Open Post | Monday, March 3rd (UPDATED 9:04 am)

– One of our favorite stand-up OLB’s Louis Brown just committed to Baylor. He texted me this morning and let me know when he got off the phone with Baylor. He did say however that he still plans on visiting Oklahoma and Oklahoma will definitely be glad to have him because he is a special talent. Louis had told me a few weeks ago that OSU was his favorite. My feeling is this could actually end up being a good situation for Oklahoma. Much like what seems to be happening with PJ Mbanasor where the smaller school that’s close impresses early and then OU comes in and really shows them another level, I think Louis could really take a liking to OU if he does indeed take the trip.

– I want to bring y’alls attention to a recruit up in Canada that is a very intriguing prospect. His name is Neville Gallimore. I know his coach, former All American WR Geoff McArthur. Neville is actually from Canada but has received some recent interest from the US. In fact he just picked up an offer from TCU this past weekend. He’s a 6’3 280 lb DT that moves like very few human beings that size can move! Last week I posted a video that Geoff posted on YouTube of Neville dunking and he just makes it look easy. He’s still learning the game of football so when you watch him on film he has no clue how to use his hands to keep the opponent from getting inside on him and making him look weaker than he is at the POA. But that’s all just stuff he has to learn. He has clear first round athleticism and size. Geoff has seen A LOT of talent and he swears by Neville. They actually play this big guy as a stand up OLB. He’d be a 4i type for us IMO but the fact that he can play OLB and move that way is unreal. Watch his start/stop and change of direction quickness and it’ll blow you away. Here’s the dunk I posted last week:

– Also, wanted to let y’all know that OU OG/C commit, Alex Dalton, placed 5th in the Ohio state wrestling tournament this past weekend! As Okies we know 1) how important wrestling is for interior linemen and 2) that Ohio is one of the more talented wrestling states in the country. So this is not only an impressive feat but also one that gives us even more optimism about Alex’s future as an interior lineman for the Sooners. Alex actually could have graduated earlier and enrolled at OU but he wanted to stay in school, in part, to compete in the state tournament. Congratulations to Alex, his father Daniel and the whole Dalton family!

Alex Dalton

UPDATE (9:01 am): One of favorite players, DE Jake Pickard, that we featured about a month ago just picked up his second offer from Cincinnati. He now has offers from Louisville and Cincinnati! Jake’s father played under coach Kish and I know they’d love to have an OU offer. Jake is a little light in the rear right now but his ceiling is off the charts. For those who haven’t seen Jake’s film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRuMmAXWLrc

UPDATED (9:04 am): Great news for OU fans. Joe Mixon is planning on attending the Oklahoma spring game. As we first reported last week Breiden Fehoko is also planning on being there so hopefully Joe’s presence will help on that front.

79 Comments

  • JJsooner1 says:

    Well you know how Coach feels about football players who can dunk! Wrestlers who can play a line position……..attitude is what comes to mind first. Nasty. Who was the nastiest O-lineman to ever play at OU??? Nice read:-)

  • CoachStauder says:

    Did Louis not make it for the Feb 1 junior day?

    • Super K says:

      Naw he hasn’t visited just yet. But he’s adamant that he plans on doing it.

  • JJsooner1 says:

    Breiden would be a good get. Crossing fingers.

  • Sooner Ray says:

    Really curios to see if any lights come on for Ross this spring. It may be now or never.

    • Zack says:

      The best way for him to get a real shot is to work on pass catching and pass protecting. And unless ford and mixon really blow the coaches away in practice then I think Ross will get his chance he may get the finch treatment so he needs to impress and hang onto the ball.

  • WilliamJack says:

    The thing that stands out about Jake Pickard is his MOTOR. He’s relentless.

  • Leroy Jenkins says:

    Jordan yesterday mentioned that Orlando Brown has “a lot of work to do” in order to qualify. Not trying to beat a dead horse here, just wondering what OU would do if he didn’t (i.e., prep school). And if us giving Horky a scholly had any relation to Brown’s qualification issues, since we are very close to the 85 scholly limit.

    • Sooner Ray says:

      Not sure how they would handle the prep/JC situation but I have to think Horky got Brown’s scholly.

    • Jordan Esco says:

      If he doesn’t qualify (and just to clarify, it’s not an impossibility or they wouldn’t have taken his commitment to begin with), they’d try to place him at a JUCO they have ties to.

      And while I can’t say definitively being that I’m not on OU’s staff, I would guess the Horky offer wasn’t specifically tied to Brown’s situation. More so just that the coaches feel, one way or another, they’ll be able to make the numbers work.

      • Doobie74OU says:

        I always get nervous when we seem to find a extra Scholly! My mind starts wondering who didn’t qualify or What injury have we not heard about! Just my Mild OCD kicking in LOL!

      • Gary Robbins says:

        I guess you’ve been following this recruiting thing closely for more than 4-5 months like myself. I’m a long time OU fan since ’71 though. It just seems OU seldom gets a commit on Junior days, unofficial days, official days, etc. Is that by design or is my mild OCD kicking in(like Dobbie74OU said).

        • Jordan Esco says:

          Not necessarily by design per se. It has to do w/ their approach when they get kids on campus. They have never really been the style to try and pressure kids to commit on the spot.

          There is certainly an argument to be made that style of approach has cost them some kids over the years, but they’re confident in what they feel they’re offering. So they’ve chosen not to try and pressure a kid into a decision he may later go back on.

          • Gary Robbins says:

            Thanks, show “em what we have to offer facility wise, Tell “em about our tradition , show ’em our accomplishments, and make ’em feel wanted. Not the old Mack Brown style where you commit today or you lose. Sorry about the (’ems) just wanted to get ’em my thoughts across. My English teacher would croak.

          • Sooner Ray says:

            You speakum perty good englas.

  • Doobie74OU says:

    Maybe Mixon comes to the Spring Game to pick up were he left on NSD. Barnett, McKenzie, and Fehoko will all be there and maybe he can get them all so pumped they commit on the spot.

    • CoachStauder says:

      McKenzie at the spring game? Hmmm not sure that is true.

      • Doobie74OU says:

        MY BAD! I read some thing I thought said he was coming too but actually said he was coming this past weekend and Fehoko for the Spring Game! But maybe “Coach” Mixon will work on him anyway! LOL!

        • Gary Robbins says:

          I heard J. Barnett and W. Sunderland (Oklahoma boys) were trying to be at the Spring game. Also with Breidon Fehoko coming on his own dime. I suppose ace recruiter Joe Mixon is coming in for the kill(so to speak). On another note out of the 85 offers for 2015 recruits they’re 41 offers to Texas athletes. Is that just normal for OU?

          • Doobie74OU says:

            I think in years past that was normal! Recently we haven’t been as Texas dominate in our recruiting but I think Texas having some down years has opened some guys up to leaving the state. I still think we are trying to be more national in our recruiting. Texas will always be a good source for us though some years better than others!

          • Super Keith says:

            Gary, it’s actually below normal. In the 2013 class (Keith Ford’s class), we offered 52 Texas kids. In last year’s class, we offered 63 Texas kids. I suspect there will be some additional offers that go out between now and next NSD, so it could end up being about average.

    • Sooner Ray says:

      Will be fun to watch “coach”” Mixon work his majic!

  • Doobie74OU says:

    So we already have signed the #13 DT prospect Overton and the #21 DT prospect in Lumpkin and we are in really good position on the # 5,9,&10 DT prospects in McKenzie, Daniels, & Fehoko. Coach Monty is DOIN WORK YA”LL!

  • Brad Holland says:

    Overton has just given a verbal.

    • Doobie74OU says:

      Marquise Overton the DT from Jenks cause he committed back on 1/3/14. Or is this somebody different?

      • Gary Robbins says:

        OU commit Que Overton just come in 3rd( I think) in the 6A heavyweight division of Oklahoma wrestling.

        • Doobie74OU says:

          OH OK I SEE YEAH THAT IS WHAT I MEANT!

          • Gary Robbins says:

            Yes he’s coming to OU on a football scholarship. Good kid. He committed to OU football back in January. I think he’s been an OU football fan for a long time. Excellent wrestler lost to another OU wrestling scholarship kid (Dixon) I believe.

      • Steve Johns says:

        I’m guessing the comment was to mean Overton hasn’t “signed” with OU yet.

  • Jordan Esco says:

    Ohio State confirmed today the previously reported speculation that former 5-star LB Mike Mitchell was leaving the program and will be seeking a transfer.

    Still no real word that I’ve seen w/ respect to how much (if any) chance OU would have at landing him.

    • Sooner Ray says:

      Has anyone heard how far from home is acceptable to him?

      • Jordan Esco says:

        Not specifically, no. Google says that Plano is less than three hours (and an easy drive up I-35) from Norman.

        Is that close enough for him? Is that close enough for the NCAA to issue a hardship waiver for Mitchell to play immediately (which I’m assuming he’ll certainly want)?

        Not sure on either.

      • Todd Kropp says:

        Living in Plano, here’s how I would start measuring driving distances:
        SMU – 1/2 hour (if close to home is the only factor)
        North Texas – 1 hour (close, but not very interesting for a 5*)
        TCU – 1 hour (now this gets interesting)
        Baylor – 2 hours (again interesting, but for a 5* LB?)
        OU – 3 hours (wow, why go drive any further than that?)
        A&M – 3.5 hours
        UT – 4 hours
        TT – 5 hours

    • Boomer4life says:

      You may have already covered this, but why is he seeking a transfer?

    • Leroy Jenkins says:

      Still think the best option for him might be SMU if he wants to stay near Plano. Hope he considers OU since it’s only 3 hours away, but if not I understand. Plus he’d start right away at SMU.

    • Shifty says:

      I doubt we’re even pursuing him…I like who we have here/coming in plus he wants immediate playing time

  • Dlee914 says:

    Posted this on the JR day board as well but Rival is reporting Wheeler has OU as his top choice currently.

    “I think I would put them over Texas in my top,” Wheeler said. So does that make them his current top choice? ” Yes sir they are the top.” – See more at: http://oklahoma.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1615804#sthash.mMLH9MpE.dpuf

    • Sooner Ray says:

      Really good news about Wheeler. I also like that Stoops is telling recruits that he plans to be around for a long time.