One Del City Linebacker Tatum Works Out for All-American Camp and the Other, Stephens, Confirms Commitment Day

The Del City linebacker duo is on the radar screen, especially for Oklahoma State fans, could the pair of Donovan Stephens and Rejhan Tatum wind up at the same school?

DURANT -- The late morning sun really beat down on the Durant Multi-Purpose Athletic Complex as some 26 linebackers from Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and Arkansas were tested and then put through drills by the staff of the ESPN Underclassmen All-American Camp. One of the standout Del City linebackers, Rejhan Tatum, isn't an underclassman, but he was there testing himself. Tatum showed good athleticism and some of the best hands among the linebackers in his reps. It is the second Del City linebacker we watched work and sweat this week. On Monday night at the i4Football Camp we watched the Eagles outside linebacker Donovan Stephens go through reps at the cornerback position to show off his coverage skills. 

Tatum certainly did not disappoint in Durant. He was one of the top linebackers in our opinion as both myself and Pokes Report's Director of Recruiting Marshall Levenson watched him throughout his hour or so on the field. 

"I felt like I did great," Tatum said of his efforts on Sunday morning in Durant. "I'd been doing these drills all week, so I came out here and performed."

When it comes down to recruiting, Tatum did make some news earlier this week.

"I just put out my top three; Baylor, Oklahoma State, and Boise State," Tatum said of his final trio of schools. "I feel like those are the best schools for me because they've been there for me throughout the recruiting process."

Like at the other seniors-to-be this school year it has been hard to be recruited during the COVID-19 pandemic where access is so limited. Tatum said he's had virtual tours and lots of contact, but it is not the same as "boots on the ground" checking out a school. 

"It's hard because you can really get a feel for the schools, the facilities, and the coaches," Tatum explained. "It is mostly just communicating with the coaches over the phone."

When you watch Del City on defense it is easy to see that Tatum and Stephens, who announced on July 19 that he would commit on his birthday coming up in August (Aug. 9), really know each other on the field and they play with that experience together as a real advantage. I saw them together three times last season and their ability to know each other makes the Eagles defense better.

The video above shows Stephens in action on Monday at Crossings Community School and the i4Football Camp.

"I really don't know what he is like or who is leaning toward, but I feel like we can play together," Tatum said. "I wouldn't mind. He is my teammate now and he can be my teammate at the next level too."

There's a thought as Oklahoma State is the school the pair have in common and the Cowboys have room for both players in their 2021 recruiting class. Before that takes place, the duo has some work to do in Oklahoma Class 6A-2 football this season. They are looking to improve from a top four finish in 2019 to a top finish in 2020. 

"I feel we got better over this past year," Tatum said. "A lot of schools shut down, but we've been practicing and we've got good players coming up. I think we've got better."

The Eagles are really good at linebacker. That is a certainty going into this season.