2023 Ranking: Top Ten Spotlight
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Earlier this week, we updated the 2023 rankings with an updated Top 100, ranking the top 100 junior prospects in Oklahoma. We had plenty of prospects that soared up the rankings. Plenty of prospects holding on firm in their ranking from the summer. Then we had plenty of new faces that made their debuts in the ranking on Monday. You can check out the complete Top 100 Right Here. In this post, we take a look at the absolute best from the 2023 class with a top ten spotlight. We look at the top ten prospects and break down why they’re considered the elite in the state’s 2023 class.
1) Luke Hasz Luke Hasz 6'4" | TE Bixby | 2023 State OK – Wide Receiver – Bixby
Remaining in the top spot for the 2023 class is Bixby standout Luke Hasz Luke Hasz 6'4" | TE Bixby | 2023 State OK . Last year was Luke’s first year of playing football in a few years and it has paid off in a big way. Near the end of his sophomore season, Hasz became a prospect that would receive offers from schools all over the country. After a massive offseason that featured him tearing up 7v7 events and showcase camps, Hasz was already invited to an All American game and has just continued to gain momentum when it came to his abilities as a prospect. Hasz committed to Oklahoma earlier this year and has remained committed to the Sooners. He’s currently the only 2023 prospect in the state to give a verbal commitment. This season, the Bixby standout hasn’t put up monster numbers as Bixby has had an incredibly balanced offense with production coming from all over. But as a prospect, Hasz is still the top choice.
2) Micah Tease Micah Tease 6'1" | WR Booker T Washington | 2023 State OK – Wide Receiver – Booker T Washington
While Hasz held on to the top spot, the debate was very close between the Bixby standout and Booker T Washington wide receiver and defensive back Micah Tease Micah Tease 6'1" | WR Booker T Washington | 2023 State OK . Coming off a breakout sophomore season, Tease appears to be the next elite prospect to come out of Booker T Washington. And let’s be honest, is that a surprise to anyone? The Hornets always have some of the best talent and right now is a great run of elite talent. Tease is the 2nd best prospect in the 2023 rankings, Issac Covington Issac Covington 5'11" | 190 lbs | ATH Union | 2024 State OK is the 3rd best prospect in the 2024 class and right now, Gentry Williams Gentry Williams 6'0" | DB Booker T Washington | 2022 State OK is the top 2022 prospect but those rankings get an update on Monday. Tease is an absolute gamechanger at the wide receiver position but this offseason, Tease began to broaden his opportunities. Tease is also being considered as a defensive back prospect and has been offered by some of the top programs in the country. Whether it’s offense or defense, it doesn’t matter, Tease is one of the best in 2023.
3) Jacobe Johnson Jacobe Johnson 6'4" | DB Mustang | 2023 State OK – Defensive Back – Mustang
No other prospect in the 2023 class has been on the recruiting radar than Mustang’s Jacobe Johnson Jacobe Johnson 6'4" | DB Mustang | 2023 State OK . Ever since his freshman season, it was obvious that Johnson would be one of the top prospects in the state’s 2023 class and he’s been considered a top five prospect ever since. Nothing has changed in the various updates as Johnson has always had a spot in the top five and has had several arguments to be the top overall prospect in the state’s class. Out of all the 2023 prospects, Johnson is going to have more options than anyone. He’s being recruited like one of the top football prospects in the state but he’s also considered one of the best basketball prospects in the state and has the offers to back that up. Several schools across the country have offered Johnson for both sports. However, when it comes to the football field, the jump that Johnson has made as a cornerback is one of the best we’ve seen from a defender in this class.
4) Bai Jobe Bai Jobe 6'5" | DL Community Christian | 2023 State OK – Athlete – Community Christian
The prospect with the highest ceiling could be Community Christian standout Bai Jobe Bai Jobe 6'5" | DL Community Christian | 2023 State OK . In fact, not only did he jump into the top five with the latest update but he had a decent argument to be even higher. However, we still want to see him continue to develop and by the time he’s a senior, he might be the top overall prospect in the state’s 2023 class. Jobe has a story that’s been written about quite a bit on this website. He just started playing football last year for the first time in his life. Jobe has been a massive disruption on the defensive line for the Royals and could end up being near the top of the state in sacks. He also has returned kicks which isn’t exactly a normal combination. Jobe is being utilized in anyway possible and it’s easy to see why as Jobe is a freak athlete and is just starting to scratch the surface on what kind of prospect he’ll end up being when it’s all said and done.
5) Kanijal Thomas Kanijal Thomas 6'1" | DB Del City | 2023 State OK – Defensive Back – Del City
Rounding out the top five is Del City defensive back Kanijal Thomas Kanijal Thomas 6'1" | DB Del City | 2023 State OK . We mentioned the jump that Jacobe Johnson Jacobe Johnson 6'4" | DB Mustang | 2023 State OK made as a shutdown corner and the same can be said about Thomas. The gap between Johnson and Thomas as prospects is not as wide as many would think. It’s honestly close to a toss up and if we had either guy on our team, we’d be confident. Thomas had an outstanding offseason and was one of the best cover corners during the 7v7 season. This season, he’s shown off his versatility and played a few more positions and has been an impact player on offense. While Del City is absolutely a run-first team, Thomas gives the Eagles a home run threat at the wide receiver position. However, when it comes down to Thomas as a prospect, he is a shut down corner and one of the best in the state. He’s been a top five prospect during the last several updates and has held on to that spot.
6) JaKobe Sanders JaKobe Sanders 6'3" | 285 lbs | OL Stillwater | 2023 State OK – Offensive Lineman – Stillwater
Stillwater offensive lineman JaKobe Sanders JaKobe Sanders 6'3" | 285 lbs | OL Stillwater | 2023 State OK might have been the toughest prospect to not include in the top five on the recent update. In a lot of years, Sanders is an absolute lock to be in the top five and it just shows how deep and talented this 2023 class is, especially at the top. Sanders is a prospect that we have really enjoyed watching since his freshman year. In the first two years, Sanders was a raw talent on an offensive line full of veterans. However, starting this year, you can tell that Sanders has taken his game to the next level and has fit in to what might be his natural position at the next level and that’s center. He also has plenty of reps at the guard positions but center might be where Sanders excels. We’ve made this comparison already this year but we’ll throw it out there again because we think it’s a legitimate comp. Sanders could be the next top center prospect to come out of Oklahoma and compares to former Union center Ricky Stromberg and Shawnee center Creed Humphrey.
7) De’Marion Thomas De’Marion Thomas 6'4" | 340 lbs | DL Union | 2023 State OK – Defensive Lineman – Union
Union lineman De’Marion Thomas De’Marion Thomas 6'4" | 340 lbs | DL Union | 2023 State OK has jumped into the top ten in this last ranking update and we still have him listed as a defensive lineman for now. However, Thomas has emerged as a strong candidate to be an offensive lineman at the next level with his play on the field this season. He’s added even more talent to a Union offensive line that is one of the best in the state and Thomas is a perfect fit on the interior of the line. Whether it’s a guard or a center, Thomas’ stock is on the rise on the offensive side of the ball. However, on defense, he’s still one of the best at pushing the line of scrimmage backwards and is one of the more disruptive players in the 2023 class. Thomas as a prospect overall has jumped into the top ten because of his versatility and the fact that he could be playing on either side of the line of scrimmage at the next level. As an offensive lineman, Thomas might start pushing Sanders for the top spot.
8) Steele Wasel Steele Wasel 6'4" | 210 lbs | QB Choctaw | 2023 State OK – Quarterback – Choctaw
A 2023 prospect that has had a lot of hype around his name since his freshman year was Choctaw quarterback Steele Wasel Steele Wasel 6'4" | 210 lbs | QB Choctaw | 2023 State OK . We wrote about the growth that Wasel had in his sophomore season as he was in his first year starting and the growth he had from start to finish was one of the best improvements we saw all season. The Choctaw quarterback has continued to improve throughout the offseason and into this year. Wasel has the chance to be one of the top quarterback prospects to come out of Oklahoma in the last few seasons. Wasel is throwing the ball all over the field and has really improved his skills in that department. It almost makes you forget that the Choctaw standout can tuck the ball and run and is just as capable of torching a defense with his legs. Wasel has been one of the top prospects in this class from the start and nothing has changed with the recent ranking update.
9) Erik McCarty Erik McCarty 6'2" | 175 lbs | DB McAlester | 2023 State OK – Running Back – McAlester
The only running back prospect to crack the top ten is McAlester running back Erik McCarty Erik McCarty 6'2" | 175 lbs | DB McAlester | 2023 State OK . After his breakout season in 2020, where he became one of the breakout stars in Oklahoma, it was obvious that McCarty would be a name to watch in this 2023 class. He’s continued to be a dominant presence in the McAlester rushing attack and the Buffaloes are currently riding high behind McCarty and are currently the top ranked team in Class 5A. The offers continue to roll in for the McAlester standout and it’s easy to see why. I just recently watched McCarty in person and it’s hard not to be impressed. Every time he touches the ball you just hold your breath and wait to see if he’s going to make that big play. Whether it’s bouncing it into the open field and running away from opponents or lowering the shoulder to run over a few tacklers, McCarty is a compete prospect at the running back position.
10) Morgan Pearson Morgan Pearson 6'2" | 220 lbs | ATH Plainview | 2023 State OK – Wide Receiver – Plainview
The 2023 class has some big time talent at the wide receiver position and we round out the top ten with another receiver. Bixby’s Luke Hasz Luke Hasz 6'4" | TE Bixby | 2023 State OK and Booker T Washington’s Micah Tease Micah Tease 6'1" | WR Booker T Washington | 2023 State OK are at the top of the top ten and Plainview’s Morgan Pearson Morgan Pearson 6'2" | 220 lbs | ATH Plainview | 2023 State OK comes in at #10 in the recent update. And by the way, another wide receiver in Owasso’s Cole Adams Cole Adams 6'0" | WR Owasso | 2023 State OK is sitting at #11. Compared to the three other receivers listed, Pearson has just about every tool you want. He has good size physically like Hasz but he can flat out run and is considered more of a wide receiver while Hasz is more of a hybrid tight end at the next level. Pearson has made big catch after big catch and has been a jump ball star for Plainview since his freshman year. Just like Johnson at Mustang, Pearson is being recruited for two sports as he’s also a baseball star. He has offers in both sports and will have plenty of options when it’s all said and done.