Sooners News Daily 4.23.14
Posted on: April 23, 2014
I’m pretty much over the message board know-it-alls proclaiming any and everyone who expresses a concern re: OU football recruiting (be it after a decommit or no) a Chicken Little. There’s a middle ground between that, in most cases, ridiculous characterization and the, at times, equally as foolish “we’ll be just fine” stance. Just because you refuse to acknowledge that there may be a problem doesn’t mean it ceases to exist.
FOOTBALL
It’s the offseason. When Bob Stoops speaks during the offseason, even when he says very little, it’s apparently considered newsworthy. (Sooner Sports)
That Alabama center who is transferring and reportedly took a visit to Norman….he’s not coming to OU. (Twitter)
AD is donating more money to OU. (Tulsa World)
BASKETBALL
Baylor’s Isaiah Austin is declaring for the NBA. Which might not be a surprise, but for some reason I had it in my head some people thought he might be coming back for another year. (Rant Sports)
RECRUITING
Sooners getting a visit from a JUCO point guard. (Twitter)
Read more about said JUCO point guard here.
OU reportedly offered the No. 1 2015 kicker yesterday. (Twitter)
OTHER
Doesn’t sound like you can expect alcohol sales* at OU sporting events any time soon. (OU Daily)
*To the general public. Because, yes, I’m aware they sell alcohol in the suite level/s at football games
Just think about what this OU Softball team is gonna do once Lauren Chamberlain return. (Sooner Sports)
Another terrible loss for the baseball team, which is strugg-a-ling right now. (Transcript)
Women’s tennis’ Whitney Ritchie was named Big 12 Player of the Week. (Sooner Sports)
Only one rep, bro?
#westside
43 Comments
I am off the message boards for the opposite reason – there are way too many ridiculous people that think the sky is falling. There is obviously a problem currently, but to say we are in big trouble is a huge stretch. We have a really small class and have to be really selective this year – either way there is a middle ground
Fair point. It does go both ways. I’m just tired of someone having IMO a legit concern, say like right now, then being dismissed as a ‘sky is falling’ person. In some instances that may apply, but it shouldn’t just be a blind dismissal. And more often than not that’s how I feel it is treated.
If you (and not you specifically, the metaphorical ‘you’) can look at what has happened since the Sugar Bowl and not think there is some kind of problem then we apparently live in two different worlds.
IMO, there is a problem. Is it an insurmountable one? Certainly not. But the lack of anything even remotely close to resembling momentum for them on the recruiting trail is, again IMO, pretty damn disturbing.
A loud Amen from the back of the pulpit. Something is not right and Stoops knows it. I have listened to his speech about a new hire for player personnel director and can’t really get a good read from him. As usual just one new commit would sure help.
If you would care to point out (a) potential problem(s) but IMHO it is nothing more than 1. winning, and while the SB was a great win, it almost did not happen as OU struggled in the B12. 2. a team is a reflection of their coach. CBob is not flashy, gimmicky, prone to jump on the newest thing like Sumlin, KK. He is about substance and is ‘old school’. He is telling kids ‘don’t commit until you can be committed’. Take visits and then come back. It’s hard to watch but I like the results most years.
Sure, winning is monumental. But if you’re going to say OU has to be in 3-of-4 national title games before they start landing five star kids again like back the the AD days, well I’m just not sure how realistic that is right now.
They just got a win over the team most considered to be the best in the country and look how little they’ve gained from it (from a recruiting perspective). Granted, it was just one game so it was only ever going to have so much of an impact but still.
I think it’s a combination of any number of things. Some of which they can control, others which they have very little control over.
Interesting read at the top. Hard to say what the problem would be..Is the staff not aggressive enough, to laid back, to honest, poor salesman etc etc….Kids from all over the country have interest in us and we are still a very relevant top 10 program but for whatever reason most kids like to court us instead of date..
It’s not any one thing and the biggest part of it, IMO, ‘momentum’ is pretty much unquantifiable.
Not sure if I would call it a problem just yet. Wariboka(sp) wants to play with his brother. Or at the very least, wants OU to think he wants/has to play with his brother. Can’t see how this is representative of a problem for OU. I don’t know the deets on Lampkin, but the kid wants to take his visits. I don’t blame him. I also don’t have a problem with OU having a no visit policy f you are committed to them. Lampkin is just one kid. If another one, or 2 others decommit under similar circumstances, I might get worried.
As for recruiting being slow, it is always slow for OU. Don’t know why, but does it really matter if we start strong or finish strong? As long as we’re getting talented kids, it really shouldn’t matter. That Sugar Bowl win wasn’t going to spin OU to new recruiting heights for years to come. This season will be very important. We’ll be highly ranked preseason. We’ll be talked about a lot, and on the news often. Having a very good season is the next important thing to improving recruiting. Honestly, I’d say anything more than 1 loss on the regular season would be a bit of a disappointment, ASSUMING we get solid play from Trevor. If he plays like he did most of last year, we’ll probably lose 2-3. Just my take.
SoonerfanTU,
I agree with regarding the 2 decommits..I was very surprised that Lampkin commited so early and I understand Josh’s situation with his brother…I guess the real question is what is keeping Wheeler, Lane, PJ, Coutee, Sunderland & Barnett from commiting if we lead for them to start helping recruit and bring some excitement to this class.
Agree with you on the Oklahoma kids. Though not sure they were raised OU fans?
The problem with comparing our recruiting to some schools, is that some are in more populated areas, or at the very least, have more D1 athletes close by. That means those kids have a chance to grow up Bama fans. Or Florida fans. Or USC fans. Those kids just want an offer from their favorite school, and they are committing. UT fits that. aTm fits that. I think one reason OU doesn’t get the early recruits is that there are less kids that grow up “attached” to the program. Or at least, less kids deserving of an OU offer.
I think Sunderland wants to take visits. Not sure about Barnett. Not sure what is keeping PJ from committing, other than possibly he just doesn’t want to commit, decommit, and commit again so quick. So he is taking his time. I honestly don’t know. But I’m not sure it points to some big problem with OU or how they are recruiting.
It’s apparent that something is going on in regards to recruiting. Even without the “momentum” from the sugar bowl, this would be a disappointing start to the recruiting year. If recruiting was the same as it was say 10 years ago then it wouldn’t be all that concerning. But the concern for me is the way social media especially twitter is involved in recruiting and advertising your program. If the big time recruits who are big on twitter (Mckenzie or mixon and Todd last year) commit early then it could help others choose the same school.
With that said I think ou is still in good shape things will work out and we will probably see a top 15 class like were accustomed to. I think wariboko will eventually sign with ou I think his parents graduated from ou. Also I suggest part of the issue may be that stoops makes it clear how he feels about kids taking other visits after committing and maybe ou is high on these kids list but they don’t want to commit knowing they would like to take visits since it is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
And that’s the problem with ‘momentum’ from 1 win, albeit a great one and a possible springboard. Some guys jump on the wagon out of excitement. They are only 16-17. Thing is, Lampkin’s recruiting has really picked up and cannot blame him for wanting to look. He has repeatedly talked about ‘family’ and even talked about his roommate being set, can’t recall who. I think he will be back. Same with Wariboko. He has gained momentum and he is trying to help his brother. I think he ends up at OU, too. Also think you’re right, OU needs a leader or two, a name, who will begin recruiting other kids and build excitement and a bond.
Yeah I know lampkin and wariboko have really stood out as top performers in some of the camps and Sunderland also. As long as ou stays out there recruiting these kids and not dismiss them then I think those 2 will be back. CJ ^upthere^ has a good point though why are kids who are huge leans not wanting to pull the trigger and I guess that may go back to the whole visit thing.
And that is a fair point. Keeping momentum with Sunderland, CJ, Barnett might have kept at least Lampkin in the fold. Recruiting is in the doldrums and may stay stalled until the season is well underway and recruits see the SB win was ‘For Real’. And ‘who knows’ but losing Case might be a good thing and get something fresh for the on-campus visits going. Obviously did not generate a lot of enthusiasm.
Getting those 6 along with Soso would definitely bring some momentum back to recruiting and help with some other guys who like us.
I don’t know that soso is going to commit early or tyreik gray who I like. I think ou doesn’t feel like they are all that close yet on a running back they went and visited Jacques patrick or something like that out of Florida. But I agree it would be nice to get soso.
I know, but it would be nice since I guess he kind of has us #1..I reiterate that I think both decommits make sense and I am not sure what Coach Stoops could do to prevent them aside from offering Josh’s brother early..The big question is what is keeping the 7 or 8 kids who have us #1 from committing to us and getting the momentum train going again.
In order:
1. I like this site because of the ‘Brainiac Breakdowns’. Football knowledge vs journalistic fluff. But would hate to see the respectful treatment the posters have had become a thing of the past. I know you get trolls from time-to-time but let’s keep the respect and not resort to the ‘you’re an idiot’ posts seen on the other sites, please.
2. Like CBob said, Case is a loss but he was chiefly responsible for the logistics of on-campus visits, not evaluation. He will be replaced with a quality hire. Maybe a job for Bruce Kittle!! JK
3. Didn’t think Lindsay
4. That was a serious, down to the calves, squat. Impressive. But think he had another.
No intention of letting No. 1 happen. And if it was in reference to my comment in the open, that was in no way directed at anyone here (just to be perfectly clear).
No way, Sir. It was a comment directed to the general audience. If you disagree, make your point without personal attack or let it slide.
I agree 1000%. It’s pretty simple, act like an adult. That’s how we try to operate ourselves and moderate the comments as such. We’re not looking to officiate online pissing contests. No reason people can’t have a differing of opinions while still being civil to one another.
Great points. I have no problem with anyone getting discouraged over recruiting. OU does finish late and most seem to forget that at times, but it is hard to swallow what has happened as of late. I have a way harder time dealing with the people that MASSIVELY overreacted to TK’s performance in spring game
ICYMI yesterday OU going north of the border w/ their latest offer
https://twitter.com/Jordan_Esco/status/458788047891337217
Jordan…. a big Amen to your opening statement.
Appreciate you saying so. I know I’ve earned this rep, fairly or not (in my mind not, of course) of always being the negative guy, but in this specific instance I think it’s simply stating the reality of the situation.
Look, momentum — especially when it comes to recruiting — is the most fickle of mistresses. There is no one thing you can do to get it and aside from winning/losing, it’s rarely something you can keep from losing. And simply stating the obvious (at least to me) facts, right now OU has very little, if any, recruiting momentum.
It was unrealistic to think the win against Bama was magically going to change everything for them on the recruiting trail. But to sit here today and see how little they’ve benefited — or maybe more importantly how they’ve failed to capitalize on it — from it is incredibly alarming, at least to me.
Doesn’t mean they’re going to disband the program or finish with the 50th ranked recruiting class or anything stupid like that. But to deny there is an issue right now is just foolish.
All that said, if they were to land two or three prominent kids in the coming weeks then that changes a lot. It doesn’t change everything, but it helps, A LOT. The problem is I just don’t see that happening, at least in the coming weeks. I mean who are they legitimately in on that’s given the impression they’re close to committing? Maybe some kid surprises everyone and commits unexpectedly, but right now things seem pretty stale across the board.
Jordan, what do you believe the issue is?..Too laid back, Coach Stoops not involved enough personally, not enough pressure applied to commit, Coach too honest or not honest enough, not enough cool alt uni’s?
I think you could make an argument, on some level, for every single one of those things you mentioned. And the list could go on. It involves all kind of factors, which is why it’s such a difficult thing to change. Because you can do say four of the five things you need to be doing (when in reality it’s probably like 400, not four), but that fifth one can kill you.
Agreed, the middle road of recruiting fodder this year is the great unknown. I feel like we have more elite kids interested in us this year than last, but for whatever reason they are not pulling the trigger.
Hey Jordan hope you don’t think I was one piling on you for your opinions! Sorry if I ever gave you that impression personally! I love your thoughts and LOVE YOUR PASSION FOR ALL THINGS SOONERS! I agree with you some tweaks are needed with Recruiting. My biggest thing is they need to be able to read each kid better! This goes along with your comment below about Coach being to laid back or not enough pressure put on some kids. Some kids need a laid back guy some need a little push in the right direction but it seems like we give the same pitch every time! I do fall in to the “we will be fine” category most of the time! With these young men , many who grow up with out very much financially, start getting treated like rock stars and asked to visit all these exciting place it has to be confusing for them. I never really consider 4 & 5* players committed till after Jan 1 myself so that is why I don’t let decommits bother me personally. THIS IS THE REASON I LOVE TFB! THERE ARE GUYS THAT MAY LEAN A BIT NEGATIVE , GUYS LIKE ME THAT PROBALY LEAN TO POSITIVE, WE GOT SOONER RAY IN ALL HIS WISDOM USUALLY DOWN THE MIDDLE BUT WE ALL LOVE THE SOONERS AND IT MAKES FOR GREAT DISCUSSIONS. AND FINALLY I DON’T THINK YOU ARE NEGATIVE BECAUSE THERE ARE NO NEGATIVES WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IMPROVING THE SOONERS! BOOMER!
Not at all. I always welcome the input from others. I’m not very smart, but I am smart enough to know I don’t know everything (far from it in fact). I always appreciate a good back and forth!
Honest question, who was the last “prominent kid” that had the career they were expected to have? Who was the last 5* guy that we got 5* production out of? (I believe the answer is Gerald McCoy… Let that sink in for a bit)
I think the thing that’s different about our 5* guys that worked out (McCoy and Peterson in recent memory) is that they absolutely loved wearing the Crimson and Cream from the second they “put on the hat”. That’s one of the primary reasons I think Joe Mixon might be the next great consensus 5* guy, is because he seems to be very passionate about OU and has been since he committed.
I’m fine filling out squad out with a bunch of blue-collar low-star guys like Sam Bradford and Aaron Colvin. *shrug*
I will say – thank God we are getting a new recruiting coordinator. No way we cant at least improve in that regard
Question: Do you think that if we would have had a couple of players commit, it would have encouraged Lampikin and Wariboko to stay? I guess what I am saying is since OU had 2 Junior day’s and a Spring game and have not had anyone else commit, it has caused Wariboko and Lampkin to see that perhaps cause a little doubt and encourage them to explore other options since it seems others are as well?
I don’t think so, but I’m guessing others disagree. The kid wants to enjoy being recruited. He wants to take visits. OU having verbals from a few other kids wouldn’t really change that, I don’t think.
IMO, I think Wariboko decommitting kind of encouraged Lampkin to do the same. The two are pretty good friends and while many will say the writing on the wall for this was there w/ Lampkin, his friend (Wariboko) doing the same could have made him think now was as good a time as any.
JUCO point guard recruit out of the Bronx
https://twitter.com/Young_Bull4/status/458988316042731520
I think OU will be fine in recruiting, although there is obviously something wrong right now. I have faith that Coach Stoops will right the ship and get the guys he believes can contribute to the team.
Stoops needs to offer Patterson ASAP so we can feel better for a few days 🙂 Thats’s a D1 Kid who bleeds crimson & cream.
https://twitter.com/Guarantano18/status/459023315580231680
…..does tfb have any contacts around seibert, the pk boulware offered……would be nice to read his thoughts and ou’s chances to land………he’s kinda’ overlooked with all the down news recently but is a very important recruit for post-hunnicutt era…..thxs
https://twitter.com/Michael_Knight1/status/459069684201947136
Gabriel Campbell @Gabecatcampbell 26m
#BoomerSooner baby!! got the offer from them that I been waitin on and I couldn’t be happier gotta thank God for blessin me with the talent
Alex Kline @TheRecruitScoop 9m
Oklahoma has offered 2016 PG Payton Pritchard of Team Fast (OR).