The Sooners missed out on Beggs, OK star Kendal Daniels the first time around but a second opportunity to land the top player from the state seems to have arrived. On Thursday it was reported and then confirmed that Daniels had asked for and then been released from his National Letter of Intent to play for Texas A&M.
The reason for Daniels’ departure from College Station seems to center around Ishmael Aristide who was a defensive analysts for the Aggies, Aristide announced on Monday that he had accepted a position at the University of Miami as an outside linebackers coach. The connection between Aristide and Daniels is that, despite only being an analysts, Aristide had made a strong connection with Daniels and was a key player in the recruitment process.
Naturally, with Daniels back on the market, all eyes turn to Norman, Oklahoma where the Sooners were heavy favorites to land Kendal Daniels before Texas A&M swooped in late. While it’s fair to say that OU once again becomes a heavy favorite I wouldn’t put it as a lock just yet. Oklahoma’s coaches and Daniels will need to work out where exactly he’ll play on the defense. It was reported that the Sooners wanted to play him at linebacker and he wanted to be in the secondary which is why ultimately A&M was able to sway him away from his home state. I’m sure that conversation is going to need to take place again and will be key to whether he stays home or not this time.
Clemson and LSU, among several others, are also expected to make a hard push to get Daniels added to their 2021 recruiting class as well. In 2020 Daniels, as a senior, recorded 120 tackles, seven sacks and four interceptions, including a Pick-6. A two-way player, he also caught 38 passes for 648 yards and 10 touchdowns as he helped Beggs reach the Class 2A semifinals.
Ranked as the top player in the state of Oklahoma for 2021, Daniels held 24 scholarship offers at the time of his commitment to Texas A&M.
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