Open Post | Weekend, August 6th – 8th
Posted on: August 6, 2021
’23 OL Joshua Bates Announcing Soon
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 3, 2021
Sooners ’23 offensive line offer Joshua Bates (6’3 280) out of Durango, CO announced via Twitter that he plans on making his commitment on August 13th
The Sooners offered the rising junior back on June 23rd following his performance at their camp.
Bates is an interior offensive line target for Oklahoma and he worked at center during a portion of the camp in Norman.
Bates made his way back to OU last weekend and really enjoyed his visit.
Following his tweet regarding his rapidly approaching commitment, I was able to briefly catch up with him through messaging.
Bates told me his decision is coming down to three schools. Oklahoma, Oregon, and Michigan State.
Joshua told me ‘Norman is definitely an awesome place!” Not only did Bates rave about Norman, but he mentioned that he and Coach B have a tremendous relationship and they speak all the time and added that he has had many conversations with Coach Riley.
About the program itself, Bates said the history speaks for itself. ‘They have a great winning tradition and Coach B has a history of putting guys in the league”.
This was my first interaction with Bates, but it was difficult not to come away from that conversation feeling anything other than confident in OU’s chances here.
He has visited Norman twice this summer, made a trip to Oregon, and camped at Michigan State as well.
I’ll remain in touch with Bates and if something changes my opinion, I will keep you posted.
Chris McClellan | Post Visit
– Super K – Posted on: August 4, 2021
As you know, Sooners in-state DL target, Chris McClellan made his way to Norman for a return visit, this past weekend.
I spoke with Chris for a good while yesterday. However, most of the conversation was off the record. So I’ll share what I can.
***He is set to drop his top six today around 3 pm. OU will make the cut. Also look for Ohio State, Florida, and Alabama to be in there. I didn’t go over the whole list but my sense is…
***Ohio State and Florida are currently the biggest threats to Oklahoma.
***I was a bit surprised by how much more he likes Florida than I would’ve thought. Although you may recall that prior to his Ohio State visit, I spoke with him at Owasso and after that conversation, I noted (receipt)…
These were my takeaways…
***I got the sense Florida was probably ahead of OU at the time we spoke. But I wasn’t sure how much that mattered given he had had only taken an unofficial to OU. His visit to Florida was an official.
***I did feel like coach Turner at Florida had impressed him. He said he has a good relationship with both Thibs and coach Turner but did note that coach Turner has that “pop pop” type vibe as an older guy. Seemed like Chris liked that.
I think what surprised me about our conversation yesterday was how well Florida has held up in the process. And, it is clear that coach Turner is a big part of that. You’ll recall, Turner bit OU with Princely Umanmielen.
***In terms of Ohio State, he said the official visit went really well. He liked the vibe of the area. He loved the seriousness of the program (he compared it to Alabama in that way) but said they do a good job of still having a good time outside of football. And he seems to have a lot of respect for Larry Johnson.
***He tells me that he will be heading back up to Columbus for at least one additional visit – an unofficial visit for a game.
***In terms of OU, I think this visit absolutely helped the Sooners. I think right now Chris is still working through what is most important to him. For example, he has family at OU. He has a family in the OKC area. So while on the one hand that may be a draw for OU, a part of him clearly likes the idea of going out of state and being outside his comfort zone.
***I really can’t make a prediction right now and I think that’s because Chris himself is still working through this. All I can say is that OU will just need to keep fighting in this one as I don’t see anything happening until this fall. Chris did say he’s considering taking an official visit to OU this fall.
’23 Offensive Line Quick Notes
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 5, 2021
While the class of ’22 is not fully completed, just wanted to add a couple of notes on the ’23 offensive line James and I picked up this week.
*** First, earlier this week, I caught up with Joshua Bates who will be making his commitment on August 13th. After communicating with Bates, I wrote:
‘This was my first interaction with Bates, but it was difficult not to come away from that conversation feeling anything other than confident in OU’s chances here.
I’ll remain in touch with Bates and if something changes my opinion, I will keep you posted.’
After speaking with James, who had checked in with his sources in Norman, I feel even more confident that Bates will be the first member of the ’23 offensive line class.
Kid actually reminds me a lot of a young Cody Ford with his temperament and tenacity for those looking for a HS comp…
*** Second bit of news that James reinforced with me after speaking with his sources was in regard to a couple names of high interest for the ’23 class.
Source told James that OU is still really focusing on tackles Cayden Green (6’5 310) out of Lees Summit, MO., and Kadyn Proctor (6’7 300) out of Des Moines, IA..
Green has been to Norman a couple of times already and OU is certainly in the mix. He has spoken glowingly of the OU program and he will likely visit for a game or two this year. We are working on getting a bit more on Proctor to see how things are going from his perspective with OU, but we do know the OU side likes how things are going early on in his recruitment.
For those of you wondering…yes in my opinion, all three of those guys are ‘SEC’ good ?
Summer Workouts | Sourced | Quick-Hitters
– Super K – Posted on: August 5, 2021
A few sourced summer notes before fall camp begins…
***I am told that the staff is fired up about Kelvin Gilliam. Sounds like he’s a big strong guy who “has all the tools”. Don’t get the sense he will start or anything but if he shows what is expected in fall camp, he will be in the rotation.
***We’ve already talked about Danny Stutsman. If you’ll recall we previously said (receipt):
Based on what I’m hearing, a name you are going to want to remember is that of linebacker Danny Stutsman. Charlie was a big believer in Stutsman’s ability and if the word around the program comes to fruition, it sounds like he is going to be proven very very right.
I’m hearing extremely high praise for Stutsman. I’m talking throwback to the early 2000s OU defensive player type praise.
Was told if he’s a stock, you want to be buying. One source said “he’s different. He’s a gym junkie. He loves the game. He’s a specimen. He runs well, can jump high and he lifts a lot”.
Word is he had a pick six in 7v7 and almost had another – apparently, it deflected off his hands and Bryson Washington snatched it.
Again, seems there is some real excitement about the future of this young man. The Sooners have a very nice linebacker room as is but if Stutsman is what they believe he can be in pads, then between him and Whitter, Odom’s room is just getting better.
A source just added more of the same saying that if there is a freshman who will play, it will be Stutsman.
***Was told that Savion Byrd is strong as an ox. Sounds like the staff thinks he’s going to be pretty good for the Sooners.
***I asked about transfer WR Mike Woods. Was told, “he’s a good player – strong and athletic but unsure just how fast he is yet but we will find out.” In terms of his performance during 7v7 have heard he is what you’d expect, he does well but nothing crazy.
In other words, the expectation is he is what we think he is. Not a flashy guy with his ability but someone who will consistently make the routine plays.
***In terms of guys you’ve already heard about…more Mario Williams talk of course. Also, have been told that Kendall Dennis and DJ Graham have had good summers. Starting to hear draft talk about DJ Graham’s future.
Eyes of Riley | August 5th, 2021
– Charlie S
The Sooners ’23 class is getting multiple big boosts.
For full coverage and discussion of the ‘Eyes of Riley’, please check the Donor Board.
Quick Hitter | Next Step for Kip Lewis
– CJ Vogel – Posted on: August 5, 2021
Caught up briefly with OU linebacker commit Kip Lewis as he begins fall practices at Carthage.
The defending state champion is locked in and ready for the season. Lewis is getting it done on the field and in the classroom.
** He told me he plans to early enroll at Oklahoma in January.
** Lewis added he does not have plans to visit anyone other than the Sooners for a game this fall.
It sounds like this recruitment is completely locked up.
