The Football Brainiacs

Image of Xavier Newman via Horn Sports

An early happy 4th of July to you all! Have fun & be safe this holiday weekend.

– Team News | Jordan Thomas: Hopefully by now you’ve read Thursday’s Open Post, which included some context and the story behind what led to Thomas’ arrest. Since then we’ve been able to gather a few more details and wanted to pass them along to you now.

The coaching staff has gathered and reviewed the necessary information and have met with Thomas regarding the incident. TFB has been told by two sources that Thomas’ punishment will take place over the course of this summer. And so long as he complies with what is asked of him, Thomas is not expected to be suspended for a game/s this fall. – (Super K)

– Team News | Caleb Kelly & Mark Jackson: Earlier this month we mentioned (here) that Abdul Adams and Mykel Jones were a couple of freshmen who had impressed folks early on after having arrived on campus. Since then Caleb Kelly’s name is one we’ve heard on a regular basis who has been standing out.

In fact, we’ve been told that Kelly is being singled out by the staff as someone they want to ensure is prepared to come in and play the SAM LB position this season if/when he would be called upon. As you know, the staff is permitted to meet for a specific amount of time over the summer, and TFB has been told that Kelly is already attending meetings with the upper classmen.

During the spring, the Sooners worked primarily in the nickel package as their base defense. The coaches feel comfortable with Will Johnson at that nickel spot, but against 11 personnel (or bigger) the Sooners want to make sure they have the option of playing a true JACK and SAM linebackers. Similar to the way they did when, at times, last season when they were able to book end the line with Devante Bond and Eric Striker.

Another player we checked on is DE/OLB, Mark Jackson. “He’s a quick learner. He asks questions and once it’s explained, he’s got it,” one source shared with TFB.

Physically Jackson is well put together, though, like most freshmen he will need this summer to continue to add good weight. But one of the most difficult things for young players to pick up early is being assignment sound in the face of offensive shifts and changing alignments. If Jackson is indeed the quick learner he was described to be, that will go a long way towards his shot for early playing time. – (Super K)

– Xavier Newman: You likely saw this past week the Sooners extend an offer to 2017 OL & Texas commit, Xavier Newman. And it was no coincidence that offer came shortly before another 2017 OL, Creed Humphrey, who had been a top OU target announced his commitment to Texas A&M.

TFB also mentioned earlier this past week that OU was a legit threat to flip Newman, who has long coveted an offer from the Sooners.

To that point, TFB heard from a source on Thursday that OU fans could be on a possible ‘boom’ watch in the near future.

Should that happen the Sooners would have one final spot open for an offensive linemen in this 2017 class, which would almost assuredly be held for an OT prospect. The two most likely targets at this point presumably being Stephan Zabie (we’ll have more on him next week) and Adrian Ealy (who we’ve mentioned a couple times on the site dating back to early May). – (Super K)

– Jeffrey Okudah: The standout out 2017 DB was in Norman yet again last week and as we told you then, the visit was initiated by Okudah himself after calling a couple fellow recruits he’s close with to join him on the trip. Since then we’ve had a chance to catch up with Okudah to see how the visit went and where things stand with his recruitment as a whole.

“It (OU) felt like home, as it always does. And just being with the guys they (OU) have committed in the 2017 class, it’s like I’m with my teammates,” Okudah told TFB.

The sense right now is that Oklahoma and Ohio State are likely the two schools on top for Okudah, who has already said he plans to be in Norman the weekend those same two teams square off on the field. The outcome of which could end up deciding the fate of both programs as it relates to Okudah. – (Super K)

– UPDATE (Fri., 3:28 pm): Sooners make the Top 5 for 2017 DL Akial Byers.

Top 5 colleges👇👇 No order

1.Alabama 🐘
2.Ohio St 🅾
3.Mississippi St 🐶
4.Oklahoma 🐴
5.Ole Miss 🔵🔴

— it’s written (@akial_byers) July 1, 2016

– UPDATE (Sat., 5:13 pm): It would appear Dallis Todd is not expected to return this fall.

Source has confirmed @TheFbBrainiacs that #Sooners WR Dallis Todd is no longer on the team. Todd has already been removed from #OU roster.

— Brandon Drumm (@Bdrumm_Rivals) July 2, 2016

– UPDATED (Sun., 11:48 am):

#Sooners staff working hard on former Baylor signee Brandon Bowen. #OU second summer session starts July 12th. Gives Bowen time to decide.

— Brandon Drumm (@Bdrumm_Rivals) July 3, 2016

– UPDATED (Mon., 2:15 pm): Fully realize most, if not all, of these are in the comments below, but wanted to make sure Brandon was properly recognized for chasing down some quality info. As the Sooners are expected to host a large contingent of very talented Georgia prospects for what will be an ‘invite only’ recruiting event on the part of the OU coaching staff.

2017 RB Trey Sermon (VIDEO) – OU commit
2019 ATH Jalen Alexander (VIDEO)
2019 WR Dominick Blaylock (VIDEO)
2019 WR Jadon Haselwood (VIDEO)
2019 LB Charles Thomas (VIDEO)
2019 LB Owen Pappoe (VIDEO)
2019 WR Jashawn Sheffield (VIDEO)
2019 DL Tru Thompson (VIDEO)
2019 DB Kenyatta Watson (VIDEO)
2020 QB Harrison Bailey (VIDEO)

Also expected on that weekend of the 29th:

2018 DB Patrick Fields (VIDEO)