The Oklahoma Sooners have been one of the most successful college football programs over the last few decades. They may not win their playoff games, but they are always a threat in the Big 12.
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You would think they'd be able to land the best player from the state of Oklahoma with regularity, right? Well, not this time.
Four-star safety Kendal Daniels, one of the nation's best in the 2021 recruiting class, won't be playing in Norman. Instead, the in-state rival Oklahoma State Cowboys were able to nab the defensive back after his release from Texas A&M.
Daniels attended Beggs High School and has been a standout player on the field for years.
Kendal Daniels Commits to Oklahoma State
#Gopokes🖤🧡 pic.twitter.com/kFkihXIAXM
— Kendal Daniels (@KendalDaniels__) March 1, 2021
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In December 2020, Daniels actually signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Texas A&M Aggies. After a decommitment just a few months later, OSU was able to swoop in and grab their newest signee.
There were several other teams that reached out to Daniels, including Alabama, Auburn, Baylor, Clemson, Colorado, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Iowa State, Kansas, LSU, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, TCU, Texas Tech, Tulsa, USC, and Virginia. Arkansas also expressed interest.
The reason for Daniels' decommitment was potentially due to the departure of Aggies' defensive analyst Ishmael Aristide, who left to join the coaching staff at Miami.
The Cowboys tend to make noise in the Big 12, and this must be considered a win for head coach Mike Gundy. Their 2021 class ranks 30th in the 247Sports recruiting rankings, and the expectations will be high over the next few seasons.
Kendal Daniels Highlights
Whether Daniels is defending passes or rushing in on a blitz, he is an impact player. His athleticism is off-the-charts for someone his age, and the Beggs defense ran through him.
In 2020, Daniels made 120 tackles and caught four interceptions, even returning one for a touchdown. Beggs reached the semifinals of the playoffs, largely thanks to Daniels' work on the defensive side of the ball.
At 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, Kendal Daniels could work as a cornerback, but the expectation is he turns that unique frame into a strength and sticks around as a safety in Stillwater.
This post was originally published on January 14, 2021 before updating.
