The Football Brainiacs

Image of Nick McCann (No. 73) via texarkanagazette.com

– Jean Delance: I’m sure many Sooner fans assumed that things between Delance, the former OU commit, and the Sooners were done after the SAE incident and Delance’s very public decommitment.

However, it appears that may not be the case.

The talented 2016 offensive tackle actually reached out to TFB on Monday and shared that he is tentatively planning to use one of his five official visits for another trip to Norman. Delance also added that he is hoping to make it back to the OU camps for an unofficial visit later this summer. In talking with him, it was hard not to get the sense that things are far from dead between he and the Sooners.

The relationship between Delance and Bill Bedenbaugh has proved to be a lasting one and the OU offensive line coach has done anything but throw in the towel. – (Brandon)

– Nick McCann: As most of our readers know, one of our greatest joys is to introduce you all to unknown or ‘under the radar’ talent. Yesterday, we had the pleasure of introducing you all to Teton Saltes, who in the last 24 hours has heard from and/or expecting to be visited by Arizona State, Ohio State & Oklahoma.

A new 2016 defensive tackle prospect we want to introduce you all to is Nick McCann out of Texarkana, AR. Alex first came across McCann’s film then sent it over to me, and I was immediately intrigued. McCann is a 6’2″-6’3″ 290-pound defensive tackle with an absurd amount fluidity and athleticism to his game.

Most big guys can typically look awkward or off balance the further they are from the ball, especially when you line them up at a 5-tech or even a 7-tech and they simply don’t have the balance and/or the quickness play it effectively. Not, this kid though. It simply doesn’t matter where you line him up, he is explosive and balanced enough to beat the protection. And when he hits the ball carrier, they stay hit.

There is this wonderful combination of finesse and power to the way he plays that, as a future inside defensive lineman, I can imagine it will be very difficult for the slower offensive guards and/or centers to handle.

There are a number of incredibly impressive plays on his film, but among the many I like are those in which he manages to slow play the read-option and still make the play on the ball carrier. He’s 290 pounds but moves as fluidly as a true 240-pound defensive end!

I spoke with McCann’s coach yesterday, who simply raved about the young man. He said he’s been around a lot of ball players who have played at the next level and is absolutely convinced McCann has the ability to do the same.

One of the things I like to do when I’m evaluating talent is to speak to the coach and a parent in order to see what kind of support system the player has. And it was obvious right away in speaking to both McCann’s coach and his mother that he has wonderful people in his life who are supporting and pushing him to be the player he’s capable of being. All that, along with his God given talent and the development he’s already received, led me to believe McCann could have a really bright future as a high major D-I football player.

I have put McCann’s tape on multiple times over the past few days. When a player’s film gets me excited, I tend to do that. For your film lovers out there I’d strongly encourage you to take a look. Kudos again to Alex for finding this hidden gem of a prospect. – (Super K)