Open Post | Tuesday, Feb. 4th (UPDATE 8:39 pm)

– Let’s start with something positive.

There were some on the verge of freaking out yesterday with reports that Sooners RB commit Joe Mixon had visited UCLA on the down low this past weekend. It’s always funny (well, maybe funny isn’t the word) how these recruits, especially say a five star RB, think word of these type of visits won’t somehow get out. But back to the positive part.

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For whatever the reasons Mixon took the trip to UCLA, if these tweets are any indication, as of Monday evening there appears to be very little to worry about. Hard to believe he’d be openly recruiting other guys for OU if he wasn’t intending to honor his commitment. Additionally, there have been multiple reports in that same vein.

Looks as though all is well on the Mixon front.

– Now for some potential bad, stress on the ‘potential’, news. Based on the latest with Courtney Garnett, it would appear that might be more to that Notre Dame report than we initially believed. The talk is that Garnett is legitimately torn between the Irish and OU. The general sense is that he may be favoring Notre Dame at the moment while his family is still in the Oklahoma camp.

To be perfectly honest, it’s not necessarily all that surprising as the South Bend trip is obviously front of mind having taken place this past weekend and it’s not as if Notre Dame is some second tier program. The fact it appears to be such a tough decision for Garnett is a testament to the Irish considering how much time and effort the Sooners have and continue to put in with Garnett.

If you forced us to say one way or the other, gut feel is Garnett sticks with OU but that’s far from a guarantee at this point.

– Things are sounding very positive with respect to OU’s chances of landing Kenyon Frison. It looks like our friend who is an ASU commit that told us last week that Frison would likely head to Oklahoma may have actually been dead on.

But as has been discussed here repeatedly, landing the big man would be significant for this 2014 class for the variety of reasons previously discussed here, most notably among them being the kid is incredibly talented and fills a big need in this class.

– No real changes on the status of Michiah Quick or Deondre Clark as of the time of this post. Still confident with Quick and still have very little idea what’s going to happen with Clark. For full notes on these two please see yesterday’s prediction post.

– Steven Parker is expected to announce today (Tues.) at noon (central time). Nothing has changed with respect to our confidence that OU will still be the pick. But make sure to be around the site this afternoon as we’ll do our best to bring you the news as soon as it goes down.

– (UPDATE 7:41 am): Despite the inclement weather, it appears as though Jenks is still having school and subsequently it seems as though Parker’s announcement is still on for today (at least for now).

https://twitter.com/Lil_Stevie21/status/430694752254582784

(UPDATE 9:10 am): Sorry we had a Courtney Garnett update earlier but it accidentally got deleted. We talked to Courtney again this morning and he said that right now he is “50/50” Oklahoma vs. Notre Dame. But mama is still on Oklahoma’s side. In all the time we’ve know Courtney we’ve gotten the sense that his mother is a huge influence. Hopefully that pushes his in Oklahoma’s direction.

– (UPDATE 9:57 am): Multiple reports just now that Steven Parker’s announcement will come around 12:15 pm (CST). Just wanted to put this out there so nobody was freaking out if at 12:05 pm you hadn’t seen anything here yet.

(UPDATE 10:10 am): Ok, got ANOTHER source confirming that Frison to Oklahoma looks very promising. This time it comes from a current Oklahoma commit.

– (UPDATE 12:18 pm): Steven Parker commits to Oklahoma

(UPDATE 8:03 pm): I’ve spoken to Courtney Garnett a little this evening and he said his “head is spinning”. He also said he can’t seem to settle on one school. Now I’m not saying that isn’t the case. I certainly take him at his word and believe him. But I will say that I know some of the DLinemen that Oklahoma would likely try to grab last minute if they felt like they weren’t going to get Courtney and none of them have heard from Oklahoma…and all three of them may very well be as good or better than Courtney. At this point I wouldn’t be totally shocked if Courtney picked ND…because frankly I was sufficiently shocked that it even became this much of an issue so I’m over it. However, all things considered this still seems like Oklahoma’s to lose. With mama in OU’s corner…with a teammate committed to OU…with the distance…with the longstanding relationship he has with coach Montgomery…OU is my pick. If I hear anything later this evening I’ll update y’all.

(UPDATE 8:39 pm): Alright guys got word that things are looking good on all fronts…including the Courtney Garnett front. It’s never over till it’s over but it looks like OU could indeed go 4 for 4 tomorrow with Garnett, Clark, Frison and Quick. We’ll save the Boomers for tomorrow 🙂

135 Comments

  • BR says:

    dadgum, you guys are great

  • ellisbr says:

    how many scholarships do the sooners have to offer, not counting the 4 we are holding for Parker, Quick, Frison, and Clark? is there any possibility of Stoops and Co pulling a rabbit out of the hat tomorrow flipping a recruit or two, assuming we have the room for them?

    • Jordan Esco says:

      Don’t believe there will be any rabbits pulled out of hats this year. The remaining targets are pretty much known, shouldn’t be any surprises outside of that.

      • OUTIGER says:

        Thanks for the updates guys. Getting down to crunch time. Let’s hope for a sweep of the group.

      • Gregor says:

        There is always the chance that if we have a couple of ‘ships free after Wednesday that there could be some late qualifiers pop up later on, right? Obviously, we wouldn’t have any way of knowing the names now. Different than pulling a rabbit out of a hat, but still a possibility.

        • Jordan Esco says:

          Sure, there’s always a chance assuming OU has some spots open. Nothing is impossible. But I just don’t expect something like that to happen this year is all.

          • Gregor says:

            Is that because there aren’t as many spots left as we thought there might be? At one point we were maybe signing up to 28, now it looks like if all of the hot targets sign we will still only be at 27. Most likely, we are only looking at 25 or 26. Doesn’t that still leave the flexibility to sign someone if they have the talent?

      • Thomas Lenard says:

        I would beleive if there is anything after NSD it would be a surprise transfer.

  • BR says:

    SOOOONER!!!!

  • beavmiester says:

    I’m sticking with the 4 for 4 prediction. It’s gonna be a great couple of days for OU recruiting!

  • Indy_sooner says:

    Okay. Maybe I inadvertently “tweeted”. It may or may not have had to do with Mixon’s tweet.

  • Sooner Ray says:

    Hope that little green dust wears off soon. Momma needs to fix that boy a bowl of gumbo and put a Billy Sims rib on the side!

  • dahldennsull says:

    sucks to hear about garnett. Hoping his mama is giving him a good ‘commitment’ talk, in that he basically wanted to just enjoy the process so he got Stoops to give him the OK for an extra trip after already committing, and now might burn him for it.

    Don’t bite the hand that feeds you, Stoops and co recruited you hard, came into your home and made your mom comfortable with the school she was sending you off to, and now the weekend before signing day he wants to unravel all the hard work because of a fun trip up north without Mom that I’m sure he didn’t do anything she wouldn’t have been proud of ;).

    Hope he sticks with OU or will lose a lot of respect for the young man. 18 years old is old enough to know your word is your bond

    • SamSooner says:

      it is what it is: just keep the pace and keep moving forward.

    • Sooner Ray says:

      SI must have sent those Stillwater girls to ND

    • SoonerfanTU says:

      We sure are relying on a lot of mamas for this class. 🙂

    • dahldennsull says:

      I will say, with the potential of the 2015 class with momentum and Montgomery getting a full year with relationship building… I wouldn’t be the saddest sooner on the planet if we lost Garnett. I feel one of the biggest losses would be another player hoping to establish a pipeline to his New Orleans powerhouse

  • Sooner Ray says:

    Sure glad to see Parker use Mixon’s “wait on it” phrase.

  • SoonerfanTU says:

    Feeling a little better about Frison at this point, but still not thinking we get Clark. Guessing he wants to get away from little brother’s mistakes, as he’d hear a lot about that staying in OK.

    Just give me Parker and Quick though, and I’ll be content.

  • John Garner says:

    Thanks again. I’m trusting your reports more than those at the Rivals site. Hope Garnett sticks with his committment.

    • Super K says:

      The guys at Soonerscoop are A+ at what they do. But what you have to remember is there are a lot of sources that say different things. And the kids change their minds so fast that you can talk to them in the morning and get one report and talk to them in the evening and get another. It’s just the nature of the business 🙂

  • Adrian says:

    Joe is like a kid in Norman who is comitted to USC. You`re probably going to see him in Norman sometimes.

    • dahldennsull says:

      I thought the same thing. They had a lot of recruits on campus, so he got to hang out with a bunch of top kids at UCLA, where the party is free and you are basically shown around parties full of UCLA girls. If i’m in high school and my options for Friday/Saturday night are going to the mall to watch a movie with friends, or hit up UCLA parties?… yeah I know what I’m picking. Matter of fact, can this still be my option as a 26 year old?

    • White Goodman says:

      You have some inside info Adrian or just speculating? Either way, hope you’re right.
      Boomer.

  • White Goodman says:

    Give me Quick, Frison and Parker and I’m thrilled. Clark and Garnett would be icing.
    Garnett wants to go to ND, but will his folks let him sight unseen? Really don’t see it. Also think the kid is doing what many 18 year olds do, the opposite of what their parents say.
    Clark feels like a real possibility as well. Pretty excited about tomorrow!

  • Drew T says:

    Everybody talks about Garnett honoring his commitment, but he was committed to Texas a few weeks ago. Hope he makes the best decision for him wherever that is. recruiting is a crazy experience that only happens once in life that will affect the rest of these kids lives.

    • Sooner Ray says:

      I have to give him a pass on the Texas deal because it involved a coaching change. I feel differently about ND because these recruiters will do whatever they can to confuse these 18yr. old kids trying to get a flip out of them. He should do what’s best for him and his family and IMO he made that decision when he committed and should stick with it.

  • Seymour Glass says:

    This is now where I come to get reliable information on recruiting. I don’t feel I have to sift through the convoluted thoughts of someone working for a paycheck to put out “the news.” And, it’s not about subscriptions. It’s about web hits and showing your advertisers how many visitors you’ve had in a given time.

    Visiting the pay sites that deal with recruiting I feel like Rust Cohle gawking beneath the revival tent. “What do you think is the average IQ of this group?” Referring to those running the place, of course.

    Brainacs, keep doing what you’re doing. Your ride has only just begun, and those on the outside looking in know it.

    BTW, and FWIW, Clark is the only worry we have, IMHO.

  • Kevin Fielder says:

    Great work guys…thanks for keeping us junkies supplied.

  • Leroy Jenkins says:

    Don’t know about anyone else, but having to choose between OU or Notre Dame sounds like a great problem to have. Those are two of the best programs in all of college football. The only way I’d get recruited by either of them is to be their water boy.

    Garnett can’t go wrong with either choice, hope he chooses the good guys.

    • Sooner Ray says:

      That’s some good H2O

    • lovethemsooners says:

      Nah, I can’t give ND that kind of love. They “were” one of the best programs in all of college football…..about 30 years ago. There are probably 30 other programs out there that have had more success over the last 3 decades than have the Irish.

      I also dispute that ND academics are that far off from what OU has become. There might have been a day when OU wasn’t thought much of as an academic institution, but that is changing. A degree from OU is getting more and more valuable.

      Still though, one of my all time favorite slogans in regards to OU is “we want a University the football team can be proud of”.

      Also, in regards to young Mr. Garnett, I wish him the best regardless his decision.

      • Leroy Jenkins says:

        I wasn’t trying to compare OU & ND, just saying both are great storied programs and to hold an offer from either school is pretty awesome. To get a full ride & play football there would be an opportunity most wouldn’t get. Man was it sweet watching OU trounce ND in South Bend this year…

        • lovethemsooners says:

          Oh I know, I just couldn’t resist a chance to take a shot at ND. They are a fine school without question, and a kid can’t really go wrong by going to school there.

          ….and yes the game last fall was awesome! My Sooners in South Bend was a bucket list game for me. Great time.

  • vargo05 says:

    Man, some of these kids are as fickle as a fart in a cyclone.

  • Steve Cooke says:

    Seeya Courtney! Hate to see it but it frees up a scholarship for someone else this year or an early enrollee January.

  • Alex Ehlers says:

    I’d be very disappointed if Garnett switched to ND this close.It’d be a real slap in the face to the OU coaches who’ve recruited him longer. Lord knows ND told him everything he wanted to hear, and then some.

  • Big Higg says:

    Wow Garnett was all about OU before the ND visit. What in the world could have got in his head in one weekend that could over power the recruiting job OU has put on him? I’m really surprised. I still think he’ll be wearing the crimson tho. Can’t wait for tomorrow! Thank yall for this free inside info

    • Sooner Ray says:

      Kids are easily influenced. Just another dog and pony show.

    • Billy Jackson says:

      All that stability at the coordinator position….Oh, wait…..VanGorder’s doing a great job selling Notre Dame thanks to his vast experience with the school. He’s got nearly an entire month’s worth to share.

    • SamSooner says:

      Listen, I went up to ND in 1999 when OU played ND. That campus is unbelievable.I can see someone getting caught up in the moment. Hey, I believe we’ve got this: we play Texas and the Big XII vs. SEC match up. I think he will want to be a part of that.

  • SoonerTJ says:

    Any shot here? “Sione and Maea Teuhema have decommitted from Texas” Per Max Olson

  • Billy Jackson says:

    Soooooo…. Texas lost them another commit, and LSU picked him up….A DE/OLB I presume…..Wonder what that means??? 🙂

  • OUTIGER says:

    Just received my daughters NLI to play soccer at ECU. Good Times

  • Guest says:

    Uhh…..it’s 12:07, where is my news?!? 🙂

  • Jordan Esco says:

    Parker commits to OU!

  • Sooner Ray says:

    BOOMER! Parker’s home!

  • Doobie74OU says:

    The Dominoes of the Final 4 are starting to fall. Steven Parker , as has long been speculated is a SOONER. BOOMER!

  • James D-Space says:

    BOOM! Congrats Steven Parker! Welcome to Sooner Nation

  • Boomer4life says:

    Boom! Welcome aboard young man! Can’t wait to see you play on Saturdays!

  • Paul Kaldahl Jr says:

    I too love the quality of information that you provide to Sooner fans who are starving for information. You guys work hard and are honest and fair in your dealings with players, coaches, and recruits. Than you so much for providing this service!

    • wardor65 says:

      what he said

    • Guest says:

      Some folks are getting downright nasty and vocalizing their opinions about kids de-committing. But the fact of the matter is, for us to have shots at Frison, Clark and Garnett, all had to de-commit from Utah, the Mad-Hatter and Uterus for us to gain their signature. Just sayin’… can’t have it both ways.

      We flip some, we flop some.

    • JY says:

      Thanks sir!

  • Matt Casey says:

    Not that it was a surprise to most but the Parker commitment has me completely ecstatic! I’m like a little kid in a candy shop when OU gets a commitment! Now does anyone have the time in which Frison will be announcing?

  • Billy Jackson says:

    What’s up with Dean Blevins saying Garnett is all but a lost cause???? What do you guys think?

    • Jordan Esco says:

      Just Dean-o doing what Dean-o does. What % did he give it?

      • Billy Jackson says:

        Figured as much, which means Courtney is likely OU bound.

        • Jordan Esco says:

          K spoke w/ him and the kid said it’s 50/50. If that is “all but lost” to Dean-o, then we just live in different worlds.

          We’re just going to have to wait and see what Garnett does, but writing him off at this point seems foolishly premature, IMO.

      • soonermusic says:

        lol…definitely watch the percentages. You recall how much flak he got for predicting that Knight would be the starting qb at the beginning of the season. He said it was for sure, and upgraded his percentage of it happening to 51%.

        But it does seem odd that Garnett has bothered to let it become such a public issue, Seems like what you’d do if you were laying the groundwork for a change. Not so much if you were really still deciding. Dunno, just looking at the tea leaves like everyone else…

      • Sooner Ray says:

        At 50/50, We got no shot. 51/49, it’s ours to lose.

    • blaster1371 says:

      Dean Blevins is about the worst OU football prognosticator there is. He reminds me too much of that Palmer guy for ESPN minus the adolescent hair cut. Whenever he is right it just proves the axiom that even a broken clock is right twice a day.

  • Mark Evans says:

    Some folks are getting downright nasty and vocalizing their opinions about kids de-committing. But the fact of the matter is, for us to have shots at Frison, Clark and Garnett, all had to de-commit from Utah, the Mad-Hatter and Uterus for us to gain their signature. Just sayin’… can’t have it both ways.

    We flip some, we flop some.

  • Atlantasooner says:

    Hey, when do we get the Charles Walker tidbit teased the other day?? 🙂

  • EasTex says:

    Thought I would check rivals just to see if or how Parker’s commitment impacted their standing in their rankings.

    OU has jumped from 21st to 14th.

    I could be wrong, but it seems some of the commits got another star added, also.

  • Ballard says:

    Not sure if this has been addressed but what is Courtney Garnett”s ceiling?

  • Super Keith says:

    Not surprised Garnett has ND so high right now. As it was said, it’s not as if ND is a second tier program. Also, being his most recent trip, not surprising. However, OU has a lot of things working in their favor here:

    1. OU has a long time relationship with Garnett.
    2. We can’t discount the fact that Paul is committed to OU.
    3. Norman is a LOT closer than South Bend, and family matters in this case.
    4. ND may have waited too late to offer.

    I’m sure Garnett is thinking a lot about it, but I don’t think he would have “committed” if he didn’t have strong feelings toward OU. I know a lot of guys commit and flip, but I don’t get the sense that Garnett is that kind of kid, as it took a coaching change to get him out of Texas.

    This is not a knock on Garnett, but I sometimes wonder how much of this kind of thing is about the attention. He went from being in the spotlight (until he committed), to kind of a foregone conclusion. If he wants to play it out a little longer, I can’t criticize him for that (I would want to do the same). But, when it’s said and done, I think he honors his commit, because I think OU is where he wants to be now.

  • Steve Johns says:

    The way Garnett, among others, is getting badgered on twitter, it’s no wonder his head is spinning. Thanks for the update!

  • Leroy Jenkins says:

    “I know some of the DLineman that Oklahoma would likely try to grab last minute if they felt they weren’t going to get Courtney…and all three of them may very well be as good or better than Courtney.”

    Since we’re this close to NSD, are you able to share those three lineman’s name? If not I totally understand.

  • Sooner Ray says:

    If all our backup choices are or could be better, why in the hell are we letting them sit out there????????

  • CoachStauder says:

    Who are the three recruits you think OU would contact if they couldn’t get Garnett? Lealaimatafao? No clue who else…

  • connie usa says:

    I know this sounds kinda cheesy, but I love all of the Brainiacs, and also the posters!!!! This site really gets me psyched

  • Jake says:

    Tristan Hill will be signing with Georgia Southern in the AM. I thank the Brainiacs for getting my nephew some added exposure! You guys are great!

  • Sooner Ray says:

    If we go 4 for 4, I gotta go to the beer store.