Open Post | Weekend, July 18th – 20th (UPDATE Sun., 8:52 am)

Image of Tyrell Jacobs via highschoolsports.nola.com

Tyrell Jacobs: Caught up with Tyrell Jacobs earlier this week. He continues to pick up offers and just yesterday received another, this time from Arkansas. Jacobs will be leaving New Orleans for Norman on Saturday night and expects to meet with the coaches on Monday. We asked Tyrell what the chances are of him committing on this trip and he said, “it’s a high chance.” It would be a huge pickup for the Sooners if the commitment were to come to fruition.

Neville Gallimore: Gallimore still intends on visiting Oklahoma, but as far as we know a date has not yet been confirmed. In talking to Neville’s coach, he still feels that while a top schools list has not been released, Oklahoma and Ohio State are in good shape with Neville.

Justin Reid: We first mentioned this star safety prospect a couple months back (here). As noted yesterday, we reported (in error) that Bobby Jack Wright visited Reid back in the spring. But in talking to Reid, he clarified that it was in fact Jerry Montgomery who had visited.

When we spoke with him yesterday it was clear he is excited about the Oklahoma offer, and told us that he did plan on taking an official visit to Norman. He said Montgomery and the other OU coaches are asking him to try and make it in the weekend of the Tennessee game. As most of you have heard by now, Reid is the younger brother of former LSU safety and San Francisco 49ers DB, Eric Reid. With Justin holding a 4.7 gpa and 28 ACT score, and hist brother being in California, it made us wonder whether Stanford would be the favorite if they offered.

Stanford has been recruiting Justin and it sounds like he expects an offer to come soon. So would the Stanford offer be a game changer? According to Reid, not necessarily. Justin said that he’s very enamored by the appeal of a major football program…”the atmosphere, the crowd, the hype…” He said that’s something he knows exists at Oklahoma.

Now I know a lot of you are wondering what happens if LSU were to offer. Well here’s the deal. In talking to our sources we’ve been told that LSU likes Reid, but they are full at safety right now. We definitely get the sense that Oklahoma could potentially get a big-time steal out of the state of Louisiana if things go right.

If you haven’t already seen his film, do yourself a favor and click play.

Kenneth Mann: Caught up with 2015 Texas DE and recent OU offer Kenneth Mann again yesterday, and confirmed that he will be visiting Norman next Wednesday. We asked Mann if there was any chance he’d commit on his visit, and he said, “I’m not sure yet.” So it sounds like the possibility of it is at least on his mind with him not immediately ruling it out.

OU Recruiting Note: You may have noticed that a lot of the recruiting efforts this year have focused on players up front on both the OL and DL. We were talking to a source recently and he said this is intentional. While every program has to fill needs, he said they are really focusing their recruiting efforts up front and not so much on skill positions which is, to some degree, what OU fans are more used to in recent classes. We’re used to seeing a QB, a couple RBs, and few WRs already committed at this time in recent years. But this year it’s going to be more about the big boys, TEs, OL, DL & LBs.

Samaje Perine: Heard Perine did a standing back flip (at 240+ pounds) a week or two ago in practice. Was told that the coaches would have been ticked, but they were just too impressed.

Josh Butler: Came across this 2015 Texas corner who is really impressive. Everything you want to see in a CB you can see in the first minute or so of his film.

Ashton Preston (OK Preps): Mentioned yesterday that 2015 Edmond DB Ashton Preston will be attending the Texas invite only camp this weekend. He was at the Houston satellite camp in Kilgore yesterday, and I had a chance to speak to a friend who is a DB coach that was in attendance. He said he was really impressed with Ashton. He said Preston is a “true cover corner.” Apparently he shut down all comers and thoroughly impressed the Houston staff. Talked to a source here in Houston and while they are currently full, he said the UH coaches may actually still extend an offer to Preston because of how impressed they were.

– UPDATE (Fri., 11:00 am): Just wanted to post this here for those that may not be on Twitter and/or those who are and may have missed it.

I (Jordan) think it is relevant regardless, but obviously with the Jacobs nugget above I think it helps put in perspective just how focused the coaches are on the state of Louisiana. I think it also somewhat dispels the narrative in recent years that they (the OU coaches) have backed off the state of Texas.

UPDATE (Sat., 7:30 am): John Humphrey attended the Texas camp last night. We caught up with him after the camp and an offer was not extended. And though Texas coaches said they will catch up with him on Sunday he said, “I’m not too happy about Texas right now”. We’ll see if an offer is made on Sunday.

– UPDATE (9:35 am): Quick item of note on 2015 JUCO OT Jamal Danley. Probably shouldn’t be surprised that after a visit Mississippi State would make up some ground. To be honest, after the eight (!!!) commits Dan Mullen and his staff got yesterday, OU is probably fortunate that Danley wasn’t one of them.

– UPDATE (8:52 am): Just a quick update on Tyrell Jacobs who looks to be well on his way to Norman for his visit.

https://twitter.com/tyrelljacobs98/status/490806782680633344

 

 

 

244 Comments

  • John Garner says:

    Ashton and OU = no contact or interest? Surprised. Reid sounds like another Steven Parker. Great get if we can. Thanx again!

    • Gary Robbins says:

      Good news about Ashton’s improvement, but afraid it’s a numbers game in the OU defensive backfield at present time.

  • Dr. Doobie says:

    Great work K. You guys do amazing job!

    First time I have watched Reid’s film. This kid would be a HUGE pick up if we can reel him in. Always seems to be in the right spot. Love the fact he is an intelligent kid. Film reminds me a lot of Stephen Parker, but a bigger version. I sure hope we can snag him, regardless of Haughten or Sunderland! Still waiting on the McKinley offer!!!

    • Doobie74OU says:

      Ball Hawking Safety with quite a bit of NASTY in his game. I’ll take one of those every year!

  • Jim says:

    Need to steal Reid
    Perine…I’m about out of words to explain my excitement for this guy. I mean, Ford, Ross, Perine, Mixon….that’s just flat ridiculous!

  • Dr. Doobie says:

    Jacobs would be a huge pick up if he commits on his visit!! Do you know how many DL they plan on taking this class? Sounds like we are in a great spot for several big time talents.

    • Jim says:

      Kid has some good instincts, but he comes off the ball way too high, way too often –> in his “highlight” film. That’s at least coachable though. The awareness instincts he possesses are what will separate him from others, if he gets his pads down.

      • Sonny Schovanec says:

        Comes off the ball “way too high”. Huh? Did you watch the same film I did? Sheesh you think he needs to be in a four point stance and stay there? His pad level is fine IMHO. Jacobs is a legit 6’4″ and engaging with kids under 6’0″. Jacobs is a animal. OU will be doing well to get him.

      • Sonny Schovanec says:

        Just watched Jacobs film again. His pad level at 6’4″ is lower then some 5’9″ kids. Not trying to be an a$$ but Jacobs pad level is fine.

    • Sonny Schovanec says:

      Agreed Doobie. This kid is a beast.

  • Zack says:

    Would be nice if Jacobs and Mann were on campus at the same time maybe that would convince these kids to commit together. That would be huge to have 3 commits this soon.

    • Gary Robbins says:

      I’m looking for 2 commits in July and 2 more in August. The Tennessee game is shaping up as a monster game for recruits and players already committed.

  • Eric Hoffpauir says:

    It’s really great to hear about the efforts on the line. It’s hard for our big RB recruits to run if they don’t have holes, and harder still for a QB to complete a pass to our talent at WR if they have a DL in their face. And it’s easier for our secondary to clean up if the DL can be disruptive and/or a wall in the front!

  • Jim says:

    Wow on Butler!! Not elite speed, but ridiculous change of direction quickness. Very physical as well. Me likely. Me likely a lot!!

  • SoonerPhins says:

    I really like how Jacob’s uses his hand to shed blocks and get the to QB/RB. He seems to be undervalued but looks like an explosive player with good hands. Also it seems Louisiana has a lot of great DBs and Safeties year in and year out. Hoping OU gets that pipeline established.

  • SoonerfanTU says:

    What position does Jacobs slot into at OU?

    • Zack says:

      Probably DE.

      • Gary Robbins says:

        Read on 247 Sports where Que Overton out of Jenks went from #149 to 98 best overall.

      • Jordan Esco says:

        I’d agree w/ Zach. Unless he can put on a ton of weight, probably not gonna be a NG in a 3-4.

        • Gary Robbins says:

          Didn’t Super K mention at one time that T. Jacobs was coming with his parents. That’s always a positive sign.

        • Zack says:

          And more than likely they stick with the 3 man front but if they did ever switch the the 4-3 again then Jacobs could be one of the tackles but stoops likes the versatility of the 3-4.

          • Jordan Esco says:

            Yeah, one has to think the 3-4 is here to stay for some time as they are now recruiting more towards that. So switching back would changes things fairly drastically and potentially set them back on the field w/ mismatch personnel.

          • Josh says:

            I coach in a 3-4 scheme so obviously I’m partial and glad it is what the Sooners are using. The key to it being successful is being able and willing to be versatile which I believe is one of Coach Mikes strengths. I like what they are doing with Striker and Grissom… the more options the better. Being able to mix and match to not only put the best 11 on the field but then to also be able to customize your game plan and switch personnel up based on playing an Alabama vs say a Baylor is what really has me excited about this defense.

  • bjwalker82 says:

    My goodness. Who do we even start at RB? We’re so stacked, I get a feeling someone will transfer. Perine is a stud, Mixon is a stud, Ford is a beast, and Ross is a monster.

    • SoonerPhins says:

      Ross needs to unleash that monster this year.

    • Brian says:

      No one will transfer…plenty of carries/touches to go around. Plus, you almost always deal with some kind of injury at a position like RB…Hope we don’t though (knock on wood!)

      • Boom says:

        I watched some OU games from last year again and kept seeing the same pattern. Used Clay/Williams a lot with some Ford but in the 4Q, they used Finch as a change of pace. Also, he was fresh and gashed the defenses who were tired. I see Stoops/Gundy doing a lot of the same this year with Ford/Ross and then coming in the 4Q with Mixon/Brooks. Brooks is a lot like Finch but with more size so there are definitely options galore.

        • Zack says:

          Unless something happens perine will get the most carries this year. I think ford will be the starter and ross will get his shot next during the opener but perine if he’s as good as advertised will become the starter.

          • Boom says:

            Perine will not start unless he’s the next AD. Not to many of those around. Stoops goes with older guys who have been in the system. The biggest key to getting on the field as a RB for Stoops is 2 things. Blocking & not fumbling. Mess up either of those and you will be on sidelines.

          • Zack says:

            Stoops doesn’t mess with Cale gundy and his backs. Cale gundy decides who’s earned playing time each week. Perine is getting a lot of praise.

          • Boom says:

            Zack, I’m sure if Big Bob wanted someone to start, he would discuss it with Cale but call that shot.

          • Zack says:

            I think he trusts Cale to go with what Cale sees is best. There’s a ton of stories/comments/interviews saying Cale calls the shots as far as running backs. If he had a clear cut number on guy then that would be his starter and get the bulk of the carries. I’m just betting perine is as special as advertised. Therefore I think he will become the leader somewhere in the middle of the season.

          • paganpink says:

            There’s just no reason to pay assistant coaches big money and then NOT trust their judgment. Only control freak coaches try to micromanage everything and almost never are able to juggle all those balls at once. And how does the asst. coach feel when he’s overridden on the most basic measure of his ability- the ability to pick the best players.

          • Super Keith says:

            Perine may be earning a lot of praise, but he hasn’t played a down of padded practice, let alone a game. I’m really hoping the kid is going to be excellent, but I think it may be a little early to appoint him the workhorse of the offense.

          • Zack says:

            That’s a fair point. But ross and ford have had that opportunity and neither of them seized it to where I would be convinced perine can’t take that from them.

          • Boom says:

            Lets see, Ross has had maybe 5 carries to seize the opportunity. Clay became the workhorse after Williams was booted. Clay ran tuff was reliable, and didn’t fumble. Ford had spot duty in a heavy SR backfield. Again, through history, Cale goes with the experienced back. AD didn’t start till late in his freshman season and didn’t play every down.

          • Bob Bender says:

            http://www.footballnation.com/content/adrian-peterson-heads-list-college-footballs-greatest-freshman/11449

            Adrian Peterson Heads List Of College Football’s Greatest Freshman

            By
            Shawn Kopf

            November 30, 2011 8:25 pm

            565 Views 0 Comments

            With so
            many freshman doing outstanding things this year, its hard to rank them within
            college freshman’s all time great seasons. It is especially hard because some of
            the greats are left out (Lawrence Taylor and The Fridge) because certain
            defensive statistics were not kept back then. Clemson wide receiver Sammy
            Watkins’ numbers this year should put him in this list, but even he missed the
            cut.

            Here are my five top freshman seasons in college football
            history.

            5. 2002: Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver,
            Pittsburgh
            It’s hard to actually put his dominance of college
            football in numbers when he was there. He led the Big East in receptions with
            69, was second in yards with 1,005, and 8th nationally in touchdowns
            with 12. But what is funny about his touchdown ranking is that he was
            7th in the Big East in touchdowns. Sammy Watkins did not have as many
            top receivers to compete with as did Fitzgerald did. To name a few receivers
            with 1,000+ yards in 2002 are Jerricho Cotchery, Reggie Williams, Lee Evans,
            Kevin Curtis, Rashaun Woods, Charles Rodgers, Andre Johnson, and Braylon
            Edwards. A majority of those names play on Sundays.

            4. 2000:
            Timmy Chang, Quarterback, Hawaii
            Before Case Keenum was breaking
            every passing record in sight, Chang was throwing all over every team in the
            Western Athletic Conference. Nationally, he was fourth in completion percentage
            (52.2), 10th in passing yards (3,041), and second in passing
            touchdowns (19). Funniest NCAA record Chang holds? He is the current holder of
            the FBS’s all-time interception record (80.)

            3. 2006: Dan
            Lefevour, Quarterback, Central Michigan
            This kid was Tim Tebow a
            second too late. In his freshman season, Lefevour was first in the MAC in
            completion percentage (63.7), passing yards (3,031), and passing touchdowns
            (26). Why is he ahead of Chang? He did all this while rushing for 521 yards and
            seven TDs. Had Lefevour been born a year before or three years after Tebow, this
            kid would also be a household name.

            2. 1980: Herschel Walker,
            Running Back, Georgia
            There wasn’t a more dominant running back of
            his time than Walker. Aside from running over the entire SEC, literally, when he
            left for the pro’s he had almost every rushing record in college football, not
            to mention every statue that went along with it. But his freshman year is when
            he broke onto the scene. Walker average 5.9 yards per carry while rushing for
            1,616 yards and 15 touchdowns. He finished third in the Heisman voting, as a
            freshman, was SEC player of the year, and a Consensus
            All-American.

            1. 2004, Adrian Peterson, Running Back,
            Oklahoma
            He was the definition of unstoppable in Norman, and he
            literally put the entire Sooner team on his back. More of a workhorse than Ricky
            Williams was for the New Orleans Saints, Peterson shattered nearly every
            freshman rushing record. He led the nation in rushing attempts (339), was third
            in the NCAA in rushing yards (1,925), fourth in yards from scrimmage (1,937),
            all while being a Consensus All-American and finishing second in the Heisman
            voting. The only thing missing was the BCS National Championship Trophy, that
            Heisman winner Matt Leinart took home with his USC Trojans.

            It is hard
            to list just five great freshman seasons because so many performances come to
            mind. Maurice Clarett’s National Championship season of 2002 comes to mind. If
            they tracked sacks back in the day, I’m sure Lawrence Taylor and William “The
            Fridge” Perry would rank near the top of my list. But for now, you have to
            settle with two of the most dominant running backs to play in college and a
            Hawaiian who was arrested on suspicion of robbery in 2009.

          • Perry Dickey says:

            AD didn’t start his first game. Kejuan did. Of course he came in, in the second half, and the rest is easy

    • Gary Robbins says:

      Plus coming in next year is R. Anderson rated the 110 best player according to 247 Sports. Also D. Brooks and D. Smith are excellent players in their own rights.

    • Josh says:

      The key to playing time is going to be versatility. I see them using a lot of the Joker or two back formation as well as the Diamond formation with three backs and wanting to go to the HUNH and not needing to sub anyone. Whichever backs are the most complete as a runner/blocker/receiver will see the field the most. You could come out in a 3 back/2 WR set w/ no TE w/ Flowers or Perine as one back, Ross or Ford as the other and Mixon as the 3rd, and the defense would have no clue who was the main threat. Then w/out subbing you could easily switch to 11 personnel using Flowers/Perine as the TE/H-Back and move Mixon to the slot.. Now you have a 3 WR set w/ a TE and 1 RB and the defense can’t sub! Could be scary good!!

      • soonermusic says:

        It wouldn’t surprise me if the offensive formations are pretty basic, at least at the beginning. Even though the personnel seems like a coach’s/fan’s dream for multiple and complex formations, nobody has much game experience and I would expect Gundy to keep it fairly simple for a while.

        • Josh says:

          That’s the beauty of the Joker and Diamond formations, they are actually very simple to run and many High Schools run these formations as early as the freshman level. You can run all the most basic of running plays: trap, power, iso, belly, gut, stretch, sweep, counter, but you have a balanced formation to do it from and more threats in the backfield, nobody for the defense to key on. In the Diamond formation with a running QB you have 4 threats to run the ball.

  • ToatsMcGoats says:

    It’s hard to tell if the competition is low for Tyrell Jacobs, or if he is indeed a 10 ft., 2 ton man/monster who can palm a medicine ball.

    • Super K says:

      Rummel plays against some excellent competition.

      • Boom says:

        K, if we take 3 DE’s which of these 5 would do you see with the most upside. Here’s my order, Gallimore, Campbell/Jacobs, Mann, Lampkin. I need to see Campbell’s film again because Jacobs looks good.
        Also, any buzz on the ILB Jaylan Waters?

      • ToatsMcGoats says:

        Then he looks fantastic! Yet another great find for the coaching staff. If you guys had a direct line to the staff, I’m sure there would be some sort of penalty for unfair advantages!

        • EasTex says:

          In his film, the game being played in the Super Dome is the La. State championship game.

          • ToatsMcGoats says:

            The part that had me wondering was the part where he was up against the team running the up tempo no-huddle offense. He was throwing their center around like a rag doll!

  • JB says:

    – OU Recruiting Note: You may have noticed that a lot of the recruiting efforts this year have focused on players up front on both the OL and DL. We were talking to a source recently and he said this is intentional. While every program has to fill needs, he said they are really focusing their recruiting efforts up front and not so much on skill positions which is, to some degree, what OU fans are more used to in recent classes. We’re used to seeing a QB, a couple RBs, and few WRs already committed at this time in recent years. But this year it’s going to be more about the big boys, TEs, OL, DL & LBs.

    That is music to my ears. This is what I’ve been bitching about on other boards before I found TFB. We recruit too damn many skill players and not enough linemen (both sides) and have run into depth problems as a result. I’m glad to see the emphasis here.

    In my mind, it’s really simple; if you control the line of scrimmage, you control the game. I hate the Dallas Cowboys with a passion, so I think my evaluation is pretty objective here: what made them great was their offensive line was the best in the NFL for a couple of years, and their defensive line was definitely top 2-3. They had some skilled playmakers on offense like Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith. Irvin was elite, and Smith was a heck of a good running back. But Emmitt Smith wasn’t even the best running back playing at that time, Barry Sanders was. If Barry had that OL to work with, it’s just scary to think what kind of numbers he would have put up. It’s already scary how many yards he put up in the run & shoot with no leading fullback. And as a result of that great OL, mediocre WRs like Alvin Harper, solid TEs like Jay Novacek and big slow fullbacks without particularly good running skills like Daryl Johnston looked like world beaters. You could have put an average RB like Rashad Jennings or Lamar Miller behind that OL and they’d have 1,000 yard seasons every time.

    Don’t get me wrong; I’m glad we signed some big, tall WRs, and I’m glad we’ve got a stable of young but talented running backs at our disposal. Now it’s time to get those guys some blocks that can spring them for many big runs. I thought our OL, in spite of being piecemeal due to injuries, did quite well yesterday and gave our QBs time to throw. This should only make us better.

    • Doobie74OU says:

      Absolutely Agree! I was posting about this a week ago and talking about Alabama being on top for so long because they have a top 3 OL & DL class every year. If you got the elite big boys you can get by with pretty good skill players. As a fan of those Dallas teams you were talking about I agree with your assessment of them as well! You can have All Star talent at QB RB WR S CB but if you are week up front you are just asking to be a mediocre team!

      • SoonerCindy says:

        A great example of that is what Sam Bradford has been able to do at the Rams. It is disappointing to see such a great quarterback have to struggle like he has because of no protection. (And lack of receiver talent of course)

        • SoonerPhins says:

          When being selected #1 overall you know you are going into a bad situation. Plus the Rams have to face the NFLs best defenses in their division.

        • JB says:

          Excellent example, Cindy! Last year they drafted the WRs from WVU, but where was the OL help? They seem to think that’s the solution…just add more skill players. I would love to see Sam get some help.

        • Perry Dickey says:

          If you had to listen to Arkansas sports radio as I do, you would be told its because Sam was and is just no good. SECSECSEC!

    • ND52 says:

      Totally agree. Our struggles in 01′, 05′ & 09′ were a direct result of poor O-Line play.

  • Brian says:

    It’s funny that you have Tony Jefferson grading Justin Reid’s film, because that’s who he reminds me of out there on the field! And Justin has better size and slightly better speed…but the playing style is exactly the same.

  • Brian says:

    Random thought: I would love to see Mixon and Quick as our kick returners this year…Sounds like Shepard has punt-returning locked down.

    • Indy_sooner says:

      Ambivalent about this one…. Shep would make em’ miss for sure, but we’ve had more than our share of bad luck fielding our skill guys on special teams. Eg: Murray

  • SoonerPhins says:

    When will TJ’s evals be put up?

    • Jordan Esco says:

      I believe early next week. I think K is saving it so it doesn’t get lost in the shuffle over the weekend and what not.

      • SoonerPhins says:

        Sounds fair. I am interested to see what he thinks.

        • Jordan Esco says:

          You and me both! Although K has already shared some stuff w/ me and I think everyone here will definitely enjoy the read.

    • Doobie74OU says:

      Super K said Tony’s eval was in but he may be waiting on the eval from Chris Trulove, former director of pro scouting for the Denver Broncos, to put it all in the same post

  • BigJoeBrown says:

    This Tennessee game is going to be huge!! I can’t imagine all the recruits, ex-players, media, let alone the amount of fans descending upon Norman, Sept. 30th.

  • Jordan Esco says:

    For the life of me I cannot fathom the reasons OU coaches have for refusing to hold an event similar to that Texas is holding this weekend (or any other number of schools who do something similar).

    • Doobie74OU says:

      Inquiring Minds Want To Know! Maybe the first question we should ask our new Recruiting guy Drew Hill!

    • JJsooner1 says:

      Thank you Jordan. I was going to ask the very same thing!! Things have changed. You have to go get the guys and more importantly, you have to get them to Norman for a recruit to see what they would have or what they’d be missing out on.

    • Gary Robbins says:

      I asked that same question about 4 days ago. I was reading somewhere about Texas having a camp and was wondering if Arkansas offered Whitfield at their camp would he commit on the spot. OU has lost a few offers recently without even getting them on campus.

    • OUZach says:

      I wish we would hold a similar event, but the turnout would not be all that great I would guess. A lot better players are able to attend UTs event due to proximity.

  • Doobie74OU says:

    Any chance Perine with his size ends up being a Trey Millard type ( not a actual Fullback but a guy who lines up at RB HB TE and in the Slot)? Would be a chance to get more of these talented backs on the field. A Diamond Formation with Knight, Ford, Ross, & Perine sounds like it has tons of options to me!

    • JJsooner1 says:

      Doobie, thanks for making me choke on my coffee!! What the heck could Josh come up with those tools is mind boggling.

    • SoonerPhins says:

      Switch Ross out for Aaron Ripkowski and that would be a deadly set. 2 Big Blockers, a punishing running back, and a QB that can run.

    • blaster1371 says:

      Not to say what you mentioned couldn’t happen but Perine seems more like a traditional RB. Millard was successful the times he ran the ball because defenses didn’t expect it. I kind of think of Perine as the second coming of Jerome Bettis— I hope so anyways.

      • paganpink says:

        OH, don’t we all. But the guy looks ripped and is so big and so strong. If he can do a true standing back flip with close to 250 on him then he is one special fast twitch athlete!

      • Sooner Ray says:

        Perine is more of the traditional i back/downhill type, not that he couldn’t line up as a blocker and put a hurt on someone, but he looks his best when given the ball deep and let him pick his hole.

        • EasTex says:

          I took another look at his video and he was devastating any where he lined up, as well as a kick returner.
          He is the complete package at RB, I don’t see him at FB at all.

    • blaster1371 says:

      That formation would be a human jack hammer.

    • CS says:

      Like this idea! No wait, love it! The amount of talent we have on offense (just the RB), forget a diamond we need a pentagonal formation, haha!

    • CS says:

      I am literally giddy thinking about what you guys are saying here, don’t envy Heupel position to bring this offense together with all these lethal weapons!

  • JJsooner1 says:

    I was waiting for an open post to ask a touchy question. Has Baylor become a dirty team on defense? I ask this after watching them against OU, OSU, Tech, UT, TCU and KSU. I saw some hits that should get a guy ejected without ever happening once. Am I wrong on this?

    • Doobie74OU says:

      I would have to go back and watch some more! I know there are always one or two shots a game that raise our eyebrows but Baylor was a doormat for so long it is hard to start thinking of them as dirty or even tough for that matter. I considered then somewhat of a finesse team but I know they are changing so you could be right!

    • Zack says:

      The Goodson kid had a couple questionable hits I thought he got a targeting call and/or ejection.

      • CcrBoomer says:

        The kid outta Georgia, Mortonsun or something was overturned because it was a shoulder. But the rule is anything up high on a defenseless receiver is to be called. which was what was happening on every receiver even after the play

    • CcrBoomer says:

      It’s funny you say this. I re-watched the Baylor game on No Huddle and it’s clear there should have been 3 ejected from that game. Even after getting a couple personal fouls they kept targeting even on un catch-able balls and even away from the play. Late hits out of bounds that went un-called. Very poor officiating to say the least

      • Boom says:

        I re-watched it yesterday on Fox. Bell threw to Shepherd and #8 for Baylor went to his head. Knocked Shep out for the rest of the game. He got a 15 yarder but was ruled as not targeting. The booth official gave his opinion and It was weak. Heck, if an OU guy did that, I would call him out. As I watched that game, there were so many missed calls. We got call for pass interference on 3rd & long when Wilson reached his hand to the WR. Wilson didn’t touch him and they played it back in slow motion and it was horrible. OU played horrible, period. They should have lost and the officials didn’t lose the game for OU. However, it was a cheap shot game from Baylor and if we beat them by 50 this year, it won’t be enough.

    • Shifty says:

      Seems like a db cheap shotted one of our wrs in the knee away from the play..That is uncalled for on so many levels..hell…every level!

    • blaster1371 says:

      They are a cheap shot secondary. That’s their way to show how tough they are. Their backfield was the sidelines yucking it up after one of them put a cheap shot on our WR and he was laying out on the field. I know it stoops down to their level but I’d risk an ejection to take the head off of those guys after that. I am really starting to dislike Baylor. I like Brilles but his team needs to put a few good seasons together and act like they expected success. Most of the Baylor players wouldn’t know what respect looked like. Of course the best way to bring perspective to their program is to beat their butts in Norman this year and then run them out of their own stadium in 2015.

    • DCinAZ says:

      They’re dirty on offense too. They run a lot of pick routes and seem to get away with it.

    • Shelby is a Patriot says:

      Ahmad Dixon is the first player that comes to mind, but at least he is gone now.

  • SoonerPhins says:

    Quick question, have you guys heard anything on how Thomas and Hansen are coming along? Who do you think will be the back up?

    • Shifty says:

      Just my guess but with Bell moving to TE and Mayfield or Hansen not even in the picture yet (when the switch happened) I’m gonna think the coaches are pretty high on Thomas to allow the move

      • SoonerPhins says:

        Hopefully he can step up in case of injury

      • blaster1371 says:

        Thomas is no less experienced than Knight was at this point last season. I see Thomas as a more natural passer. I think Knight will be forced to run more than we saw in the Sugar Bowl. In that case, Thomas will most likely see the field.

    • Zack says:

      It would be clearer if mayfield were ruled eligible because it would be tough to go through several qbs if there were injury concerns. I don’t think knight or mayfield would play their way out of their spots on the depth chart. The only thing is if Hansen is better than Thomas I guess you would have to burn his redshirt.
      Most think bell would be the qb if knight went down and mayfield was ineligible but bell moving to TE was his shot to show nfl scouts he could play in the nfl.

      • SoonerPhins says:

        I think Bell will stay at TE. Its just Hansen and Thomas didn’t show much at the spring game (Not that really means much), but hopefully one will step up. Was Mayfield seeking another appeal? If DGB gets ruled eligible I would be pissed if I were Mayfield.

        • Zack says:

          Mayfield is trying to fight the ruling still earlier this week some news was released and probably mentioned on here, about them possibly finding something tech messed up but it doesn’t sound any more promising. The best thing would be for the NCAA to change the rule it’s another one of their dumb rules that hurts players.

          • Jordan Esco says:

            “probably mentioned on here” – Actually it was first reported here. Then, as usual, taken to other boards by people who “heard from someone” asking other boards’ mods if they know anything about it.

            If you (and I don’t mean you, Zack) are taking info from a free site to a $$$ board to ask and/or bring to the attention of the people running said $$$ board, aren’t you probably wasting your money? You already had the info….for free.

          • Perry Dickey says:

            Don’t start cofusin us with the common sense!

          • Zack says:

            Haha this is very true I know one site where this happens and a lot of times the response is “we will need to call such and such recruit” or things like that.

          • SoonerPhins says:

            I cancelled all my other subscriptions after finding this place. Here you get twice the info and its free. I love the fact that you guys are doing this for free, but feel like I should be paying something lol. Maybe a donation bar or something.

          • soonermusic says:

            Jordan, do you know the basis for his continued fight? I seem to remember we hashed through the regs on this a while back, and I thought it simply came down to Tech having the right to say “ok” or not, regardless of whether he was on scholarship, and they didn’t.

    • blaster1371 says:

      IMO Thomas has the makings to be a really good QB. I just hope the coaches keep the “we play the best players regardless of who started in the past” rule in place for the QB position. I know we are not privy to what takes place in practice but until Knight proves he wasn’t a one game wonder I hope the QB position remains a weekly contest. I watched the spring game again last night. Knight has an odd motion that seems to use a lot of elbow and less shoulder. Thomas and Mayfield have a more fluid motion that has a higher release and the ball just seems to come off the hand in a more controlled manner (think throwing instead of flinging). Don’t get me wrong, I hope Knight is light years ahead of where he was last season and shreds defenses.

      • SoonerPhins says:

        I have a feeling he will be way a head from where he was. He is no longer the freshman first time starting, he has been in big games and hostile environments, and now has the confidence knowing his potential. I think he will definitely build off last years momentum.

        • blaster1371 says:

          I think so too. With a young WR and RB corps he needs to be a weapon.

        • paganpink says:

          I agree. It has to be said that Coach Stoops was adamant about his talents, and I believe even said at one point that it wasn’t even close in deciding he was the starter. That was in the midst of his injury problems, and the interceptions, leading to criticism in the media and (of course) sports radio that there was no way he was that good. There were endless questions and pretty sharp comments about our coaches choices. But Stoops didn’t look so wrong in the sugar bowl, did he? And the folks that don’t see these kids every day really ought to give more credit to coaches that are undoubtedly top 5 in the country every year and their decision making regarding the players especially when Bob, who is usually non-committal and never prone to hype or bragging, tells you a player is really, really good at his position! Brent Mussberger would have had a better night if he had listened to him!

      • Shifty says:

        I know what you mean about keep it competitive but you usually give the starter (at qb) more reps during the week to keep the O in sync (this really showed for TK in the bowl game)..the #2 would then get a decent share of 1 reps just in case and maybe a few snaps to #3 but usually the 3 and 4 guys would be on scout team

    • rphdenton says:

      …..a while back, oui had a few lines on thomas and hansen on summer drills……if I remember correctly, heupel is able to spend more time with both over the summer which is a plus….both were showing their strengths with no clear leader particularly….both were impressing with throws with hansen showing a few ‘wow’ throws………that’s all that has been said, I think……I don’t know enough about hansen but I would have assumed that thomas might have an edge due to longer time here, but that’s apparently not the case…………

      • Jordan Esco says:

        No disrespect, but all you’re ever gonna hear over there is how great things are pretty much no matter the topic. That obviously can’t always be the case and yet that’s the product that is continually sold.

        Some people want that kind of sunshine pumping and, amazingly, are even willing to pay for it. And, I suppose, more power to them. That’s just never appealed to me. But to each their own.

        • Clint Lenard says:

          Yeah but MONEY.

          • Jordan Esco says:

            Believe me, if I could make a living doing this it would pretty much be my dream job. But I wouldn’t ever want to do it charging for info and/or just pumping sunshine and telling people what I think they want to hear.

        • Kody K. says:

          Preach it, my man!

        • paganpink says:

          And you guys go out of your way, Jordan, to be considerate and objective when you do point out areas of concern. That way no one can claim you’re being biased or mean spirited in your criticism. And THAT is one of the main reasons I come here. You’re honest but fair and even the comments section are full of knowledgeable people making comments without being d-bags. Good job to YOU- and all of you guys that post on this website! I don’t think there’s a better one out there. (And it’s free!)

          • Jordan Esco says:

            I appreciate you saying that as it is certainly how I’d like to believe I represent myself (despite what others would say I’m sure)

        • rphdenton says:

          1)…..that’s fine……been a member of oui for several yrs and I realize they’re lite on editorial comment and are homers, although they do pass along negative news. However, my reply to the op was just a pass-along as the only ‘news’ I’ve seen this summer….the source doesn’t necessarily equate with inaccuracy…….2) and, no disrespect……take a swing at the op question……..what do your/tfb’s sources tell you about how hansen and thomas are doing ……thxs

          • Gary Robbins says:

            I agree with your view. Under my sports sites I have listed: Football Brainiacs, Crimson and Cream, Sooner Scoop.com, OU Insider, Sooner Nation, Sooner Illustrated, Sooner etc.com, News Ok, and Tulsa World.com. I don’t subscribe to anything but I enjoy lurking and reading the free articles. But for the breakdowns on recruits and technical info, TFB is the best.

          • Zack says:

            The free stuff is good for sure. This site is the best site for info whether you pay or get it for free. I also like the way the board is set up where it’s simple to see the daily thread about what everyone is trying to talk about that day. To be honest I don’t know what the benefit of paying for the info is because if it’s any thing about recruits leaning one way or another then it’s really just paying for speculation IMO because until NSD it doesn’t matter what they do or say.

          • kt-raida says:

            Crimson and cream is a graveyard now.very light and late on football news. That use to be my go to spot, sad what it has become.

          • Sooner Ray says:

            HAHA, I look over there now and then when I’m bored. Like you said, two or three posters making one comment and leaving. A lot of posts go with no comments, and I’ve seen things thrown up over there in the evening that have already been talked about most of the day here.

          • Boomer4life says:

            Same here! Hasn’t been the same since Jordan left.

          • kt-raida says:

            My thoughts exactly! It never really was clarified why but obviously we have a better site to follow for it so. …. their loss.

          • Sooner Ray says:

            I agree that Jordan was a big part of ccm, and is a big part of any site he devotes his time to, but it also shows that if you don’t have the posters, your site doesn’t amount to much. Great people and great staff make a great site.

          • J J says:

            Pretty much

          • J J says:

            Graveyard is polite

          • Jordan Esco says:

            all good. just offering up my thoughts, wasn’t meant to convince you or anyone else to be a fan or not 🙂

          • rphdenton says:

            …….and any thoughts on part 2……thxs

        • Sooner Ray says:

          I just come here for the free popcorn.

          • Gary Robbins says:

            You might have mentioned this before. But in your opinion how does OU utilize the 6 running backs on campus now? With their inexperience (but huge athletic ability) will it be a work in progress type situation as the season progresses.

          • Sooner Ray says:

            Really hard to say until the pads start popping. If it was up to me I would play them like a revolving door giving defenses no rest. Gundy has been pretty steady in his approach, finding two that take care of the ball, pick up all their blocking, and catch the ball well. Then he throws in a third or fourth guy for a quick change of pace or for a package they drew up for a particular opponent. I expect him to start out with Ford and Ross because they are familiar then work in the others that have impressed in practice to see which one is the real “gamer”.

          • Boomer4life says:

            Damn good popcorn to.

        • Perry Dickey says:

          What is your definition of ‘sunshine pumping’? If it is lying then I agree with you wholeheartedly. However, if there is such an ‘appeal’ as to make people want to pay, why not utilize the truthful portions of your inside the program knowledge to entertain here? Because to me the sport of football is entertaining. I can read along for 200 plus post here and be overjoyed at the entertainment value this site has brought to my day. But, when I run into a section where it can only be described as a few folks bickering over who knows more or who’s, God forbid, the most ‘right’, it gives me a bleh feeling.
          It would thrill me if you could pump some sunshine into my day. I think more of the ‘notes from the team’, would be well received. I think there are a lot of people such as myself who are very very far removed from the team and would respect an embellished, over dramatic, description of yours, of a player or a plan or coach or etc.! Heck, I’ve seen threads go on and on, of just a picture of Perine!
          Thank you Jordan, it would be interesting to know from you what you think sunshine pumping is or any one else for that matter. As to me, its anything that makes me foam at the mouth and yell, Boomer Sooner!

          • Jordan Esco says:

            Repeatedly saying OU is going to get a commit from a kid they really don’t have a chance w/ is just one example of sunshine pumping, IMO.

            There are positives and negatives to pretty much everything in life, and refusing to acknowledge the latter is just foolish. It’s not a crime if you say ‘OU player x’ is struggling. Or ‘OU recruit x’ might not be as good as originally thought.

            But when you are motivated by fear of losing something (be it your access, money, whatever), then you’re not really telling people the whole story.

            Personally, I’ve never been interested in someone constantly how everything is going to be just great. Every player is the best at their position….blah, blah, blah. That’s not reality and I know that. It’s okay if you admit it.

            All that said, I can appreciate not everyone shares my opinion on such things. Some people want to be told how great everything is all the time even when it may not be. As I’ve said a number of times here, to each their own.

            I don’t have to like everyone/thing just like I don’t ever expect everyone to like me/my take on things.

          • Perry Dickey says:

            Ok, I think I get it. Its about recruiting which until TFB I hadn’t known much about. Which when from the student section I heard, ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, Billy Sims has entered the game’ was a different experience to me since it was immediately evident he was a man among boys! So, once again you guys have proven to be groundbreaking the innerwebs!

          • Jordan Esco says:

            It’s not exclusive to recruiting at all, very much applies to the team stuff in general as well.

            As I’ve tried to make clear (typically doing a poor job), I don’t really care other than the entertainment value and feeling bad for those who actually pay for that type of “info.” But it’s their money not mine, so again to each their own.

  • SoonerCindy says:

    I just want to say what everyone else has, I absolutely LOVE this website!!
    I have been lurking since last fall and I really appreciate all the information provided here.
    I obviously have never played so what I learn here is Golden. I have been telling everyone at work about TFB and they love it as well.

    • Jordan Esco says:

      thanks for spreading the good word!

    • Super K says:

      Thanks Cindy!

      • Gary Robbins says:

        Actually the TFB has excellent referrals from other sites. I found out about the TFB crew while reading articles at a place called Sooner etc.com ( in fact they post all your Open posts). Also the free football forums board on Sooners Illustrated is constantly referring to TFB site(in a good way). It is amazing the technical information this site offers. I would send a check but I’m not sure where you are from. Thanks just keep up the good work. Just 40 some days and it will be time for our 1st game!

        • rphdenton says:

          ……..if you mention tfb on oui, then have your food tasted and someone start your car…….

          • Zack says:

            I haven’t seen anything on there as far as backlash against tfb but maybe I don’t look in the right places. The worst I saw was a guy basically say “tfb is proud of the guys they discover” in regards to whitfield.

          • Jordan Esco says:

            b/c usually any mentions of the site are deleted by the board mods

          • Zack says:

            Ah

          • OohRahMama says:

            Duuuuuudes. Chill.

          • BoomerDave says:

            Not true Jordan. I’ve read lots of references to TFB over there, and they don’t get removed. It’s obvious that you don’t care for Hale, but I appreciate all he has done to promote recruiting over the years. There was a time when he was our only source for recruiting info. Sites like this are possible due to the groundwork he laid in the world of HS recruiting. He may have said or done some things that have upset you guys, or at least that is what I have gleaned from many of your comments. However, I don’t think that he is deserving of the comments that you just said about his site. Just my opinion.

          • rphdenton says:

            bd…….I’m a current member of oui and let me correct you…….there was a period of time, during last season, when tfb was gaining traction and oui posters were discovering the site and referring to tfb back on oui……..oui/hale became real annoyed and banned any direct reference to tfb while deleting posts, some of mine included…….I butted heads with him on one occasion for his intrusion and received a fairly harsh pm……..most posters now don’t mention tfb b/c it’s not worth the hassle…..oui has a general rule that a site they consider a rival can’t be mentioned directly in a post…..tfb is just considered as bogus and not credible………I’ve noticed that they do let the occasional reference pass recently, but if several posters went over on a couple of threads again they would be deleted…….

          • Gary Robbins says:

            I have a t-shirt that I wear out to some of the lounges that I might frequent.
            It says: I like what I do
            And I do what I like
            Of course the above statement is with the wife’s permission.

          • BoomerDave says:

            rph…I too am a member of oui. Can’t speak for last year, but I have referenced TFB on several occasions recently w/o repercussions. Perhaps they’ve lightened up a bit re TFB. Just thinking its time for Jordan to do the same.

          • J.K. Abbott says:

            I know for a fact JH got butthurt when people referenced TFB and posted links to TFB at OUI.

          • Shifty says:

            Why any recruit would give Hale a heads up about committing would be a dumb move…really lost respect when he stole recruits moment last year (I believe)…seems like he’s done it more than once

          • ND52 says:

            Sites like this are possible due to the groundwork he laid in the world of HS recruiting.

            I’m sorry @boomerdave:disqus but that’s just not true. James Hale did not invent recruiting or the internet. No one looked at what Hale was doing and thought, “ya know…..I never thought of doing that before”.

          • BoomerDave says:

            Wow ND52! Don’t misread things, do you? I never said that Hale invented recruiting or the internet, now did I? But I will give you a little history of recruiting coverage in Oklahoma. Nobody even really covered recruiting until Al Eschbach wrote recruiting columns for the old Oklahoma Journal newspaper in the ’70’s. He would often be a guest on local call-in radio programs giving Oklahomans their only real insight into OU football and basketball recruiting. By the ’80’s, the Oklahoma Journal had closed and Eschbach stopped keeping up with recruiting like he once had,and James Hale singularly filled the recruiting void with his radio show. For about 10-15 years, Hale was about the only person in the state that provided any recruiting info whatsoever. If you wanted to know what was going on with OU recruiting, you listened to James Hale because recruiting was about 75% of his show back then. He had multiple recruits on daily. There were no Rivals, or Scout, or 24/7 sites. There was James Hale talking recruiting on the radio. It was he that created the buzz and appetite in Oklahoma for sites like this to prosper. That is why I said he laid the groundwork.

          • ND52 says:

            I was being partly facetious @boomerdave:disqus

          • BoomerDave says:

            Well, of course he is. Not by himself, but when he was almost exclusively talking recruiting 24/7/365, he was one of just a handful of guys doing so anywhere in the country. People who started recruiting services like Rivals and Scout did so because they saw that there was an appetite among fans for this type of information because of the success that those handful of guys like Hale were having talking recruiting. Hale, like Eschbach, are shells of their former selves today. But that doesn’t take away from the contributions they once made.

          • ND52 says:

            How you can come on here and promote a convicted felon who destroyed a man’s business is just beyond me @boomerdave:disqus

          • BoomerDave says:

            Wow! You’re a piece of work. First of all, if you could read and comprehend, you would see that I’m not promoting anyone, just stating facts. I don’t know James at all and have no reason to promote anything about him. Also, not sure what his conviction nearly 30 years ago has to do with anything we are talking about, but somehow it seems to make you and others on here feel better by bringing it up,so power to you. It’s been a long time ago, but as I recall, his then wife embezzled from her employer and he plead to filing false tax return because their joint return did not include the embezzled funds. I guess that makes him a horrible human for life? Ye without sin, cast the first stone.

          • ND52 says:

            @boomerdave:disqus

            Let’s see here: I don’t associate with convicted felons. I don’t destroy the life’s work of other people for financial gain. I don’t steal. I live by a moral code.

            Yup, I’m a horrible person allright.

            Please continue defending this guy while swearing up and down that you’re not. And please continue with the self-righteous, judgemental attitude you started to show at the end—–that’s my favorite kind of nonsense right there.

          • BoomerDave says:

            Lol! Again ND, you cannot read or you just like to make things up. I never said you were a horrible person, did I? Never stated any opinion about you at all, did I? Other than that you don’t read or comprehend very well. I am simply saying that for a very long time, Hale was the ONLY source of recruiting news about OU period! Not really hard to comprehend for most of us. His character or lack thereof as you prefer, has nothing to do with the fact that I just stated. My point is that I and thousands of other OU fans enjoyed listening to his show for non-stop interviews with recruits and commits. That’s all. The information gleaned was no less insightful or informative because his wife stole a whole bunch of money and he didn’t rat her out. He paid the price for his crime. He’s still paying today as you and others continue to cast stones. I’m not being self-righteous as I know that I am far from perfect. I’m just still stunned how you took my comments about Hale’s contributions to recruiting coverage in the past and turned it into a condemnation of James as a person. And you have the gall to call me judgmental! Or “judgemental” as you prefer to call it.

          • Super K says:

            ND, appreciate the love you’ve shown our site! I would ask that you edit this comment and the comment below. We want to avoid personal stuff about James or anyone. Our main issue in the past with James was simply that he came on the radio and accused us of stealing information from other sites. He has accused us of that on multiple occasions and it is completely false and unacceptable. But at the end of the day we hold no ill will towards him or anyone. They have their site and we have ours. God bless them.

          • ND52 says:

            @SuperKBrainiac:disqus

            No worries my man. I’m not here to stir up any unnecessary drama for you guys.

            Keep up the great work!

          • Super K says:

            I appreciate you ND. Very classy of you! Shoot me an email anytime [email protected]

          • SoonerCindy says:

            This is why I only come here. The way you conduct yourselves on this website is First Class.

          • BasicBob says:

            You are right BoomerDave- hatred is a block for objectivity.
            ND52 I’ll be willing to bet that if we knew EVERYTHING you’ve EVER done or said you’d probably be pretty damn embarrassed. Get off the self-righteous high-horse.

          • CcrBoomer says:

            Hale is a joke. If he found out some 18 year old kids was about to commit and the kids told him to keep it a secret because he wanted it to be a surprise. Hale would break the news as soon as he could to get a story. He has done that on many occasions through the years.
            I don’t understand how anyone could have a ounce of respect for that guy for what he has done to some of these recruits. He just didn’t go to prison for no reason you know.

          • Mysterio1 says:

            James Hale started out with his recruiting Hotline, that and SI was all there was.
            This is all info about the Sooners, nobody needs to bash anybody.

          • CS says:

            good info! did not know this/

        • lovethemsooners says:

          James Hale is also wrong more than he is right in regards to his recruiting predictions. Go look at the 247Sports main page, and there is a link on there where it lists the percentages that “recruiting insiders” like JH are right. Hale is sitting at around 36%. I mentioned that once on one of their boards, and got blasted for it. I didn’t bring it up to make him look bad, rather to point out to some of the “sunshine pumpers” in regards to Hales predictions, that he was wrong far more than he was right.

          Here’s another direct quote from JH that I expect to help him lower his percentages even more. It’s in regards to Lampkins decision between OU and UT:

          “His parents still want him to go to Oklahoma and in the end Jerry Montgomery is going to win this one.”

          Bottom line is if you want more accurate and detailed information on what is going on with Sooner football, you are better off coming here first…….and I say this as 3 year paying member of OUI(which will terminate at the end of this year).

  • CS says:

    Have a feeling Tony is going to like Reid’s game. He reminds me of Tony, hard-hitting and a sure tackler and oh… plays with a swagger of a 1 jersey! Hope he commits to the good guys!

  • John Garner says:

    I wish the 5 offers in the OK included Mitchell and Preston.

  • CcrBoomer says:

    Leo Lewis LB committed to Bama De-committed today. Does TFB know if OU has nay interest in Lewis?

    • Zack says:

      It would be a good idea to reach out to him. And Amonte Caban.

      • Gary Robbins says:

        I’m not familiar with Leo Lewis or Amonte Caban. Can anyone tell me what town or school they attend? I would like to do a little research on them before bedtime.

          • Gary Robbins says:

            Thanks.
            Amonte Caban, lb out of Smith’s Station, Al. should be named the “head hunter”. The few times he run the ball it took more than 1 person to tackle him . They used him a lot on the goal line as he just dove over the top of everyone. He seems to be a Miss. or Missi. State lean
            Leo Lewis is a monster linebacker he should be named the “slobber knocker”He went to the Miss. State Bid Dawg camp this Friday and decommitted and now seems to be a Miss. State lean. #1 recruit from Mississippi. Is out of Brookhaven, Ms. In one sequence he timed the snap just right on a field goal attempt and jumped over everybody and blocked the attempt.
            Not sure what interest they might have in OU but they are good athletes

          • EasTex says:

            Funny comment at a MSU forum about Bama losing the Lewis commit.

            We all should take this time to say a prayer for the women
            and children in Alabama tonight.

          • Zack says:

            Ou has got to make an effort in that part of the country even if they miss out on most kids. Orso was overlooked and now looks like a kid who doesn’t need a redshirt (I would still redshirt him) but may be a starter when Phillips leaves.

        • Zack says:

          I like the Caban kid a lot he’s from smiths station Alabama but I noticed last week he was 100% crystal ball to miss state and I thought that was strange. Now with Lewis de committing I wonder if bama goes hard after Caban.

    • EasTex says:

      He’s out of Brookhaven, Miss. and the Miss. St. forums are all excited.

      • Gary Robbins says:

        I was just looking at Caban’s and Lewis tape. They both seem to be leaning to Mississippi State. To get both those athletes in one school would be an incredible feat.

        • EasTex says:

          Indeed. Just getting the #1 MLB recruit(Lewis) would be a good haul.
          I have an old bud who is a MSU grad/fan. They are feeling very good about this coming season and the direction Mullen has them heading.

  • EasTex says:

    An example of why the university has to treat the Shannon matter seriously…big money.

    UConn to pay $1.3M in sex assault handling lawsuit.

  • B.R. says:

    EVERYONE: Watch Dontavis Bruce’s film. No stars and no offers but he is so underrated that it is funny. He is a stud and teams will regret passing on him. We really need to at least look at this guy. He runs a 4.32 at 5’7″ 170 and reminds me of Roy finch/ Tavon Austin. LOOK AT THE TAPE PLEASE

  • EasTex says:

    Just think, in two weeks we will be watching OU drill videos.
    Happy-Happy Joy-Joy!

  • ToatsMcGoats says:

    I know I shouldn’t be happy that he’s (Humphrey)NOT happy, but…HELL YES!!!

  • bmrsnr says:

    Is Texas a game changing offer for Humphrey?

    • Zack says:

      Well they’re in his top 5 even though they haven’t offered. He had been a longhorn fan

    • Jordan Esco says:

      Based on some of the quotes he has given to K, I’d say no. But in recruiting anything can happen and I’d always be hesitant in saying UT would never be an option for a Texas kid.

      • Gary Robbins says:

        Jordan you and other posters were wondering about a Friday Night Fever type fling at OU. But Mississippi State getting 8 commits in one night. OU has got to get J. Danley on campus and hopefully the place will be humming. What do they say the proof is in the pudding.

        • Zack says:

          8 commits in one night is insane.

        • hOUligan says:

          Agree a camp followed by a party/bbq/live music would be great. Think Rave vs paneled library new school vs old school. But after the excitement of the hype dies down, will they stay ‘committed’? Still think with all OU is doing, something like this will happen but still like OUs’ methodical approach and closing strong.

      • bmrsnr says:

        Do we have any indications on what kind of offense Texas is planning on running?

        • Jordan Esco says:

          I’d look at the last year or two of Louisville tape to get an idea. Strong brought over his OC/play-caller w/ him. Granted, they don’t have a Bridgewater, but scheme wise that should give you a pretty good idea.

      • J J says:

        Unproven qbs & an unstable offensive identity are a hard sale tho

        • EasTex says:

          And one fugly performance by their offense in the spring game.

          • J J says:

            You would be fugly too. Personnel doesn’t match up, who knows who is calling plays the Louisville OC or the osu OL coach. Just not a recipe for success IMO

            Having said that… Could t have happened to a better bunch of jerks

          • EasTex says:

            Neither Ash nor Swopes will get it done for them. I do expect the kid from Denton to be their starting QB before the year is out. Swopes played for a mediocre 2A school, this stage is way to big for him…at least for the near future. Ash is a poser.
            That QB out of Denton is talented, has played against top tier talent on big stages and is a gritty competitor. He will present some problems for every body.

          • J J says:

            Idk… Which Denton school was it?

            I am surprised I thought Overstreet (or something like that) to be their answer. Clearly Swopes isn’t, he couldn’t make up ground on Case

          • J J says:

            There’s somebody they recruited that starts with an O… I promise.. I’ll ask Jerre…

          • EasTex says:

            I have no idea, don’t follow them. Just know from watching the Heard kid for the past couple of years I was not pleased to see he was going to that school in Austin.

  • Sooner Ray says:

    There is word that Sunderland was hanging in Norman last night with Mixon and others.

  • kt-raida says:

    8 commits! !!!!! Wow!!!

    • Jordan Esco says:

      They got more commits last night than OU has in their entire class so far. Craziness.

    • Kdubracing says:

      They must have had the accounting team on hand last night.

    • CS says:

      8 commits or 18 commits, what difference does it make? They still will get trampled by the likes of Bama and LSU! smh!

  • EasTex says:

    MSU will unveil the $75million stadium upgrade this season.
    Renovated stadiums do have an effect on recruiting, along with about $22million in other sports facilities upgrads. In addition, MSU fans think that Mullen is starting to come into his own as a first time head coach and some of the kids that are committing are recruits he has been on since they were sophomores in high school.

    • Shifty says:

      we haven’t been reeling em in since our 370 mil upgrade announcement so it has to be something else

      • EasTex says:

        That’s because their renovation is complete, ours is years away.

      • EasTex says:

        Shifty, tell me you got in on some of the heavy rains in the past few weeks.

        • Shifty says:

          I only got 34 thurs but it was a slow rain and the clouds and cool weather really let it soak in…I think I got about 3 inches on the rains a week or so ago…It’s been a July to remember

          • EasTex says:

            Hope your stock ponds collected.
            We had a gulley-washer Thursday. Just North of Denton they had like ten inches and IH-35 was closed.

          • Shifty says:

            Yeah I seen that…unheard of for 35 to be shut down because of rain…we gutted the ponds during the bad drought so they’re holding pretty good this year

          • EasTex says:

            I never heard of I-35 being underwater before. Glad to hear your ponds are holding, it has been a rough couple of years for lots of folks.

  • Josh says:

    http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2595725/highlights/80414375
    2016 Safety from Allen HS Jaylon Jones… I absolutely love Jaylon, I know him very well and he is one of those special kids. He would have started on varsity as a freshman for many programs. Started every game as a sophomore for Allen last year. Hope the Sooners keep this kid in mind for sure.

    • Zack says:

      Thanks for sharing I hadn’t seen this kid yet. Looks pretty good I’m sure they probably have an eye on him with the Evans boys going there.

  • Shelby is a Patriot says:

    Not happy with Texas? Why that’s music to my ears.

  • hOUligan says:

    Nice breakdown on offers. The heart of OU recruiting is and always will be the state of texas. Too many quality kids and proximity. But glad to see the footprint in the south, especially LA, widen. It’s under 500 miles from Norman to Alexandria, the heart of the state, and 450 to San Antonio. Not much difference. Lot of good kids there and OU has had some success in the past. Got to get that pipeline established.

  • Stephen says:

    Watching Justin Reid’s game film, one could say he brings the wood.

  • JJsooner1 says:

    So I’m hearing were ok with Frank Shannon? Maybe a 1 or 2 game suspension? Any truth to that? Sure hope so. He’s a manchild. If we can get our corners in place and a safety, this defense will be just scary good.

    • rphdenton says:

      …….as far as I know, he’s still in title IX limbo with the univ……..out of the coach’s hands completely

  • Doobie74OU says:

    UPDATE (9:35 am): Quick item of note on 2015 JUCO OT Jamal Danley. Probably shouldn’t be surprised that after a visit Mississippi State would make up some ground.
    I think this is actually really good news for the Sooners because if after visiting Miss St on such a exciting weekend for them only pulled them up to even with the Sooners (according to Blevins tweet) If he does get to OU campus in a couple weeks or a month there is no way OU shouldn’t pull back ahead with him actually getting to meet everyone in person ,see the campus, tour Headington Hall and they reinforce the fact that we are real thin at OT next year!

  • Sonny Schovanec says:

    Really like the Jacobs kid. Beast!

  • EasTex says:

    Clarion-Leger piece on MSU’s big commit day.

    http://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/recruitingreport/2014/07/18/peters-fold-mississippi-state-set-grand-recruiting-finish/12872695/

    Days before the camp, Danley — the state’s
    top JUCO offensive linemen— called Oklahoma his “clear”
    leader because he felt an “unexplainable excitement”
    around the Sooners.

    They may be at risk of over signing, not unusual for a SEC-SEC team.

  • kt-raida says:

    I wonder how the Tyrrell Jacobs visit went.