Oklahoma State National Signing Day 2023: Safety
STILLWATER – National Signing Day 2023 is finally upon us! Oklahoma State football is set to sign 17 high school and junior college prospects, a number which we’ll be keeping an eye on and adjusting accordingly throughout the day should the need arise.
The commitment of NEO defensive tackle Iman Oates moved the number of commits up one to 17.
The class is headlined by four-star quarterback, Zane Flores, and features several really good prospects at multiple positions, as well as NJCAA First Team All-American, Lardarius Webb Jr. and Louisiana Division Four State Championship game MVP Kam Franklin among others.
The class includes one quarterback, one wide receiver, four offensive linemen, three defensive linemen, two linebackers, two cornerbacks, three safeties and one punter.
Listed below is an in-depth look at Oklahoma State’s 2023 safety signees.
–Safety–
Lardarius Webb, Jr., CB/Safety, 5-10, 170, Jackson (Jackson Academy), Miss./Jones College, Miss.
Pokes Report Ranking: 4-Star
Date Committed: 12/5/2022
Accomplishments: 2022/Junior College: NJCAA All-Region 23 (1st-Team), All-MACCC (1st-Team/Coaches); 2021: All-MACCC (1st-Team/Coaches); 2020/High School: All-State (2nd-Team/Clarion Ledger), Ranked #2-Player in MidSouth Association of Independent Schools District, MAIS All-Star Game participant (had two interceptions in the game including the game winning 72-yard pick six)
Key Statistics: 2022/Junior College: 28-tackles, 4.0-tackles-for-loss, six passes defended, six interceptions (tied for first in MACCC and nationally in NJCAA); 2021: 29-tackles, 3.0-tackles-for-loss, nine passes defended, three interceptions; 2020/High School: 58-tackles, 5.0-tackles-for-loss, nine passes defended, Other Sports Won MAIS 4x100 meter relay and 200-meter dash; 2019 (Beauregard High School in Opelika, Ala.) 51-tackles, 3-interceptions
Scouting Report: He has all kinds of speed and agility making him an excellent cover corner. The NFL bloodlines with his father having been a standout for the Baltimore Ravens doesn’t hurt. He is also physical and comes up to play the run with enthusiasm. It is being in coverage and denying a receiver or taking the ball away that he is best at. He is fun to watch in that role as he does it so well. Good ball skills and timing along with a great football IQ in recognizing routes.
Other Schools Considered: *Illinois, *Kansas, *Mississippi State, *Akron, *Arkansas State, *Charlotte, Georgia State, Hawaii, *Kent State, *Marshall, *Middle Tennessee State, *South Alabama, *Southern Miss, *Troy, *South Florida, *Virginia Tech, *Washington State, East Carolina, Kentucky, Mississippi
Kam Franklin, Safety, 6-3, 195, Oak Grove, La.
Pokes Report Ranking: 4-Star
Date Committed: 11/21/2021
Accomplishments: 2022: ESPN ranked him as the No. 71 Athlete in the nation in this class, LHSSA All-State (1st-Team/Coaches), All-Regional (1st-Team), All-District (1st-Team), Also plays Basketball and Track-Louisiana 1A state qualifier as a junior in the 200 meters and long jump. Placed fourth in 1A with 23.18 200 and won district with a 23.06. Placed sixth in 1A with a 20-9.25 long jump, one week after placing third at regionals with a 21-4.5.
Key Statistics: 2022: 120-tackles, 45-tackles-for-loss, six safeties, three interceptions, and six fumble recoveries in the season.
Scouting Report: Franklin is a wildly physical player that I would describe as a “heat seeking missile”. Honestly, he might end up playing linebacker instead of safety depending on the progress and development in the weight room. He has a big frame and might end up weighing in the 220-range. As for his play he is direct and plays that way. He is excellent at avoiding blockers and being touched and that allows him to make a huge number of plays. He is good in coverage, but best in pursuit and vs. the run or attacking the quarterback and the backfield.
Other Schools Considered: *Louisiana, *Mississippi, *Arkansas, *LSU, *Mississippi State, *SMU, *TCU, *Tennessee
Tywon Wray Jr., Safety, 6-3, 185, Smyrna (Campbell), Ga.
Pokes Report Ranking: 3-Star
Date Committed: 12/18/2022
Accomplishments: 2022: All-District (1st-team)
Key Statistics: 2022: 70-tackles, 8 passes defended, 5 interceptions, two forced fumbles, (as WR) 27-receptions, 404-yards, 15.0-ypr, 3 touchdowns; 2021: 18-tackles (12-ut/6-at), 1 interception
Scouting Report: You can see where Wray’s confidence and physicality has taken off as a result of his work and maturation. This guy is now very aggressive, and he has excellent ball skills with his height and bounce. He lists a 4.43 in the forty, a 39-inch vertical, and a 500-pound max on the squat and a 315-pound max on the bench press. Add all that up and you have a safety that will attack. I love the way he does that now on run plays. He loves to press up and he is also effective pursuing from the backside. He shows both on video. He is confident in pass cover, and I also like his few displays of pass rush in a blitz mode. The best part of this is his best football is just now coming out.
Other Schools Considered: *Austin Peay, *East Tennessee State, *Eastern Illinois, *Fla. International, *Mercer