Oklahoma fills voids at linebacker, receiver on signing day
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) Oklahoma filled voids at wide receiver and linebacker Wednesday with one of the nation's top classes on signing day.
The Sooners took steps toward replacing standout receiver Sterling Shepard when they added Zach Farrar, Mykel Jones and Adrian Hardy. Farrar, a 6-foot-3, 210-pounder from Southlake (Texas) Carroll High School, caught 18 touchdown passes as a senior.
''Zach has that big, strong outside presence that we continue to really push for,'' Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said.
Mykel Jones, a 6-foot, 180-pound deep threat from Patterson (Louisiana) High School, was injured for part of last season but still was productive. Adrian Hardy was a dual-threat quarterback in high school.
Oklahoma lost five of its top six linebackers, including Eric Striker, a second-team All-American during their run to the College Football Playoff. The Sooners added Kapri Doucet, Mark Jackson, Amani Bledsoe, Emmanuel Beal and Jon-Michael Terry to help step in.
Rivals considers Bledsoe the top player in Kansas. Doucet is considered a three-star prospect by ESPN, Scout and 247Sports. Jackson is a four-star, according to ESPN, Rivals, Scout and 247Sports. Terry is considered a four-star by ESPN and the No. 3 player in Oklahoma by Rivals.
One of Oklahoma's top targets, linebacker Caleb Kelly, will not make his decision until later Wednesday.
''We feel like all these players gives us some opportunities there,'' defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said. ''They're all dynamic players. Hopefully, we can still get another one later today. We're gonna need some help there.''
Backup quarterbacks Trevor Knight and Cody Thomas left the program, but Austin Kendall is an early enrollee who is one of the nation's top pro-style passers. He'll fight for the No. 2 job.
''He's obviously going to factor into what we're doing sooner rather than later,'' offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley said.
Other things to know:
Top 25 Class: Yes.
Best in class: Zach Farrar, WR, Southlake Carroll (Texas).
Best of the rest: Austin Kendall, QB, Waxhaw, N.C.
Late addition: Mykel Jones, WR, Patterson (La.).
One that got away: DB Calvin Bundage, who chose Oklahoma State.
How they'll fit in: Some of the linebackers and receivers will need to play immediately, and Stoops is confident that they will be able to.
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For the full list: http://soonersports.com/fls/31000/microsites/16fb-signingday/index.html .