Sooner Recruiting Round Up, Post #10

Norman, OK--SoonerWorld.com is reporting the hard commitment of three more recruits for the Sooners this off season, bringing their total to 15. The new Sooners are:

1) Darrin Sanders****, DT, Shawnee High School (Shawnee, OK)--Sanders was a hard lean to Notre Dame for most of the 2009 season but never received the scholarship offer he dreamed of. Instead, he committed to the team that really wanted him and that just happened to be the home state Oklahoma Sooners. The Sooners went after Sanders hard due to the expected loss of three Sooner tackles (Granger, McCoy and Moore). McCoy, the only non-senior of the group, shocked most when he once again decided not to enter the NFL Draft and come back to school in Norman. Sanders will likely redshirt in 2010 as McCoy, Adrian Taylor and Stacey McGee look to get most of the time next season. Sanders is considered the 6th best defensive tackle prospect by EA Sports' recruiting service and the 102nd overall regardless of position.

2) Chip Downing****, ATH, Silver Lake High School (Silver Lake-Fircrest, WA)--Downing, the athlete from Washington state, played both running back and linebacker in high school and will wait to get on campus in Norman to figure out which side of the ball he will play on. Downing comes to OU from the JUCO ranks and looks to be a stabilizing force for the younger players at whichever position he ends up at. EA Sports' recruiting service ranks Downing as the 11th best athlete and the 168th player regardless of position.

3) Jim Callahan****, G, Helena High School (Helena, AR)--Callahan was initially a major lean towards the home state Razorbacks but once the Sooners came calling, he changed his mind and committed to the Sooners. Callahan was added to the recruiting board to provide depth in his first couple of seasons but will have a chance to fight for a starting slot. Most expect him to redshirt in '10 but if the Sooners pattern holds true, he could be playing if not starting in Week 1. Callahan is rated as the 22nd best guard by EA and as the 267th player regardless of position.