Top 10 Oklahoma high school football players: Broken Arrow’s Semaj Stanford lands at No. 5

Broken Arrow’s Semaj Stanford is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about players in Oklahoma’s 2027 class, and his stock is only climbing.

The standout defensive back, who transferred from Jenks after his sophomore season, has been ranked as a Top 5 prospect in Oklahoma, with over 30 Division I offers already on the table.

Stanford’s Rise to Top Prospect Status

Stanford missed the first two games last year at Jenks but went on to have a breakout season in the secondary. He also flashed his potential on offense at receiver, and now at Broken Arrow, he’s preparing to play both ways drawing comparisons to two-way star Travis Hunter.

When told he was ranked No. 5 in the state, Stanford said he was grateful just to be included.

“I’ll take it. I’m blessed for it,” Stanford said. “Talent can only get you so far. I feel like my work ethic and football IQ set me apart.”

Head coach Travis Hill praised Stanford’s intelligence and leadership, calling him “the smartest football player I’ve ever been around” and emphasizing his ability to immediately process schemes and lead his peers despite being an underclassman.

Why He Chose Broken Arrow

Stanford said the decision to transfer was about finding the right fit.

“Things weren’t playing out how I wanted at Jenks. I saw the new staff here, prayed about it, talked with my family, and it was the best decision,” Stanford said.

The Tigers’ staff, which includes coaches with college and championship backgrounds, was a major draw. Stanford said he was particularly impressed with the leadership of new defensive coordinator Coach McKnight, formerly at Texas.

Recruiting Explosion

Stanford is listed among the Top 150 players nationally in the 2027 class and as high as the No. 15 safety in the country. His offer list includes Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Clemson, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Texas A&M, Washington and more.

He recently attended camps at Clemson and Ohio State, while also maintaining strong ties with Oklahoma State, where he spoke with head coach Mike Gundy, defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, and top recruiter Cam O’Neal.

Despite the attention, Stanford says he’s taking his time.

“It’s overwhelming sometimes with all the calls and texts, but I’m blessed. I plan on dropping a list after this season.”

Speed, Goals, and What’s Next

The 5-foot-11, 184-pound Stanford is not just fast on the football field — he’s a sprinter too. He posted a 10.64-second 100 meters in track, proving he’s a football player with elite speed, not just a track athlete dabbling in football.

For 2025, his goals are clear:

1. Lead the state in interceptions
2. Lead the state in touchdowns
3. Lead the state in tackles
4. Earn first-team All-State honors at both receiver and defensive back
5. Most importantly: deliver a state championship for Broken Arrow, which hasn’t won a title since 2018.

“I can’t even explain how hungry I am,” Stanford said. “People say we’re a losing program, but we just feed off of it. I want to change that.”

With his mix of talent, work ethic, and leadership, Stanford is already proving why he’s a name to watch not just in Oklahoma, but across the country.