WAY Too Early Look At Class 5A

Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!   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 5A 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 5A RANKINGS   1) CARL ALBERT - Titans were heavy favorites in 2023 and nothing is changing as we look ahead to 2024. 2) LAWTON MACARTHUR - The Highlanders have a special 2026 class and they should make plenty of noise this fall. 3) ELGIN - The Owls took the first step to contending for gold last year and now they want more in 2024. 4) COLLINSVILLE - Collinsville brings back some serious skill talent and the Cards should be a team to watch. 5) DEL CITY - Del City will have to reload after Runner Up finish in '23 but have playmakers back on defense. 6) MIDWEST CITY - Could 2024 be the year that "Bomber Magic" returns behind their strong running game. 7) McALESTER - McAlester is hungry to make a return trip to UCO after back to back appearances in '21 and '22. 8) GUTHRIE - The Blue Jays lose a special senior class but let's face it, it's Guthrie and they should be fine. 9) SAPULPA - Sapulpa will need to reload but they have some talented pieces returning on offense and defense. 10) BOOKER T WASHINGTON - Hornets moving down from 6A-2 with a ton of young talent should make them a team to watch.   5A STORYLINES TO FOLLOW IN 2024   5A-1 THE NEW DISTRICT GAUNTLET For the last few seasons, 5A-2 has been an absolute gauntlet and arguably the most competitive districts in the state, regardless of class. As we head into the 2024 season, we very well could see that change. Instead of 5A-2 being the gauntlet, we could see 5A-1 taking that crown. When you look at the rankings above, four of the top six teams are all in the same district. Del City, Elgin, Lawton MacArthur and Midwest City are all at the top of the district. The fact that one of these teams could miss the playoffs or will be a four seed is absolutely preposterous.   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.   PLAYOFF TEAMS DROPPING DOWN FROM 6A-2 While things shifted with the redistricting and 5A-1 appears to be the gauntlet, redistricting also brought teams down from 6A-2. Putnam City West and Tahlequah drop down to Class 5A after making the playoffs in 6A-2 a year ago. Also dropping down to Class 5A is Booker T Washington and that's certainly going to be something to watch in 2024. The Hornets will have a new head coach, they are coming off the worst season in recent memory but they also have a lot of young talent returning and let's face it, they are one of the state's perennial powers when they are rolling.   24 PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2024   [player_tooltip player_id='403509' first='Adam' last='Auston'] - 2026 Defensive Back - Lawton MacArthur   Get ready to see a few Highlanders on this breakdown. [player_tooltip player_id='403509' first='Adam' last='Auston'] is a high IQ defensive back that does a great job of reading the backfield and being in the right place at the right time.   [player_tooltip player_id='670654' first='Aivan' last='Locklin'] - 2026 Quarterback - Lawton MacArthur   Lawton MacArthur quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='670654' first='Aivan' last='Locklin'] is quickly joining the conversation for the best quarterback in the state's 2026 class. Locklin had a really solid 2023 season and he's hungry for more.   [player_tooltip player_id='211566' first='Beckett' last='Robinson'] - 2025 Defensive Back - Tahlequah   Tahlequah dropping down to Class 5A is going to be a storyline to follow this season. [player_tooltip player_id='211566' first='Beckett' last='Robinson'] has been a playmaker for the Tigers for a few years now and he'll be a player to watch.   [player_tooltip player_id='474870' first='Brock' last='Heilmann'] - 2027 Running Back - Coweta   Coweta running back [player_tooltip player_id='474870' first='Brock' last='Heilmann'] got plenty of varsity action as a freshman in 2023. With Coweta losing their top running back, expect Heilmann to have a breakout season this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='353419' first='Caden' last='Davis'] - 2025 Linebacker - Carl Albert   Carl Albert standout [player_tooltip player_id='353419' first='Caden' last='Davis'] is already a two-time All State 1st Team selection. He has the chance to make it three times this season as one of the very best tacklers in the state of Oklahoma.   [player_tooltip player_id='402370' first='Cole' last='Robbins'] - 2026 Athlete - Durant   Durant continues to improve year after year. [player_tooltip player_id='402370' first='Cole' last='Robbins'] is a dynamic player that can help the Lions take the next step and contend for a playoff spot. No matter where Robbins is on the field, he's a playmaker.   [player_tooltip player_id='356897' first='Jashawn' last='Mccalister'] - 2025 Linebacker - Del City   Del City standout [player_tooltip player_id='356897' first='Jashawn' last='Mccalister'] is a player we have circled this season. He is a terrific athlete that seems to make an impact wherever he is on the field. We look forward to seeing what he does this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='936775' first='Jaylan' last='Woody'] - 2025 Running Back - Midwest City   Midwest City's running game might be the best in Class 5A this season. They had multiple guys that had an impact last season. [player_tooltip player_id='936775' first='Jaylan' last='Woody'] will return to lead the Midwest City backfield in 2024.   [player_tooltip player_id='598833' first='John' last='High'] - 2025 Linebacker - Shawnee   Shawnee is looking to get back to becoming a contender year after year for playoff appearances and more. Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='598833' first='John' last='High'] returns to help lead the Shawnee defense after a breakout season.   [player_tooltip player_id='473952' first='Joseph' last='Graves'] - 2027 Defensive Lineman - Booker T Washington   Booker T Washington might have another star in the making in [player_tooltip player_id='473952' first='Joseph' last='Graves'] on the line of scrimmage. Graves was an impact player for the Hornets early on in his freshman season and there's a lot of potential there.   [player_tooltip player_id='1045555' first='Joshua' last='Rushing'] - 2026 Wide Receiver - Lawton MacArthur   Lawton MacArthur wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1045555' first='Joshua' last='Rushing'] has all the tools to be one of the best in the state. On a very talented Lawton Mac team, Rushing has the potential to be the best of the bunch..   [player_tooltip player_id='846614' first='Josiah' last='Hammond'] - 2025 Defensive Lineman - Will Rogers   Will Rogers defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='846614' first='Josiah' last='Hammond'] is perhaps the most underrated prospect in the Tulsa area. Hammond has rare athletic talents that you don't see often and size to go with it.   [player_tooltip player_id='432374' first='Kevin' last='Sperry'] - 2025 Quarterback - Carl Albert   Carl Albert quarterback and Oklahoma commit [player_tooltip player_id='432374' first='Kevin' last='Sperry'] was special as a junior. With most of his weapons back at the wide receiver position, look for Sperry to be one of the very best in the state.   [player_tooltip player_id='858873' first='Mykah' last='Washington'] - 2026 Athlete - Booker T Washington   Booker T Washington standout [player_tooltip player_id='858873' first='Mykah' last='Washington'] took the next step during his sophomore season. He was arguably their best offensive weapon in 2023. We look forward to seeing what he does in 2024.   [player_tooltip player_id='587262' first='Ricklan' last='B Holmes II'] - 2026 Linebacker - Del City   Del City defensive standout [player_tooltip player_id='587262' first='Ricklan' last='B Holmes II'] continues to get better and better. He might have a new role in 2024 and play a little more offense as the Eagles look to rebuild their high-scoring attack.   [player_tooltip player_id='472321' first='Ritson' last='Meyer'] - 2026 Athlete - Elgin   Elgin standout [player_tooltip player_id='472321' first='Ritson' last='Meyer'] is going to be one of the best two-way players in Class 5A this fall. Meyer is solid on defense and is primed for a massive season at the running back position.   [player_tooltip player_id='437049' first='Sawyer' last='Rice'] - 2026 Quarterback - Duncan   Duncan is looking to make it back to contending for playoff spots. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='437049' first='Sawyer' last='Rice'] went through some growing pains in the last two years but 2024 could be a season where he takes the next step.   [player_tooltip player_id='1018641' first='Scott' last='Rigby'] - 2026 Running Back - Collinsville   Collinsville running back [player_tooltip player_id='1018641' first='Scott' last='Rigby'] is your typical Collinsville running back. A tough back that is absolutely exhausting for a defense to try and tackle 20 to 30 times during a game every single Friday night.   [player_tooltip player_id='402384' first='Skyler' last='Moorman'] - 2026 Quarterback - Collinsville   Collinsville quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='402384' first='Skyler' last='Moorman'] enjoyed a breakout season during 2023. Now, Moorman and a talented Collinsville offense will look to return to the top of Class 5A this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='211570' first='Tres' last='Lorah'] - 2025 Quarterback - Elgin   Elgin quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='211570' first='Tres' last='Lorah'] is going to come into this season as one of the more experienced quarterbacks in the class. He'll be looking to lead the Owls all the way to the state championship game.   [player_tooltip player_id='294261' first='Trey' last='Washington'] - 2025 Athlete - Carl Albert   Carl Albert's [player_tooltip player_id='294261' first='Trey' last='Washington'] has been a standout since his freshman season. He's an outstanding receiver, he emerged in 2023 as a defensive standout and don't forget he's one of the best punters in 5A.   [player_tooltip player_id='598824' first='Trystan' last='Haynes'] - 2025 Athlete - Carl Albert   Carl Albert's [player_tooltip player_id='598824' first='Trystan' last='Haynes'] was one of the best overall players in the state in 2023. He was Carl Albert's receiver, a standout corner and a dynamic kick returner. We can't wait to see what he does in 2024.   [player_tooltip player_id='529848' first='Will' last='Spears'] - 2025 Linebacker - McAlester   McAlester loses a special senior class but they will bring back their leading tackler in [player_tooltip player_id='529848' first='Will' last='Spears'] at linebacker. Spears will look to lead McAlester's "Black Death Defense" back to the top of Class 5A.   [player_tooltip player_id='994659' first='Zane' last='Thomas'] - 2026 Running Back - Guthrie   Guthrie has to reload in 2024 but one player we like to emerge is [player_tooltip player_id='994659' first='Zane' last='Thomas'] at the running back position. Thomas saw plenty of playing time in 2023 and we think he'll be their marquee back.   PREDICTING 5A'S BREAKOUT STARS THIS FALL   [player_tooltip player_id='805100' first='Ben' last='Daniels'] - 2026 Wide Receiver - Collinsville   We got our first look at Collinsville wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='805100' first='Ben' last='Daniels'] last season and he was productive as a sophomore. But with [player_tooltip player_id='375219' first='Hudson' last='Henslick'] graduating, the Cardinals need a new leading receiver and Daniels could be that guy. Look for his production to go up and don't sleep on him playing big in the biggest games.   [player_tooltip player_id='693905' first='Delijah' last='Matthews'] - 2027 Running Back - Carl Albert   Carl Albert comes into this season as the heavy favorite to win another state championship. But they'll have a new running back in the backfield for the first time in a few years. [player_tooltip player_id='693905' first='Delijah' last='Matthews'] was a player we were told to look out for as he entered high school. We can't wait to see what he does.   [player_tooltip player_id='1160233' first='Rashaud' last='Reynolds'] - 2025 Running Back - Sapulpa   Staying at the running back position, Sapulpa's [player_tooltip player_id='1160233' first='Rashaud' last='Reynolds'] could be primed for a breakout season in 2024. He came to Sapulpa last season and was the back up to [player_tooltip player_id='360245' first='Marco' last='Smith'] and now that Marco is graduating, that opens up a spot in the backfield. Look for Reynolds to explode this fall.

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