The Football Brainiacs

– Signing Day Surprise No More | James Robinson: The Sooners have long been in pursuit of Florida WR, James Robinson. The Oklahoma staff have visited Robinson numerous times. Robinson also officially visited Oklahoma during the 2016 football season.

We recently noted that Oklahoma fans could expect a surprise signing on NSD. Robinson was that guy. Robinson had indicated to OU that he he planned on signing with them on February 1^st. That all came to an abrupt halt when word got out about Robinson and an alleged marijuana bust during his official visit to Ohio State. As a result, OU and Robinson have parted ways. Sooners will not be sending papers to him for NSD and OU is completely set at the wide receiver position for the 2017 class. – (Brandon)

– Tyler Taylor: We caught up with 2017 LB Tyler Taylor (Sugar Hill, GA). He let us know that coach Kish did an in-home visit with him on Saturday morning. Taylor said the visit, “went good. He (Kish) laid it all on the table for me to see”. Kish spoke to Taylor about their depth, where they see Tyler playing and it sounds as though the message resonated with the talented LB.

Taylor says he is still down to LSU, Auburn and Oklahoma and added that he will most likely make his announcement tomorrow (Tuesday). – (Brandon & Super K)

– Joshua Rogers: 2017 DT/OT, Joshua Rogers (Houston, TX) says he will make his announcement on signing day. I do not expect Oklahoma to land Rogers. I’m told TAMU is the likely landing spot.

With the commitment of Tyreece Lott and Troy James, in all likelihood the Sooners are done at DT (unless Marvin Wilson were to commit of course). – (Super K)

– Ron Tatum: The Sooners did a great job of recruiting in the 2017 class. They are hoping to do even better in the 2018 class. Oklahoma got an early start this past weekend with a number of 2018 visitors on campus.

Last night I spoke with one of those visitors, 2018 DE/DT, Ron Tatum (Putnam City, OK). Tatum is no stranger to the Sooners campus. He’s been to a number of home games and received offer from the Sooners during this past season on one of those unofficial visits.

Tatum tells me he does come from a family of Sooner fans. Although his father’s side of the family are originally from Michigan he says his father roots for Oklahoma. Tatum

The Sooners let Tatum know that they see him as a 5 technique in their 4-man front and a 4i in their 3-man front but I don’t know if Tatum doesn’t end up outgrowing play outside the tackle. As a jr he’s already almost 6’5 and a skinny 260 lbs. It’ll be hard to keep him shy of 290 and spells a super athletic B gap player in my mind.

Oklahoma would like to try build the 2018 class in the same way they did the 2017 class; pick up some early commits that can recruit for the class but it doesn’t sound like that fits into Tatum’s plans. “I want to take visits and really go through the recruiting process. I don’t think I’d make a commitment anywhere until sometime next season. I want to go through the process. You only get to do it once”.

Although Tatum isn’t planning on pulling the trigger anytime soon, having established an early relationship with him and having the advantage of proximity, things look good for Oklahoma.

We expect to have more about the 2018 visitors over the course of the next week as we start to really get a sense of who the Sooners are focused on for the next class. Having early discussions with folks here in Texas, there is a lot of buzz around OU and their success last season and their facilities. I think this 2018 class is going to be one of the Stoops’ best. – (Super K)

– Team Note | Steven Parker: I am told that Sooners star safety, Steven Parker, underwent shoulder surgery this off-season. It is a routine surgery and he is expected to return in 5-6 months (around June) and be 100%. The source told me he had been playing through the injury all year but decided to go ahead and get it taken care of this off-season.

This should give guys like Haughton, Sunderland, Sylvie and others ample repetitions during spring practices. – (Super K)