Open Post|Wednesday Jan. 22nd (Updated 10:15 am)

We don’t plan on doing these open posts everyday but when there are a few bits of information we’ll go ahead and create the post. Again, please comment or email us if you’re not really enjoying them or would prefer we use a different format. We will add separate posts to elaborate or add commentary when we feel it’s necessary or we have something to add.

– Last night Kendal Thompson announced that he will indeed be transferring. Can’t blame the young man, with Trevor lighting it up in the Sugar bowl he put a choke hold on that position for the foreseeable future. And Kendal clearly has talent. He just needs an opportunity. I’m excited to see what he can do.

– Also, last night offensive tackle Lukayus McNeil decommitted from Louisville. The Indy Star did a story about it and it contains a number of quotes that you’ll want to check out HERE. When I read that article it sounded like Indiana would be tough to beat. Of course it’s an Indiana based paper so they certainly aren’t going to make the home-state school sound bad but there is no denying that distance and familiarity are good selling points. We know JY prefer’s Lukayus’ as a prospect over Frison so he’s hoping we get him, though we know he’d be fine with both. Again, we have another case of someone taking a visit (Luk was at Indiana this past weekend) and then immediately decommitting.

– Also, last night offensive tackle Ty Barrett announced his decommitment from TCU. Interestingly, he has a UCF visit coming up this weekend. He also visited Arizona State last weekend. Apparently he was there with Kenyon Frison. That makes a third decommitment happening almost immediately following a visit (Frison, Barrett and McNeil). They’re selling something over there at ASU! Not sure if OU will try to throw their hat back in the ring but I suspect we’ll find out shortly.

– A 2015 DE to keep an eye on is Mufi Hunt. Should have a write-up about him a little bit later.

– Also, got word that OU is looking around for a DL in the 2014 class. It’s not certain but with the qualification issues, they’ve definitely got their eyes on the situation and are making sure they’ve got some premium talent to grab up in case there are one too many guys that don’t qualify. I’ve heard from one too many people now that unfortunately things aren’t looking great for Brandon Glenn.

– However related to that DL note above Oklahoma might be doing something they don’t typically do. There is talk in the JUCO ranks that Oklahoma is considering placing the kids that don’t qualify. If that happens then it should tell you just how much Oklahoma likes the guys they’ve got. I haven’t seen this kind of “we evaluate our own talent” type mentality on the defensive side of the ball at OU since Coach Mike Stoops was here in the early 2000s. It’s refreshing.

– Related to that I talked to someone and it appears that Dowels was indeed at the top of the pecking order. Dowels did get the correct grades in to Oklahoma earlier this week but unfortunately he’s still a bit off. We’re confident he’ll qualify but it won’t be done by signing day and Oklahoma is trying to ensure that everyone they take is in by signing day. Additionally, as I mentioned yesterday it appears Oklahoma only wanted one more CB (or at least that’s the case right now) and they got Jordan Thomas.

– And talked to Jonathan Alvarez a little yesterday and he confirmed that OU is indeed going to be working on upgrades including a new workout facility. We’ve got a few notes about that which will be up later today.

UPDATE (10:15 am):  A few weeks back we mentioned that coach Heupel was going to visit Decatur Central’s 2015 QB, Tommy Stevens. Tommy plays on the same team as Lukayus McNeil. I confirmed with Decatur Central’s head coach that coach Heupel did indeed go by and visit Tommy and he watched him throw. I asked the HC whether he felt coach Heupel liked Stevens and he said he believed Heupel did indeed like what he saw from Stevens in person. Perhaps Stevens is a name to watch.

61 Comments

  • Sooner Ray says:

    The line recruits for 2015 look pretty good but I worry about the depth for 2014. Hope there were some red shirt linemen who can put out some quality play until we get a solid hold on those positions.

    • Super K says:

      Yeah would great if we could bring in at least one true LT this year

      • Tman says:

        So this isnt a recruiting question but really just a pure football question. What is the difference between a LT and a RT besides which side of the line they line up on? Or put differently, why might a linemen be more suited for RT but not suited for LT?

        • Chris Pedersen says:

          Lt protects blind side for righty qbs…typically built to handle the best pash rushers…have longer arms more athletic etc

        • Glocal Sooner says:

          Good question. I emailed and asked JY what makes someone a good Center, Guard or Tackle as opposed to the other position. I thought about sending another email asking your question.

    • Atlantasooner says:

      If OU strikes out on Frison and McNeil and does not add someone else late at LT. Then you have to hope that Daimler was one last hit out the door by Patton. Or you can move Grant this spring and he can quickly get up to 275/280 range by fall to get into the rotation at tackle.
      Then again, OU could sign a big time impact juco mid term OT this december. And St. John and this other JUCO OT man the tackle spots letting the young OTs from 2013/2014/2015 develop.

      • Jake says:

        Im hoping if they strike out there that they will finally offer Hill. That makes him something like option D, but I bet he won’t care as long as theres a scholarship there!!

  • bmrsnr says:

    Read on another board that ASU is negatively recruiting us pretty hard. Did you get that impression from your interviews with Hayes?

    • Gregor says:

      That should be an easy sell!

      ASU coach: “Why would you want to go Oklahoma and be just another All-American or Heisman/Thorpe/Outland/Lombardi/Butkus/Maxwell/Walker/[name your award here] candidate? Why would you want to be guaranteed to win ten games in the “down years”? You don’t really want to play in that whole “4 team playoff” thingy anyway, do you?

      Sure they beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl when no one thought they would be within two touchdowns at the end of the game, but we LOST our bowl game to a team that also got beat by Oklahoma. So, it’s kind of the same!

      Also, don’t forget we stole Jackie Shipp away from Bob Stoops after Stoops fired him for not doing his job for six years.

      So, you can either go to Oklahoma and play for championships or you can come to Arizona State and watch Oklahoma play for championships. The choice is yours.

      Did I mention the palm trees?”

      Like I said, easy sell.

      • thegoodmagneto(CJ) says:

        Love this!!!!!!!Made me laugh at work man..Thanks!

      • Billy Jackson says:

        Brilliant!

      • Shelby is a Patriot says:

        I remember flying into Phoenix (on my way to Tucson) and thinking how ugly it is.

        • Gregor says:

          Yeah, definitely not my cup o’ tea. But I can’t fault anyone. I love Oklahoma even though it is flat, without a bunch trees and with muddy water.

      • SoonerInNorCal says:

        Great write up.
        The only thing you omitted it the ONE thing that ASU has going for it…all the time…

        “Have you see our insanely hot co-eds?? And they ALWAYS have to wear summer dresses ‘cuz it’s always summer around here.”

        • Gregor says:

          Fair point.

          I guess it’s a preference thing. I like seasons. It gets hot in Oklahoma and the clothes come off. It gets cold in Oklahoma and we get to take the clothes off. NOW THAT is the fun part.

          One thing that Norman, Oklahoma does not lack is insanely hot co-eds. To the point that I now embarrass my 17 year old by pointing them out. I am sure that I should have some shame because they are closer to his age, than mine. But for some reason(the fact that I will be eternally a 19 year old) there is no shame in this game.

          If I only knew then, what I know now…. Well, it wouldn’t matter, I am still a dweeb.

    • tsou89 says:

      Wonder if that negative talk is coming from a former OU coach? Maybe we should remind our recruits also interested in ASU that their bowl game didn’t go so good for them!

    • Billy Jackson says:

      There’s a lot of SEC-esque about Todd Graham. And I don’t mean that in the most flattering light.

    • Super K says:

      To a degree. I mentioned it on here. D told me that ASU played the whole “OU has too many backs and they’re going to be getting more backs, etc.” He said OU never said anything like that. Not necessarily bashing but I think it tells you that they are willing to recruit using a perceived negative about another school as opposed to simply selling the positives that they have.

  • soonerfan4life07 says:

    What does it mean to be “considering placing the kids that don’t qualify” in JUCO? I’ve never heard that phrase before. Does that somehow give us an advantage in the future with those kids? Will we not have to recruit them all over again when they are ready and able to qualify for D1? Also I love what you guys are doing here and this has fast become one of my favorite sites and one that I check several times a day.

    • Jordan Esco says:

      They did something similar w/ Metoyer when he didn’t initially qualify and they “placed” him at Hargrave. It’s something schools do to both help the kid and themselves in keeping that relationship in-tact so that when it comes around again, assuming they do qualify, they’ll commit to you again.

      Of course once a kid goes JUCO, it’s open season w/ respect to his recruitment. Even if a school “places” a kid at a JUCO, that school has no hold on him.

      • soonerfan4life07 says:

        So they say “this is the school we think you should go to. the one that will help you the most in developing your game to fit our system and help you get your grades up” and then once it’s time to recruit that kid again they’ve got a presumed advantage over everyone else?

        • Jordan Esco says:

          Correct. Although I think the ‘fit our system’ aspect would really be more of a bonus. Schools tend to develop relationships w/ certain JUCOs/staffs, so when needed they direct kids to that particular school/s.

        • Super K says:

          It can also mean that the coaches have a good relationship on the down low with someone on that JUCO staff and they know the kid will be taken care of and when the school re-recruits the kid, that coach won’t allow OU or whatever school it is to get trashed by other schools. There are very few contracts in this business so the best way to recruit is through good relationships.

          • Alex Ehlers says:

            I wonder if the coaches would consider placing someone at Iowa Western C.C? Montgomery was IWCC HC Scott Strohmeier’s DC when they were at North Iowa Area C.C. IWCC was also allowed to practice at OU facilities this fall before their opener at Trinity Valley C.C.

          • Alex Ehlers says:

            This makes me wonder if OU would ever consider placing someone at Iowa Western CC? Montgomery was IWCC HC Scott Strohmeier’s DC in 2005 when they were at North Iowa Area CC. They’ve obviously kept in touch because IWCC practiced at OU facilities before their game at Trinity Valley CC this season.

  • Gary Robbins says:

    D. Williams and T. Metoyer were dismissed, K. Thompson is transferring, B. Glenn (2014 grades) might not make it. Would this free up 4 more scholarships for OU in 2014? Is this how Tennessee plans to offer 35 scholarships this year?

    • Super K says:

      Not sure but SEC territory has A LOT of issues with eligibility. If the SEC territory could better ensure kids eligibility the talent coming out of there would be even more ridiculous that it already is.

      • Randy Grant says:

        That is one of the main reason SC doesn’t get recruited heavier than it does….plenty of talent in such a small state but eligibility always seems to come into play with way too many of those talented kids…..hope to see that improve in the future

    • Jordan Esco says:

      Can’t speak to Tenn’s situation, but OU w/ the expectation of 28 for OU in this 2014 class they’ve been operating above their 85 allotment for some time.

      Based on my math and assuming they know things we don’t w/ respect to how they get to 85, I think you’re looking at five primary guys to close out this year’s class.

      Parker, Quick, Clark, Frison, and Garnett.

      Maybe something happens that allows them room for another guy (maybe even two), but right now I think that’s what you’re looking at.

  • Atlantasooner says:

    Love Mufi Hunt’s film. Only issue for OU is that he looks like a 4-3 DE. Course it’s still very early so that 6-6, 215 rail thin frame of his could bulk to 255/260 range to play DE for OU

    • Super K says:

      My biggest concern is his ability to turn the corner. Just doesn’t look like he leans well but I don’t know how much they work the “hoops”. Elite first step. And I agree…no brainer in a even front. I’ll post my write up later today or tomorrow. Will be interested to hear your thoughts once you read it bud.

    • JY says:

      You think he could play olb for us ATL?

      • Atlantasooner says:

        In the role that they are projecting for Bond and down the line hopefully Clark? Yes.

  • j l says:

    Is barnett the DL we are looking to add for the 2014 class, or are they talking about adding another?

    • Super K says:

      Jalin Barnett is a 2015 kid. They are trying hard to get either Kenyon Frison or Lukayus McNeil.

      • j l says:

        I meant courtney garnett, not barnett lol. I was referring to the section about wanting to add a 2014 DL.

        • Jordan Esco says:

          Garnett is a guy I’m assuming they are already counting on, so I’m guessing K meant another possible DL in addition to Garnett (if the numbers allow it).

          • j l says:

            hmm, any idea who we might go after? havent heard any other DT’s really being pursued. Love the site by the way, one of the writers at B/R recommended it to me, and ive been here every day since. Keep up the good work!

          • Jordan Esco says:

            I don’t, K might. My assumption would be a bigger, 3-4 style DE as I believe they’re happy w/ where they’re at re: DT (assuming Phillips can come back).

          • j l says:

            well clark certainly fits that mold, but im not sure if hes talking about him or someone else.

          • Gary Robbins says:

            Jordan, you or Super K might have some insight on the Junior day coming up for OU. The list looks good at this time. My question is what do they do at Junior days? Are the kids measured, weighed, timed, etc. or is it more of an informative type class presented by the coaches?

          • Jordan Esco says:

            It’s generally a chance to meet w/ the football staff, academic advisers, tour the facilities/campus, they might even watch some film w/ the kids. I don’t believe they measure them, more just a chance to see them in person and gauge if the info listed on recruiting sites is close to accurate.

            It’s obviously also a chance to offer some kids in-person if they don’t already hold an OU offer.

  • Steve Johns says:

    Tommy Stevens has a lot of upside. Video shows the need to improve on his footwork, tends to throw off his front at times and loses some zip/accuracy. Runs the read option good though!

  • kt-raida says:

    I like the open post! This site is all that!

    • soonerinks says:

      Absolutely, love it. There are a lot of good knowledgeable posters on here and really like reading their posts. Whoever’s idea it was needs an attaboy, for sure. Love this site and it is the first one I read everyday and now I check in multiple times daily.

    • JY says:

      Thank ya…thank ya very much

  • Atlantasooner says:

    Tommy Stevens’ junior year film is up on HUDL. The highlights show a very mobile QB very adept at the zone read run game. He’s got good speed and has a natural feel for running the ball. Not a lot of passing highlights. He shows some nice escape moves while still looking down field and completing passes. He show some nice touch on deep throws. What you don’t see is the limits/degree of his arm velocity/strength. I wouldn’t call it a weakness more of an unknown at this point.

    • Shelby is a Patriot says:

      Just watched it. I wish he threw more, and I’m no expert but his throwing motion seemed a bit odd, I don’t know. Agreed on him being a good mobile QB, but he leaves to pocket sometimes when he doesn’t need to. Also seems like the type who never wants to give up on a play and throw it away when he needs to. I would like to see him throwing more from the pocket, standing tall despite any pressure.

    • Adrian says:

      Watched and I wasn’t wowed but he is a good quarterback. it’s also his Junior year so the change could be huge, but since Heupel goes after one quarterback per class I would like his top choice to be Torrance Gibson.

  • Shelby is a Patriot says:

    So I’m guessing that Thompson transferring means we’ll be look at QBs in the 2015 class (like Stevens)? I had the impression we wouldn’t but now things have changed, I guess.

    • Sooner Ray says:

      I’ve always heard they want a QB in every class but it wasn’t really needed this year because we happen to be very young there right now.

      • Jordan Esco says:

        You’re right in that their (and most other schools) general policy is to take a QB in every class. Just as they did in 2014 w/ Justice Hansen.

  • James D-Space says:

    It seems we’ve been in on or missed out on some kids that chose ASU over OU. Gotta hand it to Coach Graham, that guy is a natural born salesman. He could sell ice cubes to Esikimos. I met he and Coach B while both coached at TU when my son was getting recruited. Coach B was awesome, Coach Graham…