2021 Rankings: Stock Risers (Feb. Update)

Prep Redzone Oklahoma has updated our 2021 Prospect Rankings for the final time. The list now stands at 150 players, ranging from the top tier D1 prospects, all the way down to small college recruits. You can check out the full rankings <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2021-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RIGHT HERE. </a></strong>Today we will be highlighting five athletes who rose their stock with strong senior seasons. Stay tuned to Prep Redzone Oklahoma over the next few days as we close out our evaluations for the class of 2021! <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="63292" first="Cade" last="Gibson"] - Linebacker - Metro Christian</strong></span> Metro Christian won back to back state championships and linebacker [player_tooltip player_id="63292" first="Cade" last="Gibson"] is a big reason behind both championship runs. The Metro Christian senior had his first real varsity action as a sophomore but he truly became one of the best linebackers in the state during a breakout season in 2019. In 2020, with Metro having to replace plenty of key pieces on the offensive side of the ball, Gibson took his game to another level and even helped out on offense at wide receiver. But when it came down to what he does best, it was his play as a heat-seeking missile of a linebacker. We were so impressed with his motor as a junior and that continued into 2020 and became more impressive as he was bigger, faster and stronger. Gibson didn't get enough credit statewide for his last two seasons. <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="38558" first="Cade" last="Stephenson"] - Athlete - Kingfisher</strong></span> Coming into the 2020 season, [player_tooltip player_id="38558" first="Cade" last="Stephenson"] was a known name as Kingfisher's quarterback. He had a strong 2019 season but he would not return as Kingfisher's signal caller in 2020. Instead, Stephenson was utilized as Kingfisher's ultimate weapon on the offensive side of the ball as they brought in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="65163" first="Jax" last="Sternberger"] at the quarterback spot. Stephenson became Kingfisher's primary ball carrier but also had an impact in the receiving game. Stephenson ran for 20 touchdowns and also caught 10 touchdowns and was one of the best offensive players in the state, regardless of class. We knew coming into the 2020 season that Stephenson had the chance to be a strong athlete, but he took it to a very unexpected level. <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="38572" first="Donnie" last="Wingate"] - Defensive Lineman - Choctaw</strong></span> Choctaw had a season to remember, making it all the way to the state championship game. The future also looks bright as the Yellowjackets have a roster full of young talent, including on the defensive line with junior star [player_tooltip player_id="61127" first="Desean" last="Brown"]. However, Brown couldn't have been as successful without senior [player_tooltip player_id="38572" first="Donnie" last="Wingate"] on the other side. The two pass rushers combined for over 25 sacks on the season. Wingate was a constant terror in opposing backfields. He went from a prospect at the beginning of the season that was viewed as a hybrid type without a natural position to one of the best defensive ends in Oklahoma. Not many defensive players can say they made made more of a leap from their junior to senior year than Choctaw's Wingate. <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="63286" first="Jeff" last="Nwankwo"] - Wide Receiver - Putnam City North</strong></span> The 2021 class featured some prospects that went from focusing on basketball to giving football a shot and earning a college scholarship. A perfect example of that is Putnam City North's [player_tooltip player_id="63286" first="Jeff" last="Nwankwo"]. The PC North standout has been a great basketball player for the Panthers but decided to give football a shot in his final year. Nwankwo not only had a breakout season but earned multiple D1 offers for football at the wide receiver position. We're not suggesting that all basketball players can just walk on the gridiron and earn a scholarship. But there are some great athletes that have been limiting themselves and this class is a perfect reason why they shouldn't. Nwankwo is headed to Tulane to play college football after one year of high school ball. <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="38499" first="Makale" last="Smith"] - Defensive Back - Midwest City</strong></span> It's tough to pick between Stephenson and our next stock riser for the player who made the most impact on their team. Midwest City's [player_tooltip player_id="38499" first="Makale" last="Smith"] helped lead the Bombers to a semifinal appearance in a year where not many were talking about them in August. The dynamic Bomber was a complete three-phase player, impacting the game on offense, defense and special teams. While his future in Stillwater is as an OSU defensive back, Smith made countless plays as Midwest City's home run threat at wide receiver and also in the kick return game. However, when it comes down to it, Smith was at his best when he was on defense, forcing turnovers and leading a Bomber defense that was one of the best units in Oklahoma, regardless of class.