Oklahoma Sooners

After recruiting them for several months, Oklahoma's coaching staff was finally able to talk publicly about the players the Sooners added to the program on signing day. Over the next week or so, SoonerNation will review some of the key things coaches had to say about the players signed at each position group during their signing day webcast on Soonersports.com.

Linebacker Dominique Alexander (Tulsa, Okla./Booker T. Washington) brings versatility to Oklahoma's defense. The Sooners had to hold off a late pursuit by Kansas State to secure his signature on signing day.

"Originally we looked at him as a safety," defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said. "He gives us a lot of versatility. In this league we see so many spread teams that you have to have athletic linebackers. He’s a linebacker that can really cover a lot of ground. He understands playing well in space.”

With the Sooners searching for ways to be more versatile with their defense, Alexander could be a key addition and even help OU this fall.

"Another exceptionally talented linebacker with great feet and speed at the linebacker position," head coach Bob Stoops said. "We expect him to get ready to play.”

The Sooners have recognized that they will need more linebackers who can excel in space if they hope to slow the explosive offenses in the Big 12 and they're hoping Alexander is that type of player.

"He makes plays all over the field," linebackers' coach Tim Kish said. "While Jordan [Evans] may be more of an inside guy in our system, Dominique may be more of an outside linebacker type. Tremendous quickness, tremendous burst and great instincts for the football."

Welcome to SoonerNation's live coverage of national signing day for the Oklahoma Sooners. We'll be with you throughout the day providing up-to-the minute updates on OU's class of 2013.

Watch live coverage on ESPNU | Talk signing day on our SoonerNation forum | OU class

Follow the live blog after the jump.

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Back in June at Oklahoma’s camp, there was one defensive back who stood out above the rest. On almost every single snap he was out there, onlookers were asking who was that making those plays?

The recruit in question was cornerback Dakota Austin (Lancaster, Texas/Lancaster). Austin’s ability to lock down receivers made him a star during the summer. But a week before signing day, Austin still hadn’t found a home.

Now, he’s going back to Norman, Okla. During his official visit to OU, he confirmed Saturday morning he has committed to the Sooners. Austin didn’t have an offer going into the visit. But once he got the offer, the choice was made simple.

Austin was sensational at OU’s camp and one of the highlights of the event was Austin going against ESPN Watch List wide receiver K.D. Cannon (Mount Pleasant, Texas/Mount Pleasant).

There was no questioning Austin’s cover skills. The question has always been about his size. Measured at 5-foot-10 and 149 pounds, there's no doubt Austin is a bit light in frame.

But OU coaches are trusting their eyes. OU quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel told Austin when he left the camp to not commit anywhere without getting in touch with the Sooners first.

Austin never committed and a spot opened up at OU. Simply put, the pieces came together. Austin chose OU over offers from New Mexico, Nevada and UTEP.

Austin is OU’s 22^nd commitment for the class and the second cornerback. He joins ESPN 300 athlete Stanvon Taylor (Tulsa, Okla./East Central) as the other pledge so far for OU’s class.

The Sooners are still pursuing two four-star cornerbacks leading up to signing day in ESPN 300 athlete Adrian Baker (Hollywood, Fla./Chaminade-Madonna) and cornerback L.J. Moore (Fresno, Calif./Central East).

Said OU commit Dominique Alexander (Tulsa, Okla./Booker T. Washington) on Austin’s commitment via Twitter: “Say what you want on rankings and stuff. But Dakota Austin is Cold. That boy Lockdown. Good Pick Up.”

Alexander was at the same camp as Austin at OU in June.