National Signing Day tracker 2024: Live updates on Oklahoma high school football signees

Here are some takeaways from National Signing Day for Oklahoma high school football in the 2023-24 school year.

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Millwood linebacker Micho Lavine signs with Abilene Christian

The last few months had been a whirlwind for Micho Lavine.

After initially committing to North Texas last June, Millwood’s three-star edge rusher decommitted by the end of his senior season. As his recruitment seemed to dry up, he began to accept the idea of settling at a junior college.

However, Lavine would soon get another Division I opportunity.

He received an offer from Abilene Christian on Jan. 26 and committed to play there just a week later.

“Talking with the coaches on my visit there really made me feel wanted,” Lavine said. “They seem to have high hopes for me. From the moment I got there, it just felt like a program I wanted to be a part of.”

Lavine signed on the dotted line of his letter of intent on Wednesday in front of his family, coaches and peers in the lobby of Millwood High School.

He was named to The Oklahoman’s Little All-City first-team following a stellar senior season after being a Super 30 selection in the summer.

A 6-foot-1, 200-pound Lavine was a key catalyst on a Millwood defense that suffocated opposing offenses in Class 2A. He recorded 47½ tackles, 2½ sacks, an interception and a touchdown while leading the Falcons to their second consecutive state title game.

Now, Lavine plans to enroll at Abilene Christian in June. He will join a Wildcats program, having recently won the Western Athletic Conference in 2022.

“Even though I didn’t win a state title here, Millwood has taught me many valuable life lessons,” Lavine said. I had to learn that there will be tough times when I face adversity, but as long as I keep going, everything will work itself out.”

—Jordan Davis, Staff writer

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Henry Rothwell of OCS embraces ‘striker’ role for Navy football

Henry Rothwell plans to combine his strengths when he plays college football.

The Oklahoma Christian School senior has years of experience at linebacker, but at 6 feet and 190 pounds, his build and speed fit at safety.

Navy’s football program took notice and recruited him as a striker, a hybrid linebacker/safety position.

The idea appealed to Rothwell, who signed with the Midshipmen on Wednesday.

Navy, originally an afterthought compared to some programs that extended earlier offers, emerged as Rothwell’s first choice when he went through the recruiting process.

“I think just the meetings that I had with Coach (Ricky) Brown, my position coach, really showed kind of the person he is,” Rothwell said. “The vision that he had for me was the selling point, the way he looked at me in my film and just what he saw.”

Rothwell was one of seven OCS students who participated in the National Signing Day ceremony. Offensive lineman Jake Green, longsnapper Hayden Brake and defensive back Mason Lopez inked their letters with the University of Central Oklahoma. They were three of 36 Oklahoma high school football players who signed Wednesday with the Bronchos.

Carter Sterling signed to play baseball at Seminole State. The ceremony also featured two Division I football preferred walk-ons: defensive lineman Luca Lombardo, who is heading to Tulsa, and quarterback Garret Wilson, who chose Oklahoma State.

Wilson threw for 3,004 yards and 35 touchdowns as a senior despite playing with a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder.

With his left arm in a sling, Wilson is taking time to heal before joining the quarterback room in Stillwater. It’s an adjustment for his family of OU fans – his father, Keith, played for the Sooners, so it was natural for Wilson to grow up wearing crimson and cream.

“I’ve been a Sooner,” Wilson said, “but I’m a Cowboy now.”

Similarly, Rothwell is blazing his own path. Rothwell said he is the first in his family to join the military, and he has dreamed of attending a service academy and graduating as an officer.

“It’s pretty incredible,” Rothwell said. “Honor is a big deal to me. … That’s something that I’m proud of, to serve this country.”

-Hallie Hart, staff writer

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Heritage Hall receiver duo signs with Emporia State and East Central

Jordyn Harris and Rashaud Smith could feel the buzz in the air as they arrived on campus.

The Heritage Hall football duo had been anxiously awaiting the chance to sign their letter of intent for weeks. They were greeted by a large group of over 200 students and coaches in Boghetich Gym. Their peers' presence aided a process they hoped for since their freshman year.

"I'm mostly excited to put in work in a new environment and just push myself to a different level," Harris said. "I know that college is a different type of beast, but the people in the gym today prepared me for the challenge."

Harris signed with Emporia State during the Wednesday morning National Signing Day ceremony, surrounded by his parents and family. After mulling offers from Army, New Mexico State and Navy, he chose to play for the Hornets.

Alongside Harris in the center of the gym was his longtime best friend and receiver mate Rashaud Smith, who signed with East Central in Ada.

Smith and Harris had stellar seasons following the Chargers' Class 3A state championship in 2022.

The duo were both named to The Oklahoman's Little All-City first-team after helping lead Heritage Hall back to the state title game as seniors alongside OU commit Andy Bass.

Harris led the team in receiving yards while recording 1,701 total yards and 17 touchdowns as a receiver and running back. The team captain also played defensive back for the Chargers, accumulating 96 tackles and five interceptions while being named to The Oklahoman's All-State second team.

The tandem became the first Heritage Hall teammates to each have over 1,000 receiving yards in a season. Smith caught 53 passes for 1,051 yards and 14 touchdowns and will enroll at East Central in June after graduation.

"You have to cherish moments like these when sharing them with your best friends," Smith said. Today is a day I'll never forget. I wish I could do these four years again, but I've got people behind me who want to see me be great. So I'm excited to go away and do that."

—Jordan Davis, Staff writer

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Deer Creek offensive lineman Toran Smith headed to Navy

Toran Smith received an offer from Navy in early May and didn’t wait long before announcing his decision to pick the Midshipmen.

The Deer Creek offensive lineman didn’t have to.

Navy simply felt like the perfect place for him, and he committed on the most fitting of days — July 4.

“I decided to go with Navy because obviously it’s great football, but more than that, it’s a great school and a great opportunity afterwards,” Smith said. “I’ve always thought about serving my country.”

Smith made things official Wednesday as he signed with the Midshipmen inside Deer Creek’s gymnasium.

Along with Navy, Smith held offers from Central Oklahoma and East Central.

A starter the past two seasons, he helped Deer Creek reach the Class 6A-II semifinals both years.

“I’m a 13-year guy,” Smith said. “Always been at Deer Creek. Freshman year, I was a small guy. Nobody really thought I was going to do too much. Sophomore year, played JV. But that offseason really worked hard. Got to start my junior year.”

Smith progressively improved at Deer Creek.

He’s proud of how he capped his Antler career.

“Senior year, I would say really a big step above,” he said.

—Nick Sardis, Staff writer

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: National Signing Day 2024: Tracking Oklahoma HS football signees