Class 6A champion Oakland football lands three-star QB transfer from Indiana

Oakland's football program graduates a two-year starter at quarterback this season following a Class 6A state championship.

It didn't take long for the Patriots to find a potential replacement.

Kody Sparks, a 6-foot-5, 215-pounder who was a two-year starter at  Hamilton Southeastern High in Fishers, Indiana, has transferred to Oakland. He will be a senior.

"I think it’s one of those deals where a lot of people are moving into Murfreesboro," said Oakland coach Kevin Creasy. "I’m sure they did their homework and know Oakland has been doing really well lately."

Sparks is a three-star prospect, according to 247Sports and has offers from Kent State and Northern Iowa, while also drawing interest from Indiana, Purdue and UCLA.

His family moved to Murfreesboro after his mother received a job promotion/transfer to the area.

"I hadn't really heard about (Oakland) other than just seeing on social media that they had won state and I had heard of (senior defensive back and Oklahoma signee) Woodi (Washington)," Sparks said. "We did some research and thought, with the athleticism and program that Oakland has, that this program would help me best to prepare for college, since we would already be down in the area."

Sparks has 1,577 career passing yards, completing 63 percent of his passes last year in five games before sitting out the rest of the season with a strained MCL and stress fracture in his leg.

Creasy has yet to see Sparks on the field and likely won't until spring practice begins for the Patriots May 4. 

"We looked him up and saw his highlights," Creasy said. "He could potentially be a good player for us. We’re excited to see what he’s got. It’ll be a while before we do. We're curious to see if he can work for us, if he’s going to be a good addition for us."

Sparks, who said he is recovering well and would be "100 percent by the season," is anxious to show Creasy and the Patriots he can compete for a starting job.

Oakland also returns incoming junior Victor Stephenson, who received some playing time behind two-year starter Brevin Linnell during last season's Class 6A state championship run.

"I'm really excited," Sparks said. "I'm just trying to win over my teammates' respect by working as hard as possible and just proving that I'm here for the team and not myself," said Sparks. "I just want to get the team as ready as possible for this season and go win another state championship."

Sparks is the third potential impact player who has transferred to Oakland since last off-season, joining defensive lineman and South Carolina signee Joseph Anderson and running back and Mr. Football finalist Xavier Myers.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.