The Oklahoman’s Super 30: How Owasso OT Blake Cherry's work ethic led him to commit to Arkansas

OWASSO — Blake Cherry could feel his ears popping as his plane descended in Florida.

The moment arose last summer while en route to a football camp at the University of Florida. What started as a day brimming with excitement was disrupted by an unexpected turn of events.

Cherry found himself overwhelmed by his first encounter with airplane ear. It was a day of many firsts for Cherry, who was a curious passenger traveling by airplane for the very first time.

From the cramped leg space in his seat row to the exhilarating sensation of gliding through the clouds, Cherry was captivated by his entire journey that day.

"I wasn't necessarily scared, but my nerves were going crazy that day," Cherry said. "I'd never felt that feeling in my ears before that day. I wish my teammates and coaches would've told me what to expect."

Since then, he's added to his experiences in the sky. Cherry's in-air anxiousness dwindled with nearly each out-of-state college visit.

More: A look at The Oklahoman's 2025 Super 30 high school football recruiting series

He has not only conquered the skies but also the football field. Cherry is ranked No. 13 on The Oklahoman's Super 30 list of the state's top football recruits in the 2025 class.

"Something that's overlooked about the recruiting process is being able to travel and see the country with your family," Cherry said. "Before football, I never really took trips out of Oklahoma. I think it's a blessing that many recruits take for granted.”

Cherry, a 6-foot-5, 295-pound offensive tackle, is a three-star recruit according to the 247Sports composite rankings. He committed to play at Arkansas on June 1.

Cherry also received nearly two dozen scholarship offers from other Division I programs, including Arizona State, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, TCU and Tulsa.

"What I admire most about Blake is his quickness moving his feet despite his large frame," first-year Owasso head coach Antonio Graham said.

"Once he can get his hands on you, it's never a good ending for that opponent. Getting to coach a player of his caliber like him doesn't come often."

Alongside Ryker Haff, another Owasso tackle who committed to Oklahoma State, Cherry was a key leader throughout the Rams' 9-3 finish to the season and Class 6A-I state semifinal appearance. The duo has allowed just one sack to opposing teams in their tenure at Owasso.

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As he enters his final year of high school competition, Cherry has a few goals he wishes to attain.

Atop his list of desires is to bring Owasso a fourth Class 6A-I state championship. He also wants his senior season to set a standard for himself heading into Fayetteville in January.

"I know it's hard to do, but my biggest goal right now is to go into Arkansas with a chance to start in my freshman year," Cherry said.

"Although I'm committed to school now, I've put my head down these past few weeks and got after it in the gym. When most people commit, they usually slow their roll and relax, but I still have a lot to prove — and I won't stop until I get there."

Cherry attributes his unwavering work ethic to his father's sacrifices.

Since adolescence, Cherry recalls the late hours his father would return home while working as an electrical lineman in Tulsa. He aims to repay his father's efforts in the future by protecting the quarterback's blindside in the NFL.

"My dad is my hero," Cherry said. "Sometimes he stays up for 48 hours straight working, and he's done it for years just to provide for our family. My passion is just to outwork people and take care of my family while honoring everything they've done for me."

Jordan Davis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jordan? He can be reached at jdavis@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @jdavis34_. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Jordan’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com

More: The Oklahoman's Super 30: How Idabel's Matrail Lopez is representing father's legacy

The Oklahoman’s 2025 Super 30

• Name: Blake Cherry

• School: Owasso

• Super 30 ranking: No. 13

• Height: 6-foot-5

• Weight: 295 pounds

• Position: Offensive tackle

• Committed to: Arkansas

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. 13, Owasso’s Blake Cherry. See No. 12 on the list in Tuesday's edition of The Oklahoman. Here are the last four players we’ve featured:

• No. 14: Matrail Lopez, WR, Idabel

• No. 15: Caden Knighten, RB, Pauls Valley

• No. 16: Josiah Hammond, DL, Tulsa Union

• No. 17: Marcus James, LB, Carl Albert

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: The Oklahoman's Super 30: Owasso OT Blake Cherry sold on Arkansas