Open Post | Tuesday, April 5th
Posted on: April 5, 2022
Portal Positional Needs & Thoughts
– Charlie S – Posted on: April 1, 2022
Halfway through spring practice and the portal is starting to percolate around the country.
There most likely will be guys who come off of OU’s roster and enter their names into the portal based on what they saw in spring practice.
We have not heard of any players who are unhappy with the coaching change, but lets face it, some guys will be keenly aware of where they sit on the depth chart and with the new schemes, they may also determine they are not fitted for the scheme.
Based on sourced information and other information we have gathered along with Sooners head coach Brent Venables stating that he is always looking to improve his roster, I will go through the position groups and give my opinion on if OU will be looking to bolster each position group via the portal and the likelihood of that occurring:
QB: (3) Dillon Gabriel, Nick Evers (F), Ralph Rucker, Micah Bowens, Ben Harris…I do not believe there is a QB who will become available that would move the needle enough for OU to make a run at. Not when you have Jackson Arnold committed in the ’23 class. If Dillon Gabriel goes down, you will get Evers or Rucker. I just don’t see an addition likely and it is a tricky line to walk. I would say the chances of OU adding a QB on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being definite is right around…1.
RB: (4) Eric Gray, Marcus Major, Jovantae Barnes (F), Gavin Sawchuk (F) plus the walk-ons including Tawee Walker…again, difficult to see a fit here, BUT I do believe OU would be open to adding the right back. We were first to report that there was mutual interest between OU and Brandon Campbell (USC) even before he entered the portal, but right now that has not progressed to the point of it being imminent. (Campbell has since committed to Houston) Scale of 1-5…2
WR: (9) Jayden Gibson, Jalil Farooq, Nic Anderson, Cody Jackson, Theo Wease, Drake Stoops, Brian Darby, Marvin Mims, Trevon West, 5 walk-ons. 9 Scholarship WRs (Including Stoops) is low, you’d like to have 11-12. As we have been saying, we could see OU looking to add to this room, particularly if a speed guy comes on the market (or is drawn into the market). Scale of 1-5…4
TE: (4) Kaden Helms (F), Daniel Parker, Jason Llewellyn (F), Brayden Willis and 2 walk-ons. Thiiiiiin room which is heavy on the extremes (2 last year players 2 first year players). You could see OU grab someone in between if they see a fit. I know Cupp is in the portal, and JJF did recruit him at Texas A&M, but we have not heard a connection there as of yet. Scale of 1-5…2
OL: (17) Aaryn Parks, Chris Murray, Savion Byrd, Tyler Guyton, Wanya Morris, Robert Congel, Nate Anderson, Brey Walker, Anton Harrison, McKade Mettauer, Andrew Raym, Marcus Alexander, Cullen Montgomery, Marcus Hicks, Darrell Simpson, Jacob Sexton (F), Jake Taylor (F) several walk-ons. Always, always, always, be looking for OL upgrades. Will that guy enter the portal? Perhaps. Scale of 1-5…3
DE/OLB: (11) DE Jonah Laulu, Reggie Grimes, Ethan Downs, DE/OLB Marcus Stripling, Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge, OLB Clayton Smith, Brynden Walker – Incoming Gracen Halton (F), R Mason Thomas (F), Kevontre Henry (F). This is really 3 different/overlapping positions so its difficult to really predict it in one lump. OU really would benefit by finding a true DE or two in the portal…in the same vein, they do not need any more EDGE guys…Halton projects as a true DE IMO and the other freshmen are more along the lines of OLB/DE types, not true OLB types like Smith and Walker. So on a scale of 1-5…4 (specifically for DE)
DT/DL: (10) Jalen Redmond, Noah Arinze, Kelvin Gilliam, Jordan Kelley, Josh Ellison, Kori Roberson, Isaiah Coe, Jeffrey Johnson, Alton Tarber (F), Cedric Roberts (F). Interior wise, there are good numbers, not a helluva lot of proven playmakers. Would not hate to see OU look for a seasoned guy to add to the mix, but he would have to be a difference maker, not just a seasoned body. On a scale of 1-5…2
LB: (9) David Ugwoegbu, Jaren Kanak (F), Kip Lewis (F) Kobie McKinzie (F), Shane Whitter, TD Roof, Joseph Wete, DaShaun White, Danny Stutsman and a couple walk-ons. Future is bright. On a scale of 1-5…1.
DB: (17) (CB) Woodi Washington, Josh Eaton, Jaden Davis, DJ Graham, Kani Walker, (DB) Billy Bowman, Trey Morrison, Key Lawrence, Damond Harmon, Kendall Dennis, Justin Broiles, Jordan Mukes, Gentry Williams (F), Jamarrien Burt (F), CJ Coldon, (S), Bryson Washington, Robert Spears-Jennings (F). Another tough one to predict…yes you always want more depth/quality in the secondary, but until someone exits, the numbers are high. Right now, on a scale of 1-5…1.
In short, I feel like DE and WR are the most pressing needs and there are a few positions where you could see an add ‘for the right guy’.
Again, I expect there to be some attrition on the Sooners end. There will be guys who just do not see a path to where they want to get. There may very well be some guys that you would rather not see leave take their chances in the portal.
I would think 2 or 3 from each side of the ball will punch their tickets out of Norman.
Depending on when/if they do, the Sooners may be able to react quickly, but the cutoff for players to be eligible to play in the ’22 season is May 1st.
As long as a player submits his name into the portal by May 1st, it does not matter when he enrolls at his new school, he will still be eligible for the ’22 season. So May 1st is a significant date.
Also, I may have missed a player or two, and I counted all the QBs in the numbers and did not bring the specialists into play so this is NOT a reflection of the scholarship count. I believe OU is at 83 scholarships right now, but I will check that this week.
Friday Practice Viewing Opportunity | Quick Notes
– Charlie S – Posted on: April 1, 2022
James just got back from the media viewing opportunity for this mornings practice. He noted that Venables is being very generous with the amount of time he allows the media to watch the team.
***JUCO RB transfer Tawee Walker is in camp and working with the team
***DB Justin Harrington is back with the team
***Marcus Major and Andrew Raym were on the bikes…been a while for Raym now.
***Woodi Washington got dinged up in practice, doesn’t appear to be anything serious, more along the lines of a stinger
***Rufus Alexander has joined the staff as a LB Development coach – same type position as Chavis was at Clemson
***RB Eric Gray is dominating in the new Oklahoma Drill (referred to as the ‘win’ drill)
***RB Jovantae Barnes continues to catch James’ eye. He said ‘Everytime I see him he’s got guys chasing him…made the W drill look easy’
***DB Justin Broiles stood out for his willingness to tackle and take on people head on
*** Same can be said for DB Key Lawrence
***DaShaun White is very eager, seems to jump to the front of the line when able to
*** Said DLs Josh Ellison, Kori Roberson, and Jeffrey Johnson caught his eye with their performance in the drill
QB Rotation
***Gabriel – Evers – Rucker – Bowens – Harris –
OL Group
C – Congel out front with Anderson working behind him
OG Mettauer and Murray at the front of the lines
OT Wanya Morris at RT Anton Harrision at LT
Nothing has really changed with this group aside from Tyler Guyton appearing to rotate in more at the tackle spots.
Sunday Brunch | Some Random Notes & Thoughts
– Charlie S – Posted on: April 3, 2022
Hope you all are enjoying your weekend, I know I am!
Spring practice is halfway through and the Sooners are working towards their big spring game event where you all will get a first look at the current status of the program!
The spring game will be the focus of another massive recruiting weekend along with the unveiling of Baker Mayfields Heisman Statue at halftime.
***Random thought number one: I like the plan to unveil the statue at halftime. Will keep butts in the seats in the stadium for the spring game for others who may not have attended and the recruits and their families will see an incredible outpouring of love for one of the most beloved Sooners of all time.
***Random thought number two: OU is putting a lot of energy into ‘packing the Palace’. Every chance he gets Brent Venables is encouraging the fans to come out and even Bob Stoops has weighed in…
If people don’t do it for Brent and Baker…well there is no excuse not to do it for Bob Stoops who helped steady the ship when the former guy fled west in the middle of the night.
***Random thought number three: While I was out for most of the day yesterday, I did enjoy 3 things…the softball team found a different way to win as they relied on their pitching (Hope Trautwein) to move to 32-0. The OU women’s gymnastics team locked up their bid to the nationals with a dominating performance. Lastly, Duke lost to North Carolina. I am not a coach K hater, I think he is an amazing coach, but I love college sports rivalries, and the fact that North Carolina handed him a loss in his final game, in the Final Four, will live in that rivalries lore forever. I love that stuff.
***Random note number one: Sounds like Jay Valai is quite impressive. Had a recruit who was able to view a practice tell me that Valai ‘Is like no other coach I have seen at practice’. Recruit said ‘Coach Valai is so engaged that if the players aren’t getting what he is trying to teach them, he will get right in there and show him…even saw him demonstrate a tackle at like half speed”. Sounds like his personality and mannerisms are a hit.
***Random note number two: The other day in chat I told you I got a text during chat that said ‘Yoooo Jovantae Barnes is going to be RB1 by Texas. BET’. Further along in that text session, source said ‘He’s already the best back in camp’. Now, that is some pretty high praise, but until the season begins, we won’t be able to judge how accurate that is as there are typically a couple guys who get all the accolades throughout spring and fall camp, and then they are nowhere to be found when the season begins. I don’t expect that to be the case with Barnes as numbers alone dictate that he will see carries, but trying not to get too far over the ski tips in regard to the early praise!
Quick Hitter | Sooners Offer ’24 DB Eli Bowen
– Charlie S – Posted on: April 1, 2022
The Sooners offered ’24 DB Eli Bowen 5’9 165) out of Denton, TX today.
Now…normally, I wouldn’t make a post about a ’24 offer, but as most of you know, OU is heavily involved in the recruitment of his brother, ’23 DB Peyton Bowen, who is currently committed to Notre Dame.
However, I caught up with Eli right after he tweeted his offer out and he let me know that OU offered in person as he was in Norman with Peyton to catch the OU practice today and unofficially visit.
Thought that was pretty cool.
I asked him how the offer went down and he said ‘So coach Venables was talking to me, Peyton and my mom in the office and like, right in the middle of the conversation he told me and gave me the offer’.
I asked him if any of his other offers came from a head coach in person and he said ‘Nebraska did it, but not the way coach Venables did. He made it to where I’m gonna remember it and it meant something instead of just a call, you know?’
‘Ol BV out here doing BV things…make an impression on the kid you just offered. Check.
Make an impression on the kid you want in the current cycle. Check.
Most of all…make an impression on the mom of both the kids. Check.
Well done coach Venables…very well done.
Update | ’23 OL Brycen Sanders
– Super K – Posted on: April 4, 2022
As you know the Sooners recently hosted, 2023 4-star OL Brycen Sanders (Chattanooga, TN). Following that visit, Sanders dropped a top four which consisted of Oklahoma, LSU, Ole Miss and Tennessee.
I spoke with a Chattanooga area source who is close to Sanders. Here are the highlights from what I was told.
***It sounds like OU is bunched up near the top of more of a top three with LSU and Tennessee.
***The Sooners, not surprisingly, will get a return visit. He plans to OV to Norman, soon.
***What surprised me a bit was I was told LSU has some real momentum. Source said the Tigers new staff really blew Sanders away. I’ve still have to imagine though that the Tigers issues with the NCAA may ultimately be too much of a hurdle but it does sound like that might have actually been his favorite initial visit.
***Tennessee is going to potentially be challenge for two reasons. First the oblivious proximity advantage. In fact, I believe Sanders may have been back to Knoxville this just last week.
***But the added bonus is that the OL coach at Tennessee and Sanders father played together at MTSU in the 90s. So, there is a unique connection there.
***The good thing for the Sooners is that a) they are going to get him back on campus and b) they have a clear advantage over the schools they are recruiting against. Each of the other schools has an issue whether it’s LSU’s NCAA issues or Tennessee’s lack of consistent success and OL to the NFL.
