2002 OU Season

Sooners Get Commitment from Top QB

August 30, 2002

by Mac Thompson

Recruiting Guru

It's still very early, but the 2003 recruiting class looks like it has a chance to be OU's best under Stoops and company. Yesterday, the Sooners received an oral, non-binding commitment from the nation's second best prep quarterback, Tommy Grady (6-6, 215, 4.9). A native of Huntington Beach, Calif., Grady last season threw for 2900 yards with 33 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Grady is the highest rated quarterback to commit to the Sooners under Stoops. He chose the Sooners over Florida State and Miami.

The Sooners also have three other commitments at this point in the recruiting season. The first two commitments came from two of the nation's top offensive linemen: Ryan Schuler (6-7, 270, 4.9) and Brian Zimpel (6-5, 310, 5.3). A native of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Schuler is one of the nation's top five offensive linemen. Zimpel is from Broken Arrow, Okla., and is rated among the nation's top 10 offensive linemen. Look for the Sooners to get commitments from a few more of the nation's best at this position.

The final commitment is from Marcus Johnson (6-1, 175, 4.4), an athletic quarterback from Abilene, Texas. Most likely at OU Johnson will move to either wide receiver or defensive back.

Here's a list of other players the Sooners would like to land and the probability that they end up in Norman:

1. Andrew Alexander, running back/defensive back, 5-10, 165, 4.4, Lawton, Okla. -- Andrews is one of the top running backs in the Midwest and is being recruited by Oklahoma, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Kansas and Kansas State. There's a 50 percent probability that he ends up at OU (if he gets an offer).

2. Andre Caldwell, wide receiver, 6-2, 185, 4.39, Tampa, Fla. -- The nation's top wide receiver candidate is being recruited by all of the nation's top powers. The probability he lands in Norman is about 20 percent

3. Robert Meachem, wide receiver, 6-3, 200, 4.4, Tulsa, Okla. -- Meachem is one of the top three or four wide outs in America. He's a good bet to end up at OU. The probability is about 65 percent.

4. Tristen Ross, wide receiver, 6-1, 190, 4.5, Shreveport, La. -- Ross is from the same school as current third string QB Brent Rawls. Ross is considered one of the top 25 receivers in the country. His probability of ending up in Norman is about 75 percent.

5. Donnie Woods, offensive guard, 6-4, 290, 5.0, Tampa, Fla. -- Woods is another outstanding offensive lineman the Sooners have the chance to get. His probability of coming to OU is about 40 percent.

6. Jarvis Moss, defensive end, 6-7, 220, 4.48, Denton, Texas -- Moss is maybe the best overall recruit in the country. He's the type of player that should make an immediate impact wherever he goes. The Sooners have a great shot with the success of their defensive ends. The probability is about 25 percent.

7. Tim Crowder, defensive end, 6-4, 227, 4.67, Tyler, Texas -- Crowder is another outstanding defensive end prospect. The chances he ends up a Sooner are about 33 percent.

8. Carl Pendleton, defensive tackle, 6-6, 270, 4.9, Sapulpa, Okla. -- Pendleton should end up in Norman. The probability is about 80 percent.

9. Demarrio Pleasant, linebacker, 6-3, 215, 4.49, Lewisville, Texas -- A very athletic linebacker who could make an immediate impact wherever he ends up. His probability of becoming a Sooner is about 35 percent.

10. Robert Killebrew, linebacker/defensive end, 6-2, 205, 4.5, Klein, Texas -- Killebrew will either end up in Norman or Austin, most likely. The probability of him becoming a Sooner is about 25 percent.

11. Dane Zaslaw, linebacker, 6-2, 241, 4.6, Edmond, Okla. -- Zaslaw is a likely Sooner commit. The probability is about 65 percent.

12. Tony Cade, defensive back, 6-2, 200, 4.43, Lewisville, Texas -- Another outstanding prospect that will come down to crimson and cream or burnt orange. The probability of crimson and cream is about 40 percent.

13. Mark Brown, defensive back, 6-0, 185, 4.45, Tulsa, Okla. -- If Brown gets an offer from OU, he'll be there. His likelihood of becoming a Sooner is about 80 percent.

These are just the top prospects the Sooners are looking at. There are many other players the Sooners will likely offer and could possibly land. Just keep your eyes on the players in the list above. If the Sooners land seven or eight of these 13, the Sooners will have the nation's top recruiting class for the first time under Stoops. Mark it down.

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