The Football Brainiacs

We wish all of you a happy and safe memorial day. God bless our country and the brave men and women who defend us!

– Ayodele Adeoye: A couple weeks back Sooners 2018 LB target, Ayodele Adeoye (St. Louis, MO) released his top ten which, as expected, included Oklahoma along with LSU, Missouri, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Texas, Arkansas, Illinois and Kentucky.

Adeoye has already visited Oklahoma once. I spoke with a source who tells me that Adeoye is expected to visit again OU again this summer.

I asked the source where things really stand and was told that the presence of so many SEC teams on Adeoye’s list isn’t a coincidence. The source said that Adeoye is intrigued by the SEC and would prefer to play in that conference. However, the source also added that the two schools that could end his recruitment quickly outside of the SEC are Ohio State and Michigan, “if either of them offer he might wrap it up”.

As of right now neither UM or tOSU have offered and with a return trip expected this summer, the Sooners should be in a position to show Adeoye why OU offers him proximity and the chance to play for a big boy football team…something I suspect some of other SEC schools on his list may have a harder time doing. – (Super K)

– More on Missouri Recruits: The same source I spoke with about Adeoye also mentioned that in general the Missouri recruits are going to keep their eye on the University of Missouri and how they do this season. Source said that if Mizzou can win around 7-8 games then there is certainly chance that a lot of these prospects in the state may band together and all head there.

There seems to bit of that wait and see thing we are seeing with a lot of the Texas recruits when it comes to UT. – (Super K)

– Team Note | More on the LBs: K’s mentioned some other LB prospects that the Sooners are pursing in part to because of the commitment of Alston Orji to Vanderbilt. While that commitment may have raised some concerns it’s important to keep in mind that Oklahoma brought in a great class of linebackers in 2017 with likes of Kenneth Murray, Levi Draper and K’Jakyre Daley.

Yes, none of them played a down at OU, outside of the spring game, but all possess ability to be contributors at Oklahoma for quite some time. Add that to the fact that highly talented redshirt freshman linebacker John Michael Terry is getting high praise from the Sooners staff, and there should be confidence from fans about the future.

Murray and JMT were the players getting the most praise during the spring and when you look at their frames and athletic ability you see why. The question with both of them is picking up the schemes and reading and diagnosing plays as they happen, in a quick manner. The other young linebacker, already on campus, Levi Draper, had a rough spring but for reasons many don’t know.

I spoke with some sources recently and came to find out that Draper arrived on campus weighing 214 pounds but a pretty bad case of the flu and promptly dropped 12 lbs (you’ll recall something similar happened to Jordan Evans his freshman year). Draper then played the last half of spring ball with strep throat before having a sprained ankle at the end of spring ball. Those same sources say that Draper has finally gained a good amount of his weight back is now o up to 218. Sources tell me that Draper is expected to be at 225 come fall practice. So, he will be in better shape to push the guys in front of him.

There will be some bumps in the road at linebacker this year. That is going to happen with Oklahoma being so young at that position. As the season goes, and you will see the maturation happen and the position become less and less the one people worry about, in my opinion. Just too much talent for there not to be significant gains this off season and during fall practice. – (Brandon)

– Jaiden Woodbey: Brandon recently mentioned that 2018 Ohio State DB commit, Jaiden Woodbey (Bellflower, CA) is expected to take an official visit to OU in the fall. When I returned from my recent travels I got a tip from a source who added some additional intrigue to the Woodbey situation essentially reiterating that Woodbey is extremely interested in OU right now and will actually visit this summer.

I checked in with Woodbey and he confirmed that he will indeed visit OU this summer. You don’t typically take an unofficial visit from California to OU unless there is some interest in the program and a real desire to possibly reconsider your current choice. – (Super K)

– Dorian Gerald: Another JUCO defensive linemen to keep an eye on his Dorian Gerald (College of the Canyons). Gerald does hold an OU offer. He also holds offers from schools like Tennessee, Georgia, LSU and others.

Many of you may note that he hails from the same JUCO as current Sooner speedster, Marquise Brown.

Interestingly, I texted Gerald asking if he’s close to Brown and he responded by saying, “I’m actually on the phone with him now”. So, it’s safe to say the Sooners have someone in Gerald’s ear. Gerald has not visited Oklahoma but did say that a visit will happen and that the Sooners are “definitely a top choice” within his list of schools.

Gerald is an intriguing prospect because he’s a legitimate threat as a pass rusher. In fact he comes off the ball and uses his hands like a pass rushing specialist but he’s a big body with strength and length to stack guys in the run game. He would probably make an excellent 5 tech that could bump inside on passing downs if you want to bring back Venables old “endy” package. – (Super K)

– Ochaun Mathis: 2018 TCU DE commit, Ochaun Mathis (Manor, TX) tells me that he will visit Oklahoma this weekend.

Mathis picked up an offer from the Sooners earlier this month. This will be something to keep an eye on. – (Brandon)

– UPDATE: Saturday 4:00 PM

Contrary to earlier plans, a source told TFB that Ochaun Mathis will not be visiting Norman this weekend. He seems to be sticking strong to his TCU commitment and focusing on them. – (Brandon)