The Football Brainiacs

Image of Darrell Simpson via 247

– Darrell Simpson: As you all know by now, the Sooners will host 2018 OT, Darrell Simpson, for this weekend’s BBQ. I caught up with Simpson’s father, and he tells me that they do not yet have an exact commitment date set yet.

However, Simpson’s father did say that they are looking at potentially making a decision, “sometime in August.” So, if all goes well this weekend, it’s very possible the Sooners could learn their fate shortly after the BBQ.

As of right now, we continue to like where OU is with Simpson. Simpson has a lot of OU people around him and the Sooners have long made him a priority and continue to do so. – (Super K)

– Reuben Unije: Earlier this week, the Sooners made the top seven for 2018 IMG Academy OT, Rueben Unije. In addition to the Sooners, Unije  included South Carolina, Florida, UCLA, Ole Miss, Alabama, and Oregon.

I was able to exchange a few texts with the highly coveted offensive lineman and Unije did confirm that he will take an official visit to OU.

Obviously, if Simpson commits we will be checking to see how that may or may not affect things with OU and Unije; however, teams rarely turn away true OTs. It’s also worth noting that the Sooners have Pledger down at IMG helping to recruit Unije for them. – (Super K)

– Israel Antwine: 2018 OK preps DT and current Ole Miss commit, Israel Antwine (OKC), has been quietly picking up offers from the likes of TCU, Arkansas, Oklahoma State, and others. His recruitment got a little louder last night. On a visit to Austin yesterday, the Texas staff extended an offer to the Oklahoma native.

Antwine and I are setting up a time to speak over the phone in the next few days, but I did get a chance to exchange a few messages with him. I asked him if he plans on being at the OU BBQ this weekend to which he responded, “I was not aware about the BBQ.”

OU seems to have made Bobby Brown, Ronnie Perkins, and Daniel Carson their priority, but I wouldn’t be surprise to see communication increase between OU and Antwine. At the very least, I think they will continue to watch his development closely.

In the three primary DL targets that the Sooners seem to be after, the obvious theme is height and length to go along with strength and athleticism.

I took a look at Antwine’s testing numbers from the Regional Nike Opening: they probably make the case for OU taking a close look and perhaps getting involved. Antwine measured in at 6’3″ and a solid 286 lbs that he wears well. He also jumped a very respectable 31 inches and ran a 4.62 shuttle. The Sooners really need to bring in some guys to be true difference makers at the 3 technique and, to me, that starts with height/length and suddenness. On paper, he seems to have those things. If Antwine can show that on the field this season, perhaps he can land that big in-state offer. – (Super K)

– Team Note | Defensive Line: I spoke to a source on the OU side regarding what we can expect from the defensive line this upcoming season. I think it’s pretty clear when you talk to folks that the Sooners feel pretty good about what they’ve got at all positions. Folks I’ve spoken to are in a wait and see mode, however, regarding the defensive line. There are guys on campus with some potential, but everyone is waiting to see if that potential comes to fruition during fall camp. A few specific notes that stood out from my recent conversations were…

* I’m told that the discussions inside the program regarding the defensive line have really focused heavily on the 4-3. The Sooners have been saying they will be multiple, and I do expect that to be the case, but with the addition of Ruffin McNeil and given Mike Stoops’ background in the 4-3, it sounds and more like they will operate out of a 40 front even more than we had expected. I’m told the Okie front just doesn’t seem to be a big part of the internal defensive conversations.

* In talking to a source about McNeil, I was told, “Ruffin is going to get a lot out of those guys. He’s going to help a lot. He has an aggressive mentality and they’ve talked about being more aggressive.” The source emphasized a few times in our conversation that trying to attack gaps more is something they are hoping to do, but that was tempered by saying, “we still have to get the right guys.” I pressed a little on that…

* What I was told is the Sooners feel pretty good about what they are going to be able to field on the edges and I think they also like what they’ve got at the nose. The real question mark, I was told, is whether they’re going to have that dominating 3 technique that you covet in a 40 front.

My personal sense is that, if the Sooners can get as close to a two deep as possible, even without a dominating presence, keeping those guys fresh with little drop off in the rotation coupled with what should be one of the more athletic LB corps OU has had in a while could ensure that the front is good enough. I also think, if the Sooners have the kind of season we expect them to and demonstrate a propensity to be more aggressive up front, their recruiting job is going to get way way easier. – (Super K)