The Football Brainiacs

Image of Trajan Bandy via 247 Sports

– Jeffrey Okudah: As you all are likely well aware, 2017 standout DB Jeffrey Okudah recently released his Top 6 which we discussed in some detail last week.

But with the OU staff’s big BBQ/recruiting event planned for the weekend of July 29th, TFB wanted to catch up with Okudah to see if he would be attending. And while at the time we spoke he was somewhat unsure of his schedule, Okudah did say with regards to his ability to be at the event, “I don’t see why not, but I don’t want to speak to soon either.” – (Super K)

– Trajan Bandy: While distance may be helping the Sooners with someone like Okudah, it’s making things a little difficult with another 2017 defensive back, and OU commit, Trajan Bandy (Miami, FL).

TFB had the chance to speak with Bandy’s father over the weekend, who made it pretty clear his son can’t help but listen to some of what other schools have been selling. And perhaps the pitch that is resonating the most is from Bandy’s hometown school, the University of Miami.

Bandy’s father told TFB that the Canes are really pushing hard for his son, who unsurprisingly has a number of friends in the area who are currently committed to Miami. Bandy’s father also admitted that his son’s inability to spend more time at Oklahoma, with the OU staff and/or around the other members of the #SoonerSquad17 makes things a little difficult.

Bandy’s father did add, however, it is his preference that his son use one of his official visits to be in Norman for the OU/Ohio State game. “I know when we visited OU in the spring, Trajan had a smile on his face from ear-to-ear the whole time we were there. I want him to get out there so he can experience that again.”

Clearly the OU staff would prefer to keep Bandy in the fold, but they understand that battling a local school can be tough. So they are covering their bases and continuing to recruit the position just in case.

To that point, 2017 CB & Texas commit Kobe Boyce is expected to be in Norman for that July 29th BBQ. – (Super K)

– Marquis Hayes Jr: Quickly revisiting 2017 OL Marquis Hayes Jr. (Maryland Heights, MO) visit to Norman last week. In chatting with Hayes, it was clear he’s very optimistic about the prospect of receiving on Oklahoma offer. Hayes told TFB the OU coaches are recruiting him as versatile OL, one who could play either inside at guard and/or outside at tackle.

Assuming OU does in fact extend an offer, we have every reason to believe the Sooners would jump near or possibly to the very top of Hayes’ list. However as of now, even were that offer to come, it doesn’t sound like Hayes is any rush to commit.

In terms of a commitment timeline Hayes said, “At this moment I was feeling signing day. But if I feel the time is right, I would do it a little earlier than that.” – (Super K)

– UPDATE (10:16 am): Building off last week’s summer roster update, OU has also now added the incoming 2016 class to the roster. So we wanted to pass that information along as well.

* 23 RB Abdul Adams: IS – 5’10” 208, WAS – 5’10” 201 — (+7)
* 14 LB Emmanuel Beal: IS – 6’0″ 211, WAS – 6’0″ 211 — (+/-0)
* 72 DE Amani Bledsoe: IS – 6’5″ 270, WAS – 6’5″ 256 — (+14)
* 4 CB Parrish Cobb: IS – 5’11” 175, WAS – 5’11” 175 — (+/-0, I would assume this is due to his late arrival)
* 1 LB Kapri Doucet: IS – 6’2″ 225, WAS – 6’2″ 225 — (+/-0, on the printable version, but not the actual online roster, fwiw)
* 12 WR Zach Farrar: IS – 6’3″ 204, WAS – 6’3″ 199 — (+4)
* 23 DE/LB Mark Jackson Jr.: IS – 6’2″ 234, WAS – 6’2″ 234 — (+/-0, not sure here)
* 8 WR Mykel Jones: IS – 5’11” 188, WAS – 5’11” 186 — (+2)
* 19 LB Caleb Kelly: IS – 6’3″ 221, WAS – 6’3″ 221 — (+/-0, or here)
* 11 DB Parnell Motley: IS – 6’0″ 180, WAS- 6’0″ 180 — (+/-0, so this may just be amount their jersey numbers…)
* 3 DB Jordan Parker: IS – 6’1″ 170, WAS – 6’1″ 170 — (+/-0)
* 9 QB Tanner Schafer: IS – 6’3″ 205, WAS – 6’3″ 205 — (+/-0)
* 77 OL Erik Swenson: IS – 6’5″ 311, WAS – 6’5″ 314 — (-3)
* 40 LB Jon-Michael Terry: IS – 6’3″ 241, WAS – 6’3″ 241 — (+/-0)

Only other thing I (Jordan) might point out here is that I literally just reviewed the online roster in-depth last week for that initial summer update post, and Johncarlo Valentin was listed on the printable version of the roster at that time. Today, however, he is not.

Now I’m not saying that necessarily means anything, although the fact Valentin has yet to arrive on campus and his status in general was something TFB discussed just last week.