WAY Too Early Look At Class 5A
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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 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
Adam Auston Adam Auston 6'2" | 200 lbs | DB Lawton MacArthur | 2026 State OK – 2026 Defensive Back – Lawton MacArthur
Get ready to see a few Highlanders on this breakdown. Adam Auston Adam Auston 6'2" | 200 lbs | DB Lawton MacArthur | 2026 State OK 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.
Aivan Locklin Aivan Locklin 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Lawton MacArthur | 2026 State OK – 2026 Quarterback – Lawton MacArthur
Lawton MacArthur quarterback Aivan Locklin Aivan Locklin 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Lawton MacArthur | 2026 State OK 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.
Beckett Robinson Beckett Robinson 6'2" | 170 lbs | DB Tahlequah | 2025 State OK – 2025 Defensive Back – Tahlequah
Tahlequah dropping down to Class 5A is going to be a storyline to follow this season. Beckett Robinson Beckett Robinson 6'2" | 170 lbs | DB Tahlequah | 2025 State OK has been a playmaker for the Tigers for a few years now and he’ll be a player to watch.
Brock Heilmann Brock Heilmann 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Coweta | 2027 State OK – 2027 Running Back – Coweta
Coweta running back Brock Heilmann Brock Heilmann 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Coweta | 2027 State OK 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.
Caden Davis Caden Davis 6'0" | LB Carl Albert | 2025 State OK – 2025 Linebacker – Carl Albert
Carl Albert standout Caden Davis Caden Davis 6'0" | LB Carl Albert | 2025 State OK 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.
Cole Robbins Cole Robbins 5'11" | 190 lbs | ATH Durant | 2026 State OK – 2026 Athlete – Durant
Durant continues to improve year after year. Cole Robbins Cole Robbins 5'11" | 190 lbs | ATH Durant | 2026 State OK 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.
Jashawn Mccalister Jashawn Mccalister 6'0" | 165 lbs | ATH Del City | 2025 State OK – 2025 Linebacker – Del City
Del City standout Jashawn Mccalister Jashawn Mccalister 6'0" | 165 lbs | ATH Del City | 2025 State OK 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.
Jaylan Woody Jaylan Woody 5'10" | 180 lbs | ATH Midwest City | 2025 OK – 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. Jaylan Woody Jaylan Woody 5'10" | 180 lbs | ATH Midwest City | 2025 OK will return to lead the Midwest City backfield in 2024.
John High John High 6'0" | LB Shawnee | 2025 State OK – 2025 Linebacker – Shawnee
Shawnee is looking to get back to becoming a contender year after year for playoff appearances and more. Linebacker John High John High 6'0" | LB Shawnee | 2025 State OK returns to help lead the Shawnee defense after a breakout season.
Joseph Graves Joseph Graves 6'3" | 250 lbs | DL Booker T Washington | 2027 State OK – 2027 Defensive Lineman – Booker T Washington
Booker T Washington might have another star in the making in Joseph Graves Joseph Graves 6'3" | 250 lbs | DL Booker T Washington | 2027 State OK 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.
Joshua Rushing Joshua Rushing 6'3" | 195 lbs | WR Lawton MacArthur | 2026 State OK – 2026 Wide Receiver – Lawton MacArthur
Lawton MacArthur wide receiver Joshua Rushing Joshua Rushing 6'3" | 195 lbs | WR Lawton MacArthur | 2026 State OK 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..
Josiah Hammond Josiah Hammond 6'5" | DL Union | 2025 State OK – 2025 Defensive Lineman – Will Rogers
Will Rogers defensive lineman Josiah Hammond Josiah Hammond 6'5" | DL Union | 2025 State OK 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.
Kevin Sperry Kevin Sperry 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Denton Guyer | 2025 TX – 2025 Quarterback – Carl Albert
Carl Albert quarterback and Oklahoma commit Kevin Sperry Kevin Sperry 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Denton Guyer | 2025 TX 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.
Mykah Washington Mykah Washington 5'10" | ATH Booker T Washington | 2026 State OK – 2026 Athlete – Booker T Washington
Booker T Washington standout Mykah Washington Mykah Washington 5'10" | ATH Booker T Washington | 2026 State OK 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.
Ricklan B Holmes II Ricklan B Holmes II 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB Del City | 2026 State OK – 2026 Linebacker – Del City
Del City defensive standout Ricklan B Holmes II Ricklan B Holmes II 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB Del City | 2026 State OK 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.
Ritson Meyer Ritson Meyer 6'1" | 200 lbs | ATH Elgin | 2026 State OK – 2026 Athlete – Elgin
Elgin standout Ritson Meyer Ritson Meyer 6'1" | 200 lbs | ATH Elgin | 2026 State OK 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.
Sawyer Rice Sawyer Rice 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB Duncan | 2026 State OK – 2026 Quarterback – Duncan
Duncan is looking to make it back to contending for playoff spots. Quarterback Sawyer Rice Sawyer Rice 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB Duncan | 2026 State OK went through some growing pains in the last two years but 2024 could be a season where he takes the next step.
Scott Rigby Scott Rigby 5'11" | ATH Collinsville | 2026 State OK – 2026 Running Back – Collinsville
Collinsville running back Scott Rigby Scott Rigby 5'11" | ATH Collinsville | 2026 State OK 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.
Skyler Moorman Skyler Moorman 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Collinsville | 2026 State OK – 2026 Quarterback – Collinsville
Collinsville quarterback Skyler Moorman Skyler Moorman 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Collinsville | 2026 State OK 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.
Tres Lorah Tres Lorah 6'0" | 195 lbs | QB Elgin | 2025 State OK – 2025 Quarterback – Elgin
Elgin quarterback Tres Lorah Tres Lorah 6'0" | 195 lbs | QB Elgin | 2025 State OK 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.
Trey Washington Trey Washington 6'3" | WR Carl Albert | 2025 State OK – 2025 Athlete – Carl Albert
Carl Albert’s Trey Washington Trey Washington 6'3" | WR Carl Albert | 2025 State OK 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.
Trystan Haynes Trystan Haynes 6'2" | 165 lbs | ATH Carl Albert | 2025 State OK – 2025 Athlete – Carl Albert
Carl Albert’s Trystan Haynes Trystan Haynes 6'2" | 165 lbs | ATH Carl Albert | 2025 State OK 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.
Will Spears Will Spears 6'0" | LB McAlester | 2025 State OK – 2025 Linebacker – McAlester
McAlester loses a special senior class but they will bring back their leading tackler in Will Spears Will Spears 6'0" | LB McAlester | 2025 State OK at linebacker. Spears will look to lead McAlester’s “Black Death Defense” back to the top of Class 5A.
Zane Thomas Zane Thomas 5'10" | RB Guthrie | 2026 State OK – 2026 Running Back – Guthrie
Guthrie has to reload in 2024 but one player we like to emerge is Zane Thomas Zane Thomas 5'10" | RB Guthrie | 2026 State OK 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
Ben Daniels Ben Daniels 5'8" | 160 lbs | WR Collinsville | 2026 State OK – 2026 Wide Receiver – Collinsville
We got our first look at Collinsville wide receiver Ben Daniels Ben Daniels 5'8" | 160 lbs | WR Collinsville | 2026 State OK last season and he was productive as a sophomore. But with Hudson Henslick Hudson Henslick 5'9" | 155 lbs | WR Collinsville | 2024 State OK 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.
Delijah Matthews Delijah Matthews 5'11" | 165 lbs | RB Carl Albert | 2027 OK – 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. Delijah Matthews Delijah Matthews 5'11" | 165 lbs | RB Carl Albert | 2027 OK was a player we were told to look out for as he entered high school. We can’t wait to see what he does.
Rashaud Reynolds Rashaud Reynolds 5'11" | RB Sapulpa | 2025 State OK – 2025 Running Back – Sapulpa
Staying at the running back position, Sapulpa’s Rashaud Reynolds Rashaud Reynolds 5'11" | RB Sapulpa | 2025 State OK could be primed for a breakout season in 2024. He came to Sapulpa last season and was the back up to Marco Smith Marco Smith 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Sapulpa | 2024 State OK and now that Marco is graduating, that opens up a spot in the backfield. Look for Reynolds to explode this fall.