Sooner 7 Shootout – Defensive Standouts
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Over the weekend in Broken Arrow, the Sooner 7 Shootout took place in partnership with DR Sportz. Some of the best players in Oklahoma were on hand for the event and while Sooner 7 certainly had plenty of teams and firepower throughout the age divisions, other Oklahoma teams did well throughout the weekend as well. In this post, we take a look at some of the prospects that shined on the defensive side of the ball. Stay tuned to Prep Redzone Oklahoma throughout the rest of the week for more breakdowns on the quarterbacks along with more offensive standouts.
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Jaiden Carroll
Jaiden
Carroll
5'10" | 180 lbs | RB
Jenks | 2023
State
OK
– 2023 – Jenks
(Played With Sooner 7)
Jenks 2023 running back Jaiden Carroll Jaiden Carroll 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Jenks | 2023 State OK is one of the best running backs in the state. After making the move from Booker T Washington to Jenks last year, Carroll was Jenks’ leading rusher on their way to a second straight state championship. But this weekend, Carroll showed that he is much more than just a running back. He played defense throughout the weekend and was one of the top cornerbacks for Sooner 7’s top team in Sooner 7 Black. Carroll played a little defense for the Trojans but was limited because of his duties on offense. Carroll was a lockdown corner throughout the weekend. Despite it being 7v7 and no pads were involved, Carroll was a very physical player going 1 on 1 with receivers and was not afraid to put hands on his opponent throughout the weekend.
Joshua Newkirk
Joshua
Newkirk
6'3" | ATH
Bixby | 2023
State
OK
– 2023 – Bixby
(Played With Sooner 7)
A 2023 prospect that we’ve seen for a while now on the 7v7 circuit is Bixby’s Joshua Newkirk Joshua Newkirk 6'3" | ATH Bixby | 2023 State OK . He passes the eye test as one of the taller prospects on Sooner 7’s squad. He also lines up on offense and defense for Sooner 7 and is just as dangerous on either side of the ball. However, over the past weekend, Newkirk was shining more on the defensive side of the ball as a lockdown cornerback. Newkirk lined up opposite of Carroll on the outside receiver and used his size to make plenty of plays throughout the weekend. His combination of height and wing span allow him to stay with just about any receiver he lined up against. Newkirk did a good job of jumping routes and either coming up with the interception or just knocking the pass down. Newkirk is a prospect who’s stock should soar this spring and summer.
Noah Roberts
Noah
Roberts
5'7" | 155 lbs | RB
Stillwater | 2023
State
OK
– 2023 – Stillwater
(Played With Sooner 7)
Similarly to Jaiden Carroll Jaiden Carroll 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Jenks | 2023 State OK at Jenks, we knew Stillwater 2023 standout Noah Roberts Noah Roberts 5'7" | 155 lbs | RB Stillwater | 2023 State OK for what he did at the running back position. He had a breakout season last year for the Pioneers and is expecting another big year this fall. However, this weekend, we saw more of Roberts on the defensive side of the ball and he arguably made just as many plays on defense as he did on offense. In fact, when it comes to offensive/defensive standouts from the weekend, Roberts is probably at the top of the list in terms of making plays on both sides of the ball. Roberts was playing as a linebacker and more of a “rover” type defender throughout the weekend and was flying all over the field. Making plays on the ball, coming up with interceptions, then turning right around and making plays on offense.
Thomas Gothard
Thomas
Gothard
6'3" | 185 lbs | DB
Union | 2023
State
OK
– 2023 – Union
(Played With 918 Elite)
One of the top breakout players from the weekend has to be Union 2023 defensive back Thomas Gothard Thomas Gothard 6'3" | 185 lbs | DB Union | 2023 State OK , who was playing with 918 Elite. Gothard was playing exclusively at the cornerback position and was incredibly impressive in man to man coverage throughout the weekend. What really stood out to us were a few things. One, Gothard looks the part physically and should really start getting more attention this spring and going into the summer as he moves into a bigger role in the Union defense. Then the other thing that impressed was Gothard’s ability to line up against anyone. He was 1 on 1 with tight ends who were 6’5 and then also guarded speedy slot receivers. It didn’t matter who Gothard was facing off against, more times than not, he made a good play.