Oklahoma State National Signing Day 2023: Linebacker
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 linebacker signees.
–Linebacker–
Poasa Utu, LB/Edge, 6-1, 210, Kennedale, Texas
Pokes Report Ranking: 3-Star
Date Committed: 6/20/2022
Accomplishments: 2022: All-District 6-4A-I (1st-Team/Coaches), Dallas Morning News Area and State Top 100, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Texas Top 300; 2021: All-District 6-4A-I (1st-Team/Coaches), Fort Worth Star-Telegram All-Area (2nd Team)
Key Statistics: 2022: 98-tackles, 33.0-tackles-for-loss, 6.0-sacks, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, one blocked punt; 2021: 97-tackles, 41.0-tackles-for-loss, 19.0-sacks, one interception, four passes defended, two fumble recoveries, one blocked punt
Scouting Report: Utu showed up at the lineman camp on the Oklahoma State campus and dominated from the edge. Linebackers coach Joe Bob Clements saw his athletic ability and size and could see him becoming a linebacker, which he did to a degree in his senior season at Kennedale where he led them into the playoffs. I think he is the biggest potential signee on the defensive side of the ball. He could be a future star. The numbers are crazy with him having 195 tackles, 74 tackles-for-loss, and 25-sacks in his last two seasons. He is flying off the edge with his speed (23.13 in the 200-meters) and then he won Class 4A in the shot put as a junior with a throw of 47-9.5. Watch the video and he is a freak of an athlete that has a better than average football IQ.
Other Schools Considered: Early Commitment, *Incarnate Word
Ike Esonwune, LB, 6-2, 215, Manor, Texas
Pokes Report Ranking: 3-Star
Date Committed: 12/16/2022
Accomplishments: 2022: All-District 25-6A (1st-Team/Coaches); 2021: All-District 25-6A (1st-Team/Coaches)
Key Statistics: 2022: 67-tackles (45-ut/22-at), 11-tackles-for-loss, 2.0-sacks, 3 interceptions, 3 passes defended, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery; 2021: 46-tackles (30-ut/16-at), 8.0-tackles-for-loss, 1.0-sack, 2 passes defended, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Scouting Report: First, he shows a strong football IQ as he repeatedly diagnoses where the offense is going playing all over the field as Manor used him on the edge, as a linebacker, and in the secondary. An excellent example of his IQ is on a trips formation where he reads quick screen and disposes of the blocker in time to get back and pick the pass and take it for a touchdown. There are other examples of him holding his blocker and letting the play develop. He shows patience to wait and make sure he is in the right place to make the right play. I love watching smart football from smart football players and Esonwune has that. His athletic ability makes him that much better, and his frame sure looks like he will end up being 6-2 and somewhere in the 220-225 range.
Other Schools Considered: *Tulsa, *UNLV, *Kansas, *Prairie View A&M