Who Were the Sooner State Shootout's Hidden Gems on Defense?

The Sooner State Shootout has come and gone, with sixty-five teams attending and over one thousand student-athletes participating in the event. The tournament was loaded with talent and we saw some high-level competition. Well today, we're focusing on the defensive side of the football. The following names stood out on Saturday & Sunday and I believe raised their stock. They may not have any offers just yet, but their time is coming.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>  LB: Moses Madubuike, 6'4" 220, Sooner 7, 2024  A long, linebacker with solid body control, clean breaks, and exceptional anticipation. Despite playing defensive line last fall, Moses understands route concepts and will violently reroute #2 up the seam.   LB: Jonah Bowman, 6'2" 220, C4, 2024   Another good-sized kid with excellent body control, and a ton of short-area quickness. He shows great range for a middle linebacker and can come to balance to make plays in space.   LB: Jared Kappenman, 6' 205, Northwest Elite   A well-trained competitor that will scrape down the line to make plays from the backside. Jared shows good burst, solid instincts in zone, and is sticky on backs out of the backfield in man coverage.   LB: Yannick Ivan Eloume Akwa, 5'10", 205, Nebraska Red Wolves, 2023   A chiseled prospect that could play on either side of the ball. Yannick has steady top-end speed, can easily ID opposing route concepts, and can run with speedier backs out of the backfield.   LB: Mason Cotton, N/A, N/A, Nebraska Red Wolves, 2027   This youngster has a very bright future, and already has the size and athleticism of a big-time ball player. Mason, can unlock his hips and run with #3 up the seam, can bend, has a strong base, and has a knack for forcing turnovers.   DB: Khamarian Miller, N/A, N/A, True Buzz, 2026   A turnover machine with the confidence and competitive nature that you look for in a cornerback prospect. Miller has a strong off-hand jam, plays with disciplined eyes, and will play through a target's hands.   DB: Davieian Williams, 6'2" 180, Nebraska Red Wolves, 2024   A lengthy cornerback that can mirror releases in press and shows good hip fluidity when transitioning from a backpedal. His arm length can help him recover downfield to swat away passes and his leaping ability allows for him to go up & attack the football at its highest point.   DB: Austin Robinson, 6'1" 155, Emp1re, 2025   A ballhawk with a physical playing style that can bully receivers in press coverage. His feet & hands work in unison, he plays with good technique and accelerates coming out of his breaks.   DB: Braden Nash, 5'10" 150, 479 Elite, 2026   Another gifted two-way player, with easy stop & start, along with great anticipation. Nash is quick, drives through the target in man coverage, and has a short-term memory.   DB: Jerrod Williams, 5'11" 150, Young Acheivers, 2026   A twitchy, see-ball-get-ball defensive back with good lateral movement skills. Jerrod can run routes for the receiver in man, will pass off routes in zone, and is a natural communicator.   DB: Spencer Ward, 5'10" 190, MO7's Arete, 2024   Ward is a physical presence with a quick trigger. He takes quality angles to the tackle and never stops closing when he has a ball carrier in his sights.   DB: TaDayVuan Wilson, 5'11", N/A, Arkansas Icons, 2026   Wilson widens a receiver's route in press and will shoot his hand when a receiver shoots his. Subtle jabs allow for him to mess with route tempo and he's proven that he's extremely competitive at the top of routes.

The Sooner State Shootout has come and gone, with sixty-five teams attending and over one thousand student-athletes participating in the event. The tournament was loaded with talent and we saw some high-level competition. Well today, we're focusing on the defensive side of the football. The following names stood out on Saturday & Sunday and I believe raised their stock. They may not have any offers just yet, but their time is coming.