Open Post | Tuesday, April 23rd
Posted on: April 23, 2019
Finn Corwin Commits To Sooners
– Charlie S
This was not the commitment that Lincoln Riley was indicating when he sent out the eyes earlier on Friday, but the Sooners added a really nice piece to the 2019 class as preferred walk-on wide receiver Finn Corwin has announced he will play football at Oklahoma next year.
Check out his film if you hadn’t seen it yet! As I said, Sooners add a nice piece!
Corwin visited Norman with 2020 Edge target Prince Dorbah earlier this year and the high school teammates are close friends.
Recruiting Notebook | Brian Branch, Jahquez Robinson, New Offer + Insider Notes
– Super K
***Ok, so as you know Brian Branch committed to Alabama on Friday.
However, that was a bit strange. Branch himself told me just a day or two earlier that he might be committing to Oklahoma sooner than expected.
I had a full phone conversation with Branch earlier this week and it was clear OU blew him and his mother away.
I am told that this decision came as a surprise to Branch’s mother.
I plan on speaking with Branch’s coach later tonight to see what exactly transpired and why the sudden change.
Also, I should say that I’ve been told that the Sooners’ staff doesn’t feel this one is over.
As some of you may know, Alabama is the type of school that will take a commitment and then ask a player to camp that summer. That doesn’t sit well with everyone. If Branch commits to Alabama and they ask him to camp, that could create an opening.
***I spoke with 2020 CB, Jahquez Robinson (Jacksonville, FL) at length last week.
As you know, things were looking good with Robinson and he had planned on taking an official visit.
Although he is committed to Alabama, he’s been looking around…bottom line here is that the Robinson’s would like to see the Sooner defense on the field prior to making a decision on an official visit to Norman.
***Sooners offered in-state 2020 ATH (TE/LB/DE) and Oklahoma State commit, Brynden Walker (Bishop McGuinness).
I actually spoke with Brynden a while back and he has visited OU on multiple occasions. He attended a number of OU games in the fall.
Following the offer, he told me this that the offer was made as a linebacker. Also, he said he will be back on campus for an OU visit sometime in the coming few weeks.
If you would like to read Super K’s Insider Notes that accompany this article, please check the Donor Board.
Bryson Washington | The Latest | Decision Date
– Super K
The Sooners are nearing their current capacity at the defensive back position and 2020 safety, Bryson Washington out of Houston (CE King) remains a top priority.
As I’ve previously noted, Texas has always appeared to be the team to beat. Washington grew up a Texas fan and has visited the Longhorns on multiple occasions.
But for the Spring Game weekend, Washington took an official visit to Norman. It was his first visit to OU. Grinch and the staff clearly impressed.
Following that visit, he promptly released a top two of Oklahoma and Texas.
It appeared as though he may make a quick decision but I spoke with Bryson and he tells me that he has set his announcement date for July 4th.
While he tells me he does not have a current leader between the two, my read is that the Sooners have pulled ahead.
However, Washington says he will take his official visit to Texas on June 21st.
Both programs have prioritized the big safety. And both Grinch for OU and Navier from Texas are excellent recruiters.
This is going to be a good battle.
Tell’em I’m Coming & Hale’s Coming With Me | Monday Notebook
– James Hale
The following is a small snippet from James’ Monday Notebook. If you would like to read both of James’ full notebooks (Monday’s and Friday’s) please check the Donor Board.
*** I do find it interesting that so far OU has not been able to take advantage of sending four offensive linemen to the NFL Draft. We still have a long time before the early signing period in December of 2019, but you would think since all players dream of playing in the NFL and if truth be told, all of them are playing college football trying to earn that chance to play in the NFL, then what Coach Bedenbaugh is doing getting guys ready for the league should have college prospects calling every minute trying to play at OU.
*** However, thus far OU has seven commits in the class of ‘20Deep’ and not one is an offensive lineman. On top of that Akinnola Ogunbiyi (6’4, 310) of Sugarland (Kemper), Texas shocked the Sooners and everyone else covering recruiting by visiting Georgia over the weekend and committing to the Dawgs.
*** Just one week ago after visiting OU for the spring game, it looked as if he was all Boomer Sooner. He had been to Norman several times before, it was close to home and his mother had signed off on him going to OU. His mother is not doing well health wise and it was important for him to go to a school that was close to home, so what does he do…he commits to Georgia.
*** I realize Georgia has a great offensive line tradition as well but Athens, Georgia is not close to Sugarland, Texas and something does not add up here. Tough to recruit against the SEC and it has nothing to do with the quality of football being played. I know OU is not out of this recruitment yet but you would think with OU’s recent success in the offensive line that they would not have to battle so hard to get guys on board, but welcome to the Whacky World of Recruiting.
*** OU will end up with a great offensive line class and I think it will be headlined by four-star offensive guard Andrew Raym (6’4, 275) of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, but even he is taking his time announcing his decision. I like OU’s chances with four-star offensive tackle Marcus Dumervill (6’6, 305) of Ft. Lauderdale (St. Thomas Aquinas), Florida and they’re in the hunt for Geirean Hatchett (6’5, 275) of Ferndale, Washington, along with many others but I’m surprised it is taking this long.
*** For Coach Bedenbaugh, this is the way it goes for him in recruiting most years. He’s not a coach that pushes for commitments and firmly believes in himself and OU and feels that he will get the guys he’s supposed to get, and thus far we all have to admit it has worked out for him. But it is puzzling why he doesn’t already have five commitments from five of the best offensive lineman in the country when considering how guys are coming out of OU in the offensive line and getting paid in the NFL.
*** The OU defense is making some inroads on ‘20Deep” with two outstanding commits in the secondary from four-star Dontae Manning (6’0 175) of Kansas City (Raytown), Missouri and four-star Ryan Watts (6’2, 187) of Little Elm, Texas. Both were earmarked as guys that fit what DC Alex Grinch and CB Coach Roy Manning wanted for their secondary and were targeted for the 20Deep class.
*** OU is close to getting one or two more in the secondary that they have targeted and OU will end up with one of the best secondary groups in the country.
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