Open Post | Monday, May 18th (UPDATED 5:45 pm)
Posted on: May 18, 2015
Image of Dillon Stoner via okpreps.tv
– Team News | Tito Windham: We have confirmed through multiple sources that redshirt freshman cornerback Tito Windham will not return to the OU program following a decision to transfer. It is our understanding Windham has not yet made a final decision as to which school/s he will consider for his next landing spot.
– Dillon Stoner: As many of you know, Stoner is the 6’0″ 180-pound Jenks product who has started to make a name for himself on the recruiting trail. We had a chance to catch up with his father this past weekend, who let us know they are expecting Mike Stoops to stop by the school today for a visit.
I am going to be honest, up until now I had not done a serious review of Stoner’s cornerback film. I have friends and former ball players who have known Stoner for a while sing his praises, but I simply never got around to really watching him. However now that I have, consider me a fan.
Stoner has the necessary size, but his speed is what really stood out to me. It’s exactly what you’re looking for in a corner to ensure that he’s comfortable staying on top of anything deep. His speed is evident from his track times and it’s further evident in that a receiver rarely gets on top of him. And even if/when they do, he’s able to recover. But his speed is perhaps most evident to me in his on-the-field mannerisms.
Fast cornerbacks know they’re fast. Like Maurice Chandler out of NEO, Stoner looks incredibly calm and relaxed in coverage. Which is a sure sign a corner knows there aren’t many athletes who can threaten his speed.
Stoner also has great short-area explosion and is very efficient in his movement. In zone coverage you’ll see him ride an inside route and as the ball is about to be thrown, he’ll read through the quarterback, peal off, and has the ability to close space on the outside route. Equally as impressive, he has the ball skills to finish the play with an interception.
In addition to having good hands, which makes sense seeing as he also plays some wide receiver for the Trojans, Stoner also knows when to play the man and when to position himself to play the ball. He does so time and time again and it’s something you don’t see even in some of the best high school cornerbacks.
And his quickness really shows up when he’s closing space on short routes. He does it effortlessly. Sometimes the bigger corners, even those with speed, can suffer from heavy feet. Not Stoner, however. He looks agile and light on his feet, comfortable in a press or off position in both man and zone. On film you get to see him in various coverages and alignments and he looks at ease in all of them.
If I’m nit-picking his game it would be when he comes down hill, he is there in plenty of time but doesn’t necessarily strike the ball carrier with bad intentions. When he adds that element to his game and continues to refine the efficiency within his overall movement, I think he’s going to make an excellent corner at the next level. It’s obvious why Arkansas offered Stoner without even so much as seeing him in a camp setting. Everything you want to see is there on his film. Add to it the fact that you’ve got a well-mannered, intelligent young man and it’s hard to pass on him.
Lastly, one of the things you need in an athlete is a drive and a work ethic to separate themselves from others. All I need to know is that Stoner runs the 400 meters and comfortably won state this past weekend. That is a painful race and aside from what it tells you about an individual’s, I respect anyone who has the fortitude and strength to compete in that particular race.
I really believe Stoner is being incredibly overlooked by programs around the country. I am, however, certainly glad to hear Oklahoma has decided to pay this young man a visit. – (Super K)
– UPDATE (1:01 pm): Just off the phone with Alex’s Criddle’s father. Alex is the 2016 NG out of Tulsa Edison that I mentioned in my OK Preps article last week. I am extremely happy to say that Vanderbilt coaches have informed Mr. Criddle that they will be extending an offer to his son, Alex, today! Vanderbilt coaches told Mr. Criddle that in their 3-man front, Alex exactly what they look for in a nose guard.
– UPDATE (5:45 pm): Marcus Green responds to folks claiming he is transferring.
https://twitter.com/tocolddb1/status/600421403372888064
201 Comments
Another player transfering. Not good. Hope these guys find what they are looking for.
A white cornerback? Inconceivable!!!!! 🙂
As I understand it, that’s part of the stigma he’s working to overcome w/ regards to his recruiting.
Meh, come back when he haz dreads…
j/k
Right or wrong, I can understand that. Just not a position that you see a lot of white kids excel at when you are talking high level college or above. Would love for him to be an exception to that.
Agreed on all counts.
If you can play, you can play. LOL!
I don’t want to see this kid have to overcome generalization. Turn on the tape and let that tell the story.
My brother played football with the Stan Shiver, safety for Tift County Blue Devils (Georgia AAAA at the time). Stan played safety; he was physical and tall. He could lay the lumber. He’d take your head off.
Stan went to FSU to play football on scholarship and I believe he was drafted by Dallas or Green Bay. I can’t remember. He was tough as nails.
I was kind of hoping he’d be that annoying white receiver that opposing fans hate. Similar to Ryan Swopes, Jordy Nelson, or Jordan Shipley.
Yes, and the announcers will call him gritty, determined, and gutsy.
hmm…kind of like ‘well-spoken’ or ‘articulate’… one day we will see past this crap…not soon enough though…
Exactly.
I was one of those annoying white receivers that my own fans hated due to my blazing fast 5.4 speed.
Last year when he ran with Jordan Smallwood in the 4×400, they ran a 3:22.17. This year, even without Jordan Smallwood, they managed to shave 2 seconds off of that in the 6A State Championships.
Inconceivable?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHVjs4aobqs
One of my favorite cornerbacks, in college and pro, was Jason Sehorn.
Edit: I believe he actually played safety at USC, rusty memory
Sehorn’s greatest claim to fame is fathering three children with Angie Harmon ( foxy brunette asst DA on Law & Order ) ……
I say this as a man with a mixed racial background, if Stoner was even 1/8th black, he’d have a ton of offers. The bias he’s facing is very real and unfair. I’d be lying if I didn’t say it took me a while to watch his film despite friends pleading with me to do so, because he’s white. I’ve learned my lesson. I’m an absolute believer in this kid. I actually have a close friend who is an FBS level db coach and I had him watch Stoners film. But I told him Stoner was mixed (specifically said 1/4 black). He watched and told me the kid is absolutely an FBS level CORNERBACK…not a wr…not a safety…a cornerback. Then I told him he’s white. He admitted that there’s no doubt the bias and perception about white DBs is clearly hurting this kid. Stoner can play and I’d like to see him up close but if he looks as good up close as he does on film I’d offer him even I was at OU.
Hear! Hear!
We’ve come to a place in this world where there is historical evidence that a person’s ability to perform or not perform has nothing to do with the color of their skin.
I cringe when I hear negatives about the ability of black athletes who play QB and I’m cringing now.
This kid can play.
I suspect that the first time he’s beaten deep, this will be discussed heavily. But, consider the fact that black DBs get burned also.
Yeah, our DBs have never gotten beat deep.
Not at all. LOL!
Thank you, sir.
I was thinking the same thing as I read the write up, but was in a jaded and cynical frame of mind. Thank you for your forthright statement.
Though the race card may get overplayed sometimes, it’s extremely important that we do a self-reality check every once in a while.
That you did, and felt strongly enough to talk about it, to me, speaks volumes about your character.
Not sad about losing Windham. He was very undersized and couldn’t see him getting playing time ever. Again, attrition like this is necessary in order for us to have a full (23-25) recruiting class in 2016. I wish the best of luck to Tito in the future, but not everyone that we bring in pans out. For those who don’t, it’s best for both parties that they move on to a level where they can play.
Yeah if you can’t play in this secondary I question whether your power conference worthy. Probably needs to go to Tulsa, SMISS, LATECH etc.
Truth sadly
……bjw thought he had found a diamond
Looks like he has the size, speed and hands. Doesn’t matter what color the kid is, let’s keep the Jenks pipeline going!!
Honestly done with all of this attrition.
Windham was never going to play a meaningful down for OU. Why should he stay and why should we want him to? With only 85 ships, we need players who will contribute.
And you know this how?
I presume you’re basing this opinion mostly on his size, yes?
I know this from watching him in the spring game; where he was on the depth chart with several more talented players coming in; and from my neighbor who’s job has him at every practice. ,
Dude you need to hook us up with your neighbor brother! 😉
I share what I can when I can. He is director of a very vital department of the athletic department and an occasional visitor to this site. He is guarded what he tells me, because he knows I’m active on here but has, from time to time, shared some great jewels with me especially regarding Wariboko’s last weekend visit and as to the specialness (if that’s a word) of Perine last spring and Anderson this spring. His primary concern is that I not divulge his identity for obvious reasons. Hopefully, he fully trusts me by now. I will continue to share as I hear things, although I don’t like “pumping” him for information.
You really should delete where you mention where he works, not many folks in those positions. No need to chance it.
I agree, hit the edit button. It is our friend.
Good stuff
I edited. Hope he is now less identifiable.
you might want to be careful about mentioning any details, like where he might live in relation to you, which may have come up in the past. It’s pretty easy for someone with interest to figure things out. Hate to see anyone get in trouble for providing insight to us.
Understood.
Key word “85” looks like we’re almost down to 80. And 3 transfers were announced in the last week. Not a good off season but I’m fine with running off all that think the grass is greener elsewhere.
Tito showed great potential as a punt returner, db, probably not. Good on him for wanting to move on where he can play and for us with new found 2 spots.
KJ Young is a loss, IMHO. On-field experience is not easily gained
I don’t think we’ll miss Young. His on-field experience doesn’t do much good if you aren’t playing, which is what I expect this next year. If it goes the way it’s looking, I’m expecting 2 RBs and 3 WRs. Young won’t start over Westbrooke, Shep, Andrews. Even if we play 4 WRs, it’s quick, neal and possibly Todd, Mead and others (Green, Miller, Humphrey) before Young, IMO. I see him 3rd string at best, probably even in a 4 WR set. It does help in practice to have tons of WRs and it helps with special teams, but in a game at WR, I think he’s way down on the list.
What’d you think?
I didnt think he did that bad for redshirt freshman.
good point. he wasn’t. I could have been very wrong, too, about him being 3rd string, but I’m pretty confident he wasn’t going to be 1st string with what we have. I think, have said many times, I think it was the system we were running and plays we were calling more than the WRs or Norvel or even the QBs.
Yeah with dede, shep, andrews, and neal. Is was going to be tough to start but he would have played a lot. He didnt bc he thought he wasnt going to play, the kid just made mistakes off the field. Think the kid can play
Man! We can take 35 kids next year, similar to what UTenn and Alabama do every year!
Looks like we lost out on Tito, on to Jermaine and Michael.
Was windham the freshman CB you guys were reporting a week or so ago you were expecting to transfer? Just hoping theres not another one coming.
Yes, he was.
Though I know there have been some who have also thrown out the name Marcus Green as a possibility as well.
ya i remember hearing greens name thrown around, was a little surprised to see windham is the one who was transferring.
Green a candidate to transfer as well?
Any knowledge on why Windham is leaving? Coaching change, playing time, too many tornadoes?
All of the above.
No, yes (in a way), no.
Know of any other issues or just the playing time aspect? Just wondering if there are other team issues or if he didn’t feel like he would get any PT. Thanks
it could be failing a certain test
Scrambling for diamonds in the rough, at the end of recruiting periods, has really paid off…
I had to take too many imaginary breaths when reading that sentence.
KJ Young and Windham are gone. Just think of the multiple suspensions that were going to happen (It’s related). They decided to not be suspended and leave or was kicked off the team. I do know why, just can’t say what. (Team violation).
I have a hard time believing you know what is going on. Usually people that are in the know either tell you facts or they do not say anything. If you really are in the know then spill the beans. If you are in the know and are not to spill the beans, then, why are you pumping your trumpet?
Like I mentioned a couple other DB’s may be suspended. If I don’t give it up to myself who else will?
I would think that after spring, players have a feel for where they stand with the new position coaches and what Coach Cooks is looking for in his players. Tito might not fit what Cooks wants. Tito has plenty of time to transfer to another program where he has a better chance to play and Coach Cooks has the opportunity to bring in a player who better fits his system. The hope is that you have several players that ‘fit’ and can build quality depth for dime packages or injuries. And hopefully, the team gets to that point very soon. Wish Tito the best.
I like what I see on Stoner’s film. The kid is smart, fast, aggressive, with great instincts.
I for one hate stereotypes at any position, especially QB. For a long time black QBs had to overcome the stigma that you had to be smart to play QB.
As for Stoner, this kid shouldn’t have to deal with that. But, I think it will keep him motivated to play hard. Talk about the corner position being an island. He’s really going to be on an island. That’s not fair that Stoner will have to deal with that. I’m rooting for him.
If you can cover, you can cover. Nothing else matters.
I’ll be honest, when I started reading the breakdown I was like “Oh, I bet someone attached the wrong photo”. Then I come down and start reading the comments, damn I’m an idiot. Sterotypes and what we think we know, can make us really look dumb. Hopefully he get’s the oppurtunity he deserves.
Somebody update the Attrition thread
Watched Stoner run over the weekend at the state track meet. He won the open 400 with the time of 48.31 which is blazing fast. What is even more impressive to me is that he ran a 1:55 split in the 4×800 and it was his FIRST TIME RUNNING IT THIS SEASON! (1:54 won the open 800 in 6A) The kid has the wheels to win the 400 but also the balls and mental toughness to conquer the 800. He gets my vote.
Yeah he actually ran a 156.8 split un the 800 but ran 155 the first time he ran it this season I believe.
He also ran on the state record holding 4×2 last year.
He HJ 6’4 at a meet this year.
there was a good safety at Jenks a year or so ago that OU apparently did not consider ( Dylan Harding ) … the young man signed with OSU Pukes. He might have helped the OU secondary. this season…….
The 3 guys we signed are better than Dylan.
I don’t know the kid has a bad habit of wrapping his arms around people when he tackles instead of just hitting them with his shoulder like we always seem to teach our DBacks. I wonder if our new DB coach could train that out of him.
That was funny.
Excellent use of snarkasm. I chuckled.
Nice.
That brought a grin!
Super K, when you post “I watched film on X player” I presume you’re looking at their game film, not HUDL highlights you post along with the write-up. Is that a valid presumption? Obviously, everyone looks good on a highlight tape. What I like to see, to accurately evaluate a player, is their bad plays.
If a kid gets 40 snaps a game and plays 12 games counting playoffs, that’s nearly 500 snaps. Out of 500 plays, even a decent players should have 3+ minutes worth of highlight plays. The question is, out of those 500 plays, how many bad plays were there?
I’m curious, assuming you’ve seen Stoner’s game film, did he show any weakness in coverage that teams failed to exploit simply because they we’re scared to throw to his side? His highlight video looks like he has a ton of athletic ability and good game to go with it. Couple that with his measurables, I’d think he’d have 25-30 big time offers (you know, if he wasn’t white).
That’s something I always wonder. Heck, even I had three minutes worth of “highlight” footage, and I wasn’t a very good football player.
More importantly, is the guy off of Stoner’s right shoulder wearing a golden shirt with a golden chain?
I like the kids highlights and he looks like a player but with a name like Stoner he might get suspended the minute he hits campus. Just saying.
I love his hands and his hip movement. I could see an offer going out. I just hope that his color and the fact that he lives in Oklahoma does not hurt his chances with the home team.
Mike Stoops was there before and told to look at Stoner. He said no for the same reason everyone knows. Heard that from a Jenks coach.
The guy they compare Dillon to as a competitor in Jenks, ROCKY CALMUS. When you get compared to that guy, I say take him.
If MS said no for that reason, not disputing your colleague, it is truly sad and unfortunate.
Heard the same coach K.
Don Haskins said it best. “I don’t see color. I see quick, I see skill, and that’s what you have.”
I can’t imagine Mike Stoops passing on looking at kid for no reason. They guys he thought were going to perform haven’t panned out as well. Might as well look at all options.
Stoner’s tape sure looks good. In addition to what others have said what impressed me most was his ability to accelerate at will.
One of my favorite Italian songs echoed in my head.
https://youtu.be/sI0OstcAYlU?t=55s
This is what I was talking about yesterday with us needing to narrow down our recruiting areas. This kid should have an offer and be on his way to Norman. Is he the most elite prospect? Maybe not but if he had the same film but played in Texas or Cali then he would have 20+ major offers.
I’ve watched Stoner play. When Jenks plays you on both sides of the field, you are one of those special athlete’s. He should be recruited as a ball player and used wherever he can help your team the most.
Exactly. Two way players are good to have on any team, and just because it is Jenks the word will get out.
Great point. There is no shortage of talent in the Jenks pipeline and if you are good enough to play on both sides of the ball that is sure saying something.
The fact that he’s a 2way player at Jenks is simply crazy!
Stoner comes from a OSU family. I bet a couple more DB’s are suspended or get passed up on the depth chart. All from the team violation
Stoner’s father is from Texas. TAMU alum.
Seen Stoner at many track meets this year. Kid runs a 48 400. SPEED. Won the open 400 this year in 6A.
Coach Boulware out to see 2016 RB Peytton Pickett.. Arlington Houston HS..
@AKing_TFB: 2016 Arlington, TX (Sam Houston) RB, Peyyton Pickett (@getchu_5) had #OU RB coach Jay Boulware by to check in on him today. @TheFbBrainiacshttp://www.hudl.com/athlete/2213006/highlights/215627377/v2
Uhh…. Some of his highlight film has clips from what looks like practice. The QB has one of those “Don’t hit me” jerseys.
Extremely exciting update about Tulsa Edison 2016 NG Alex Criddle added.
He owns the line of scrimmage.
Bummer about Tito, I thought he was one the better coverage corners in that class, hopefully we can find recruits that want to wear the jersey and want to compete. Last night I came across some film of guy I think might be my new favorite receiver, Tyrie Cleveland, which he may have been mentioned on here before. Apparently, OU had come by to visit him recently (can’t confirm). Has the wheels of a smaller guy but with a 6’3 frame.
Here is the film: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1629576/highlights/218853376/v2
Kid is quick! Eats up cushion and then he’s gone!
Has insane acceleration off the line and great open field speed. Doesn’t run that many fancy routes, just beats the safety with his speed. It may be the bronco on his helmet, but he kind of reminds me of Emmanuel Sanders.
Stoner has size, speed, ball skills and plays at a national powerhouse of a program to boot. (As a BA grad/resident it pains me to say that but it’s true!) Most of the kids that come out of Trimble’s program understand how to play the game the proper way. They are schooled in the subtle nuances of the game and if they are dripping with athleticism on top of that I can’t for the life of me understand why collegiate coached wouldn’t be clamoring to get their hands on a kid like Stoner. The whole color issue is a damn shame but if you believe it doesn’t exist you are kidding yourself. If he were a different skin tone I would venture to guess he would be a 4 star kid with the size/speed combo he possesses but there he sits as a 2. A 2, seriously? I am not sure if these folks have watched his tape but if they have and still felt he was worthy of only 2 stars I have to question their ability to analyze talent. These are the kind of kids we must keep in state and I am certainly pulling for an offer to made in short order. While the kid can’t change his skin tone I believe there is something he CAN change…games. Boomer
Jonny, good post. I agree with everything you’ve said.
Unfortunately, this the way it is. It’s everywhere society. When are people going to stop judging people by their skin color? This is why so many organizations, no matter how profitable they are, aren’t great companies and never reach their full potential.
I couldn’t agree more. You would think that in 2015 these types of stereotypes would be nothing more than a memory but that’s simply not the case. I truly believe our country has made wonderful strides in the area of race and race relations but there is certainly room for improvement. At the end of the day all I am concerned with is 1) can the kid play and 2) is he/she a good person. If they can pass those 2 prerequisites I say “come on!”
Kudos to you for saying “he/she”. We can’t forget the women who are phenomenal in athletics, academics, and in the workforce.
My hat is off to you.
247 is saying green and windham both are leaving the program. Is this knew news with green or did I miss something?
it’s not like we have a lot of talent and talent back there. We need to hit the JUCOs hard
Chandler the NEO kid what has happened with him?
oh I think the sooners are in good shape for him.
Wow. The hits keep coming. The neat though is that it creates opportunity for someone else.
We’ve heard rumblings about Green but nothing definitive on him leaving yet.
Criddle must be a bright kid. He seems to have an offer from Harvard as well.
Saw that. And the Naval Academy. Happy for Alex. Looks like a good 2 gap guy but he has really good quickness off the ball. Like K was sayin’, if OU isn’t going to offer them, like seeing them have success elsewhere, even if it’s against OU. That has to feel good to a kid that was hoping for but never received that Sooner offer.
Very bright. Has a high ACT score and GPA
Not sure Stoner is the name to bring into the program at the moment…I kid …Nice film…hope he gets offered today
After watching film on the Stoner kid I can name a few reasons he’s 2 star. Most 6ft plus 180 corners in high school are projected to play safety in colllege and he’s not the best tackler. Okie kids always get short changed, the local sports media don’t have him in their own top 30. If you don’t live in Tulsa, without TFBs you wouldn’t know his name.
He has offers from power 5 schools, that’s big. I know it’s becoming more common for kids to get offers earlier but it’s still rare to rack up a bunch of big offers before summer visits and the start of your senior season. I’m sure the white cornerback thing may be an issue to some, as stereotypes hurt everyone, but relax. There is tons of time for this kid to pick up offers. Winning track titles will only pick up the noise. The tradition of Jenks coupled with his skill set and determination I guarantee he will at least pick up a third star. Which may not sound like much but like I said Okie kids get short changed. I’m predicting 4 or less 4 star players for 2016
I think he’s fairly well known by schools at this point. I know TAMU knows about him and have spoken to him. His father is a TAMU alum but they are recruiting him as a WR. He can play both ways but I believe he can be an excellent corner and long corners that run like him are far rarer than 6’1 WRs.
His route running is almost Broyles like…like how he finds the open area in the zone…all in all shows good football IQ which should translate to which ever position he grows in to
Super K…………thanks for the write up on this prospect . do you think either state school will offer ??
I bet osu does.
I can’t say for certain. I’ve been told by an OSU source that they prob won’t but that may simply be due to the fact that they’ve got their board set and feel comfortable with who they’ve got. They already have Madre and the Shreveport kid committed.
So I’m wondering if cooks doesn’t like the talent or lack thereof from the corner position? It’s strange to me that both green and Windham are leaving. I think will Johnson will play a lot but the 4th and 5th corner spots were definitely up for grabs.
And after typing all that I forgot that we had 6 db’s coming in the next month or so which on paper has been considered one of stoops better DB classes.
It sucks, but in my opinion, if guys are excited to get out there and compete for a spot then they don’t need to be out there at all, even if that means high attrition rates. I am concerned that our less aggressive approach to recruiting isn’t winning us the more aggressive players.
We have 5 more coming, with Will Johnson already here. Both Windham and Marcus Green started for the 2nd team D in the spring game.
I expected two CBs to leave, but they weren’t the ones I thought would leave. Both are only RS freshmen.
Windham and Green were NOT in the 2-deep in the Spring. JT, Sanchez, Will Johnson, Dakota Austin and Stanvon were all ahead of those two,
I did NOT say that they were 2nd team on the depth chart.
I said that both of them started for the Red defense, which was mostly the 2nd team. Will Johnson stared for the Red defense at nickel.
Just read that Marcus Green is transferring out too. What’s the deal!?
it could be the program has very strict policies (drugs or other) ,is demanding, not very fun, or they were not going to play.
or all of the above.
Truth…
Let’s see we have Jordan Thomas, Zack Sanchez,Will Johnson, and Stanvon Taylor left as CBs. The two incoming freshmen will have to play some. THIN very thin
Do we still have Dakota Austin as well
You left out Dakota Austin.
if he plays we are in trouble. small small guy. That’s why I didn’t count him
Will Johnson and Stanvon Taylor will be the backup corners, with PJ having a chance to play.
oh I realize that but injuries do happen
I disagree, Will Johnson looked serviceable in the spring game covering Andrews.
He plays nickel and CB.
I really like Will Johnson. I’ve always felt if you had 5 guys who could play at 2 positions (CB, DE, etc) you were in good shape. If the above 4 and someone like Mbanasor can play, I feel good about CB. Not so confident about safety. I don’t like needing 2 or possibly all 3 this fall, but we’ll see.
I like Will Johnson too. Kid can play. In Big 12, you cant have enough CBs. Injuries happen and playing freshman CB is never good. Safety is a very big concern,
With the 2 CBs and 3 safeties coming this summer, OU would have had 9 CBs and 6 safeties on scholarship. Losing 1 CB wouldn’t hurt a bit, and OU can survive losing 2 CBs. I expected to have 2 transfer, just not these 2, as both played 2nd team in the spring game.
CB: Sanchez, Taylor, Austin, Will Johnson, Jordan Thomas, Antoine Stephens, and PJ Mbanasor are left; that’s 7.
S: Byrd, Ahmad Thomas, S Parker, McKinney, Sunderland, and Houghton (6).
OU can survive losing a WR as well. They have 7 outside and 4 inside receivers now, counting Dahu Green and AD Miller.
Not that I’m happy about losing players, just trying to put things in perspective.
where do you get 9 CBs
7 + 2 still equals 9. I said OU WOULD have had 9 CBs, but 2 are reportedly leaving, which means 7 are left.
gotcha
I don’t get the feeling the two (or one) leaving were going to be able to break into the top two. Do you feel that way? BTW, I really like Will Johnson. Taylor and Austin are good backups. It’ll be interesting to see if Will Johnson, Mbanasor or Stephens make it into the top two levels. If they do, I really like our depth at CB. We really need all 3 safeties. Playing 5 DBs we really need all 3 of the new ones to come along FAST, IMO.
Kids leaving because they are kicked off the team is one thing. But kids leaving because they don’t like the coaches, they’re too strict, they’re deep on the depth chart, etc…I dont wanna sound like a jerk but I would want guys who want to be there…so good luck to ya…but Im not going to beg you to stay.
http://weknowmemes.com/generator/uploads/generated/g1362807989603142395.jpg
Marcus Green not transferring per his Twitter account.
https://twitter.com/TheFbBrainiacs/status/600424022870896640
THIS.
“I could have been a contender!“
Making room for that A&M transfer, I guess…
Devwah Whaley says…
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CFUERdXUsAAJWKx.jpg
Whaley?
Yes, funny how it chopped off the top
You would need a fork to eat from that soup bowl. 🙂
I gots a spork.
OU needs to find a way to beat Texas in the RRS…..Whaley is UT’s #1 RB target…..
That might be one heck of a football game this year. If the UT D is as stout as it was last year, it’ll be a battle.
Who tweeted this, Tex? Whaley?
Yessir, edit added at the top.
UPDATE!
j/k
I like your image best.
Thanks, EasTex!
You are welcome.
In which alphabet does “Texas A&M” come before “Texas?” 🙂
I think the “A” is the tie breaker. 🙂
Maybe it works that way in Texas…:-)
Works for me. 😀
Question: Did any of the following ever start last season for OU?
Walker, Quick (I think he did), Flowers, Romar, Alvarez, Farniok (I know he did the year before at OSU)
Flowers started five games.
http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=750326&SPID=127245&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=209396451&Q_SEASON=2015
Quick started two.
http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=750326&SPID=127245&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=209396985&Q_SEASON=2015
With Young, a starter, I was wondering how many people we had returning with starting experience.
DBs: Thomas, Parker, Thomas and Sanchez (didn’t we end the season with these 4 the starters? Also, did Byrd ever start?)
LBs: Striker, Alexander, Evans, Shannon. (Has Bond ever started for us?)
DL: Tapper and Wade
OL: Kasitait, Darlington, Farniok ?
WRs: Quick, Shep, Neal,
QB: Thomas, Knight, Mayfield (@ TT)
RB: Ross, Perine, Flowers
Anyone else? What’s interesting is that several of those may not start again at OU, but played well for us as starters. Wade was real good as FR, should be better now than 2 yrs ago. Knight is better, and Thomas than last year. I think Mayfield starts. Neal has played well for us, and Quick, but they may not start this year. Farniok might not start. Ross, who I believe is a stud and will be even better in this O with the field spread out. Ross and Flowers may not start in the backfield. Shannon or Alexander or Evans won’t start. Someone will not start out of those 3. We have a lot of starting experience coming back, and some of the previous years’ starters won’t this year, although they are better this year than when they started in previous years.
I wonder if we have had so many returning starters under Stoops that won’t start the next year (perhaps)?
Byrd did not start, but played in all 13 games.
As I recall, those were the DB starters at the end.
Experience counts, no doubt, but some are more prepared to play mentally and physically than others. We just had two book end OTs graduate, they started early in their careers. Kenny Stills looked polished as a true freshman, Perine is self explanatory and Tony Jefferson was a beast from day one.
I desire experienced players, but will gladly trade that for talented and well prepared players.
It was Hale that reported that Green was transferring. Wonder where he heard it from that the report could be so wrong? Whatever. Glad Green is hanging in there.
Are you sure about that? That would surprise me. I was listening to his show today and a caller said the he had heard from this site that Marcus was transferring, and Hale said he hadn’t heard anything about that and that he would have to track someone down to look into it. That was about 2:00 this pm.
The chronology is as follows: TFB reports that Tito is transferring. However, at OUInsider, Hale posted a “Program Update” in which he reports that Green is transferring also. That update was later corrected to read that Green was considering it. But that was only after TFB posted Green’s Tweeter message saying emphatically that he wasn’t. No big thing really. Just that the insider is sometimes outside.
We have a good group of cbs….Will Johnson will be a player this year…I bet he’s on the field more than not (at NICK)…he looked like the only guy that could cover Andrews
The “Nickel”? Isn’t that where the coaches want to play Steven Parker?
yeah but with WJ there they can use Parker on the back end where he is better at coverage than both Byrd and Thomas…just a hunch on my part…WJ was one of the better defenders in the SG
Didn’t know that. Thanx. I swear, my football IQ has increased substantially since coming to TFB.
Agreed.
I think they may need to put both parker and Johnson at safety. And let byrd and Thomas fight for playing time at nickel.
I think one of the two will be nickel. (Parker-WJ)..the nickel needs to be almost a hybrid cb-safety that can play tight coverage have more flexible hips to turn and run with the wr…both Byrd and Thomas are better at coming down hill
Parker and WJ played nickel the vast majority of the time in the spring game. I also expect WJ to esee lots of playing time. He looked good in the spring game.
Why do we make a big deal of players transferring that have done nothing? Its obvious why they are leaving, they know they will not play much come September.
Is there any doubt Keith Ford or K.J Young or Tito Windham were buried on the depth chart?
When Samaje Perine or Sterling Shepard transfers let me know.
Michigan has lost 6 players so far, and USC has just lost a 5 star TE
It’s more about the fact that we lose potential and lose depth that will require true freshmen to play. You never want to have to rely upon true freshmen to play. Most true freshmen are not like Samaje Perine.
Yeah but if a player wants to transfer because he is buried on the depth chart, there is nothing the coaches can do about that
Yeah I was listening to the radio here in Alabama today and they a were saying Auburn had lost 5 DB since the end of the season.
I believe this what you and I were pointing out yesterday. I’d still like to know what is the national average.
Yeah I haven’t been able to find anything that looks like actual data. Here are some numbers did find.
1) 1 in 3 students transfer before they graduate.
2) 40% of college basketball players transfer within the first two years.
3) 10% of college basketball players transfer annually (which does not agree with #2 though it may have been earlier data since there is quite about the increasing transfer rate in basketball)
4) Football is about half that of basketball (so by number 3 5%)
If we assume that 4 is correct then about 4-5 football players transfer per year or about one per recruiting class per year. That would mean we should expect about four of the 2011 class to have transferred by now. However, that is just transfers and does not include players that never made it to campus, those who give up football, those dismissed from the team and those who leave early for the pros or because of graduation.
Someone posted on another site that the P-5 average is 38%. I have not been able to find where that data may have originated.
Ray, thanks. If that’s true, then a 40% attrition at OU is right around the norm. It would be nice if we could establish a baseline.
Something else to look into is what has been the attrition rate at OU under Stoops’ tenure. Has it always been around 40%. If so, and he’s manage to compete for four National Championships, that would not indicate that attrition is the problem.
Bob, thanks for researching this and sharing it with us. This is very interesting.
Agreed. If Perine and Shep transfers, I might see some of you in the ER
Glad to hear that Marcus is staying.
Me as well- Always good to see any kid take a long look in the mirror and face the challenges in front of them versus taking an easy way out.
In Phil Steels magazine there is a section on transfers every year…FYI. Although I haven’t seen this years, but last year 2 SEC schools led by a large margin. Anyone want to guess who they were? Yep…Alabama and L.S.U!
You can look at it as a negative if you want, but I tend to look at it as positive and that you need to be at a certain level to play at The University of Oklahoma. Some can handle the commitment responsibility to train to be the best student and athlete and some can’t. And that is ok for the kids that can’t. They can still transfer and get a quality education and play football at a place that doesn’t require so much of their time. With tradition comes a commitment to excellence and responsibility. Some kids would like more of the college experience and be a student athlete. Just my humble opinion..
That’s why I said on the attrition thread, that I bet schools like Alabama, Texas or even Texas A&M have the same attrition rates. Maybe even higher
All this complaining is just due to having a bad season. If OU was coming of an 11-1 season, I bet this would all be none issues.
Also with social media you hear more about transfers than we did back in the day. Plus everything gets magnified 100 times more when OU is not winning like they should. We shall see how the team looks in August. I think we might be better off but I wish the kids that are transferring the best of luck wherever they go.
Great to see men’s tennis team won tonight and will play Virginia for the national championship.
Riddick was a great hire. Who would have thought, five years ago, that Oklahoma of all places would be competing for NCs in tennis?
He was a great hire! 🙂
Last night, I had my first OU football dream of the calendar year. We were up on TCU 23-3 in the 1Q. We were wearing red on red unis with white helmets. Our QB was…Cody Thomas. Joe Mixon returned a KO after a TCU FG (I think) 102 yards for a TD. Bob Stoops then fed the crowd with a basket of fish and a loaf of bread. It was incredible.