McAlester QB Overcomes Health Issues On His Journey To Becoming A Sooner

Dalton Wood has been waiting for National Signing Day since the fall. He said, “once you sign that paper it's a new world."

The McAlester quarterback intends to sign to the University of Oklahoma. "It's a really big dream; family's always been Sooners all the way."

Come Wednesday morning, the McAlester quarterback will officially join OU's football team.

Wood's high school coach, Bryan Pratt, made some calls to help Wood gain the attention of OU. "I called coach Gundy at OU; he'd seen the video, and he asked if I could take a picture beside him and send it to him, see how big he really was," said Pratt.

Wood then visited OU head coach Bob Stoops' home. "It was big. [There was a] lot of good food: steak, hamburgers, and chicken, pretty much anything."

During his tenure at McAlester, he led his team to a state championship berth.

Wood had a big scare during his sophomore year; he collapsed into his coaches arms. He then took the time to heal, and later got surgery. He then proceeded to work harder at football to be the best he could be. "I was a little worried when I went into surgery, but once they put that gas in you, nine hours later, it feels like it's two minutes."

He returned his junior year hungry, realizing the little things he had to do in order to get better.

Wood said OU coaches have stated that he could play at multiple positions, and that his quarterback play will help.

Wednesday will be a big day for him and the community. “Kids are coming asking for autographs, and people [are] coming up and talking to me and my parents. It's good to know that the town's there supporting you," stated Wood.