Oklahoma football: Sooners add JUCO All-American Kendel Dolby to ‘23 class

Safeties coach Brandon Hall works with players as the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) holds fall camp practice at the rugby fields on Aug. 16, 2022 in Norman, Okla. [Steve Sisney/For The Oklahoman]Ou Practice
Safeties coach Brandon Hall works with players as the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) holds fall camp practice at the rugby fields on Aug. 16, 2022 in Norman, Okla. [Steve Sisney/For The Oklahoman]Ou Practice

Oklahoma football had a great time when the Sooners took on the Oklahoma State Cowboys in Bedlam, not only because of a sweet victory but because they had a heck of a night recruiting. One of the spoils from that evening is the commitment of three-star JUCO All-American Kendel Dolby. Dolby, will have four seasons to play three. A transfer coming from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.

Who is Kendel Dolby?

Kendel Dolby is a 5-foot 11-inch 180-pound cornerback from Springfield, Ohio. He spent a season at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M and was a JUCO All-American. He played in division one football, which is the lowest classification in Ohio. This made it difficult for him to get noticed. Springfield is one of the best programs in his classification as well, so he didn’t necessarily standout to some. Living in Ohio myself, I was well aware of Dolby before now, but certainly never imagined he would be as dominant as he was at NEO.

Scouting

Physical athlete, and has a knack for getting his hands on the football, projects to be a safety rather than a corner at Oklahoma. Smooth athlete who moves well, the Sooners were not the only power five programs to take an interest, as Washington State, Arkansas, and Oklahoma State were in on the young man well before the Sooners who offered him in November.

Impact for Oklahoma

Good chance he impacts immediately for the Sooners. Oklahoma will likely be losing some safety depth to the transfer portal, and there will be a spot in the rotation next year should he earn it. You bring in  JUCO guys to help you right away, and the Sooners certainly believe Dolby will provide an immediate spark and help their rotation.