Oklahoma football: Sooners get in-state 2021 DB commitment
By Chip Rouse
It should be, but because of nationwide protective measures stemming from the coronavirus this is not the best of times for Oklahoma football recruiting.
Football recruiting efforts at Oklahoma and other major programs are typically ramped up considerably at this time of the year, but with all on-campus and off-campus recruiting visits prohibited at this time because of the coronavirus threat, what would ordinarily be a very busy time has slowed to a virtual standstill.
Despite this, the Sooners did make some recruiting news this week, announcing their fourth commitment in the 2021 class, 6-foot, 3-inch, 205-pound Jordan Mukes, a defensive back out of Chocktaw, Oklahoma.four
Mukes received an Oklahoma scholarship offer on March 24, according to Brandon Drumm of OUInsider.com and 247Sports, and his commitment came fairly quickly thereafter.
Mukes’ stock has been steadily growing since he recently picked up football again last fall as a high school junior. Before then his concentration was in basketball.
“I always knew I could play defensive back in football,” Mukes told Drumm in an interview. “People would also tell me that my length, speed and athleticism were perfect for basketball, so I went out and played this past year.”
There are numerous success stories in both the college and pro ranks of players who excelled in basketball before turning their focus to football.
Oklahoma defensive coordinator Alex Grinch is looking for more size, length and speed in the OU secondary. Mukes checks off those boxes, along with great ahtleticism.
Mukes, presently rated as a three-star prospect, is the second in-state commitment in the Sooners’ 2021 class. Ethan Downs, a three-star defensive end from Weatherford, Oklahoma, committed earlier. They are joined by four-star wide receiver Cody Jackson land three-star offensive lineman Cullen Montgomery, both out of the state of Texas.
Oklahoma remains a lead contender in the recruiting battle for Caleb Williams, the No. 1 quarterback in the 2021 class.