Okla., Miss. headline state rankings releases
To outsiders it might seem like Oklahoma still doesn't rank among the best talent producing states in the nation. But for college coaches that recruit the Sooner State on a consistent basis, they know its home to some of the top talent year in and year out.
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They also know it's a deep talent pool, and that talent is on display in the updated Rivals.com Oklahoma Postseason Top 35 for the class of 2009.
Gabe Lynn, the four-star cornerback from Jenks, Okla., started out the season as the top player in the state and he finished at the top spot. At 6 feet and 185 pounds, Lynn, an Oklahoma commitment, played in the U.S. Army All-America Game and helped Jenks play for another state championship in 2008.
Lynn was a two-year starter for the Trojans and has been one of the state's most coveted athletes since bursting onto the scene with a kickoff-return for touchdown in the 2006 6A state championship game. Ranked as the No. 43 player overall and the No. 8 cornerback, Lynn has all the talent in the world.
"A quiet year for a cornerback can be a great year for a cornerback," Jenks coach Allan Trimble said. "I can't say enough good things about him. He's a very impressive young man. He didn't let any of the recruiting affect how he played. I'm excited for Gabe because he's got all the ability in the world. OU will continue to help him reach his full potential."
There isn't a large gap between the state's top two players in the national rankings.
Monday, January 19
Tuesday, January 20
Rivals.com Alabama Top 40
Rivals.com Maryland Top 20
Rivals.com Wisconsin Top 15
Rivals.com Iowa Top 10
Rivals.com Oregon Top 10
Wednesday, January 21
Rivals.com Texas Top 100
Rivals.com Delaware Top 5
Rivals.com Indiana Top 25
Rivals.com Kansas Top 15
Rivals.com Arizona Top 30
Thursday, January 22
Rivals.com Georgia Top 100
Rivals.com North Carolina Top 35
Rivals.com Ohio Top 80
Rivals.com Idaho Top 5
Rivals.com New Mexico Top 5
Friday, January 23
Rivals.com Michigan Top 40
Rivals.com Kentucky Top 10
Rivals.com Pennsylvania Top 40
Rivals.com Arkansas Top 20
Rivals.com Missouri Top 30
Rivals.com Nevada Top 20
Saturday, January 24
Rivals.com Louisiana Top 40
Rivals.com New Jersey Top 30
Rivals.com Illinois Top 30
Rivals.com Nebraska Top 10
Rivals.com Utah Top 15
Monday, January 26
Rivals.com California Top 100
Rivals.com South Carolina Top 35
Rivals.com New York Top 10
Rivals.com West Virginia Top 5
Rivals.com Tennessee Top 25
Tuesday, January 27
Rivals.com Florida Top 100
Rivals.com Virginia Top 30
Rivals.com Minnesota Top 15
Rivals.com Colorado Top 25
Rivals.com Washington Top 20
Right behind Lynn in the national rankings is Dewar, Okla., outside linebacker Ronnell Lewis. Ranked as the No. 44 player overall, Lewis, an Oklahoma commit also, starred recently in the Under Armour All-America Game.
People have doubted how talented he really is because he's destroyed small-school competition throughout his high school career. Now he gets a chance to quiet the naysayers.
"That's what I want to do," he said. "There are always going to be people doubting me because I come from a small school. I went down there and was showing people why they offered and this is why I'm going to Oklahoma," he said. "You step on the field and play hard.
"Focus on the outcome and let the game speak for itself. I just want to prove that I'm not just from a small-town and I can play with the best in the country."
Midwest City (Okla.) Carl Albert all-purpose running back David Oku comes in at No. 3. He's followed by Tulsa Union running back Jeremy Smith, Owasso, Okla., offensive lineman Brandon Webb, Tulsa (Okla.) East Central defensive tackle Pearlie Graves, Carl Albert safety Daytawion Lowe and Lawton (Okla.) MacArthur safety Javon Harris. All of eight of the state's best players rank on the four-star level.
To further show how deep the talent is in the state this season, all 35 players listed in the postseason ranking are ranked three-stars or higher.
Looking for a reason why Tulsa is always so successful? Look no further than the job the Golden Hurricane does in state. Tulsa has pledges from eight players in the top 35 including from highly regarded players like athlete Timothy Flanders and offensive lineman Brian DeShane.
Oklahoma State has seven in-state commits and Oklahoma has five. OU has pledges from three of the top eight players in the state, but OSU has commits five of the top 20 players.
CHANGES AT THE TOP
While Macon (Miss.) Noxubee County WR Patrick Patterson, Washington (D.C.) St. John's College High OG Peter White and Honolulu (Hawaii) Punahou LB Manti Te'o keep the No. 1 spots in their respective states, there were some changes at the top in today's other state ranking releases compared to the preseason lists.
Cheshire (Conn.) Cheshire Academy WR Joshua Adams takes the No. 1 ranking in Connecticut from New London (Conn.) High QB Jordan Reed and Dartmouth (Mass.) High TE Arthur Lynch takes over the No. 1 spot in Massachusetts formerly held by West Roxbury (Mass.) Catholic Memorial OT Brennan Williams.
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