2024 DB Target Mykel Patterson-McDonald Says Oklahoma Offer Brought 'A Lot of Joy'
MOORE — Westmoore High School hosted its 2023 spring game on Tuesday night, featuring a plethora of players with Division I offers.
At the top of that list is OU target and legacy Mykel Patterson-McDonald.
Patterson-McDonald is rated a 4-star prospect and the No. 3 player in the state by Rivals, currently holding offers from Michigan State, Oklahoma, Missouri and Iowa State, among others. Listed at 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, Patterson-McDonald said his best attributes are his leadership and football IQ.
"My biggest strength is really just being smart out on the field and being a leader out on the field," he told AllSooners. "Knowing all the plays, getting my teammates right."
Patterson-McDonald's father told AllSooners that he walked on to OU's football team in his college days. Given the Oklahoma legacy's family ties to Norman, it is no surprise that the Westmoore DB was excited to receive an offer from Brent Venables and company.
"It meant a lot. ... I grew up in Norman, I'm from Norman, I was born in Norman," Patterson-McDonald said. "It meant a lot. It was a lot of joy, it's a blessing."
At the Jaguars spring game, Patterson-McDonald was proudly sporting a pair of OU gloves, making no effort to hide the interlocking letters. The Oklahoma target drew a crowd on Tuesday as fellow Sooners' target and 5-star defensive lineman David Stone roamed the sidelines, taking in his friend's game after announcing on social media his intention to attend.
Stone, an Oklahoma City native who's on summer break from IMG Academy in Florida, declined comment, but it was later reported by OU Insider that he and Patterson-McDonald unofficially visited with Venables on Tuesday night.
With his final high school season upcoming, Patterson-McDonald said that he is aiming to make a commitment early in the Jaguars 2023 season. The talented safety also mentioned that he will visit Norman in the fall.
"Setting up (official visits) with UNLV, Houston and OU," Patterson-McDonald said. "I plan on committing sometime during the season. Within the first five games."
Adding depth to OU's defensive backfield would be big for Venables and cornerbacks' coach Jay Valai, who could use an in-state recruiting win after Xadavien Sims committed last week to Oregon. If Patterson-McDonald were to eventually pledge his commitment to OU, the local prospect would be joining 4-star defensive backs Jaydan Hardy and Jeremiah Newcombe in the 2024 class.
- Want to join the discussion? Click here to become a member of the AllSooners message board community today!
- Sign up for your premium membership to AllSooners.com today, and get access to the entire Fan Nation premium network!
- Follow AllSooners on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest OU news!
- Want even more Sooners news? Check out the SI.com OU team page here!
- Listen and subscribe to the AllSooners Podcast!
- Watch more Sooners videos and subscribe on YouTube!
