The Football Brainiacs

Image of Steven Parker via usatodayhss.com

Well despite the madness of the weekend, we we’re able to gather some non-Mixon related news. Thanks largely to JY and our newest contributor down in NOLA, who we will introduce y’all to shortly.

– Madison Akamnonu: One of the top offensive tackles in the state of Texas visited Norman this past Saturday for a second time. We caught up with Akamnonu this weekend and it’s pretty clear the visit went really well. When we asked him how he liked the trip, he immediately started talking about academics. Madison is a very level-headed guy who knows what he wants in an education, a coach, and a team.

Most of our conversation had to deal with what he plans on doing after he graduates. And how even if he made it to the league and played for five years, he’d still be in his late twenties. That’s 50 more years for most people to have to earn a living and that’s important to Madison. Sam Grant was his host, who is majoring in petroleum engineering, and is also a guy who is supremely athletic and having to put on weight.

A while back Madison told us that he’d be taking a trip to Missouri following this trip to Norman. In fact, as early as this past week those plans were still in place as he told us, “after my Mizzou trip then I’ll make my decision…” But in chatting with him last night, he has told us that he no longer plans on taking the trip to Missouri. Right now Madison is very interested in OU, in part, because of where it ranks in petroleum engineering and has all but eliminated Mizzou from the running for his services.

Madison said that it’s going to come down to Texas Tech and OU. Both schools are very similarly esteemed when it comes to the reputation of petroleum engineering programs and that seems to be a key factor in driving the decision.

Madison will announce his decision on August 24th. He has not yet decided how he’ll announce though.

– Cody Ford: Last Friday, our newest contributor (who again, we will introduce soon) attended the LSU camp to get a look at Cody Ford in action and talk about his interest in the Sooners. Ford seemed a little tired in the morning session. In the 1-on-1’s he seemed to struggle a bit. But he picked it up in the afternoon and looked great! In fact, Les Miles took him and a few other top prospects off to the side to work with them privately.

LSU did not extend an offer to Ford at the camp, but that doesn’t mean one isn’t coming. The coaches said they’ll be re-evaluating his film and making their decision based on the that and the camp performance. However, in talking to Ford an LSU offer might not be the game changer we expected. We caught up with Ford’s parents and they like what Coach Bedenbaugh is doing with his OLine development. Cody himself made it clear to us that with or without an LSU offer, the Sooners would still be sitting in a very good spot with him.

– Kendall Sheffield: There were reports Friday that stud 2015 CB Kendall Sheffield (Missouri City, TX) would be in Norman over the weekend for an official visit. Unfortunately, that visit did not happen. However, we’ve since spoken with Sheffield’s coach and there are plans for potential visit this coming weekend.

– Steven Parker: Hearing that he really stood out in summer workouts, and it sounds like the coaches feel he may be one of the top cover guys out of all the DBs…cornerbacks included. It also sounds like he knows that he’s in a position to compete for a starting spot, because everything we’ve heard is that he’s worked incredibly hard this summer. While trying to prepare his body for the rigors of D1 football, studying film, and refining his cover technique.

– Safety Competition: Related to the note above, from what we’re hearing the safety competition is most likely between Quentin Hayes, Hatari Byrd, and Steven Parker. With Hayes and Parker ability to cover, it would seem they are best suited to compete for the field safety position. Byrd and Ahmad Thomas seem better suited for the boundary safety position. Unlike Hayes however, Parker is a big guy already at 6’1″ 200+ lbs so he may be able to bring a unique diversity of skills to the position.

– Fall Practice: Starts later this week and we are so ready! We’ll keep our ears to the ground and bring you everything we can.

– Blind Tape Test: We’ve got a really cool next edition of the Blind Tape Test coming at y’all soon. We got a Sooner legend to take it.

– UPDATE (8:30 am): There were multiple reports over the weekend that OU 2014 signee Orlando Brown had been cleared academically, so unsurprisingly he is now showing up in the OU student database. Not really breaking news per se, but wanted to get a quick note up. Just reaffirming that after some fear he wouldn’t make it in, Brown should be good to go now.

– UPDATE (10:58 am): Jason Kersey of The Oklahoman is reporting that Norman Police are still investigating the allegations made against Joe Mixon and that according to the DA’s office, it is not likely that any charges will be filed today (Monday).

– UPDATE (1:22 pm): Norman PD has put out a press release confirming two things: Joe Mixon is “an involved party” in their investigation to the incident that took place at Pickleman’s and that there is video evidence. They did not release the video evidence.

Both items of note were things everyone pretty much already knew, but this now serves as the necessary ‘official’ confirmation. The district attorney has been quoted as saying any possible charges may not come for “a couple days”, so nothing has really changed and we’re all still basically in a holding pattern.

– UPDATE (2:18 pm): OU makes the Top 5 for 2015 DE/OLB Keisean Lucier-South

https://twitter.com/KLSouth16/status/493837113700253696

– UPDATE (3:04 pm): 2016 QB & OU offer, Shea Patterson, has decommitted from Arizona.

– UPDATE (3:40 pm): As expected, Du’Vonta Lampkin commits to Texas.

– UPDATE (4:45 pm): Joe Mixon’s attorney, Kevin Finley, has released a brief statement. It reads:

“This past Friday morning Joe Mixon found himself in a situation where he was subjected to both verbal and physical attacks from a very intoxicated and troubled young woman. As a result of these physical attacks, Joe instinctually defended himself against further harm. As promised, Joe met with investigators from the Norman Police Department this afternoon. Throughout the meeting, Joe continued to be forthcoming and cooperative with their investigation.

We are looking forward to a thorough investigation and are very much looking forward to the truth coming out. As we have always maintained, Joe has done nothing wrong.”