If you’ve never met Wagoner High football standout Alex Shieldnight, you might expect a burly in-your-face kind of personality. But he’s really a soft spoken, almost reticent but thoughtful guy. He comes from a basketball-oriented family that includes his mom and highly touted sister Gracy who is a senior for the Bulldogs this year.

“I played a little eight-man football growing up in Woodall but mostly played basketball including school, travel and AAU ball and football wasn’t a big priority,” said Alex. “When I moved to Wagoner my freshman year coach (Dale) Condict asked me if I would try some seven-on-seven. I’ve always been in pretty good shape and worked out a lot with my mom and sister and always felt I had a little juice in me, and I think all of that carried over when I started playing football.”

Alex worked on technique at tight end and linebacker that first year and soon started drawing the attention of college coaches.

“I think it was when I started my sophomore year that I knew football was where I belonged,” said Shieldnight who earlier this fall committed to the University of Oklaoma even though he’s just a junior.

“I really wanted to lock in OU now because I’m planning on graduating early and be in Norman by the spring of 2025 and get a little ahead,” said Alex who set a new Wagoner school record for sacks in just three seasons.

He plays on both sides of the ball and says he doesn’t really favor one side over the other though it’s clear the Sooners are keen on his defensive abilities as an end or linebacker. Growing up playing basketball, Alex says Rusell Westbrook was one of his role models and when he turned to football, he found inspiration in Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow who he called a Godly man. Closer to home Alex says he draws inspiration and motivation from his mom and his grandpa Bob Bloom.

“I want to be like my Pa one day. He’s so wise and such a great person. There’s nothing that either my mom or he wouldn’t do for me.”