It was obvious to Pocola football coach Jason Parker that Dakotah Terrell has off-the-charts potential.
At a whopping 6-foot-8, 215 pounds, Terrell obviously stands out on the field, but he also displays serious athleticism while playing receiver and defensive end for the Indians.
But Pocola — which competes in Class A in football and is less than 15 minutes south of Fort Smith, Arkansas — isn’t necessarily a hotbed for college football recruiters.
Parker knew he had to do something following Terrell’s junior football season this past winter and told his player he’d put together a highlight video.
“I’m going to make this film and I’m going to push it out there and let’s see what it is,” Parker recalls saying to Terrell. “And so once I put it together and I looked at it, I was just like, ‘Oh, this looks really good.’ And I told him, I said, ‘Man, I don’t know what this is going to do, but it’s gonna do something.’”
Parker ended up being correct.
He put out the video, and Terrell’s football recruitment exploded.
After receiving offers from programs such as Arkansas, Florida, Michigan, OU, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M, Terrell quickly solidified himself as a sought-after prospect and comes in at No. 6 on The Oklahoman’s Super 30 list of the state’s top recruits in the 2025 class.
“My coach made a highlight film probably in late February and it all just blew up,” Terrell said.
Born in Tahlequah, Terrell was raised in Spiro before moving to Pocola in fifth grade.
Genetically blessed with great height, basketball had been the main priority, but things have changed.
“I thought basketball was gonna be my sport all the way through,” Terrell said. “And then football came up.”
Football will likely be the focus of Terrell’s future, although college basketball is an option as he holds a few Division-I hoops offers.
Tulsa was the first to extend an offer and did so in May 2023.
As for his football recruitment, the position he might play at the next level is still up in the air.
“At OU, tight end, D-end,” said Terrell, a three-star recruit according to 247Sports. “And then everybody else like receiver but mostly just tight end.”
Terrell said he doesn’t have a preference and views academics as something that will play a role in his decision.
He’d like to stay in athletics and be a coach one day.
“He’s a quiet kid, but a really hard worker,” Parker said. “He’s just one of those kids that just stays on the grind. I mean, great grades and he’s a kid that has gotten better and better each year at basketball and football.”
To Parker, Terrell is someone who could do big things if he keeps progressing.
Parker knew that when he put out the highlight video, and he’s glad his player is getting the recognition he deserves.
“He’s a guy that can carry 250, 260 (pounds) and run and so if he goes that route, I think you’re looking at 10, 12 years in the NFL,” Parker said.
Nick Sardis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Nick? He can be reached at nsardis@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @nicksardis. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Nick's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
The Oklahoman’s 2025 Super 30
- Name: Dakotah Terrell
- School: Pocola
- Super 30 ranking: No. 6
- Height: 6-foot-8
- Weight: 215 pounds
- Position: Tight end, receiver, defensive end
- Recruited by: Arkansas, Boston College, Florida, Michigan, OU, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Tulsa, UNLV
The Oklahoman’s 2025 Super 30 feature series
The Oklahoman’s Super 30 feature series will spotlight each high school football player on the Super 30 recruit rankings for the 2025 class through July 21. The series continued Monday with No. 6, Pocola’s Dakotah Terrell. See No. 5 on the list in Tuesday’s edition of The Oklahoman. Here are the last five players we’ve featured:
- No. 7: Alexander Shieldnight, DE, Wagoner
- No. 8: Broderick Shull, OL, Bixby
- No. 9: Trynae Washington, TE/DB, Carl Albert
- No. 10: Antoni Ogumoro, OL, Elgin
- No. 11: Shaker Reisig, QB, Tulsa Union
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