The Football Brainiacs

– Team Note | Cornerback: Earlier this week, TFB mentioned that Michiah Quick was getting first team reps at cornerback, opposite Jordan Thomas, with Parrish Cobb running second team. We have since learned that between the two, it sounds like Cobb had the better week of practice.

Still no final word on who will start against Louisiana-Monroe, but TFB was told that Cobb was taking the first team reps later in the week. We’ll of course see how it shakes out on Saturday when the defense runs out there for the first time, but also fair to say we probably aren’t going to learn all that much about either CB spot this weekend given the level of competition. – (Super K)

– Cornerback Technique: I (K) considered doing a full write up on the subject of cornerback technique as it relates to the Oklahoma cornerbacks, but for now I’ll just mention something that has been on my mind lately.

When people talk about a cornerback who gets beat down the field, it’s usually talked about in terms of athleticism – namely: speed, hip flexibility, explosion, etc. In some cases the lack of an athletic trait is the primary problem. And I would say that, more so than anything else, was the case for Oklahoma last week against Houston.

Make no mistake, Oklahoma has cornerbacks on their roster with all the athletic ability needed to play the position. We’ve seen Parrish Cobb. We’ve seen PJ Mbanasor. We’ve seen Antoine Stephens (in the spring game). All of them have the requisite athletic requirements to both play and succeed at corner. Likewise, everyone has areas they can improve upon. Bigger guys like Mbanasor and Stephens are built higher, hence their natural COD isn’t going to be on par with someone like Cobb. On the flip side, smaller corners like Cobb get down with more ease.

Look at someone like Jordan Thomas, for example. While not the fastest cornerback on the team, he plays with good technique and, as such, is beat deep far less often. Specifically, Thomas stays square to the LOS much longer than the other guys we’ve seen on the field to date. There was a particular moment in last week’s game, where Thomas walks up into a press position and at the snap he feigned a jam. Instead of exploding up field, the receiver was forced to move laterally for a moment. Already Thomas has saved himself a moment in defense.

But more importantly he sees the receiver’s release and was able to slide over and get in front. Within the first few yards, and now in front of the receiver, Thomas gets both hands on him and is able to widen the receiver’s route. In short, he allowed himself to stay square for a longer period of time, delaying the route, and helping himself stay “connected” to the receiver. Now the receiver’s up-field progress is delayed, and Thomas is able to feel him, naturally turn in to, and get his body into the body of the receiver. At the end of the route, he continues to lean and then locate the ball.

Contrast that with what you’ll see from a young cornerback like Cobb (or what we saw from Mbanasor last year). The young CB often allows the receiver to get into his route immediately. In press coverage, it takes time to marry the hands and the feet. Almost as soon as that receiver releases, the young CB is opening up to run side-by-side with his man. But in doing so, they haven’t widened the receiver. He’s simply made it a foot race, a race that is tough to win since the receiver is already starting in the right direction.

Additionally, the young CB isn’t “connected” to the receiver. So in the midst of their high speed attempt at recovery, they are worrying about leaning into the receiver while the receiver drifts and tries to figure out when they should turn and find the ball. Again, all this while being concerned about getting back into phase because he was likely stacked during the turn. – (Super K)

– K’Lavon Chaisson: A little over a month ago, there was a lot of buzz around the idea that it was more a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ 2017 DE/OLB, K’Lavon Chaisson (Houston, TX) would commit to Oklahoma. Then a little over a week ago, as we noted on the site, we started hearing that Chaisson’s interest in the Sooners had waned some. Folks around Chaisson said the reason for that was the commitments of fellow 2017 LBs, Addison Gumbs & Kenneth Murray.

In talking to a couple sources, it sounds like a new narrative to Chaisson’s recruitment has turned up. TFB was told by two separate sources that earlier in the summer, Chaisson wanted to commit to OU but wanted to do so with the condition he would be permitted to still take official visits. As many of you are aware, taking visits after you have committed has generally been something Bob Stoops has kind of frowned upon.

According to that TFB has been told, things between OU & Chaisson have been quiet lately and the 2017 LB is no longer expected to be in Norman next week for the Ohio State game.

– K’Jakyre Daley: A 2017 OLB/DE who will be in Norman next weekend, however, is K’Jakyre Daley (West Palm Beach, FL). As we’ve mentioned previously, the biggest threat to OU for Daley’s commitment at this time appears to be Notre Dame.

– Jacob Phillips: 2017 LB Jacob Phillips (Nashville, TN) is expected to visit Oklahoma this weekend. You’ll recall Phillips visited the Sooners last spring and when TFB spoke with him following that visit, he raved about the trip. Earlier this summer, Phillips released his Top 5 schools which he will (or has) officially visited: Oklahoma, Alabama, Oregon, LSU & Notre Dame.

Phillips visited Oregon last weekend and plans on wrapping up his visits in the coming few weeks. Phillips tells TFB that he plans to make a decision announcement sometime in mid-October. – (Super K)

– Chuck Filiaga: In case you missed it, Oklahoma 2017 offensive line target Chuck Filiaga (Aledo, TX) released his Top 10 earlier this week:

pic.twitter.com/lGhe9kzxZ5

— Chuck Filiaga (@CFiliaga) September 6, 2016

 

– Greg Rodgers: Just a quick note on defensive tackle prospect, Greg Rodgers (Las Vegas, NV). As many of you are probably aware, USC has long been seen as the team to beat in Rodgers’ recruitment.

However, TFB recently spoke to someone with knowledge of Rodgers’ recruitment and asked if USC continues to struggle season what that might mean moving forward. “It’ll definitely help Oklahoma. I know he likes UCLA as well, but USC is the tougher out. If they struggle, it opens that door wider (for OU),” this person said.

Rodgers is expected to be in Norman next week for the Ohio State game. – (Super K)

– UPDATE (Fri., 10:25 am): Actually got word just a little bit ago from one of K’Lavon Chaisson’s coaches that he WILL in fact be in Norman for the Ohio State game after all. Just wanted you all to have the latest, carry on.

– UPDATE (Fri., 11:04 am): More visitors for this weekend.

2017 DE Joshua Paschal (official)
2017 LB Levi Draper – OU commit
2017 QB Chris Robison – OU commit
2017 OL Creed Humphrey – OU commit
2017 DB Justin Broiles – OU commit – ADDED
2018 DE Jalen Redmond – ADDED
2017 DB Robert Barnes – OU commit – ADDED
2017 WR Charleston Rambo – OU commit – ADDED
2018 OL Morgan Moore – ADDED
2018 WR Sean Shaw – ADDED

– UPDATE (Friday, 8:25 pm):

Am told Cobb expected to start at CB for #Sooners tmrw. Also, Samia expected to start at RG. Told Dalton will suit up but not yet cleared.

— Super K (@SuperK_TFB) September 10, 2016

 

– UPDATE (Saturday, 9:30 am): Since our initial report regarding the injury to Alex Dalton we’ve received further clarification and it appears that the nature of the injury is such that he may be able to play through it. As mentioned, however, Dalton is expected to suit up today but as of Friday night was not yet cleared to play.

– UPDATE (Saturday, 2:29 pm): Looks like Sooners are down another man…

BREAKING: Source confirms #Sooners WR, Jarvis Baxter, is suspended for today's game against ULM. #OU

— Brandon Drumm (@Bdrumm_Rivals) September 10, 2016

– UPDATE (7:08 pm): As you all know by now, Jarvis Baxter is playing in today’s game. Clearly the source’s information that was passed on to Brandon was inaccurate. Our sincerest apologies for this error.