Open Post (Wariboko, Fehoko, Gibson, etc.) | Wednesday, April 16th (Updated 12:42 pm)

Image from 247sports.com

– Ok this Open Post is going to have some pretty significant news!

– Last night I got a phone call from someone very close to the program that told me things might be shaky with Josh Wariboko. Was told that Louisville had extended an offer to Max Wariboko, Josh Wariboko’s brother, and that it was significant in terms of it’s impact on Josh. That was early in the evening and between other calls I didn’t get a chance to confirm the offer. But I later noted that some reputable writers like Josh McCuistion of Soonerscoop.com had confirmed it.

I was told that there have been conversations between the OU staff and Josh Wariboko about his actual commitment and apparently Josh really wants to play with his brother and has expressed that desire to OU. I’ve been told that the desire is so strong that things are actually up in the air with respect to his commitment. I don’t know if this means we are going to lose his commitment but it’s certainly an issue worth noting and watching.

– Yesterday’s Breiden Fehoko post caused quite a stir. I wanted to share a tweet with everyone. Breiden responded to someone who attacked us on twitter saying:

FehokoTweet

 

“His insights” meaning, my insights about his commitment. In other words Breiden had absolutely no issues with my post and even defended it in saying that what I wrote came from him. And in conversations between him and I, I specifically asked him if he had any issues with what I wrote and he said he had no problems and that he was completely fine with it.  I wanted to note that so at least our readers would understand that the opinion piece wasn’t concocted based on fairy tales. I’ve been in regular communication with Breiden and I know a great deal about how the whole Tech commitment went down and I can tell you that despite what other fan bases may want to believe, Breiden’s relationship with coach Montgomery is very special and he absolutely wants to visit OU. I’m not saying it’s going to matter or that it will even happen but I will say that the Oklahoma staff have not given up on him. He’s expressed to me repeatedly how important his relationship with coach Montgomery is.

– I also spoke to Torrance Gibson and to people around Torrance. I know it’s been quiet on that end and if you read Gibson’s twitter page it would seem it’s all about the Vols. But someone close to Torrance told me point blank that Torrance is going to visit OU. Torrance himself did not admit to that but he did tell me that Oklahoma is definitely still in the running. If I had to guess at this point I’d say he will take official visits to: Ohio State, Tennessee, Auburn, Oklahoma and then possibly a LSU or a Florida school. Call me the eternal optimist but I haven’t quite given up yet because I know that all the off-season sales pitches start to be a lot harder to make and a lot harder to believe once the season starts and you’ve got to out there and win games. That’s something Oklahoma knows how to do and will probably do a lot of this year.

– Also, I know I told y’all I’d catch up with star DL Tim Settle who has been visiting Oklahoma but unfortunately I had too much other work to do this evening so I’ll try to catch up with him sometime today.

– Lastly, I wanted to add that I’ve confirmed that the OU staff definitely has NOT been in contact with Ohio State LB Mike Mitchell. Mitchell is looking to transfer to be closer to his home in TX. We essentially reported to same thing in yesterday’s post but I got further confirmation after the fact so I just wanted to let y’all know.

UPDATE (12:42 pm): Coach Montgomery is in Utah today visiting a couple of prospects. He is visiting OU offensive tackle target Andre James. He is also visiting OU LB target Osa Masina. Masina is being recruited by Oklahoma as an ILB.

 

93 Comments

  • Doobie74OU says:

    I love my family but it is hard to believe someone would give up a chance to play at OU or any big time school to play with family! Especially so different players. Josh is a 6’3.5″ 280lb OG with asperations of playing pro ball. Max is a 5’10” 170lb DB who’s best quality right now is that he is Josh’s brother. I guess smaller programs and less established programs will just give his brother a Scholly too but can’t see OU being able to give anybody a scholarship that hasn’t yet deserved it! I think it will be hard to pass up the oppertunities OU will provide if they go out and have the kind of season we are expecting!

    • Jim says:

      Sounds all too similar to the Foreman situation last year…

      • Indy_sooner says:

        Just saw your post. Was thinking the same thing

        • Jim says:

          In this case though, I disagree with Super K. The Foremans are athletes (i.e. RB/WR) who are easily replaced. Elite lineman are not. Make the offer to Max, and hope for the best. Hopefully he’s simply a late bloomer who will grow into a monster by the time he reaches college. Looking at Josh (unless they have different fathers – I have no idea), you’d have to think Max could possibly develop into a much larger person. Perhaps even a DL or LB. Who knows.
          Regardless, in this case, I say make the offer and lock up Josh.

  • Jim says:

    Is Josh’s brother, Max, worth an offer?

    • Super K says:

      In my opinion, def not this early.

      • OUZach says:

        What if it secured Josh’s commitment?

        • Zack says:

          The other question is how can josh be sure that whatever school offers his brother is going to continue recruiting him?

          • Doobie74OU says:

            I guess it would be possible because they are not in the same class but I think that would lead Josh to transfer immediatly and be a PR nightmare with recruits in the future! STILL POSSIBLE THOUGH! Sounds like something Petrino might try at Louisville LOL!

        • Indy_sooner says:

          I really doubt that would happen since Bob would be setting some sort of precedence considering a case like Armanti Foreman the WR that switched when UT offered his brother. Not swayed one way or the other, just that it is unlikely.

        • Doobie74OU says:

          Some schools will trade 2 Scholarships for 1 player but I can’t see OU being that school. IMO! Think about all the player we signed late over the past few years. Somebody is not getting a scholarship because of tag along (I know that is a bit harsh but if he has no shot of playing that is essentially what he would be!)

        • Super K says:

          I wouldn’t. Even if he were an OT, which is significantly more rare than an OG, I wouldn’t. I’d spend hours looking through tape finding some other OG prospects (and there are plenty) and I’d bust my butt recruiting them. But definitely wouldn’t let someone dictate terms to me. And I don’t believe Wariboko is trying to do that – it’s just the nature of the situation. If I felt Max could play at Oklahoma I’d offer. If not, best of luck and for your sake I pray you never meet us on the field.

          • SoonerfanTU says:

            Not sure I agree on OT. With our struggles at that spot, if we could land a potential 5* OT, and the staff felt like he had 5* potential, I wouldn’t mind “wasting” a scholarship on his brother. Tough situation. If OU decides not to offer little bro, I hope a team like osu doesn’t pop in and do just that.

      • Jim says:

        I found Max’s film on hudl shortly after my post this morning. He’s definitely not worth an offer right now. He’s a good player with some good instincts, but he is so physically limited right now that any offer to him is obviously with the alterior motive of landing Josh.
        And Petrino will pull Max’s offer the moment he receives Josh’s LOI (should Josh flip). Petrino is a snake, and his history says he’s arguably the least trustable CFB coach in America.

    • Doobie74OU says:

      Totally Agree with Super K! I know it is early but there is nothing spectacular about his film at this point and a 5’10” 170lb DB better have some WOW! factor on tape!

    • wolfbuilder says:

      2016

    • DCinAZ says:

      I think we have pretty good depth at the Guard position so recruiting his brother just to get him would be a no-go in my mind. It’s offensive tackles where we need to start making some noise.

  • Jordan Esco says:

    Losing prominent recruits to Tech & Baylor on consecutive days is not exactly what I signed up for.

    • Doobie74OU says:

      Baylor is not quite as bad to me, they won the conference last year have been on a hot streak lately and have a good thing going with a great coach. Tech is just riding the flavor of the month club bandwagon and when there “sexy” head coach gets a better offer he will ride that West Texas wind right out of town leaving this recruiting class behind!

      • Zack says:

        Yeah but I think Humphrey is a guy we needed and with newsome being linked to stidham and tech that doesn’t bode well for us to get that slot receiver we want. But like others are saying it’s a marathon things will start to go well for ou at some point even if wariboko decides to open up his recruiting.

        • Leroy Jenkins says:

          But isn’t OU also in good shape for Stanley Norman, that stud slot WR from Cali?

          • Zack says:

            Yeah I forgot about him. I think he’s going to junipero Serra so it’s going to be hard to beat out USC I would think. I’m sure other guys will pop up this fall also.

          • Zack says:

            And the new offer Derrick Dillon from Louisiana.

    • Gary Robbins says:

      Agree, now you can add Wariboko.

  • Sooner Ray says:

    It’s a long dang time till signing day. We always find a good crop.

    • Doobie74OU says:

      Amen Sooner Ray you still preaching the word! Recruiting is a marathon not a sprint! Let’s see were OU stands if they put together a season that gets them in the play-off compared to a couple 8-4 teams!

  • Zack says:

    Louisville is smart in offering his brother. I still think wariboko is going to get a 5th star on rivals if that’s the case I guess they are comfortable risking a scholarship for a guy who at this point probably won’t play much at the d1 level.

    • Jordan Esco says:

      Petrino, IMO, would definitely waste (which admittedly might not be the right word as I mean no disrespect to the younger Wariboko) a scholly to get a potential elite interior OL like Josh

      • Zack says:

        We all know petrino is a snake even though he can coach offense as good as anybody. I would like to see ou at least reach out to the younger wariboko and see what potential he has but let’s remember he is under sized now but he’s only a sophomore he could end up 6’0 or so and 200 by the start of his senior year. So hopefully ou is giving him a look.

        • Gary Robbins says:

          I agree with you Zach.I don’t care what they say losing Fehoko, Humphrey, and maybe Wariboko is not a good SIGN. Plus Barnett and Sunderland are not committed. As I said I’m still upset because sucky Texas got Toby Weathersby (off. tackle-I think) who was a huge OU lean. OU needs a big time recruit to commit now, not next February. If I was an opposing coach or commit to another college (Stidham @ Tex. Tech for example) I would be taking full advantage .

  • lovethemsooners says:

    Get on the train or get run over by it.

  • dahldennsull says:

    I’m fine with the Mitchell’s wanting to be closer to home, but don’t that as an excuse of why you aren’t interested in OU when you are going to the Texas Tech spring game. You live in North Dallas, about 150 miles closer to Norman than Lubbock. If he starts visiting SMU, TCU and Baylor that’s fine, but Lubbock is still quite a drive to be traveling to and from often

    • Super K says:

      OU didn’t reach out to him bud.

      • Leroy Jenkins says:

        Is Mitchell an ILB or OLB? Considering we’re thin at ILB, it surprises me we didn’t at least reach out to him.

        • Jordan Esco says:

          He’d definitely be an ILB and an ideal one for OU’s 3-4, IMO. But, alas, that train has left the station.

          • John Garner says:

            I read where he didn’t have the hips to play pass coverage in the B12. If OU is not pursuing, I imagine its because he doesn’t fit their scheme.

  • SoonerPhins says:

    Josh Wariboko situation is looking like the Foreman Twins situation last year… Armanti was the first commit of the class, same with Wariboko. Wanted to play football with his brother and ultimately signed with Texas. Wonder what Wariboko will do.

    • Leroy Jenkins says:

      Bet he officially decommits sometime soon unless we offer his brother. Hate to say that, too.

      • SoonerPhins says:

        If that happens I will say best of luck to him, because after the whole Foreman twin crap I would just let him walk.

      • Ed Cotter says:

        Very much possible. Family ties, as we have seen with Fehoko, can dictate a lot.

  • Leroy Jenkins says:

    It’s still super early regarding recruits. If our defense dominates like everyone expects them to and we win, that’ll help more than anything else.

    It’s promising that a blue-chipper like Tim Settle has visited twice recently. Will it be enough to hold off Bama, tOSU, etc.? Probably not. But then again, my mind says no & my heart says, “Remember Joe Mixon?”

  • AlvinMack55 says:

    I really hope this doesn’t turn out like the Foreman twins’ situation. As of now, the Wariboko bros are on two completely different levels as far as recruiting goes. I hope both brothers end up at OU, but only if they both warrant an offer.

  • BigJoeBrown says:

    I think the fact is OU needs another strong year and a great bowl victory to get back into it in regards of respect in recruiting. Am I surprised OU lost to Baylor and Tech in recruiting, No. I feel like the program lost some charisma and swagger before last season, I guess you could say the Landry Jones era. It looked like not everyone was on the same page. But that team last year, seemed like a team and it showed on the field. The kinda team you want to come play for because they got each other back and know what each other’s doing.
    OU takes care of Baylor and Tortilla Tech this year with some good beat down. They that will help take away some of the recent memory of uprising within the conference.

    • L'carpetron Dookmarriot says:

      What if OU “lost out on” a recruit to whatever school, but replaced that player with another one equally as talented? That wouldn’t be losing out on a recruit.

      I’m not really into losing a prospect. It’s hard to lose something you never had. And switching a verbal commitment from one school to another isn’t equal “having” that prospect.

    • DCinAZ says:

      I see what you’re saying but Baylor and now Tech are reeling in top recruits all of a sudden. Baylor won the conference because OSU lost. ATM had one 10-2 season. Tech has done precisely squat. But the recruits are now flocking to these schools. It seems like we’ve either conceded quite a bit of ground in recruiting the state of Texas, or consolidated our turf down there, I’m not sure which.

      • ToatsMcGoats says:

        It seems to me that all of those schools you mentioned are flavor of the month schools. It reminds me of all the recruits who signed at their respective school because of uni options. If that’s what’s on the minds of these recruits, I’m glad we “miss out” on them. My 8 year old niece chooses her teams by which ever one has the prettiest uniform…

  • EasTex says:

    Fehoko posting that tweet shows he has more class and intellect than those who swarmed here yesterday. Your post was clear and concise.
    Always hate to see a commit change his mind, but if Wariboko wants to play with his brother(wherever that may be) I wish him well.
    There is a new season beginning on 30 Aug and culminates in early Jan. I anticipate another great season and another talent laden recruiting class to follow.

    • Super Keith says:

      Couldn’t agree more. I HATE when fans get upset with the decision an 18 year old kid makes. First, the decision affects the kid’s life for the next 3 or 4 years, and they are the one’s that have to live with the choices they make. Then, to be upset because a kid wants to be with his family, well, that’s just asinine.

      • ToatsMcGoats says:

        I’ve rarely seen people on this site get upset when a kid chooses another school. I think that if anyone did get upset yesterday it was because of the classy fans from Lubbock and their couth…

        • EasTex says:

          They were mostly a troublesome bunch.
          I didn’t notice a single regular here say one negative thing about Fehoko. Seems like a fantastic young man.

      • EasTex says:

        It took me a while to learn that life is about choices. You make the best decision you can with the available information and live with the results.
        I was a young man once, made lots of decisions and not all of them the right ones. I can only nod and smile when I see young men going through the process of being an adult. My advice is always the same, use good judgment.
        Of course that judgment varies from one person to the next.

  • thegoodmagneto(CJ) says:

    Brainiacs, have you caught up with Keke Couter?We were leading with him as of 2 weeks ago. I am not sure if he has the upside of Humphrey but I like him as much or more than Newsome.

  • Scott says:

    You think Josh will be like WTF did I do after his brother gets torched for long TDs playing big time D1 football?

  • Scott says:

    I think Wariboko stays a Sooner IMO. His favorite player is Donald Stephenson, he wears 59 bc of him. We develop our O-Line the best, and he will be close to home.

    • Super K says:

      Scott I m hopeful in the long run that that will be the case as well. Even if there is some ups and downs along the way I’m hopeful he’ll end up at OU. And the bottom line is he hasn’t decommitted yet though we know it’s something he’s thinking about.

  • ND52 says:

    Little brother doesn’t even graduate until 2016. Smart move by UL however, seeing as how they know they can’t beat OU straight-up for big brother.

  • soonermusic says:

    On the subject of recruiting an older brother in order to land the younger brother, there used to be a section on soonersports.com that had interviews with Sooner legends. One of the best was the charismatic Selmons sitting around a table telling stories. Lucious talked about how Lacewell wasn’t too impressed with him when they first met in the hallway. Then a few moments later Lacewell ran into little brother Lee Roy, and Lucious reported that Lacewell came hurrying back to talk to him–his personal stock with Lacewell had suddenly gone way up. ‘Course it turned out Lucious could play, too, but it was pretty entertaining hearing him tell the story.

  • John Garner says:

    Thanx for the updates and the info. Much appreciated.

  • Shelby is a Patriot says:

    Hopefully we will get a commit soon.

  • Super Keith says:

    Surely Mike (Stoops) has evaluated Max Wariboko (or is in the process of evaluation). If the staff doesn’t feel like he can contribute, then offering him just to land Josh isn’t likely to happen.

    I can understand the desire Josh has to play with his brother (I would have loved that opportunity), but I hope he ends up at OU. It’ll work out the way it works out, and we’ll move on.

  • Shifty says:

    Teams can make promises…get you signed then resend the offer to little brother making you unhappy and lose eligibility if you leave…Josh needs to do what’s best for him..perhaps his brothers stock will rise next year and he’ll get an offer but thats a year away and many a buckets of sweat till that time

  • blaster1371 says:

    Can’t say I could trust anything that the Louisville coach says; dude just comes across as a “me first” person.

  • kt-raida says:

    Would hate to lose wariboko, but I OU will be OK. Whats the running back who committed to us then flipped to Notre Dame ??? Don’t think we missed him much.

  • Jason Vos says:

    What are our chances with those Utah recruits mentioned?

  • Leroy Jenkins says:

    Just saw this on Sports Illustrated and thought I’d share. Miami LB Denzel Perryman wore a helmet cam during Miami’s spring game, and it’s pretty neat to watch (especially if you miss playing football). Can’t stand Miami….but this is worth it.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT57T5tDIic#t=74

    • Shelby is a Patriot says:

      That’s awesome! Shows how fast football really is, especially for those of us who have never played.

    • Sooner Ray says:

      Thanks Leroy, I had finally gotten over the fact that I can’t play anymore and you do this. Now I have to go outside and try to tackle a tree! 🙂

    • DCinAZ says:

      Miami’s new unis are pretty damn cool if you guys haven’t seen them.

    • ToatsMcGoats says:

      Seriously, one of the greatest things ever!

  • OU_Sooners says:

    just heard that Wariboko officially decommitted from OU.

    • Gary Robbins says:

      Yeah, just read the article and commented above. We need some good news. A couple of commits would help.

      • OU_Sooners says:

        I don’t think it’s one of those “I’m looking for something better” as much as it is just keeping his recruitment open. Also trying to get his brother some good looks. In the end, he’ll sign where he’ll be productive and get some early playing time. Which could likely be OU.

    • Shelby is a Patriot says:

      Welp, that sucks.

  • Gary Robbins says:

    Just read on another site that Wariboko has de-committed from OU. OU coaches have known about his decision for about 1 week. Like Super K or somebody said og is not as critical as offensive tackle. His parents were OU graduates. 2nd year in a row that OU has lost their first commit in part to a desire to play with their brother.

  • Stephen says:

    There goes Wariboko, feels like OU’s recruiting is in a slump right now. No good news, a lot of bad news.

  • Shelby is a Patriot says:

    Don’t worry guys, it all work out in the end when we make the playoffs and go on to win number 8. 😉

    • Zack says:

      It is just April. I worry more about shannon than a recruiting target. We know shannon could help this team and so to me that’s more of an issue.