Signing Day analysis: Oklahoma lands Kendall Dennis

Lakeland (Fla.) High School defensive back Kendall Dennis announced his intention to sign with Oklahoma on Wednesday, putting to rest a recruitment that included few surprises. Still, the Sooners pulling an in-demand defensive back out of the Sunshine State is good news for a program that seems to raise its recruiting profile with each passing year.

“Pound for pound, he’s one of the best natural athletes in the country. He has a 38-inch vertical. He turns and plays ball like a receiver -- high points well. He has good hips and is a tall, long corner. He has speed to run with the fastest receivers and a knack for making the big play. He has returner potential and could be an offensive guy.” -- Lakeland offensive coordinator Will Bahler

The Sooners beat out Nebraska, Miami and others to land Dennis down the stretch. And while it looked like Clemson might make a late push at the high three-star cornerback, things on that front never manifested.

OU has recruited Florida with different levels of success under Lincoln Riley, so snagging a commit from one of the state’s powerhouse high schools certainly won’t hurt their future efforts in the region. Lakeland produces a handful of Power Five-level prospects each season, so having a player with ties to the program could serve the Sooners well down the road. In Dennis Oklahoma gets an elite-level athlete. And while his lack of elite size is the knock on his game , there’s no disputing the other physical tools he has in spades.

Dennis will need further coaching at the college level, as he’s still working on polishing his technique. That said, Riley has made his living molding raw athletes into all-conference performers. Dennis might benefit from a redshirt year, but will be ready to contribute at a high level down the road. A bet on Dennis is a bet on his ceiling, which seems to be sky high.