Back in the winter of 2003, Oklahoma’s recruiting class was hailed as one of the nation’s best, ranked No. 3 by Scout.com and No. 4 by Rivals.com.
But in 2005, it appears to have been a lost class. Very few players remain; fewer are significantly contributing. Here’s a look at the Class of 2003 recruiting class, and how it has fared:

LEWIS BAKER, LB, LEWISVILLE (TEXAS) HEBRON: Struggled to put on weight.
After two years as a reserve, moved to safety and started the first two games this year. True freshman Reggie Smith supplanted him, though Baker continues to play in some sets.
TONY CADE, DB, LEWISVILLE (TEXAS) HS: Ranked as one of the nation’s top high school safeties, Cade played sparingly last year. After getting into an altercation with a teammate during practice, Cade was not allowed to make the trip to the Orange Bowl last year. When he didn’t figure into the secondary picture, Cade transferred to City College of San Francisco last August.
TASHARD CHOICE, RB, LOVEJOY, GA.: Talented tailback redshirted, then found himself stuck on the bench with the arrival last season of Adrian Peterson. Choice transferred to Georgia Tech last spring. After being granted a waiver to play immediately by the NCAA, Choice is playing in a backup role for the Yellow Jackets.
STEVEN COLEMAN, 6-5, 275, DT, DALLAS SKYLINE: Ranked the No. 17 defensive tackle by Rivals.com, has played as a reserve on the defensive line. Coleman has five tackles this season.
LAWRENCE “MOE” DAMPEER, DT, DECATUR (ILL.) MACARTHUR: Considered one of the nation’s top two defensive tackles by recruiting services, Dampeer lived in the coaches’ doghouse because of lack of motivation on and off the field. Made a splash in 2004 but left the team last winter. Planned to transfer to Joliet (Ill.) Junior College.
ALONZO DOTSON, DE, ALIEF (TEXAS) HASTINGS: 2002 Houston Chronicle player of the year never contributed. Academically ineligible this season but
remains on the team.
JOE JON FINLEY, ATHLETE, ARLINGTON (TEXAS) HS: Former high school quarterback has emerged as a threat as a receiving tight end. Finley has nine catches for 95 yards, with two touchdowns - OU’s only receiving touchdowns this season.
CODY FREEBY, P, FORT WORTH (TEXAS) CHRISTIAN: First-team all-USA Today recruit. Moved into the starting lineup at punter this season. Averaging 41.7 yards, with a long of 70 yards.
TOMMY GRADY, QB, HUNTINGTON BEACH (CALIF.) EDISON: Considered one of the nation’s top prep quarterbacks, Grady backed up Jason White last year. He transferred to Utah last August after losing out on the quarterback competition because a class conflict (he had to take to remain eligible) kept him out of preseason practices.
JACOB GUTIERREZ, RB, SAN ANTONIO (TEXAS) MADISON: One of OU’s last recruits, Gutierrez made his first start last week against Texas. He’s worked his way into playing time in OU’s shotgun spread formations. Gutierrez has 11 carries for 50 yards and one catch for 4 yards.
MARCUS JOHNSON, WR, ABILENE (TEXAS) HS: A quarterback in high school, Johnson moved to receiver at OU. In December 2003, he was arrested in
Denton, Texas, and charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana. He left the team before the 2004 season.
BRANDON KEITH, OL, MCALESTER: A first-team all-state player, Keith didn’t qualify academically. After graduating from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, he joined the Sooners last summer, but quit during two-a-days - and then again before the first game of the season.
AKIM MILLINGTON, OL, WHEATON (ILL.) NORTH: A highly rated tackle, Millington had won the starting job at right tackle to start this season as a third-year sophomore. But he quit the team the week of the first game.
DONTE NICHOLSON, DB, MOUNT SAN ANTONIO (CALIF.) JUNIOR COLLEGE: Helped anchor OU’s secondary, starting two years at strong safety. His eligibility was exhausted in 2004.
CARL PENDLETON, DT, SAPULPA: After a redshirt season, started eight games last year when Dusty Dvoracek was dismissed from the team. This year, he’s started the last two games and has five tackles, including three for losses and a sack.
DEMARRIO PLEASANT, LB, LEWISVILLE (TEXAS) HS: A consensus top-10 linebacker by recruiting services, Pleasant played in a reserve role in 2004 and is currently the backup to Clint Ingram at strongside linebacker.
ANTONN REID, OL, PLANO (TEXAS) HS: Offered a scholarship very late in the recruiting process, Reid never played. He quit the team after redshirting as a freshman.
WILLIE ROBERTS, TE, NORTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA A&M: Big, strong tight end redshirted his first year and has worked in a reserve role since. He has zero catches this season. Last year, he had one catch for 13 yards and a touchdown.
TRISTEN ROSS, WR, SHREVEPORT (LA.) EVANGEL: Highly touted receiver (son of former Sooner Alvin Ross) transferred to Seminole State College last year because he wasn’t academically eligible. Planned to return this fall, but didn’t make the grades.
COURTNEY TENNIAL, RB, GLENPOOL: First-team Oklahoman all-state never got traction in a deep running back pool. Tennial transferred to Tulsa after the 2004 season.
DARIEN WILLIAMS, DB, NORTH MESQUITE (TEXAS) HS: Ranked as the nation’s No. 10 safety by Rivals.com. Played seven games as a redshirt freshman in 2004. Started the first three games of this season at free safety, but was replaced by true freshman Nic Harris the last two games. Has 19 tackles and one fumble recovery.
JOHN WILLIAMS, DE, HOUSTON LAMAR: Appeared set to make an impact this season as a third-year sophomore, but suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during the first game and will miss the entire season. Had four tackles and a sack during the game.
DANE ZASLAW, LB, EDMOND MEMORIAL: Chose OU over Texas A&M, but suffered two knee injuries, changed positions (to fullback). Has played on special teams this season.
BRIAN ZIMPEL, OL, BROKEN ARROW: Ranked as one of the state’s top players, Zimpel redshirted in 2003, then left the team after the season.