Durango’s Joshua Bates eyeing football career at Oklahoma
DURANGO, Colo. (BVM) — The 2022 season is Joshua Bates’ fourth year starting on Durango High School’s offensive line. He’s mainly played center, but he can also play at both tackle positions. And now as one of the top-rated football recruits in Colorado, Bates has proven hard work does pay off.
The 6-foot-3, 305-pound lineman will aim to help Durango improve upon their 9-3 overall record and make a deeper run in the playoffs. During the 2021-22 playoffs, the Demons fell one point short (14-13) to Mead High School. However, the Demons produced over 4,000 yards of offense last year, and with Bates on the line again, the Demons could be in for another big season offensively.
Great day @SixZeroAcademy and @coachkeith_1k showcase in Denver! Always GRINDING!🙌 #DungeonFamily @FootballDurango @bangulo pic.twitter.com/Hp9LsGaJg2
— Joshua Bates (@JoshuaBates64) May 2, 2022
Following his senior season, Bates will be looking forward to continuing his football career at the collegiate level. Bates’ journey will take him to the University of Oklahoma. According to 247Sports, Bates is ranked as the 478th-best prospect nationally, the 21st-best interior lineman and the third-best player in Colorado in the Class of 2023 247Sports’ composite rankings. Bates committed to Oklahoma in August 2021, making him the Sooners’ first commit for the Class of 2023.
In Norman, Bates will be expected to play center, the position he mainly focuses on today. However, Bates can also step in at the tackle position.
Week 4 highlights! Played Tackle all game! @OU_CoachB @LincolnRiley @SixZeroAcademy #OUDNA #runleft #DungeonFamily pic.twitter.com/B9xJdCRG1M
— Joshua Bates (@JoshuaBates64) September 19, 2021
I can play Tackle too! 🔒🔒 Great weekend @NPShowcases! @SixZeroAcademy #dungeonfamily @OU_CoachB @OU_Football @GarinJustice @CanesFootball @k_dorrell @CUBuffsFootball @mrodrigue70 @JB6303 @bangulo pic.twitter.com/UBJBzF9fH8
— Joshua Bates (@JoshuaBates64) April 12, 2021
Along with a future career on the gridiron, Bates has succeeded when it comes to track and field. As a sophomore, Bates participated in the shot put and had a mark of 45 feet, 8 inches.
Despite being committed to Oklahoma, Bates has yet to make his official visit to Norman, but that will likely happen as soon as his senior football season is complete. And when he finally suits up in Norman, he’ll be ready to play for Sooner head football coach Brent Venables. Now, for a player like Bates to be trusted by a coach like Venables is special. And Sooner fans better believe Bates will do everything he can to help the Sooners flourish.
“At my high school and where I’m from in the United States, no one has done it before,” Bates said to 247Sports. “Landing a big offer and being recruited was a big goal for me. I also wanted to play in this game and do something no one has done before. Getting the recognition and receiving this honor is special for me.”
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