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Thanks to five bluechip commitments in the month of July, the Oklahoma Sooners' 2023 recruiting class has jumped into the top-10 nationally.

And it just got better.

On Monday afternoon, Spanaway Lake High School (Washington) cornerback Jasiah Wagoner announced his commitment to Oklahoma over fellow finalists California, Oregon and Texas.

The 5-foot-11, 170-pound defensive back is rated the nation's No. 164 overall prospect and No. 17 cornerback and has been selected to play in the All-American Bowl.

For Wagoner, his visit to Norman proved to be the difference-maker. 

"I'm going to Oklahoma," he said. "When I went on a visit there with Coach Reg [Reggie Jones], we felt like it was the best fit for me. All of the coaches and people in the building make it a good place and they've got a great tradition." 

Wagoner credits Heir Academy CEO/head coach and Super Bowl champion Reggie Jones (New Orleans Saints, 2010) as an integral part of his recruiting process.

"He means a lot," he said. "Reg has been a huge help in my recruitment. He makes sure I see certain things and do certain things to develop and get a good opportunity at the next level."

Initially, Oklahoma didn't really appeal to Wagoner, because he felt they were an offensive-minded school.

But as the staff changed and he learned more about them, his feelings changed completely. 

"To be honest when I first got offered by Oklahoma I wasn't sure about them, because they were an offensive school in my mind," he said. "But then once I learned about who was there - coach (Jay) Valai, coach (Xavier) Brewer and coach (Brent) Venables - it was like, 'There's good people in the building.' I think we can get it done."

Analysis 

Wagoner is a major "get" for the Sooners, as the program has cleaned up at a variety of positions, but was in need of defensive back help.

Entering the week, Venables had collected bluechip commitments at quarterback, running back (2), wide receiver, offensive line, defensive line and linebacker (2).

Wagoner represents the program's first bluechip defensive back this recruiting cycle.

For more than a year, Wagoner and fellow Washington product and All-American Bowl selection Caleb Presley (Oregon commit) have battled for the title of, "state's top defensive back."

The margin is razor-thin, but Wagoner may be the better pure cornerback, while Presley is the more versatile player.

Still, both are considered major recruiting prizes.

To pluck one of them out of the Northwest is a significant accomplishment for the Sooners.

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