WAY Too Early Look At Class 4A
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We’re still seven months away from the 2024 season kicking off but it’s never too early to look ahead. Well, sometimes it is and this is our WAY too early look at Class 4A in 2024. So much can change between now and when August rolls around. But nevertheless, we’re looking into the crystal ball and putting the spotlight on the top teams, players and storylines to watch in 2024. Keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma over the next week as we have our “WAY Too Early” Previews for each class dropping each day!
WAY TOO EARLY 4A RANKINGS
1) WAGONER
– Bulldogs are going to be hungry after falling short in the title game in 2023. Eyeing gold ball finish in 2024.
2) BLANCHARD
– Defending champs will be right back in the mix for another run to Edmond with two-way stars returning.
3) TUTTLE
– Tigers have reloaded and will once again be in the mix in 2024 and they are hungry for another 4A title.
4) LINCOLN CHRISTIAN
– The defending 3A champs are moving up to Class 4A and bring a very talented defense with them.
5) HERITAGE HALL
– Chargers will have to reload in certain spots as they move back up to Class 4A after dominant run in 3A.
6) HOLLAND HALL
– The Dutch join the other two private schools and Holland Hall has a lot of young talent to look out for.
7) WEATHERFORD
– Eagles will have a new head coach this fall but this is a team full of talent on both sides of the ball.
8) POTEAU
– The Pirates lose a lot of talented players but let’s face it, Poteau is a perennial power in Class 4A.
9) NEWCASTLE
– The Racers are going to be young in areas but very talented in others, making them an intriguing team.
10) BETHANY
– Bethany has been a consistent top ten team over the last decade and nothing changes going into this fall.
4A STORYLINES TO FOLLOW IN 2024
HERE COME THE PRIVATE SCHOOL POWERS
Because of their dominance in Class 3A, Heritage Hall, Holland Hall and Lincoln Christian have all been moved up to Class 4A for at least the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Holland Hall won titles in 2020 and 2021. Heritage Hall won the 2018 and 2022 titles and Lincoln Christian won gold in 2019 and 2023. For Heritage Hall, this will be their second time in Class 4A after being in 4A in 2016 and 2017. It’s the first time for Holland Hall and Lincoln Christian. With the move, the three private school powers will see tougher competition but as you see in the rankings, they could contend immediately.
MORE PARITY POTENTIALLY IN CLASS 4A
With the private schools moving up, and other teams becoming consistent contenders, we will certainly see more parity in Class 4A. This has been a class that has been dominated by just a few teams. Clinton, Poteau, Tuttle and Wagoner were the top dogs for five seasons prior to Blanchard breaking through and winning the state championship in 2023. The Lions will be in the mix again this fall. And while you can’t overlook those traditional 4A powerhouses, we could very well see more competition than we’ve grown accustomed to int he last decade.
OPEN TRANSFERS COMING
In December, the OSSAA made the announcement that student athletes in Oklahoma will have a one-time transfer without setting up residency or sitting out a year. It was a monumental announcement and in the first two weeks in July, we’ll see exactly what kind of impact this decision has. Those two weeks in July is the only time that student athletes are able to make the transfer from one school to another. We’ve seen plenty of notable players moving schools over the last few years. Only time will tell what impact this rule has on the future of Oklahoma.
24 PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2024
Alex Shieldnight Alex Shieldnight 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL Wagoner | 2025 State OK – 2025 Defensive Lineman – Wagoner
Wagoner’s all time leading sack leader Alex Shieldnight Alex Shieldnight 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL Wagoner | 2025 State OK is back and will lead a Bulldog defense that has the potential to be the very best in Class 4A this season.
Barrett Travis Barrett Travis 6'1" | RB Heritage Hall | 2025 State OK – 2025 Running Back – Heritage Hall
The Chargers have to replace some big time players on offense. But they will benefit from returning an experienced player in Barrett Travis Barrett Travis 6'1" | RB Heritage Hall | 2025 State OK at running back.
Brady Mcadoo Brady Mcadoo 6'0" | 180 lbs | RB Tuttle | 2025 State OK – 2025 Running Back – Tuttle
Tuttle running back Brady Mcadoo Brady Mcadoo 6'0" | 180 lbs | RB Tuttle | 2025 State OK is one of the more dynamic playmakers in Class 4A and we’re looking forward to seeing what kind of impact he has during this season.
Brayson Carter Brayson Carter 5'9" | 155 lbs | ATH Blanchard | 2025 State OK – 2025 Athlete – Blanchard
Blanchard’s Brayson Carter Brayson Carter 5'9" | 155 lbs | ATH Blanchard | 2025 State OK turned into one of the best two-way players in Class 4A last season. He became an All State player and will go into 2024 as one of 4A’s very best.
Brock Boyles Brock Boyles 6'1" | 195 lbs | QB Ada | 2026 State OK – 2026 Quarterback – Ada
Ada quarterback Brock Boyles Brock Boyles 6'1" | 195 lbs | QB Ada | 2026 State OK was one of the breakout stars from the 2023 season. He helped lead the Cougars all the way to the semifinals and they are hungry for more in 2024.
Bryce Steel Bryce Steel 5'10" | LB Wagoner | 2025 OK – 2025 Linebacker – Wagoner
We mentioned Wagoner could have 4A’s best defense. Linebacker Bryce Steel Bryce Steel 5'10" | LB Wagoner | 2025 OK returns and he led the Bulldogs in tackles last season and has been incredibly consistent with Wagoner.
CJ Nickson CJ Nickson 6'6" | ATH Weatherford | 2025 State OK – 2025 Wide Receiver – Weatherford
Weatherford standout CJ Nickson CJ Nickson 6'6" | ATH Weatherford | 2025 State OK is one of the state’s best overall athletes. He has D1 offers for football and basketball and he’s looking to lead the Eagles to success on the gridiron.
Cooper Cox Cooper Cox 6'2" | WR Sallisaw | 2025 OK – 2025 Wide Receiver – Sallisaw
Sallisaw loses some big names from their offense after a breakout season in 2023. But wide receiver Cooper Cox Cooper Cox 6'2" | WR Sallisaw | 2025 OK returns for the Black Diamonds after leading them in receiving.
Coric Pierce Coric Pierce 6'0" | ATH Blanchard | 2025 State OK – 2025 Wide Receiver – Blanchard
Blanchard 2025 standout Coric Pierce Coric Pierce 6'0" | ATH Blanchard | 2025 State OK was another example of a two-way star for the Lions. On offense, Pierce was one of the team’s leading receivers and is back for more.
Cruz Campbell Cruz Campbell 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Tuttle | 2026 State OK – 2026 Quarterback – Tuttle
After starting for two seasons at Southmoore, quarterback Cruz Campbell Cruz Campbell 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Tuttle | 2026 State OK has moved to Tuttle this offseason. He should give the Tigers a spark on the offensive side of the ball.
Deon Franklin Deon Franklin 6'2" | ATH Nathan Hale | 2025 State OK – 2025 Athlete – Nathan Hale
There aren’t many things that Nathan Hale’s Deon Franklin Deon Franklin 6'2" | ATH Nathan Hale | 2025 State OK can’t do on the football field. Franklin has the potential to be an absolute star as the Rangers look to win big in 2024.
Evenson Malaska Evenson Malaska 6'0" | DB Bethany | 2026 State OK – 2026 Defensive Back – Bethany
Bethany standout Evenson Malaska Evenson Malaska 6'0" | DB Bethany | 2026 State OK has to be hungry to get back on the field. He was a standout for the Bronchos as a freshman and missed his sophomore season because of an injury.
Hudsen Periman Hudsen Periman 6'4" | ATH Blanchard | 2025 State OK – 2025 Athlete – Blanchard
Hudsen Periman Hudsen Periman 6'4" | ATH Blanchard | 2025 State OK is yet another Blanchard standout that is returning and will provide a ton of versatility to the defending champs. Periman is going to be a big name to watch.
Jackson Payne Jackson Payne 6'3" | QB Bethany | 2025 State OK – 2025 Quarterback – Bethany
Bethany quarterback Jackson Payne Jackson Payne 6'3" | QB Bethany | 2025 State OK was a breakout player for the Bronchos in 2023. As we look ahead to 2024, it’s hard not to think that Payne will be one of the top QBs in the class.
Jerrod Williams Jerrod Williams 5'11" | DB Heritage Hall | 2026 State OK – 2026 Defensive Back – Heritage Hall
Heritage Hall standout Jerrod Williams Jerrod Williams 5'11" | DB Heritage Hall | 2026 State OK has started for the Chargers since he was a freshman and will be one of the best DBs in 4A this fall. He just picked up his first D1 offer this week.
Judd Rudd Judd Rudd 5'10" | RB Fort Gibson | 2025 OK – 2025 Running Back – Fort Gibson
Fort Gibson running back Judd Rudd Judd Rudd 5'10" | RB Fort Gibson | 2025 OK had some really good performances last season and was a breakout star. Heading into 2024, Rudd should be one of the top backs in 4A.
Julius Wilson Julius Wilson 6'4" | 190 lbs | ATH Holland Hall | 2026 State OK – 2026 Wide Receiver – Holland Hall
Holland Hall standout Julius Wilson Julius Wilson 6'4" | 190 lbs | ATH Holland Hall | 2026 State OK is an absolute star in the making. When he’s not dominating on the court, he’s turning into one of the best wide receivers in the state’s 2026 class.
Kale Charboneau Kale Charboneau 6'0" | 210 lbs | ATH Wagoner | 2025 State OK – 2025 Quarterback/Linebacker – Wagoner
Wagoner standout Kale Charboneau Kale Charboneau 6'0" | 210 lbs | ATH Wagoner | 2025 State OK made a big leap as a quarterback last season. We’re looking forward to seeing what he does this fall and he’s also a star at linebacker.
Kailib Dillard Kailib Dillard 6'1" | 170 lbs | DB Lincoln Christian | 2027 State OK – 2027 Defensive Back – Lincoln Christian
Lincoln Christian has a very special 2027 class and defensive back Kailib Dillard Kailib Dillard 6'1" | 170 lbs | DB Lincoln Christian | 2027 State OK is one of those players to watch moving forward. Dillard is only going to get better from here.
Malakai Dillard Malakai Dillard 6'0" | ATH Lincoln Christian | 2026 State OK – 2026 Wide Receiver – Lincoln Christian
Another Dillard from Lincoln Christian to watch is Malakai Dillard Malakai Dillard 6'0" | ATH Lincoln Christian | 2026 State OK as he goes into his junior season. He emerged as Lincoln Christian’s leading receiver and is a star in the making.
Steele Chism Steele Chism 6'0" | 190 lbs | LB Weatherford | 2025 State OK – 2025 Linebacker – Weatherford
Weatherford returns their leading tackler in 2024 with linebacker Steele Chism Steele Chism 6'0" | 190 lbs | LB Weatherford | 2025 State OK going into his senior season. The Eagles have the guys on paper to be one of 4A’s best teams this fall.
Titus Johnson Titus Johnson 5'10" | 170 lbs | LB Harrah | 2025 State OK – 2025 Linebacker – Harrah
Harrah has to replace some experienced and talented seniors but they do bring back Titus Johnson Titus Johnson 5'10" | 170 lbs | LB Harrah | 2025 State OK and he could end up being a star for the Panthers on both sides of the ball.
TJ Bradford TJ Bradford 6'0" | RB Newcastle | 2026 State OK – 2026 Running Back – Newcastle
Newcastle running back TJ Bradford TJ Bradford 6'0" | RB Newcastle | 2026 State OK emerged as one of the top running backs in 4A football last season. With a new QB in the backfield, look for Bradford’s production to go up.
Zaedon Collins Zaedon Collins 5'10" | ATH Clinton | 2025 OK – 2025 Running Back – Clinton
Clinton will once again be in the mix and no surprise, they will have a running back that deserves attention. Zaedon Collins Zaedon Collins 5'10" | ATH Clinton | 2025 OK returns and was a big playmaker in their biggest games.
PREDICTING 4A’S BREAKOUT STARS THIS FALL
Carter Ricke Carter Ricke 6'1" | QB Lincoln Christian | 2026 State OK – 2026 Quarterback – Lincoln Christian
Lincoln Christian will have a new quarterback and let’s face it, this has been a program that ALWAYS has one of the best passers in the state. Carter Ricke Carter Ricke 6'1" | QB Lincoln Christian | 2026 State OK should be the next signal caller for the Bulldogs and he will have some weapons to have that breakout season. If history has shown us anything, Ricke will be one of the top passers in 4A.
Jackson Schanuel Jackson Schanuel 6'4" | ATH Newcastle | 2025 OK – 2025 Quarterback – Newcastle
Newcastle is going to have a new quarterback for the first time in a while but they are going from one Jackson to another this fall. Jackson Schanuel Jackson Schanuel 6'4" | ATH Newcastle | 2025 OK should take over after backing up Jackson Bergt Jackson Bergt 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Newcastle | 2024 State OK . When Schanuel takes over, he has the potential to have a breakout season because the Racers are going to have some playmakers around him.
Trenton Edwards Trenton Edwards 6'0" | RB Wagoner | 2025 OK – 2025 Running Back – Wagoner
Wagoner running back Trenton Edwards Trenton Edwards 6'0" | RB Wagoner | 2025 OK could turn into one of Class 4A’s top running backs in 2024. Edwards enjoyed a breakout season last year but we think he could see his production absolutely explodes. With Edwards and Charboneau returning to the Wagoner backfield, they might make up the best 1-2 punch in the class.