Oklahoma Sooners: Jordan Evans
Every Friday, SoonerNation releases the Sooner Intel, a sneak peek inside Oklahoma Sooners football recruiting with news and notes on the latest happenings around the program. Talk about it on our forum. A few things discussed in this week's update:
Read the Sooner Intel after the jump.
- Why OU isn't out of the picture for a four-star Houston safety.
- An OU linebacker target who visited for junior day is taking his time and will visit other schools.
- What the Sooners' newest commit brings to OU's future defense.
- An in-state tight end is dedicated to becoming great. Will the Sooners offer?
- Keep an eye on a 2015 in-state defensive back who is working out with elite DBs.
- More on what went wrong with OU's basketball decommitment.
Read the Sooner Intel after the jump.
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NORMAN, Okla. -- If there’s a sore spot for Oklahoma recruiting right now, it’s at linebacker. Last year featured a lot of ups and downs for linebackers coach Tim Kish, who seemingly had some difficulties adjusting from recruiting for Arizona to recruiting for the Sooners.
OU missed out on several top prospects and ended up looking within the state for its two signees in Dominique Alexander and Jordan Evans, both three-star prospects.
Kish has his feet under him for year No. 2. But the results are not there yet. Three top targets in the Midlands area have already pledged to rival schools.
OU missed out on several top prospects and ended up looking within the state for its two signees in Dominique Alexander and Jordan Evans, both three-star prospects.
Kish has his feet under him for year No. 2. But the results are not there yet. Three top targets in the Midlands area have already pledged to rival schools.
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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.
Norman (Okla.) North linebacker Jordan Evans made play after play as a high school senior. The Sooners weren't sure what position he might end up playing, but he was just too good to ignore and OU eventually offered and signed the local prospect.
"He’s just a great athlete," head coach Bob Stoops said. "He’s got a lot of range in size to him, and we’re like, 'Hey, we’ll find the right spot for him once we get him here.' "
Evans projects perfectly to be a hybrid defensive end/linebacker or he could end up playing either position for the Sooners. Regardless, he brings unique ability to the table as a 6-foot-3, 205-pound linebacker who returned multiple kicks for touchdowns during his senior year.
"He’s gifted athletically," linebackers coach Tim Kish said. "Anytime you have a linebacker that returns punts and kickoffs, it speaks volumes. He’s an excellent defender, so versatile. He has the speed, size and athleticism we are looking for at that position now."
Stoops likened him to former Sooner Dan Cody, who earned all-american honors at defensive end before being selected in the second round of the NFL draft.
"Dan Cody was absolutely the same way," Stoops said. "We kept watching Dan, and what’s he going to play? Once you work with guys daily you find what’s best for them and where they’re going to have the most success."
As the Sooners' defense strives to become more versatile, prospects like Evans become important pieces to the puzzle.
"He’s got the speed, the quickness, the agility to play outside linebacker," Stoops said. "He’s got the size where you’re unsure where he will end up growing to, but that’s good. The bottom line ... when we all looked at him and were watching him over and over is everybody likes him, so wherever he ends up kind of growing to, good."
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Bob Przybylo/ESPN.comIn-state linebacker Jordan Evans was a late addition for the Sooners.
Bob Przybylo/ESPN.comIn-state linebacker Jordan Evans was a late addition for the Sooners."He’s just a great athlete," head coach Bob Stoops said. "He’s got a lot of range in size to him, and we’re like, 'Hey, we’ll find the right spot for him once we get him here.' "
Evans projects perfectly to be a hybrid defensive end/linebacker or he could end up playing either position for the Sooners. Regardless, he brings unique ability to the table as a 6-foot-3, 205-pound linebacker who returned multiple kicks for touchdowns during his senior year.
"He’s gifted athletically," linebackers coach Tim Kish said. "Anytime you have a linebacker that returns punts and kickoffs, it speaks volumes. He’s an excellent defender, so versatile. He has the speed, size and athleticism we are looking for at that position now."
Stoops likened him to former Sooner Dan Cody, who earned all-american honors at defensive end before being selected in the second round of the NFL draft.
"Dan Cody was absolutely the same way," Stoops said. "We kept watching Dan, and what’s he going to play? Once you work with guys daily you find what’s best for them and where they’re going to have the most success."
As the Sooners' defense strives to become more versatile, prospects like Evans become important pieces to the puzzle.
"He’s got the speed, the quickness, the agility to play outside linebacker," Stoops said. "He’s got the size where you’re unsure where he will end up growing to, but that’s good. The bottom line ... when we all looked at him and were watching him over and over is everybody likes him, so wherever he ends up kind of growing to, good."
Roundtable: Grading Oklahoma's class 
February, 7, 2013
Feb 7
12:30
PM CT
By SoonerNation staff | ESPN.com
Every Thursday, the SoonerNation staff will answer a roundtable question about OU football. Leave a comment or talk about it in our "There's Only One" forum.
How would you grade Oklahoma's 2013 recruiting class based on the Sooners filling their needs?
How would you grade Oklahoma's 2013 recruiting class based on the Sooners filling their needs?
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Damon Sayles/ESPNCornerback Dakota Austin committed to the Sooners over the weekend and signed on Wednesday.Watch live coverage on ESPNU | Talk signing day on our SoonerNation forum
| OU class
Follow the live blog after the jump.
Norman (Okla.) North had never advanced beyond the state quarterfinals before 2012. That all changed as Norman North was able to reach the state championship game.
The biggest reason? Three-star defensive end Jordan Evans and his spectacular senior season. Evans finished with 94 tackles, nine sacks and an interception. He rushed for 335 yards and five touchdowns.
But what stood out the most was his ability on special teams. Evans returned five kicks for touchdowns, including three in the playoffs.
The biggest reason? Three-star defensive end Jordan Evans and his spectacular senior season. Evans finished with 94 tackles, nine sacks and an interception. He rushed for 335 yards and five touchdowns.
But what stood out the most was his ability on special teams. Evans returned five kicks for touchdowns, including three in the playoffs.
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OU linebacker commits bond on visit
December, 18, 2012
12/18/12
12:00
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By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Back in May some Oklahoma fans wondered if first-year linebackers coach Tim Kish was the right man for the job.
Few offers were out. And the ones that were, well, the Sooners were on the outside looking in with several top prospects.
Over the weekend, however, Kish got a look at his future, his first linebacker class. All three of OU's linebacker commits were on their official visits: ESPN 300 prospect Jordan Mastrogiovanni (Dallas/Jesuit), three-star athlete Dominique Alexander (Tulsa, Okla./Booker T. Washington) and three-star defensive end Jordan Evans (Norman, Okla./North).
Few offers were out. And the ones that were, well, the Sooners were on the outside looking in with several top prospects.
Over the weekend, however, Kish got a look at his future, his first linebacker class. All three of OU's linebacker commits were on their official visits: ESPN 300 prospect Jordan Mastrogiovanni (Dallas/Jesuit), three-star athlete Dominique Alexander (Tulsa, Okla./Booker T. Washington) and three-star defensive end Jordan Evans (Norman, Okla./North).
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OU commits hope Treadwell joins class
December, 17, 2012
12/17/12
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By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
It took more than eight months after he was initially supposed to visit campus, but it was worth the wait for Oklahoma and ESPN’s No. 1-ranked wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (Crete, Ill./Crete-Monee).
Treadwell, who is No. 20 in the ESPN 150, was the top-ranked visitor at OU for the Sooners’ banquet weekend.
And with a number of OU commits in the house, it made for a great weekend even if it didn’t end with a Sooners commitment for Treadwell.
Treadwell, who is No. 20 in the ESPN 150, was the top-ranked visitor at OU for the Sooners’ banquet weekend.
And with a number of OU commits in the house, it made for a great weekend even if it didn’t end with a Sooners commitment for Treadwell.
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Jordan Evans feels like part of OU family
December, 16, 2012
12/16/12
5:02
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By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Norman (Okla.) North defensive end Jordan Evans has wanted to be a part of the Oklahoma family. Evans was an invited guest to every single OU home game this season.
He became just as familiar a face at Owen Field as some of the commits. But until last month his situation remained the same. OU was interested, but the offer wasn’t there.
That all changed in November when Evans, a three-star prospect who is 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, was offered by OU coach Bob Stoops before the Sooners’ overtime win against Bedlam rival Oklahoma State.
He became just as familiar a face at Owen Field as some of the commits. But until last month his situation remained the same. OU was interested, but the offer wasn’t there.
That all changed in November when Evans, a three-star prospect who is 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, was offered by OU coach Bob Stoops before the Sooners’ overtime win against Bedlam rival Oklahoma State.
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Okoronkwo flips commitment to Sooners
December, 12, 2012
12/12/12
1:01
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By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Houston Alief Taylor defensive end Ogbonnia “Obo” Okoronkwo said he knew he wanted to flip his commitment from Oklahoma State to Oklahoma following his official visit to OU last month.
But he waited. He didn’t want to make a hasty decision, and he wanted to give OSU a chance. Things never worked out for Okoronkwo and the Cowboys and their Bedlam rival was there to swoop up Okoronkwo on Wednesday afternoon.
Max Olson/ESPN.comThree-star prospect Ogbonnia Okoronkwo is Oklahoma's third defensive end commitment for the Class of 2013.Okoronkwo, who is 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds and a three-star prospect, was able to visit Norman, Okla., last month for OU’s victory against Baylor. The plan had always been to see Stillwater first and then compare and contrast the two schools and make a decision.
OSU and Okoronkwo could never get on the same page for the visit and Okoronkwo said he told the OSU staff Sunday he thought it was time to go separate ways.
That didn’t necessarily mean he was automatically a Sooner, but that was solidified Wednesday during an in-home visit by OU coaches Bob Stoops and Tim Kish.
“Coach Stoops talked with my dad and Coach Kish talked with my mom for about an hour, and my parents really liked what they were saying,” Okoronkwo said. “They were happy with everything so he didn’t see a point in waiting.”
Okoronkwo said his mother was especially interested in the graduation rates and the academic help he would receive. The answers Stoops and Kish gave her satisfied her and everybody was on the same page.
Okoronkwo has never been a first option for schools looking at Houston Alief Taylor. Playing alongside ESPN 300 USC defensive end commit Torrodney Prevot, the attention went toward Prevot.
But he waited. He didn’t want to make a hasty decision, and he wanted to give OSU a chance. Things never worked out for Okoronkwo and the Cowboys and their Bedlam rival was there to swoop up Okoronkwo on Wednesday afternoon.
Max Olson/ESPN.comThree-star prospect Ogbonnia Okoronkwo is Oklahoma's third defensive end commitment for the Class of 2013.OSU and Okoronkwo could never get on the same page for the visit and Okoronkwo said he told the OSU staff Sunday he thought it was time to go separate ways.
That didn’t necessarily mean he was automatically a Sooner, but that was solidified Wednesday during an in-home visit by OU coaches Bob Stoops and Tim Kish.
“Coach Stoops talked with my dad and Coach Kish talked with my mom for about an hour, and my parents really liked what they were saying,” Okoronkwo said. “They were happy with everything so he didn’t see a point in waiting.”
Okoronkwo said his mother was especially interested in the graduation rates and the academic help he would receive. The answers Stoops and Kish gave her satisfied her and everybody was on the same page.
Okoronkwo has never been a first option for schools looking at Houston Alief Taylor. Playing alongside ESPN 300 USC defensive end commit Torrodney Prevot, the attention went toward Prevot.
There is one glaring hole in Oklahoma’s defensive recruiting for the 2013 class. But it’s a big one. The Sooners are faring well or at least decently at every other spot, but OU is lacking defensive tackles.
Worse than lacking at them is the fact OU has been involved in several tight battles at the position only to have never come out on top.
With less than two months until national signing day, here is a position-by-position breakdown of OU defensive targets.
Worse than lacking at them is the fact OU has been involved in several tight battles at the position only to have never come out on top.
With less than two months until national signing day, here is a position-by-position breakdown of OU defensive targets.
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One setback after another for OU on trail
December, 7, 2012
12/07/12
10:00
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By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Sept. 21 was supposed to be a magical weekend. Oklahoma was hosting Kansas State in one of the best matchups of the week. A number of top recruits were going to visit the campus.
The Sooners were going to win, followed by a slew of commitments from some of the prospects in the coming weeks and months.
OU was upset by Kansas State. And the Sooners netted zero commits from the weekend. Not one. Worse yet, OU didn’t even have stand a realistic chance of getting any from that weekend.
The Sooners were going to win, followed by a slew of commitments from some of the prospects in the coming weeks and months.
OU was upset by Kansas State. And the Sooners netted zero commits from the weekend. Not one. Worse yet, OU didn’t even have stand a realistic chance of getting any from that weekend.
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Sooner Snapshot: DE Jordan Evans
December, 4, 2012
12/04/12
1:00
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By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
To gear up for 2013 national signing day, SoonerNation's Brandon Chatmon is breaking down every commitment in the Sooners' 2013 recruiting class. View the full archive here.
Vitals: Defensive end Jordan Evans, Norman, Okla./North | 6-foot-3, 205 pounds
Committed: Nov. 27, 2012
Vitals: Defensive end Jordan Evans, Norman, Okla./North | 6-foot-3, 205 pounds
Committed: Nov. 27, 2012
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Five from Friday: Smallwood wins title
December, 3, 2012
12/03/12
10:00
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Every week through football season, SoonerNation writer Bob Przybylo will reveal five things he learned while out on the road watching the best in the Midlands area play football.
1. OU commit Jordan Smallwood (Jenks, Okla./Jenks) goes out a champion. There was no drama in the Oklahoma Class 6A state championship game as Jenks rolled to a 55-20 victory against Norman (Okla.) North. But that didn’t mean there wasn’t any emotion as Jenks won its first state title in five years. Smallwood had four catches for 50 yards and two touchdowns, including one signature 27-yard grab on fourth down where stiff armed a defender down by the sideline and back pedaled into the end zone. Smallwood said he dreamed of what it would feel like if he had won a state title. Following the game, he said it was better than anything he could have ever imagined.
2. The best 2014 in-state prospect might be Jenks safety Steven Parker. He wasn’t the most ballyhooed recruit entering the season, but Parker has played his way into the discussion. It was another brilliant performance by Parker, who has offers from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Alabama. He had eight tackles and an interception and once again was the unquestioned quarterback of the defense as it shut down Norman North all night. Parker is a strong OU lean at this point, twice admitting he has been close to committing to the Sooners. OU is struggling to win some top 2013 battles, but if the Sooners can nab Parker, not a bad sign for 2014.
1. OU commit Jordan Smallwood (Jenks, Okla./Jenks) goes out a champion. There was no drama in the Oklahoma Class 6A state championship game as Jenks rolled to a 55-20 victory against Norman (Okla.) North. But that didn’t mean there wasn’t any emotion as Jenks won its first state title in five years. Smallwood had four catches for 50 yards and two touchdowns, including one signature 27-yard grab on fourth down where stiff armed a defender down by the sideline and back pedaled into the end zone. Smallwood said he dreamed of what it would feel like if he had won a state title. Following the game, he said it was better than anything he could have ever imagined.
2. The best 2014 in-state prospect might be Jenks safety Steven Parker. He wasn’t the most ballyhooed recruit entering the season, but Parker has played his way into the discussion. It was another brilliant performance by Parker, who has offers from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Alabama. He had eight tackles and an interception and once again was the unquestioned quarterback of the defense as it shut down Norman North all night. Parker is a strong OU lean at this point, twice admitting he has been close to committing to the Sooners. OU is struggling to win some top 2013 battles, but if the Sooners can nab Parker, not a bad sign for 2014.
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Sooner Intel: Recruiting news and notes
November, 29, 2012
11/29/12
2:00
PM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Every Thursday, SoonerNation releases the Sooner Intel, a sneak peek inside Oklahoma Sooners football recruiting with news and notes on the latest happenings around the program. Talk about it on our forum. A few things discussed in this week's update:
- Crazy week continues for new OU commit
- More on the defensive end situation
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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.