EDMOND, Okla. -- For as stressful as the last 72 hours have been for defensive end Michael Onuoha (Edmond, Okla./Santa Fe), he couldn’t wipe away his smile Wednesday.
Onuoha committed to Oklahoma late Tuesday night and signed his letter of intent on Wednesday morning.
And if anyone doubted where his allegiances were, he entered his ceremony with an OU shirt that said “I live by the code of the crimson and cream.”
Bob Przybylo/ESPN.comDefensive end Michael Onuoha signed with Oklahoma after verbally committing to the Sooners on Tuesday night.“There aren’t a lot of kids in America that get this type of opportunity that ‘Big Mike’ is going to get,” Edmond Santa Fe coach Lance Manning said. “But he’s earned it. This wasn’t given to him. He worked for it.”
Onuoha was torn between the Tigers and Sooners the last month. Missouri offered first in December, but OU surged late in January.
He took his official visit to Missouri two weeks ago and followed that with a trip to Norman, Okla., last weekend.
He planned to announce Monday night or Tuesday morning, but he wasn’t ready. He let everybody know Tuesday night via Twitter that OU was going to be his home.
“I did this for me. This was my decision,” Onuoha said. “I appreciate everything the OU and Missouri coaches have done for me, but this was about what I thought would be best for me.”
Normally a relaxed kid, Onuoha admitted Monday and Tuesday were very stressful for him. Wednesday, though, that was fun.
“This is great. I know I’ve made the right decision. I no longer have the weight of the world on my shoulders. I’m going to enjoy this.”
Onuoha, 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, is a three-star prospect that became one of seven recruits to commit to OU since Sunday.
Video: Bob Stoops on signing day
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
3:20
PM CT
By SoonerNation Staff | ESPN.com
ESPN's Jill Montgomery interviews Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops about his 2012 recruiting class.
Oklahoma position grades: Special teams 
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
2:45
PM CT
By SoonerNation Staff | ESPN.com
Before the Sooners' 31-14 win over Iowa in the Insight Bowl, Jake Trotter and Brandon Chatmon analyzed each Oklahoma position group. Now, the SoonerNation staff is giving each position a grade for its performance in 2011.
Grade: B+
This unit exceeded expectations, but still has a ways to go in several areas. The Sooners, who haven’t had a touchdown return off a kickoff since 2007, failed again to break off big gains in the return game. But Michael Hunnicutt, who made all four kicks longer than 40 yards, stabilized OU’s field goal kicking, which had been anything but stable since ’07.
- Jake Trotter
Grade: B+
This unit exceeded expectations, but still has a ways to go in several areas. The Sooners, who haven’t had a touchdown return off a kickoff since 2007, failed again to break off big gains in the return game. But Michael Hunnicutt, who made all four kicks longer than 40 yards, stabilized OU’s field goal kicking, which had been anything but stable since ’07.
- Jake Trotter
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Video: Mike Stoops on signing day
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
2:15
PM CT
By SoonerNation Staff | ESPN.com
ESPN's Jill Montgomery interviews new Oklahoma defensive coordinator Bob Stoops about returning to the Sooners and his thoughts on the 2012 recruiting class.
Photo: Derrick Woods' signing ceremony
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
2:03
PM CT
By SoonerNation Staff | ESPN.com
Erik McKinney/WeAreSC.comCalifornia receiver Derrick Woods signed his letter of intent with Oklahoma on Wednesday.Shepard leads historic day at Heritage Hall
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
1:11
PM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Wide receiver Sterling Shepard (Oklahoma City/Heritage Hall) took some time to reflect on what Wednesday meant to him but was already looking ahead to the future.
Shepard, who signed with Oklahoma, was one of four Heritage Hall football players to sign their letters of intent, easily the most in school history.
“These guys, they’ve been my boys for so long so this is a real special day,” Shepard said. “It’s time to close one chapter and start the next.”
ESPN's SoonerNation
ESPN.com's SoonerNation covers everything Oklahoma, including college football and recruiting. SoonerNation
More:
• Recruiting news | Blog | Forum 
“It’s incredible that we’re all here after everything we’ve been through,” Sanders said. “It has been a great time. Now we’re all ready for what’s next.”
Shepard will be the fourth Shepard to play for the Sooners. His uncles, Darrell and Woodie, both played for OU as did his late father, Derrick.
Sterling Shepard admitted a day like Wednesday makes him think about his father.
“I’d like to think that if he was here right now, he would be proud,” Shepard said. “This has been my dream and getting to play at the same school as my dad and uncles means so much.”
Shepard is ranked No. 9 in the nation at wide receiver and is a part of the most highly-ranked group of receivers the Sooners have ever had.
And he has already made some friends.
“Yeah, me and Durron Neal are really tight,” Shepard said. “We talked last night and talked about how we just wanted to get this over with and get ready for the future.”
Neal and Shepard are going to be roommates. Neal had the honor of being the first OU signee to get his letter of intent get in as OU received his fax at 7:01 a.m. CT on Wednesday morning.
Analysis: Williams will make impact
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
12:05
PM CT
By
Jake Trotter | ESPN.com
In running back Damien Williams (San Diego/Arizona Western College) the Sooners believe they have a player who will contribute right away to a position that was decimated by injuries and transfers last season. Williams joins David Smith and Alex Ross to give OU three running backs for the class.
What it means for OU’s class: Williams was an absolute star at Arizona Western, rushing for 1,931 yards with 30 touchdowns. Wiliams initially was pursued most by OU and Texas Tech, but running backs coach Cale Gundy said Wednesday that USC tried to get in late on Wlliams.
What it means for 2012: Williams’ arrival takes a ton of pressure off the position. The Sooners don’t have to rush Ross or Smith onto the field now, and can be patient with Dominique Whaley, who is recovering from a fractured ankle.
Expected impact: 2012. Williams was recruited to play right away. He will be a nice complement to scatback Roy Finch.
What it means for OU’s class: Williams was an absolute star at Arizona Western, rushing for 1,931 yards with 30 touchdowns. Wiliams initially was pursued most by OU and Texas Tech, but running backs coach Cale Gundy said Wednesday that USC tried to get in late on Wlliams.
What it means for 2012: Williams’ arrival takes a ton of pressure off the position. The Sooners don’t have to rush Ross or Smith onto the field now, and can be patient with Dominique Whaley, who is recovering from a fractured ankle.
Expected impact: 2012. Williams was recruited to play right away. He will be a nice complement to scatback Roy Finch.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Roundtable: Impact recruit in 2012
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
12:00
PM CT
By SoonerNation Staff | ESPN.com
Which Oklahoma commit in the class of 2012 will make the biggest impact next season?
CB Kass Everett (Philadelphia/Pierce College)
With Jamell Fleming graduated, the Sooners are in desperate need of help at cornerback. Enter Everett. The junior-college transfer, who picked OU over Texas Tech, is already on campus, and with the benefit of spring practice, Everett could enter the fall as the favorite to start opposite Demontre Hurst. The Sooners would prefer to leave Aaron Colvin at safety. Everett’s presence could allow them to do just that.
- Jake Trotter
CB Kass Everett (Philadelphia/Pierce College)
With Jamell Fleming graduated, the Sooners are in desperate need of help at cornerback. Enter Everett. The junior-college transfer, who picked OU over Texas Tech, is already on campus, and with the benefit of spring practice, Everett could enter the fall as the favorite to start opposite Demontre Hurst. The Sooners would prefer to leave Aaron Colvin at safety. Everett’s presence could allow them to do just that.
- Jake Trotter
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Preview: Oklahoma at No. 8 Kansas
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
11:50
AM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Coming off its best win of the season, Oklahoma travels to Kansas on Wednesday night. The Sooners suffered a 72-61 loss to the Jayhawks at the Lloyd Noble Center on Jan. 7 and are looking to split the regular season series with a road win.
The Sooners would love to get another 30-point effort from guard Steven Pledger but it will take solid defense and slowing down Thomas Robinson for OU to win in Lawrence, Kan.
Key to OU win: Containing Thomas Robinson. The KU forward is the only Big 12 player who is averaging a double double (17.5 points, 11.8 rebounds) this season. OU will need to force him into a poor shooting night and keep him off the boards or get him into foul trouble.
Key to KU win: Knocking the Sooners out of their offensive rhythm. If they are able to force Pledger away from his sweet spots and force other Sooners to carry the offensive load, they should be able to hold OU to a low shooting percentage.
Stat line that will tell the tale: Points in the paint. KU held a 48-12 advantage in that category in the Jan. 7 meeting. That cannot happen again if the Sooners hope to win.
Sooners X factor: Andrew Fitzgerald. The Jayhawks are going to go inside to Robinson so the Sooners need to return the favor with Fitzgerald and try to get KU’s monster forward in foul trouble.
Jayhawks X factor: Travis Releford. He was a huge reason why KU knocked of the Sooners in the first meeting with 28 points on 9 of 13 shooting.
The Sooners would love to get another 30-point effort from guard Steven Pledger but it will take solid defense and slowing down Thomas Robinson for OU to win in Lawrence, Kan.
Key to OU win: Containing Thomas Robinson. The KU forward is the only Big 12 player who is averaging a double double (17.5 points, 11.8 rebounds) this season. OU will need to force him into a poor shooting night and keep him off the boards or get him into foul trouble.
Key to KU win: Knocking the Sooners out of their offensive rhythm. If they are able to force Pledger away from his sweet spots and force other Sooners to carry the offensive load, they should be able to hold OU to a low shooting percentage.
Stat line that will tell the tale: Points in the paint. KU held a 48-12 advantage in that category in the Jan. 7 meeting. That cannot happen again if the Sooners hope to win.
Sooners X factor: Andrew Fitzgerald. The Jayhawks are going to go inside to Robinson so the Sooners need to return the favor with Fitzgerald and try to get KU’s monster forward in foul trouble.
Jayhawks X factor: Travis Releford. He was a huge reason why KU knocked of the Sooners in the first meeting with 28 points on 9 of 13 shooting.
Juco RB Damien Williams signs with OU
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
11:36
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
For all the star ratings and target boards, recruiting can simply be a matter of timing, and the timing couldn’t have worked out better for Oklahoma and junior college running back Damien Williams (San Diego/Arizona Western College).
Williams became yet another California native to sign with Oklahoma, sending in his national letter of intent to the Sooners on Wednesday.
Williams was set, committed to Arizona State until the Sun Devils underwent coaching changes. OU was set at running back, had good depth at the spot until Jermie Calhoun and Jonathon Miller left the team in the middle of the season.
Williams became yet another California native to sign with Oklahoma, sending in his national letter of intent to the Sooners on Wednesday.
Williams was set, committed to Arizona State until the Sun Devils underwent coaching changes. OU was set at running back, had good depth at the spot until Jermie Calhoun and Jonathon Miller left the team in the middle of the season.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Southern Cal has won the seemingly wide open recruiting battle for Under Armour All-American athlete Nelson Agholor (Tampa, Fla./Berkeley). The 6-foot-1, 180-pound talent selected USC over Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame and Oklahoma on Wednesday on ESPN.
Auburn, South Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Vanderbilt, Texas, Alabama, Miami-FL, Oregon, TCU and Tennessee also offered the nation’s No. 47-rated prospect in the ESPNU 150.
Auburn, South Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Vanderbilt, Texas, Alabama, Miami-FL, Oregon, TCU and Tennessee also offered the nation’s No. 47-rated prospect in the ESPNU 150.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Photo: Charles Tapper's signing ceremony
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
11:05
AM CT
By SoonerNation Staff | ESPN.com
Courtesy Cory RobinsonThree-star defensive end Charles Tapper signs his letter of intent with Oklahoma.Analysis: Gardner a big late get for OU
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
10:55
AM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Courtney Gardner (Reno, Nev./Serra College) looks like a pretty good consolation gift.
After Oklahoma lost out on Dorial Green-Beckham (Springfield, Mo./Hillcrest), Gardner faxed his letter of intent to Norman on Wednesday morning. One of the top junior college receivers in the class, Gardner should have an immediate impact with the Sooners.
What it means for OU’s class: Landing Gardner is huge for the Sooners. He has the talent to become one of Landry Jones go-to targets in 2012 thanks to his size and playmaking ability. He’s one of the reasons the Sooners could be considered one of the teams who finished strong on Signing Day.
After Oklahoma lost out on Dorial Green-Beckham (Springfield, Mo./Hillcrest), Gardner faxed his letter of intent to Norman on Wednesday morning. One of the top junior college receivers in the class, Gardner should have an immediate impact with the Sooners.
What it means for OU’s class: Landing Gardner is huge for the Sooners. He has the talent to become one of Landry Jones go-to targets in 2012 thanks to his size and playmaking ability. He’s one of the reasons the Sooners could be considered one of the teams who finished strong on Signing Day.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
WR Courtney Gardner signs with Sooners
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
10:38
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Add one more wide receiver to Oklahoma's incredible 2012 class. Junior college product Courtney Gardner (Reno, Nev./Sierra College) did as expected and switched his commitment from Arkansas to OU on Wednesday, signing with the Sooners around 10:30 a.m. CT.
Gardner had been committed to the Razorbacks since December, but OU wide receivers coach Jay Norvell made a huge impression on Gardner in the last month. A great official visit to Norman, Okla., last weekend sealed the deal.
Gardner tried to keep it quiet, but fellow commit Zack Sanchez (Keller, Texas/Central) let the cat out of the bag Monday in a radio interview by saying Gardner had committed to OU, too.
Gardner had been committed to the Razorbacks since December, but OU wide receivers coach Jay Norvell made a huge impression on Gardner in the last month. A great official visit to Norman, Okla., last weekend sealed the deal.
Gardner tried to keep it quiet, but fellow commit Zack Sanchez (Keller, Texas/Central) let the cat out of the bag Monday in a radio interview by saying Gardner had committed to OU, too.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Analysis: Sooners are OK without DGB
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
10:03
AM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Dorial Green-Beckham’s decision is a blow for Oklahoma but not an unexpected one. The elite receiver prospect from Springfield, Mo./Hillcrest. announced he was going to Missouri over Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Green-Beckham is the No. 3 player on the ESPNU150 and No. 1 receiver in the nation.
What it means for the class: The Sooners should be fine without Green-Beckham. Commitments Durron Neal (St.Louis/DeSmet), Sterling Shepard (Oklahoma City, Okla./Heritage Hall) and Derrick Woods (Inglewood, Calif./Inglewood) have plenty of talent and spring enrollee Trey Metoyer, one of the top receivers in the Class of 2011 who spent one year in prep school, could be a difference-maker. In addition, junior college receiver Courtney Gardner could announce for the Sooners later today.
What it means for the class: The Sooners should be fine without Green-Beckham. Commitments Durron Neal (St.Louis/DeSmet), Sterling Shepard (Oklahoma City, Okla./Heritage Hall) and Derrick Woods (Inglewood, Calif./Inglewood) have plenty of talent and spring enrollee Trey Metoyer, one of the top receivers in the Class of 2011 who spent one year in prep school, could be a difference-maker. In addition, junior college receiver Courtney Gardner could announce for the Sooners later today.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
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.