Charles Page High School senior lineman Marcus Sims announced on X Thursday that he has committed to playing football at Northwestern Oklahoma State University next season.
"I would like to thank God for everything he has done in my life and the opportunities he has given me,” tweeted Sims.
“Thank you to my mom who had poured everything she has into me and my brother to be the best athletes we can be. Thank you to my brother who pushes me to be the best I can be everyday. I also want to thank all of my coaches, friends, and gf who have helped me make the best decision possible.”
The 6’1”, 270-pound guard picked Northwestern over offers from Southwestern College, Langston University, and Kansas Wesleyan University.
Northwestern is an NCAA Division II program competing in the Great American Conference. The Rangers went 1-10 this year in a rebuilding season under first-year head coach Ronnie Jones.
The assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for the program is Jason Medrano, who coached offensive line at Sand Springs for two seasons before joining the Rangers.
Sims will be reunited with fellow Sandites Blake Jones, Drake Fain, Kyle Morrall, and Jacob Blevins who also followed Medrano to Northwestern.
Senior linebacker Owen Floyd (6’0” 190 pounds) announced on Thursday that he has received an offer to play at Oklahoma Baptist University, a Division II program in Shawnee. OBU went 6-5 this season under 11th-year head coach Chris Jensen.
Floyd also has offers from Hendrix College, Oklahoma Wildcats Prep, and Kansas Wesleyan University.
Sophomore lineman Ryley Kester (6’4” 270 pounds) announced on Thursday that he has received an offer to play at the University of North Texas, an NCAA Division I program in Denton.
The Mean Green went 5-7 overall and 3-5 in the American Conference last season under first-year head coach Eric Morris.
Kester has also received offers from UNLV, Houston, Tulsa, Georgia Tech, Texas Tech, and Northwestern Oklahoma State.
Senior running back Kenneth Page (6’0” 190 pounds) announced on Tuesday that he has received an offer to play at Northeastern State University, an NCAA Division II program in Tahlequah.
NSU went 1-10 last season and fired head coach JJ Eckert. The Riverhawks will be coached by Darrin Chiaverini next season - a former NFL star who coached Chaffey junior college to an 11-0 record in 2023.
Page also holds an offer from Northwestern Oklahoma State.
Senior linebacker Keagan Gilman (5’10”, 190 pounds) announced on Sunday that he has received an offer to play at Bethel College, an NAIA program in North Newton, Kansas.
Bethel went 6-5 last season under first-year head coach A.B. Stokes, winning their straight KCAC championship.
Six other Sandite football players have received offers to play at the collegiate level:
Senior OL Tyler “Tank” Smith (5’10,” 285 pounds) is committed to playing at Hendrix College.
Senior DE Dallas Elifrits (6’1”, 230 pounds) holds offers from McPherson College and Bethel College.
Senior lineman/TE Evan Williams (5’10”, 215 pounds) committed to play at Bethel College on November 10th.
Sophomore quarterback Easton Webb (6’3” 175 pounds) is committed to playing baseball at Oklahoma State University, but he also holds a Division I football offer from UNLV.
Sophomore receiver Brock O’Dell (5’10” 170 pounds) holds one college offer from Northwestern Oklahoma State.
Junior receiver Kooper Kelly holds one offer from Northwestern Oklahoma State.
Boys Golf
Senior Zane Downey is committed to Southern Nazarene University.
Senior Mason Ward is committed to Coffeyville Community College.
Softball
Junior RHP/IB/OF Addison Hughes holds offers from East Central University, Oklahoma Wesleyan University, and Coffeyville Community College.
Senior RHP/INF Kelsi Hilton signed an LOI with Southern Nazarene University on November 8th.
Baseball
Senior RHP/OF Cole Pearson (6’2” 150 pounds) is committed to playing at McPherson College next season.
Six Sandite baseball players signed letters of intent to play college ball on November 8th.
Senior INF/RHP Jackson Stewart (5’11” 195 pounds) signed with McPherson College.
Senior RF/LHP Kayden Campbell (5’9” 165 pounds) signed with Cowley County Community College.
Senior right-handed pitcher Eli Buxton (6’6” 185 pounds) signed with Arizona State University.
Senior OF/LHP Miller Tavaglione (6’2” 190 pounds) and senior INF/RHP Jace Arnold (6’2” 180 pounds) signed with Allen County Community College.
Senior INF Wyatt Rutledge (6’2” 170 pounds) signed with Northern Oklahoma College at Enid.
Girls Basketball
5’10” senior small forward KiAryn Taylor is committed to Ranger College.
5’3” senior guard Sakauri Wilson signed a letter of intent to play at Southwestern Oklahoma State University on Wednesday, November 8th.
5’7” senior guard Taiona “Yonnie” Morris recently announced her commitment to play at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.
Boys Basketball
6’4” junior guard Deke Thompson holds one offer from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
Soccer
Two senior soccer players signed LOIs on November 8th.
Senior Ava Watts signed to play Division I soccer at Texas A&M-Commerce.
Senior Kate Webb signed to play at University of the Ozarks.
Coaches, players, and parents can send recruiting updates to sanditepridenews@gmail.com.