One week after landing its highest-ranked commit for the 2024 class, Oklahoma has one-upped itself again. Last week, four-star safety Jaydan Hardy committed to the Sooners. This week, they added another talented name as Zion Kearney also announced his commitment.
Zion Kearney Commits to Oklahoma
BREAKING: Four-Star WR Zion Kearney tells me he has Committed to Oklahoma!
The Top 60 Player in the ‘24 Class chose the Sooners over LSU, Arkansas, & others.
“I’m cashing it in!” #24K https://t.co/cXnUO5A6S7 pic.twitter.com/VbRKnoqBJW
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 27, 2023
With Kearney’s commitment, Oklahoma currently possesses the 24th-ranked recruiting class in the country, per the 247Sports Composite. The wide receiver commit is joined by the aforementioned Jaydan Hardy (safety), Kelly Daniels (wide receiver), Isaiah Autry (offensive tackle), Michael Hawkins (quarterback), and Jeremiah Newcombe (cornerback).
Kearney is a four-star prospect in the 247Sports Composite rankings. He’s listed as the 63rd-ranked player in the nation. He was the 12th-ranked player in the state of Texas and the 12th-ranked player in his position for his class. The talented wide receiver also held offers from Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Michigan State, and Tennessee, among others. However, on April, 27th he announced his intention to play for the University of Oklahoma.
Last season, the Missouri City, Texas native enjoyed a breakout season as a junior. The Fort Bend Hightower Hurricanes finished with a 10-3 record as they made the third round of the 6A D2 state playoffs in Texas. Kearney finished the season with 39 receptions for 765 yards and 8 receiving touchdowns, per 247Sports.
Zion Kearney Player Information
Position: Wide Receiver
High School: Fort Bend Hightower
City, State: Missouri City, Texas
Height: 6’3
Weight: 195
Kearney’s Three Best Traits
Speed – The four-star wide receiver is a multi-sport athlete also specializing in track and field. Turning on the film, it’s clear to see how that pays off. Kearney gallops by opposing cornerbacks with seeming ease. He makes it look effortless, even when opposing teams are playing soft coverage. He’s already posted multiple sub-11-second 100-meter times as a junior. At the next level, this is a guy who will be able to take the top off the defense regardless of who he plays against.
Frame – Kearney is a dose of double trouble as not only does he have the speed, he can beat you with his size too. As a junior, he already stands at 6-3 and nearly 200 pounds. Turning on the film, he’s dominated the competition with primarily his speed. But with this frame, something that you can’t teach, the potential is there to be a big-bodied outside receiver in college.
Special Teams – It should be no surprise that a prospect with this set of wheels can also play some special teams. Ultimately, Kearney is a weapon. The second the ball touches his hands, no matter what else is going on around him, he’s a threat to take it all the way. If he can’t find playing time immediately as a wide receiver, look for Kearney to earn some special teams reps quickly.
Zion Kearney’s Areas for Improvement
Limited Route Tree – While this may not be entirely his fault, Kearney has a very limited route tree as a wide receiver. Watching the film, he handles opposing defenses with post patterns, go routes, and screens. That’s really it. While for now, he dominates with that arsenal, that won’t hold up forever. Offensive coordinator, Jeff Lebby, should have a fun time creating a route tree for this young man, considering the intangibles he already brings.
High Pointing the Ball – Kearney is so good with his speed, he hasn’t had the chance to show off his other athletic traits. So often, he burns by people and is hit in stride for a touchdown. One thing he has yet to show is how he high-points a football. Considering his size, this is something that will be asked of him frequently at the next level.
Summary
A week after Jaydan Hardy became the top commit on Okahloma’s 2024 class, Zion Kearney supplants him. Kearney is an exceptionally quick and athletic outside receiver who will translate very easily to the next level due to his freakish frame. His special teams experience will allow him to see the field very quickly for the Sooners. Brent Venables has been on a recruiting tear post-Spring Game. The once lackluster recruiting class has quickly risen to a near top-20 class in the nation, thanks to Venables and the commitment of the Fort Bend Marshall wideout.
Current Verdict
Five Oklahoma Sooners were recently selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. Now, Venables and company keep the good luck coming with the commitment of Kearney. While Venables has done a nice job recruiting defensive players since he came to Norman, Kearney becomes the highest-ranked wide receiver commit since Mario Williams in the 2021 class. The four-star wide receiver should be a nice weapon for five-star commit Jackson Arnold as the future of Oklahoma, looks bright.
Photo courtesy: SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK
