The Football Brainiacs

Image of Austin Kendall via Enquirer Journal

– Team News | Matt Dimon: I have been told OU defensive end and potential starter, Matt Dimon, is currently not with the team. At this point I do not know whether he will return or not, but based on what I have been told he is not participating in practice, team meetings, and/or any other team activities. I have yet to be able to ascertain the reason Dimon is not with the team, but I have been able to confirm his absence is not injury related.

With Courtney Garnett injured and now Dimon, at least for now, also not practicing, OU’s defensive line depth has certainly taken a bit of a hit. – (Super K)

– Jared Mayden: Was able to catch up with 2016 CB offer Jared Mayden of Sachse (TX). For those that don’t know, he will be announcing his commitment at The Opening in July. We caught up with him last night to talk about where everything stands currently. At this point he has visits set to Oregon on April 4, Alabama on April 10 & FSU in early June.

Now as far as Oklahoma goes, Mayden is still regularly keeping in touch with Kerry Cooks & Mike Stoops. He has also been in communication with head coach Bob Stoops. The OU legacy said he is considering another unofficial visit to Norman this spring, but nothing is set in stone at the moment.

We can tell you the Sooners are definitely in the mix right now along with Alabama, Florida St., Ohio St. & Oregon. A couple other schools he mentioned as possibilities were Michigan and UCLA. However, Mayden said he isn’t considering any of the Texas schools at this point.

Mayden again confirmed again the OU Jr. Day he attended last month, where he got to really talk with Cooks face-to-face, along with the Alabama offer is what ultimately led him to re-consider his recruitment after having previously released a Top 3. Obviously, that’s a good sign for the Sooners. At this point, Mayden said Ohio St is recruiting him the hardest but was clear in stating he does not have a top school right now.

Interestingly, Mayden says he is planning to take his official visits after he commits in July. The Sooners couldn’t ask for more than to be involved in this race and like we stated above, there is no question that’s exactly where they find themselves. – (Alex)

– Robert Mahone: Bill Bedenbaugh recently reached out to Prosper, Texas 2016 RB and let him know fellow OU assistant Jay Boulware has seen his film, was impressed, and wanted to get a look at him in-person. The 6’0” 195-pound prospect was invited up for the Sooners spring practice this Saturday (Mar. 28), and Mahone tells me he will be in attendance.

With regards to his game, I really Mahone’s size and speed combination. Good burst and gets to top speed in a hurry. Explosive, love his feet, kid can cut on a dime with some serious lateral movement. Can make defenders look silly in tight quarters and in the open field. Also plays CB, which he says is his main position. Definitely a player to keep your eye on moving forward. – (Alex)

– California Visitors: We caught up with 2017 WR Joseph Lewis (Los Angeles, CA), who already holds major offers from schools like USC, UCLA, Michigan & several others. Lewis tells us that he and a few other California kids will be in Norman this Friday.

Those ‘other Cali kids’ who will be joining him are: 2017 WR Taariq Johnson (Los Angeles, CA), Robert Lewis & 2018 WR, Jalen Hall (Los Angeles, CA). Lewis told us that Dennis Simmons is recruiting the trio — which certainly makes sense with the Washington State connection — that all three have actually met him in person before and already have a good relationship. – (Brandon)

– Desmon Smith: A 2016 corner prospect we’ve had our eye on for a little while now is Desmon Smith out of Odessa, TX. He is about the longest cornerback prospect you’ll find standing right around 6’3″ in his cleats. Smith has played offense most of his life, but switched over to cornerback this past season. And with his length, speed, and instincts was able to make the transition easily. So easily, in fact, he could end up being an excellent defensive prospect at the next level. Smith let me know last night Oklahoma is starting to show interest, and that he’s been communicating some with Kerry Cooks. – (Alex)

– Patrick McKaufman: A couple weeks ago we brought 2016 QB Patrick McKaufman out of Douglass High School to your attention. I had a chance to speak with McKaufman last night at which point he informed me of his plans to make a second trip Norman next week to take in an OU spring practice.

McKaufman is a huge kid officially measuring in, flat-footed, at 6’5″ 187-pounds recently at the Nike combine in Dallas. However, the fact that Douglass predominantly runs the ball hasn’t necessarily been the best thing for McKaufman’s recruiting. But he’s a monster athlete with a cannon of an arm and his private QB coach, former OU assistant Joe Dickinson, raves about his ability. – (Brandon)

– Rahshaun Smith: Many of you are familiar with stud 2016 OLB Rahshaun Smith due to OU’s interest/offer and Smith’s close relationship with Charles Tapper. In fact, at one point Smith was even considered to be a bit of an OU lean both because of Tapper, but also because of the relationship he’d built with now former Sooners assistant Montgomery. You may recall Smith visiting Norman last year for the Tennessee game.

Smith tweeted yesterday that he’s planning announce his commitment this Thursday. Not much good here to relay in the way of OU’s chances. Unfortunately, Montgomery leaving really hurt their chances. Expect Clemson, and another former OU assistant in Brent Venables, to pick up Smith’s commitment tomorrow. – (Super K)

– Austin Kendall: We mentioned it in yesterday’s Open Post, but just in case anyone missed it. OU will be hosting 2016 QB and former Tennessee commit Austin Kendall on an unofficial visit today and tomorrow.

While he does not currently hold an offer from the Sooners, we would be pretty surprised if he doesn’t leave with one. In fact, there has even been some talk of a commitment being a possibility. But that may be somewhat premature, however the earlier OU can land their QB commit in this 2016 class — especially after not taking a QB in 2015 — would only help them in having that ‘bell cow’ prospect with which to start building their class around. – (TFB)

– UPDATE (10:55 am): Demetric Warren is reporting, as expected, OU has now officially offered Austin Kendall.

– UPDATE (11:00 am): Just a quick aside regarding K’s report on Dimon above. “Not currently with the team” and ‘no longer with the program’ are two VERY different things. Kind of surprised that even needs to be clarified. But I suppose given the nature of the Internet and propensity of some to just take things and run with them, I felt somewhat compelled to just briefly address things. – (Jordan)

– UPDATE (12:06 pm): Kendall confirms the OU offer.