The Football Brainiacs

Image via SoonerSports.com

The Path to Norman

Brendan Radley-Hiles, or Bookie, is a California native. An extremely talented player and elite athlete, he played at IMG Academy in Florida for the end of his high school career.

With offers from basically everywhere, he had his pick of school. Bookie was committed to Nebraska for several months, but decommitted in late October last year, feeling strongly pulled toward Oklahoma. He is good friends with OU freshman running back TJ Pledger, his teammate at IMG Academy in Florida and fellow Californian. The two had a strong desire to play together.

Our way might take a lil longer,
But we did it with No Handouts… pic.twitter.com/nZHvXGr7m9

— TJ Pledger IV (@uno_tj) October 31, 2017

There were rumors of Pledger potentially landing at Nebraska for months, in large part due to their connection – instead, Oklahoma ended up with both.

#BOOM! #Sooners pick up a huge commitment from 2018 Star DB @Bookie_44 (via @TFB_Sooners) https://t.co/H3XxWk8udw

— Ryan Lewis (@RyanLewis_TFB) January 6, 2018

Career So Far

Bookie enrolled early and has had roughly six months in Norman so far, all the while adding to the hype surrounding him. His early enrollment allowed him to play in the spring game.

First look at Bookie in coverage during the first half. #Sooners https://t.co/4CW38pEdJp

— 𝕺𝖐𝖑𝖆𝖍𝖔𝖒𝖆 𝖛𝖘. 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖔𝖗𝖑𝖉 (@soonergridiron) April 14, 2018

Additionally, he has been close with several recruits; Hiles played a big role in Darion Green-Warren committing to the Sooners. Bookie has even earned the nod for Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year.

A league-high 7️⃣ #Sooners were named to the 2018 Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team. #OUDNA

🔗 https://t.co/aJ7fkHd0tI pic.twitter.com/fCcazVDyJV

— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) July 11, 2018

Current Profile

Position: DB

Height: 5’9”

Weight: 186

Year: Freshman

Highlights

2018 Season

It’s hard to remember a defensive player for the Sooners receiving more hype before even seeing the field than Bookie. The five-star DB has been talked about by just about everyone as being a guy to watch this year, and with good reason. TFB has heard multiple ringing endorsements of the DB; from “aggressive” and “instinctive,” to “he’s going to take someone’s spot.”

A versatile player in high school, Bookie played all over the secondary, receiver, and punt returner. The primary spot that TFB has heard he is likely to play is Nickel. He appears to have locked down that spot, with TFB’s own Super K being told that Bookie is a “day one starter.” One thing is for sure; Sooner fans can’t wait to see Bookie in crimson this fall.