Open Post | Tuesday, April 30th
Posted on: April 30, 2019
Quick Hitters | Visitor Reminders, Rayms Top 5, Somerville Getting A Visit
– Charlie S
*** As we mentioned previously, 2020 OT Noah Nelson (Gilbert, AZ) and 2020 LB Kourt Williams (Bellflower, CA) will be officially visiting Norman this weekend (May 4th – 6th). Big opportunity for OU to make lasting impressions on two recruits who are at a position of need for the Sooners.
*** I also mentioned earlier this month that 2021 WR Latrell Neville let me know he planned on getting back up to Norman that same weekend. Sooners are in a very strong position with Neville and he is close friends with 2021 Sooners commit Cody Jackson (Richmond, TX) as well as 2021 DL target Tunmise Adeleye (Katy, TX).
*** Sooners 2020 OL target, and one time commit, Andrew Raym (Broken Arrow, OK) has released his top five on Twitter. The surprise to me is not the inclusion of OU, it is the exclusion of one school, Notre Dame.
(Georgia, LSU, OU, Michigan, Texas A&M)
*** As I mentioned in a thread over the weekend, 2021 DL Quintin Somerville (Scottsdale, AZ) let me know that Sooners DC Alex Grinch stopped by last week to see him at Saguaro. While he did not pick up an offer with that visit, he did let me know that he is expecting OU DL Coach Calvin Thibodeaux to be out to see him on May 9th. He is hopeful he will pick up an offer at that time.
Drew Sanders Flips to Bama
– Super K
Last week, we noted that our sources indicated there was some concern about losing Sanders due to the fact that he now has a preference for playing linebacker at the next level.
The Sooners offered Sanders the opportunity to play linebacker but the appeal of playing that position at Alabama seems to have won out for the time being.
So following the announcement, I was texting with the head coach over at Denton Ryan and even he was surprised by this. Apparently, he didn’t realize Drew had flipped till I told him.
Something tells me this one isn’t as done as it seems. Let the season play out. I’ve heard Drews dad may be taking a job over at Denton Ryan and they’ll have plenty of chances to make it to games this season.
I’ve also heard that Drew will be playing more offense this year. If so, the appeal of OU’s offer to let him play both ways could end up being a factor.
Give this one some time.
Name to Know | 2020 Offensive Tackle Javion Cohen
– Charlie S
*** Exchanged some messages with 2020 offensive tackle, Javion Cohen (Phenix City, AL) earlier today and he let me know that he is expecting Coach Bedenbaugh to come down to see him this week (today).
*** The 6’4″ 267 lb Cohen was committed to South Carolina for a time earlier this year and he has picked up some big offers including from schools such as Alabama, Auburn, Oregon, Florida, and Ole Miss.
*** Cohen currently does not hold an OU offer, but that could be changing here in pretty quick fashion.
*** Why do I expect that to change you ask? Well, Javion let me know he is already planning on taking an official visit to Oklahoma this summer.
*** One other note, for those of you wondering, the draft was not lost on recruits. Cohen said “Wow it was very impressive”
*** One thing to point out here…Bedenbaugh knows what he is looking for even though others can’t see it. When you can rely on your ability to develop kids, you can afford to take some hits on the recruiting trail. Bedenbaugh is confident in his abilities and when he identifies a kid he can work with, there should be very few questions about it.
Akinola Ogunbiyi | The Latest + My Take
– Super K
Spoke with 2020 OL, Akinola Ogunbiyi, over the phone to find out if his recent commitment to Georgia meant things are over between him and OU or if the Sooners still have a chance.
With him having made a commitment to UGA, much of the conversation was off the record but here is a summary of what I can share…
***I pressed Aki a bit on what caused the sudden turn from OU to UGA and he said the same thing he’s been saying – how much he likes Sam Pittman. But he conceded that he also has a good relationship Bedenbaugh and does believe that you’d be hard pressed to find someone who can develop talent like Bedenbaugh.
***To the point above, he said he still speaks with coach Bedenbaugh and on the day I spoke with him (this past Thursday night) he said that he had spoken to coach Bedenbaugh that day.
***He did say that the Sooners are still in it but again, how much so and the specifics of that were off the record. But I’ll simply say this…if I were OU, I’d continue to recruit him.
***Aki also noted that he hopes to take a return trip up to Norman for a game this season.
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