Hoops Standouts Hitting The Gridiron Pt. 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2022 football season is about to kick off across Oklahoma. Be sure to check out&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.prepredzone.com/Oklahoma" target="_blank"><strong>PrepRedzone.com/Oklahoma</strong></a>&nbsp;for all your Oklahoma high school football coverage. Here on Prep Hoops, we're taking a look at some of the best dual-sport athletes in Oklahoma. For some, they'll have brighter futures on the gridiron, for others, they'll shine brighter on the hardwood. This is part two of a five part series, breaking down some of the top dual-sport athletes in Oklahoma as we get closer to the start of the 2022 football season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>In Case You Missed It:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/2022/08/hoops-standouts-hitting-the-gridiron-pt-1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">– Part One</a></strong><br><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/2022/08/hoops-standouts-hitting-the-gridiron-pt-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">- Part Two</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1391435' first='CJ' last='Nickson'] - 2025 Forward - Weatherford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>On The Court:</strong> On the court, few 2025 prospects had better seasons than Weatherford's [player_tooltip player_id='1391435' first='CJ' last='Nickson']. The 2025 standout helped lead Weatherford all the way to the state tournament and he was dominant when they made it to Oklahoma City. It's still very early for the 2025 class but from the beginning of ranking and evaluating this class, Nickson has always been near the top. And similar to another top five basketball prospect in Millwood's [player_tooltip player_id='1391439' first='Jaden' last='Nickens'], Nickson has the chance to be a legit star in both football and basketball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>On The Gridiron:</strong> Last season, before leading Weatherford's basketball team to the state tournament, Nickson had a breakout freshman season at the wide receiver position. He also made the rankings in the '25 football ranks and has a chance to absolutely sky rocket up after another strong season. And it's still so early. If Nickson doesn't continue to grow, football might end up being his top sport with a big frame and legit wide receiver skills. He could end up being a top ten prospect in both sports when his high school career is over.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='967381' first='Rickey' last='Hunt'] - 2023 Guard - Millwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>On The Court:</strong> The second Millwood prospect to be featured in this series is 2023 guard [player_tooltip player_id='967381' first='Rickey' last='Hunt']. Like [player_tooltip player_id='1391439' first='Jaden' last='Nickens'], who was featured in <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/2022/08/hoops-standouts-hitting-the-gridiron-pt-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Part Two</a></strong>, Hunt helped lead the Falcons to a state championship. There is no doubt when you watch Hunt on the basketball floor that he is a football prospect playing basketball. He's a strong guard that can absolutely bully his opponents and create plenty of spacing for himself. While his future is on the gridiron, he has a good shot at helping Millwood repeat this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>On The Gridiron:</strong> As mentioned, Hunt's future appears to be in football, where he's been a star for the Falcons since his freshman year. Hunt has played just about every skill position there is on both sides of the ball for the Falcons. His versatility on the football field has been something that has stood out to us since early on in his career. Hunt's recruitment has picked up in a big way and he will certainly have the ability to go play at the D1 level. Right now, he's focused on turning the Falcons back into winners on the gridiron. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='967382' first='Trenden' last='Collins'] - 2023 Guard - Muldrow</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>On The Court:</strong> A small school prospect out of southeastern Oklahoma that we are fairly familiar with is [player_tooltip player_id='967382' first='Trenden' last='Collins'] out of Muldrow. Collins has been a consistent competitor at Prep Hoops events over the last several years and there's no doubt that he has the basketball DNA. Multiple family members ended up playing basketball at Oklahoma State and Collins is one of the better guards in the 2023 class, especially on the defensive side of the ball. But when it comes down to playing at the next level, he might have a better opportunity in football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>On The Gridiron:</strong> That defense that we talked about in basketball is precisely why we like him so much on the gridiron. Collins is ranked in both basketball and football for the state's 2023 class and in football, he's a defensive back prospect on the rise. We think that Collins certainly has the potential to play at the next level as a defensive back prospect and an overall athlete as well. Collins has flown somewhat under the radar in regards to the 2023 class but we've been on him for over a year now and think there's plenty of potential there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1482829' first='Will' last='Smith'] - 2024 Forward - Choctaw</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>On The Court:</strong> Choctaw 2024 standout [player_tooltip player_id='1482829' first='Will' last='Smith'] might be better known right now for his abilities on the basketball floor. As a sophomore, he saw plenty of playing time for the Yellowjackets and has had a few offseasons of standing out in travel ball. However, when we watch Smith on the basketball floor, we see a freak athlete who translates perfect into football. Smith's bounce and athleticism reminds us a lot of former Midwest City star Jalen Redmond. While Smith isn't as built as Redmond, he's taller and can have just as much of an impact. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>On The Gridiron:</strong> On the football field, Smith certainly has the potential to be the next great pass-rusher to come out of Choctaw. Whether he's lining up at defensive end or outside linebacker in a 3-4 look, Smith is going to be able to get into the opposing backfield and cause some damage. Choctaw will also use him on the offensive side of the ball as one of the team's top athletes. We expect Smith to fill the role of former Choctaw star defensive end Desean Brown, who is now at Oklahoma State. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->