weekend, Brown not only won the defensive back MVP award at the Dallas Nike Football Training Camp but also earned an invitation to The Opening this summer in Oregon.
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ALLEN, Texas -- Some recruits have been all over the country and have taken visits to all their top schools. But ESPN Watch List defensive end Deondre Clark (Oklahoma City/Douglass) isn't one of them.
Clark hasn't ventured far from Oklahoma this year, and that won't change anytime soon. But he definitely will look at schools outside the state.
Clark hasn't ventured far from Oklahoma this year, and that won't change anytime soon. But he definitely will look at schools outside the state.
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ALLEN, Texas -- The 2013 Nike Football Training Camp tour continued in the Dallas area on Sunday as several top prospects from Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana showcased their skills at the brand new Eagle Stadium in Allen, Texas. The defensive back group was as loaded as expected, and several players earned invitations to The Opening.
Recruiting Nation’s Max Olson attended the camp. Here’s what he learned:
Recruiting Nation’s Max Olson attended the camp. Here’s what he learned:
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Fast-rising Sheffield piling up offers
March, 19, 2013
Mar 19
12:30
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By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
MISSOURI CITY, Texas -- When Cecil Sheffield returned a missed call and message from Missouri City (Texas) Thurgood Marshall head coach James Williams on March 7, he received some welcomed news. His son, 2015 cornerback prospect Kendall Sheffield, had been offered a scholarship by perennial Big 12 power Oklahoma.
It wasn't his son's first offer -- Baylor offered Kendall months earlier -- but having a second school in the race certainly put a smile on Cecil's face.
It wasn't his son's first offer -- Baylor offered Kendall months earlier -- but having a second school in the race certainly put a smile on Cecil's face.
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OU going back to basics recruiting Texas
March, 19, 2013
Mar 19
8:00
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
NORMAN, Okla. -- There had been a noticeable trend in Oklahoma's recruiting for the last couple of seasons. The Sooners were stepping out of Texas and going national.
With a winning tradition like OU has, it makes sense. You can offer a recruit in California or Florida and just say, “We’re OU. We want you.”
With a winning tradition like OU has, it makes sense. You can offer a recruit in California or Florida and just say, “We’re OU. We want you.”
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Ranking the Big 12's nonconference slates
March, 8, 2013
Mar 8
2:00
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By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Nonconference schedules can reveal many things. They can be the difference between a BCS championship berth or being left behind, and they can provide a glimpse of future success or future disappointments. Here's a look at the Big 12's 2013 nonconference schedules ranked from toughest to easiest.
1. Oklahoma: Louisiana-Monroe, Tulsa, at Notre Dame
All three of OU’s nonconference opponents won at least eight games in 2012, making the Sooners’ nonconference schedule a solid test as they look to break in a new quarterback. And their visit to South Bend, Ind., could be one of college football’s top matchups in 2013.
2. TCU: LSU (at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas), Southeastern Louisiana, SMU
The opener against the Tigers will be one of the highlight games of opening weekend and raises the overall ranking of TCU's nonconference schedule. It’s an opportunity for TCU to prove itself and send a message for the Big 12. And TCU's home contest against SMU should be a solid test, as well.
3. Texas: New Mexico, at BYU, Ole Miss
After a fairly easy season opener, the Longhorns travel to Provo, Utah, to face BYU in a game that could be tougher than most people expect. Then UT hosts Ole Miss, giving the Rebels a chance to avenge their home loss to the Longhorns in 2012. Facing the Cougars and Rebels in back-to-back weeks will be a tough test for Mack Brown's squad.
4. Iowa State: Northern Iowa, Iowa, at Tulsa
The Cyclones' road test at Tulsa won’t be easy as ISU looks to avenge its Liberty Bowl loss to the Golden Hurricane. This game could be considered a conference matchup in some ways as it will be the third meeting between the two teams in two years. Add rival Iowa to the mix and suddenly ISU has one of the conference’s tougher nonconference slates.
5. Oklahoma State: Mississippi State (at Reliant Stadium in Houston), at Texas-San Antonio, Lamar
The Cowboys' season opener is the lone saving grace in this nonconference lineup. The Bulldogs should be a solid early test for OSU, but neither UTSA nor Lamar should prove to be major hurdles.
6. Kansas: South Dakota, at Rice, Louisiana Tech
Rice, which defeated KU in Manhattan, Kan., last season, and Louisiana Tech will be tough tests for the Jayhawks. Both games should give a glimpse of how much KU has improved in Charlie Weis’ second season at the helm.
7. Texas Tech: at SMU, Stephen F. Austin, Texas State
The Red Raiders' toughest matchup should be its opener at SMU. In Kliff Kingsbury’s first season, Texas Tech will have the chance to get its feet wet in nonconference play even though a Big 12 battle with TCU is sandwiched between its matchups with SFA and Texas State.
8. West Virginia: William & Mary, Georgia State, vs. Maryland (at Ravens Stadium in Baltimore)
Not much of a nonconference slate for WVU, with the Terps as the lone BCS team on the schedule. Things set up well for Dana Holgorsen’s offense as the Mountaineers try to replace quarterback Geno Smith and receivers Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey.
9. Kansas State: North Dakota State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Massachusetts
Louisiana-Lafayette could provide the sternest test for the Wildcats, but there’s no reason why KSU can’t enter Big 12 play undefeated. Their nonconference schedule sets up well for a team looking to replace standout quarterback Collin Klein.
10. Baylor: Wofford, Buffalo, Louisiana-Monroe
It’s unlikely Baylor will get tested before its first conference game. The Bears were recently forced to add FCS opponent Wofford after their game with SMU was cancelled, so Louisiana-Monroe could be their toughest nonconference test. They should pile up the victories but might not know much about their team before conference play.
1. Oklahoma: Louisiana-Monroe, Tulsa, at Notre Dame
All three of OU’s nonconference opponents won at least eight games in 2012, making the Sooners’ nonconference schedule a solid test as they look to break in a new quarterback. And their visit to South Bend, Ind., could be one of college football’s top matchups in 2013.
2. TCU: LSU (at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas), Southeastern Louisiana, SMU
The opener against the Tigers will be one of the highlight games of opening weekend and raises the overall ranking of TCU's nonconference schedule. It’s an opportunity for TCU to prove itself and send a message for the Big 12. And TCU's home contest against SMU should be a solid test, as well.
3. Texas: New Mexico, at BYU, Ole Miss
After a fairly easy season opener, the Longhorns travel to Provo, Utah, to face BYU in a game that could be tougher than most people expect. Then UT hosts Ole Miss, giving the Rebels a chance to avenge their home loss to the Longhorns in 2012. Facing the Cougars and Rebels in back-to-back weeks will be a tough test for Mack Brown's squad.
4. Iowa State: Northern Iowa, Iowa, at Tulsa
The Cyclones' road test at Tulsa won’t be easy as ISU looks to avenge its Liberty Bowl loss to the Golden Hurricane. This game could be considered a conference matchup in some ways as it will be the third meeting between the two teams in two years. Add rival Iowa to the mix and suddenly ISU has one of the conference’s tougher nonconference slates.
5. Oklahoma State: Mississippi State (at Reliant Stadium in Houston), at Texas-San Antonio, Lamar
The Cowboys' season opener is the lone saving grace in this nonconference lineup. The Bulldogs should be a solid early test for OSU, but neither UTSA nor Lamar should prove to be major hurdles.
6. Kansas: South Dakota, at Rice, Louisiana Tech
Rice, which defeated KU in Manhattan, Kan., last season, and Louisiana Tech will be tough tests for the Jayhawks. Both games should give a glimpse of how much KU has improved in Charlie Weis’ second season at the helm.
7. Texas Tech: at SMU, Stephen F. Austin, Texas State
The Red Raiders' toughest matchup should be its opener at SMU. In Kliff Kingsbury’s first season, Texas Tech will have the chance to get its feet wet in nonconference play even though a Big 12 battle with TCU is sandwiched between its matchups with SFA and Texas State.
8. West Virginia: William & Mary, Georgia State, vs. Maryland (at Ravens Stadium in Baltimore)
Not much of a nonconference slate for WVU, with the Terps as the lone BCS team on the schedule. Things set up well for Dana Holgorsen’s offense as the Mountaineers try to replace quarterback Geno Smith and receivers Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey.
9. Kansas State: North Dakota State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Massachusetts
Louisiana-Lafayette could provide the sternest test for the Wildcats, but there’s no reason why KSU can’t enter Big 12 play undefeated. Their nonconference schedule sets up well for a team looking to replace standout quarterback Collin Klein.
10. Baylor: Wofford, Buffalo, Louisiana-Monroe
It’s unlikely Baylor will get tested before its first conference game. The Bears were recently forced to add FCS opponent Wofford after their game with SMU was cancelled, so Louisiana-Monroe could be their toughest nonconference test. They should pile up the victories but might not know much about their team before conference play.
There were many guesses as to who would commit at Oklahoma’s first junior day Feb. 2. Few even had safety Vontre McQuinnie (Lancaster, Texas/Lancaster) as one of the possible choices.
But riding the Lancaster wave, McQuinnie committed to the Sooners. Earlier in that day, cornerback Dakota Austin, also from Lancaster High, committed to OU and signed with the Sooners four days later.
OU was McQuinnie’s first offer, and instead of playing the recruiting game, he said he felt 100-percent content with his decision and was ready to end the madness before it started. He is OU’s only commitment on defense.
But riding the Lancaster wave, McQuinnie committed to the Sooners. Earlier in that day, cornerback Dakota Austin, also from Lancaster High, committed to OU and signed with the Sooners four days later.
OU was McQuinnie’s first offer, and instead of playing the recruiting game, he said he felt 100-percent content with his decision and was ready to end the madness before it started. He is OU’s only commitment on defense.
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Watch List DE Deondre Clark lists top five
March, 3, 2013
Mar 3
11:00
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By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
YUKON, Okla. -- The priorities are simple for the Clark brothers at Oklahoma City Douglass. The player-coach relationship means more than anything else.
It’s the reason Oklahoma State was able to nab ESPN 100 point guard Stevie Clark for its 2013 class, as OSU coach Travis Ford and the Clark family have developed that tight bond.
It’s the reason Oklahoma State was able to nab ESPN 100 point guard Stevie Clark for its 2013 class, as OSU coach Travis Ford and the Clark family have developed that tight bond.
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OKPreps 14 for '14: DE Deondre Clark
February, 25, 2013
Feb 25
8:00
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
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.
Watch List DE Deondre Clark (Oklahoma City/Douglass, 6-4, 235)
2012 stats: 99 tackles, 22 sacks. 48 rushes for 275 yards, 4 touchdowns. Nine receptions for 160 yards, 3 TDs.
Watch List DE Deondre Clark (Oklahoma City/Douglass, 6-4, 235)
2012 stats: 99 tackles, 22 sacks. 48 rushes for 275 yards, 4 touchdowns. Nine receptions for 160 yards, 3 TDs.
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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.