Size and athleticism: Two attributes that are hard to defend at any level of football.
In-state stars Gerald McCoy and Jermaine Gresham are as big and athletic as they come.
The two highly touted recruits dominated the high school game and now will take their skills to the next level, as they suit up for OU next fall.
McCoy's 6-4, 305-pound frame posed an unstoppable force for Southeast High School in Oklahoma City.
The 2005 USA Today National Defensive Player of the Year and 2005 Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year is expected to make an immediate impact for the Sooners next season.
McCoy is regarded by many as the top prospect in the nation at defensive tackle.
CollegeFootballNews.com and Rivals.com list McCoy at No. 1, and ESPN.com lists him as No. 2 at his position.
Bob Stoops, OU's head football coach, compared McCoy to former OU standout and current NFL star Tommie Harris.
"Gerald fits the bill," Stoops said. "He's one of those special ones."
The first-team All-American recorded 82 tackles, 20 sacks and recovered nine fumbles during his senior season of high school.
McCoy caught the eye of many fans across the nation after a dominating effort in the U.S. Army High School All-American game.
"He's one of those guys that is very exciting," Stoops said.
Like McCoy, Gresham is assured to be a big man on campus. At 6-7, 230 pounds, Gresham is expected to add a new dimension to the OU offense that has not been seen since Trent Smith.
Prepstar.com and Rivals.com list Gresham as the No. 1 tight end in the nation and the No. 2 player in Oklahoma.
CollegeFootballNews.com lists Gresham as the No. 48 player in the nation, at any position.
During his senior season, Gresham caught 70 passes for 1,205 yards and 24 touchdowns, all while leading the Ardmore High School Tigers to a 12-0 record before losing in the 5A semifinals.
Surprising for many defenders trying to contain Gresham is his deceptive speed.
The towering soft-handed standout runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds.
"We feel he's the best we've seen in years. With his athleticism and size, you can spread him out in many positions," Stoops said.
Gresham's ability should establish a new option for sophomore quarterback Rhett Bomar and complicate game plans for opposing defenses.
"We know how to spit a tight end out when it's to our advantage," Stoops said.
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