Open Post | Tuesday, December 1st
Posted on: December 1, 2020
Kelvin Gilliam | Quick Update
– Super K Posted on: November 25, 2020
As you know by now, Sooners’ DL commit, Kelvin Gilliam recently picked up an offer from Notre Dame.
I spoke with someone close to Gilliam to find out whether this offer should be a concern for OU.
Source told me that while Gilliam is in communication with the Notre Dame staff, he remains solid to OU. Source added that the primary reason Gilliam is staying in touch with another staff is just in case something were to happen with OU in terms of a coaching change or whatever else.
Am told, barring any changes, Gilliam’s connections to Oklahoma at this point are just too strong to overcome.
So, based on what we’ve been told, we feel like things remain solid with Gilliam and the Sooners.
Sooners Sunday Brunch | Big 12 Rankings, Coaching Carousel, Dual Threat Commit?
– Charlie S
Let’s start with my Big 12 rankings.
Remember, these are my own personal week to week rankings. This is not how I view the teams overall but by the end of the season they should matchup with my exact thoughts.
***1. Oklahoma – (5-2) Last week 2 – Schedule: @WVU, BAY – Losses: KSU, ISU – Last: COVID Bye
***2. Iowa State – (7 -1) Last week 1 – Schedule: WVU – Losses: OkState – Last: Beat Tex
***3. OkState – (5-2) Last week 4 – Schedule: @TCU, @BAY – Losses: TEX – Last: Beat TTU
***4. Texas – (4-3) Last week 3 – Schedule: KSU, KAN– Losses: OU, TCU, ISU– Last: Lost to ISU
***5. West Virginia – (4-3) Last week 5 – Schedule: OU, @ISU – Losses: OkState, TTU, TEX – Last: COVID Bye
***6. TCU – (4-4) Last week 7 – Schedule: OkState – Losses: ISU, KSU, OU, WVU – Last: Beat KAN
***7. Kansas State – (4-4) Last week 6 – Schedule: TEX – Losses: WVU, OkState, BAY – Last: Lost to BAY
***8. Texas Tech – (2-6) Last week 9 – Schedule: KAN – Losses: TEX, KSU, ISU, OU , TCU, OSU– Last: Lost OkState
***9. Baylor – (2-5) Last week 8 – Schedule: @OU, OkState – Losses: WVU, TEX, TCU, ISU, TTU – Last: Beat KSU
***10. Kansas – Last week 10 – (0-7) – Schedule: TTU, TEX – Losses: Errbody – Last: Lost TCU
Thoughts on my rankings:
– While the Sooners were off, the chain of events that took place this weekend with the KSU loss and the ISU win…OU now completely controls their own destiny in regards to getting back to the Big 12 Championship game and if they win out, they will have a chance to defend their streak of 5 straight championships. Impressive stuff.
– Iowa State is a much different team away from Ames as they struggled with Texas in a game I thought they would win handily.
– The Kansas State loss by OU may not stop their conference championship streak, but it will keep them out of the playoffs. That loss will be talked about for years. Years.
– OU just needs to play and win one of their remaining games to get to the Championship game due to the conference guidelines in regards to COVID.
Coaching Carousel:
Apparently the pandemic will not stop the ride.
The coaching carousel in college football is beginning to spin in earnest as there has already been one rather high profile dismissal (Muschamp out at South Carolina) and there are a few other programs with coaches on the hot seat.
– The South Carolina opening could have some impact on OU as assistant Shane Beamer’s name is being tossed around as a potential replacement for Muschamp.
– Should Beamer get that job, it will be interesting to see what direction OU would go in regards to filling his slot on staff.
*** Would Lincoln move some guys around on the offensive side of the ball again and bring in a new face with east coast connections? Would he look for a regional guy like Samples from SMU or Malcom Kelly from TCU? Certainly something we will be digging on as the week goes on!
– Then you have the cases of Texas (Herman) and Michigan (Harbaugh) who could be looking for coaches should their administrations decide to make a change. Both fan bases are ready to move on, we will see if the University’s are ready to pay out those buyouts during this economic downturn for colleges.
Does USC still want to move away from Helton? Will it take a few losses in SoCal for that to happen?
The issue I see for both Texas and Michigan is…who do you replace those guys with and is it worth it to do it this year?
I don’t see Herman returning to Texas, but we also don’t see Urban Meyer heading to Austin based on things we have heard at this point…where do they turn?
With Michigan, I still think it is Harbaughs decision to make. Does he choose to stay in college or does he take a year off and look at the NFL?
Any other jobs out there that you think may open?
Clayton Smith – Dual Threat?
Sooners 2021 EDGE commit Clayton Smith out there moonlighting on offense for his High School team and making an incredibly athletic grab for a touchdown!
Have no fear however, when Smith gets to Norman, it is all business on the defensive side of the ball!
Sooners Hit Hard | Player Updates
– Super K Posted on: November 29, 2020
As we noted last week, if the Sooners had played yesterday, they would’ve been without Brian Asamoah. We also learned that they would’ve been without Tre Norwood.
However, the shut down was more tied to Covid running through the offense. Thankfully, it doesn’t appear to have been as widespread as they initially thought but contact tracing still becomes an issue.
As of right now, we are waiting to hear on this morning’s player testing.
Friday did not go well. There were a number of players hit with Covid or contact tracing. Without giving names just yet, I will say that it’s not a ton of starters but there are starters who will be out should Oklahoma play this upcoming weekend. Still, most of the positives from Friday or contact traces were reserves.
I’m told that a determination on whether they can restart practice and play this weekend will be made after the results of today’s (Sunday) tests. Fridays were rough but with Asamoah and Norwood coming back the Sooners can weather that. Another round of positives today though would be tough.
Player Availability Update
– Super K Posted on: November 30, 2020
As I noted yesterday, the Sooners have a number of players and coaches out.
I was told that as of this morning the plan is to still practice today. However, things are right on the line right now and whether the Sooners play or not is still very much going to be a day to day thing.
***There are multiple coaches who are out. I suppose with technology today, they could still potentially be on Zoom calls, etc during practice and for the game but they won’t be on the field.
***There are guys who the Sooners will be getting back this week like Asamoah and Norwood but they won’t have a full week of practice. They won’t be back presumably till mid week but would be available for the game.
***The offensive side of the ball is mostly fine. I believe the only name I’ve really heard there that may be unavailable is Mikey Henderson.
***The defense has been hit hard. Guys I believe will be out are Bookie, Woodi Washington, Nik Bonitto and Pat Fields. Now, that’s a lot but the situation is worsened because there are a number of back ups out as well.
***This means the Sooners will have to move guys around in the secondary and maybe even borrow guys from other positions.
***We will continue to monitor this.
Update | Caleb Williams and Baylor Weekend Recruiting
– Charlie S Posted on: November 30, 2020
As you know, Super K mentioned way back in the summer that the Baylor game had potential to serve as another recruiting event for the Sooners.
At the time, K mentioned that if officials were allowed, Baylor would likely be a focal point. Now that official visits are not allowed, if there are visits, they will have to be self guided tours.
That has not stopped OU recruits before as over the summer, Caleb Williams and his family set up a massive event for recruits who wanted to check out Norman.
That event did very well for OU and now it seems as though Williams will be looking to lock up a few more of his priority targets as he is trying to set up some visits for this weeks game.
We have mentioned that there has been some chatter about OU getting visits for the game. James, K and I have all mentioned the possibility of OL Tristan Leigh getting back to Norman and there is always the specter of WR Emeka Egbuka finally making his way to Norman.
In his weekly Sports Illustrated Blog Williams mentioned he was looking to have some guys up for the game:
‘Lastly, some OU recruiting. I’ve been talking with Tristan Leigh pretty heavily recently. Just making sure I get my left side, my backside, my blindside, protected so I’m not getting rocked. I wished him all the best and things like that on his decision being about a month out, he’s deciding pretty soon so he can get his edits, videos, all his hats and things for his whole deal. I’m just talking to him, communicating with him trying to build a bond and the trust between us. Hopefully it goes a long way for him so he can come protect my blindside, my backside.
I’ve also been talking to Emeka (Egbuka) and Bryce (Foster) and Savion (Byrd). As you can see I’m trying to secure my O-linemen so I’m safe and protected. Then after the games we win, you know I’ll feed them big dinners, lol. I need them to go ahead and come on and join up so we can go ball out together. And then of course, I need Emeka to come to finish off this wide receiver class.
A few of the recruits texted our group chat saying they want to go to the Baylor game since we’re not able to be with the coaches and go on officials, things like that. A few of the commits said they wanted to go to the game and I’ll be back in town so I’ll already be there. Be on the look out for some of the guys and hopefully a few big names come.
I don’t wanna get your hopes up, but hopefully they come. We’re planning on just having a good time. It’s always fun to go to a football game but it’s a little bit more fun to watch your future team go win some games. A few of us will be there and it should be fun.’
As of right now, we have not confirmed any visitors for the game. We will continue to monitor the plans as you can imagine they are very fluid with the COVID situation surrounding the game which is set for Saturday.
Update:
Bryce Foster will not be heading to Norman this weekend. He tells me he has some hunting plans.
Visitor Note | 2021 WR Emeka Egbuka
– Charlie S Posted on: November 30, 2020
Both K and James have confirmed that 2021 WR Emeka Egbuka (6’1″ 190) out of Steilacoom, WA, and his family, will be visiting Norman this weekend for the Baylor game.
Egbuka originally planned on making his way to Norman this summer for the get together that Caleb Williams and his family put together.
The elite wide receiver previously told K he wouldn’t be making a decision without seeing OU and it looks like he is making good on that.
James mentioned that Emeka told him that his high school is not playing this season (COVID) and the season has been pushed back to March which puts Egbuka in an uncertain position as to whether he will play or not.
Caleb Williams has been working hard on Egbuka as you all know and they have developed quite a nice relationship. This is a big turn of events as OU will have one chance to impress Egbuka but they will have one hand tied behind their back as the staff will not be permitted to have face to face contact with him.
Visitor Note | 2021 OL Savion Byrd
– Charlie S Posted on: December 1, 2020
Late last night, 2021 offensive tackle Savion Byrd (6’5″ 295) out of Duncanville, TX got back to me and confirmed he is planning on heading to Norman this week for the scheduled Baylor game.
Byrd has developed a good relationship with Sooners QB commit Caleb Williams. Over the summer Savion was one of the guys who made his way to Norman for the gathering that Caleb and his family hosted,
Earlier this month, Byrd released his top 5 which includes Auburn, LSU, Texas, SMU and OU.
He also announced that he will announce his commitment and sign to the school of his choosing on December 16th, which is the first day of the early signing period.
We continue to feel good about where things stand between OU and Byrd.
