Open Post | Monday, October 22nd
Posted on: October 22, 2018
Quick-Hitters | McCoy, Ike, Stripling+ Insider Note
– Super K
I know you all want to hear more about Steele. I’ll have some quick notes on that up soon. For now, here are some notes of interest…
***Sounds like the Sooners are still pursuing 2019 4-star OT, Danielson Ike (Kansas City, MO). I chatted with Ike via text and he said that “I’ve stayed in contact with OU and I’ll definitely be taking an official visit to OU”. He did not have a date set just yet but said he’ll pass that information on when he knows.
I’m checking on this one via sources on the OU side but the early word is the Sooners remain interested.
***Marcus Stripling had a great conversation Wednesday night with both coach Riley and coach Thibs via Facetime and it sounds like the official visit is set to go. I chatted with Marcus briefly, early in the week but I planned on seeing him this past weekend.
Texas A&M remains the leader with Alabama and OU in the mix. This upcoming visit will be crucial. And, of course, there is still the issue of TAMU’s numbers. Interestingly, they brought in yet another 2019 SDE target on an official visit a couple weeks ago.
More on Marcus below.
***I spoke with Horace McCoy, the father of 2019 5-star ATH, Bru McCoy (Mater Dei). Horace said Bru still plans on taking the official visit to Oklahoma for the Bedlam game. However, Horace said that he, himself, may not be able to make the trip due to a scheduling conflict but Bru’s mother and sisters will be there.
I’m not going to sugar coat this one, OU is very much behind USC and Texas here. But Charlie reminded me of the situation that happened with Bookie last year where it felt like just another big-time visitor taking a trip and suddenly he’s silently committed. I don’t suspect that’s likely but apparently Lincoln is willing to give this one a shot.
***Interesting note I stumbled on while I was in California. It wasn’t necessarily a new note but confirmation of something we suspected. Spoke to a pretty reliable source out there who said that Bru’s quarterback, Bryce Young was actually leaning towards Oklahoma. I’m told that with Spencer Rattler committed in the 2019 class, it just didn’t feel like a very good situation to walk into.
Again, we’d heard that before but this just added a bit of confirmation. I think OU is probably going to need to look to the east coast or elsewhere for a 2020 quarterback. Spencer Rattler is just too well respected on the west coast and it’s going to continue to be tough sledding for 2020 quarterbacks out that way.
If you would like to read Super K’s Insider Note, please click the Donor Board link!
Marcus Stripling | In-Person Update
– Super K
Had a chance to see Marcus Stripling and Mayde Creek take on Katy Taylor, Friday.
For now, I wanted to give you the latest on his recruitment. I spoke with Stripling after the game…
***He said he may actually push his OU official visit back to the Bedlam game. He doesn’t know yet which game he will make. The plan was to be at Kansas State next week but Stripling said his mother is moving so they might not be able to make it. But he reiterated that he will definitely take an official visit to Oklahoma. Again, the other game he has his eye on his Bedlam if the Kansas State game doesn’t work out. He said he will let us know as soon as he has the visit scheduled.
***It sounds like Alabama is a lot more in the mix than I expected. Stripling said that he speaks with coach Saban over FaceTime every week and though he hasn’t made the visit to Tuscaloosa yet, he spoke highly of them.
***Texas A&M will continue to be in it and remains, in my opinion, the team to beat. TAMU defensive line coach, Terry Price was out there to see Stripling and stayed for almost the entire game. Stripling remains a priority for Texas A&M. But again, it’ll be interesting to see how their numbers work out.
We really aren’t going to know much on this one for another few weeks. Once he makes it back up to OU and has a chance to see Alabama, I should be able to get a better idea of whether OU can make the move back to the top. But right now, I’d say they are running behind Texas A&M and Alabama, though I think the Bama interest could be a bit of that “the view looks good from a distance” situation. But again, we’ll see once he finally gets these visits out of the way.
Quick Hitters | Sermon and Parker
– Charlie S
Just a couple of notes…
*** Both K and James spoke to sources who let them know that Jordan Parker did not travel to Ft Worth with the team this weekend because of an illness. He should be good to go once he gets over it.
*** Per K, early word on Trey Sermon is that he should be fine. Doesn’t sound like the injury is anything serious.
We will keep you updated on both situations as the week progresses.
Quick Thoughts | TCU Postgame
– Charlie S
*** Lot of personnel used on defense including the debuts of DTY and Jalen Redmond
*** OU came out with the four man front and played it quite often throughout the game
*** Missed opportunities on turnovers made this game a lot closer than it could have been…a LOT closer
*** Bookie looked much better suited to play nickel (despite being posterized on that stiff arm)
*** Penalties also need to be cleaned up. While many of them were ‘nit-picking’ as I mentioned in the game thread, they were still penalties and cost the Sooners momentum and field position on several occasions
*** Kyler Murray is a cheat code…and he is getting more comfortable…and better.
*** The story of the game coming in was always going to be about the defense…aside from one poorly executed play on the bubble screen to Turpin, OU actually played pretty well
*** Statistically it was a very good game…OU gave up a total of 275 yards
*** OU held TCU to 4-14 on third downs and 12 first downs…that’s huge
*** While that was the season high in points for TCU in conference play, field position and special teams contributed to that point total
*** I am NOT saying the defense is where it needs to be…but there was a definite difference today, next week will be a big test taking on the running game of KSU with Alex Barnes
*** Special teams…woof…Kicking to Turpin is never a good idea and he showed why. Penalties for celebrating led to Seibert backing up the kickoff but still…got to be better
*** There is no defense left on the schedule that should hold OU to under 50. There just isn’t.
*** Little criticism for Lincoln here…third quarter playcalling was ‘interesting’ to say the least as was his decision not to call timeouts prior to the half. Still…hung half a hundred…on Gary Patterson’s defense
*** Lincoln Riley is the image of what Gary Patterson’s nightmares are made of
*** Kennedy Brooks is the real deal
*** CeeDee lamb is where I’m going on third and 5-8 every time I can
*** The OU offensive line has found it’s groove. They have been outstanding the last two games.
