Prediction: Oklahoma Sooners to land elite defensive prospect

The Oklahoma Sooners have 22 pledges in their 2024 recruiting class, a group that ranks No. 12 nationally.

Thus far, the headliners of the class are undoubtably IMG Academy (Florida) five-star defensive lineman David Stone and Longview (Texas) running back Taylor Tatum, the nation's No. 1 player at his position. 

To date, the group lacks a true in-state bluechip pledge.

But that may soon change.

Prediction: Danny Okoye to Oklahoma Sooners

Fresh off an official visit, NOAH Homeschool (Oklahoma) four-star edge-rusher Danny Okoye admitted the trip was a game-changer.

>>> Visit recap: Danny Okoye discusses Oklahoma Sooners visit in detail 

"I'm not gonna lie when I went on the OU visit, I had a top six," Okoye said. "After that trip I was ready to name a top three." 

In truth, it also put future visits to LSU and Tennessee in doubt.

Asked whether he'd take his scheduled visit to check out the Vols, Okoye was unsure.

"Yeah, I mean, I'll see what happens," he said. "The OU (official visit) kind of scrambled my brain a little bit and also scrambled my schedule, so we'll see where the road takes it." 

The 6-foot-4, 241-pound defender, who is rated the nation's No. 6 edge-rusher, was quick to point out that he's still quite high on the Vols as well.

So, this recruitment isn't over by any means.

But here's where things stand: An in-state priority recruit had a stellar visit to Oklahoma, plans to eliminate three of his contenders and is not sure if he'll make his other two scheduled official visits. 

Those signs all indicate that "Okoye to Oklahoma" is a smart bet - even if there's still a little time left in this battle. 

The recruiting industry agrees.

On3 gives Oklahoma a 95 percent chance of landing Okoye, while 247Sports has one prediction in so far. It favors the Sooners. 

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