By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
Some on the list are highly-regarded prospects nationally.
Others might be an inch short or a tenth of a second too slow in the 40-yard dash to get the call from college recruiters.
But when they get between the hash marks and the lights go on Friday night, college is an after thought. Everybody is on an equal playing field. These guys can flat out play the game the way it was meant to be played.
One player that gets the best of both worlds is Dewar’s Ronnell Lewis. Coming from a small town, one would think Lewis would not get the publicity needed for recruiting purposes.
Think again.
Oklahoma’s best-kept secret in 2007 was offered a scholarship by the University of Oklahoma exactly one year before Signing Day 2009. On Signing Day 2008, with last year's class taking shape, Lewis was enough of a priority to offer early. He quickly accepted.
Lewis leads Dewar into Class A this season.
He rushed for 2,258 yards and 38 touchdowns as a junior, averaging 14.3 yards per carry. On defense, Lewis was a MaxPreps All-State pick after recording 117 tackles and 13 interceptions. His off-the-radar courtship by the Sooners boosted his stock heading into 2008.
Lewis may be the headliner, but as a squad Norman North is loaded on the defensive side once again.
Defensive lineman Nathan Badger and hard-hitting linebacker Beau Traber return after All-State campaigns in 2007. Junior Nick Canavan and defensive back Andre Cheatham give Norman North the top unit in Oklahoma.
Lawton MacArthur has Oklahoma commit Javon Harris, a key player over the past two seasons for the Highlanders.
Carl Albert safety Daytawion Lowe joined Lewis, Badger, and Traber on the All-State team in 2007.
One player that is worth a mention is Lincoln Christian linebacker Cody Harris.
Lincoln Christian went 11-0 in 2007 as an independent and enters the OSSAA this season, going to District 2A-7. Wilson had offers from schools bigger than Tulsa, but he decided to join the Golden Hurricane instead. Tulsa has made a commitment to the state of Oklahoma, signing numerous players from the Sooner state.
Here's one man's picks for the best defensive players in the state.
First Team All-State Defense
Defensive Line
Nathan Badger, Norman North (6-2, 255)
Badger anchored the defensive line for Norman North in 2007. Badger logged 106 tackles and nine sacks as a junior for Timberwolves. Badger can play and deserves a long look from Division I schools.
Jack Jewell, Norman (6-6, 240)
Jewell is a run-stuffing monster for the Tigers. Jewell, who’s father played at Oklahoma, recorded 69 tackles and 12 sacks after transfer from Bellevue West (Neb.)
Pearlie Graves, Tulsa East Central (6-3, 260)
East Central has a dominant performer on the defensive line. Graves is a Division I prospect and recorded 65 tackles and five sacks in ’07.
Linebackers
Erik Howell, Muskogee (6-2, 230)
Howell anchored ‘Legion of Doom’ defense with 176 tackles and two sacks in 2007. Jontae Bumpus and Stacy McGee (Oklahoma) got all the defensive headlines over the past few seasons, which was just fine for Howell. Howell logged quite the impressive stat sheet last season.
Gus Jones, Wagoner (6-2, 210)
Wagoner’s Jones posted 170 tackles and five sacks on defense in ’07. Jones added 15 rushing touchdowns last season and is verbally committed to the University of Oklahoma.
Beau Traber, Norman North (5-10, 215)
Traber recorded 164 tackles as a junior. This Timberwolves star hits like a missile; a proven commodity in his two years of varsity football. Traber is a Division I prospect entering ’08.
Cody Wilson, Lincoln Christian (6-1, 220)
Welcome to the OSSAA, Cody. Wilson is from a football family. His father played at Missouri and was drafted by the NFL. Wilson had 33 tackles, 12 sacks, and five fumbles recoveries last season for Lincoln Christian, which moves to OSSAA this season. Wilson is committed to Tulsa.
Defensive Backs
Javon Harris, Lawton MacArthur (5-11, 180)
Harris did it all for McArthur in 2007, a program that won its first 12 games. Harris had 74 tackles, four sacks, and two interceptions as a junior. Harris added 10 rushing touchdowns and is verbally committed to Oklahoma.
Josh King, Guthrie (5-8, 175)
King plays much bigger than his frame. As a junior, King was an animal for a defense that allowed just 6.4 points per game. King posted 98 tackles, seven interceptions, and three sacks for the 5A state champions.
Ronnell Lewis, Dewar (6-3, 220, Preseason Defensive MVP)
Oklahoma verbal picked off 13 passes to go along with 117 tackles.
Daytawion Lowe, Midwest City Carl Albert (6-0, 175)
Lowe is a bit on the thin side, but he packs a wallop while patrolling the secondary for the Titans. Lowe record a team-leading 116 tackles along with four sacks, three interceptions, and two touchdowns. Lowe is regarded as one of the top defensive backs in the country.
Gabe Lynn, Jenks (6-1, 185)
Lynn is one of the highest-regarded players in the Sooner State, regardless of position. Lynn picked up 45 tackles, three interceptions, and four total touchdowns for the Class 6A state champions. Lynn has a laundry list of major Division I programs courting his services at the next level.
Punter
Max White, Durant (6-1, 185)
Averaged 42.3 yards per punt; scored nine total TDs on offense, recorded 60 tackles on defense; moves to QB in ’08.
Second Team All-State Defense
Defensive Line
Kenneth Garrett, Oklahoma City Crooked Oak (6-3, 260)
Small-school gem posted 88 tackles and eight sacks last season; Division I prospect.
Christian Smith, Midwest City Carl Albert (6-3, 245)
Smith had 54 tackles and two sacks in ’07.
Robert Thomas, Muskogee (6-1, 295)
Committed to Kansas State; 24 tackles and two sacks while playing his best football at the end of ’07.
Gabe Ikard, Bishop McGuinness (6-4, 240)
Ikard is a blue-chip prospect, offered by Notre Dame to name a few. He recorded 69 tackles and for the back-to-back 4A state champions.
Linebackers
Amos Cherry, Coweta (5-11, 215)
Cherry quietly dominated with 178 tackles and five INTs a year ago for the Class 5A Tigers.
Michael Doctor, Tulsa Washington (6-0, 200)
Doctor recorded 150 tackles and three sacks last season for the Hornets, who expect to make noise as they drop to 5A.
Julian Jones, Lawton MacArthur (6-2, 250)
Jones logged 37 tackles and three sacks before having a great summer; a huge linebacker for the Highlanders.
Kameron Stewart, Midwest City (6-0, 210)
Stewart posted more big numbers for the resurgent Bombers: 129 tackles, nine sacks, and 4 INTs for Stewart.
Defensive Backs
David Gordon, Tulsa East Central (5-11, 160)
Committed to Arkansas, Gordon had three interceptions last season and was a big-play threat on offense with five TDs on just 11 grabs.
Tyren Samuels, Vian (5-9, 175)
Two-way star; Samuels picked off five passes last season; 17 total TDs on offense at QB
Randy Stanley, Tulsa Union (5-8, 160)
Stanley swiped six passes to go along with 52 tackles as a junior for the Class 6A runner-up
Underrated, Highly Talented
Some of these names are not talked about as much as they should.
Zach Aylor, LB, Midwest City Carl Albert (5-10, 195)
Calvin Barnett, DT, Tulsa Washington (6-4, 290)
Roland Baza, DL, Lawton MacArthur (6-2, 205)
Ramon Beard, DB, Tulsa Washington (6-0, 170)
Andy Blackard, DE, Claremore (6-1, 240)
Antonio Brown, DB, Midwest City (5-10, 170)
Nick Canavan, LB, Norman North (5-10, 215, Jr.)
Micah Churchill, S, Norman (6-3, 190)
Cameron Cichon, DB, Berryhill (6-3, 200)
Money Davis, DL, Star Spencer (6-1, 240)
Trent Dupy, DT, Enid (6-3, 280)
Dusty Gehrke, DB, Grove (5-11, 175)
Trayvon Henry, LB, Millwood (6-2, 220, Jr.)
B.J. Herring, DL, Glenpool (6-0, 220)
Antonio Huddlin, DB, Clinton (5-10, 170)
Alex Iglesias, DB, Tecumseh (6-2, 195)
Rayvon Johnson, DL, Douglass (6-1, 240)
Ozell Littleton, DB, Midwest City Carl Albert (5-8, 160)
Stephen Marcotte, DB, Blackwell (6-3, 195)
Gabe McGee, DT, Duncan (6-0, 290)
Jessie Morrison, LB, Tahlequah (6-4, 220)
Anthony Phillips, DB, Mustang (5-10, 170)
Tre’vonte Porter, CB, Midwest City Carl Albert (6-0, 175, Jr.)
Chris Ramey, LB, Wagoner (5-11, 200)
Chris Ray, DE, Jenks (6-4, 220)
Colton Richardson, DB, Ada (6-3, 210)
Darwin Rideau, DB, Star Spencer (6-1, 200)
Logan Russell, LB, Plainview (6-1, 205)
Kale Sawatzky, LB, Weatherford (5-11, 200, Jr.)
Matt Scott, LB, Northwest Classen (6-0, 220)
Vernon Scott, DB, Muskogee (6-0, 160)
Justin Skillens, DB, Tulsa Washington (5-9, 170)
Steven Stadler, S, Jenks (5-11, 175, Jr.)
Benny Taylor, DB, Bishop Kelley (5-10, 185)
Brock Wardlaw, DB, Okeene (5-11, 165)
Cody Wilson, LB, Lincoln Christian (6-0, 220)
Will Wrona, LB, Bishop Kelley (5-10, 185)
Oklahoma 2008 Football Preview Schedule
Monday, August 4: Oklahoma 2008 Football by the Numbers, Notebook
Tuesday, August 5: Oklahoma 2008 Preseason All-State Offense
Wednesday, August 6: Oklahoma 2008 Preseason All-State Defense
Thursday, August 7: Oklahoma Class 6A Preseason Ratings
Friday, August 8: Oklahoma Class 5A Preseason Ratings
Monday, August 11: Oklahoma Class 4A/3A Preseason Ratings
Tuesday, August 12: Oklahoma Class 2A/A/B/C Preseason Rundown
Wanted: Your Statistics!
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