Latest news with #DeZephenWalker
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Could the Oklahoma Sooners be getting a massive recruiting win for elite blue-chip talent sooner than later?
Could the Oklahoma Sooners be getting a massive recruiting win for elite blue-chip talent sooner than later? originally appeared on A to Z Sports. The Oklahoma Sooners have already scored a couple of huge recruiting wins in the class of 2026, raking in elite quarterback Bowe Bentley alongside blue-chip wide receiver Daniel Odom, offensive tackle Deacon Schmitt, linebacker Jakore Smith, IOL Noah Best, EDGE Daniel Norman, and running back DeZephen Walker. Advertisement They have had one particular player who has been their highest priority for months: pass rusher Jake Kreul, the 37th-overall player in the class and a top-ten pass rusher. The Sooners have hosted Kreul several times and have built a strong relationship with him throughout the process. Despite that, it was originally thought that Kreul would take his time deciding his commitment, and might even wait until well into the season to make his choice. However, that timeline might be moving up here quickly - in favor of the Sooners. According to On3's Sam Spiegelman, Kreul could be making his choice by the end of the summer. "Jake Kreul has been working toward locking in a college commitment during his senior season at IMG Academy. Oklahoma, Texas, Ole Miss and Florida have been swinging away at the blue-chip EDGE — and we peg the Sooners as the team to beat after a series of official visits. We're also hearing that Kruel may not be long for a decision — and could have it in place before the end of the summer. We really like where Oklahoma stands here." If Kreul does commit to the Sooners, like Spiegelman and many others expect, he would be one of Oklahoma's biggest recruiting wins of the last several years. Kreul would be the Sooners' highest-ranked recruit of the class as a borderline five-star prospect. Advertisement His commitment would vault Oklahoma from 41st in 247Sports' rankings all the way up to 25th just by himself. Kreul has been a high-priority target for the Sooners in this whole process. Now is the time to close this up and full send the house to pull him into Oklahoma's growing class of 2026. Related: Oklahoma Sooners trending for pair of talented Texas playmakers who would radically shift their 2026 recruiting class View the original article to see embedded media. This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
16-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
4-Star running back DeZephen Walker commits to Oklahoma Sooners
4-Star running back DeZephen Walker commits to Oklahoma Sooners Though it was a lighter weekend in terms of the number of prospects in Norman for official visits, the Oklahoma Sooners continue to move the needle with recruits in the 2026 recruiting class. The Sooners hosted four-star running back DeZephen Walker over the weekend, and on Monday, the blue-chip prospect out of Missouri committed to the Oklahoma Sooners. Walker is considered the No. 17 running back in the 2026 cycle according to 247Sports and No. 18 according to Rivals. He's a consensus top-five player out of the state of Missouri and has 26 Power Four offers, including nine SEC offers. Walker is a 5-foot-10, 180-pound running back and is a big-play threat every time he touches the football. He displays great patience and vision after receiving the handoff. He does a really good job at setting up his blocks and then bursting through the hole. Walker has the speed to run away from the defense and fantastic lateral agility to make defenders miss in the open field. He can run between the tackles and has the speed to take the ball off tackle on stretch plays. Walker is able to run through arm tackles and falls forward when tackled. He also displays soft hands that will make him a threat in the passing game. Walker is the Sooners' 11th commitment in the 2026 cycle and the only running back currently committed to the class. DeZephen Walker Recruiting Profile Watch DeZephen Walker's highlights on Hudl Vitals Projected Position Running Back Height 5-foot-10 Weight 180 pounds Hometown Peculiar, Mo. Ratings Site Stars Overall Position State Rivals 4 -- 18 5 ESPN 4 -- 23 3 247Sports 3 -- 17 3 247Sports Composite 4 370 25 5 On3 3 -- 29 5 On3 Industry 4 361 25 4 Offers Per 247Sports Oklahoma Kansas State Kansas Arkansas Auburn Florida Georgia Illinois Iowa Miami Minnesota Missouri Nebraska Notre Dame Oklahoma State Ole Miss Oregon Purdue Stanford Tennessee Texas A&M Stanford UCF Washington State West Virginia Wisconsin Social Media Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
USA Today
11-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Nebraska makes strong impression on class of 2026 running back
Nebraska makes strong impression on class of 2026 running back Nebraska football has built a strong relationship with 2026 four-star running back DeZephen Walker. On Friday, he spoke about the coaching staff in a piece by Tim Verghese. Walker is the fifth overall player in the state of Missouri and the 16th overall player at his position per Rivals ratings. He is set to take an official visit to Lincoln on June 20, which is a busy summer for him. He will also take an unofficial visit to Kansas on May 30, an official visit to Kansas State on June 6, and an official visit to Notre Dame on June 13. Walker is far from a sure thing for the Huskers. However, as he told Verghese, he likes the approach they have taken in his recruitment. 'They love my family, they've been around us a lot... they've built that relationship and that relationship is tight.' Walker would be a solid get for a 2026 class with four total commitments. The class itself ranks 55th overall nationally per Rivals Team Rankings. The program could use additional depth at running back, and Walker could be a good fit. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
