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Santa Fe linebacker Collin Oliver signs with Oklahoma State
The college football early signing period opened Wednesday, and three Edmond athletes are taking advantage.
Edmond Santa Fe linebacker Collin Oliver signed with Oklahoma State, and Deer Creek kicker Logan Ward will do the same Friday. Oklahoma Christian Academy quarterback James Henault signed with Bethel College.
Oliver is rated as a high 3-star recruit by 247 Sports. He made 66 tackles, four sacks and recovered two fumbles in 2020 as the Wolves reached the state championship game.
Oliver said playing at Santa Fe has prepared him to play in the Big 12.
“6A-I is the best division in Oklahoma, and that’s obvious,” Oliver said. “I feel like it’s going to prepare me real well for competition and athletically gifted kids at the Division I level.”
Oliver is not the first former Wolf defender to head up I-35 to Stillwater. Current Cowboys linebacker Calvin Bundage and defensive end Trace Ford both hail from Santa Fe.
Wolves coach Kyle White said Santa Fe has enjoyed its relationship with OSU.
“It’s worked well for our kids, they’ve been successful,” White said. “I think (Oliver is) right in line with Calvin Bundage and Trace Ford. Each one of them do something different, and I think Collin brings something different than each one of them. I expect him to have a huge career up there and have fun doing it.”
Ward will be joining Oliver in Stillwater. Ward was one of the best kickers in Oklahoma and already has a college-ready leg, demonstrated by a career-long 55-yard field goal in 2019. Ward also punted for the Antlers. He even caught a few passes, including a touchdown against U.S. Grant in the 2020 regular season finale.
Henault, a former Edmond North Husky, will be playing for the Bethel College Threshers, an NAIA program in North Newton, Kansas. He played well for OCA, including two touchdown passes in the Fighting Eagles’ playoff game against Elmore City-Pernell in November. He missed a few games with injury, but when healthy, he put OCA in positions to win.
The early signing period is open from Wednesday until Saturday. Athletes who choose not to sign early can instead sign on National Signing Day, Feb. 3.