Open Post | Tuesday, January 23rd (UPDATED 10:18 am) By: The Brainiacs Posted on: January 24, 2017

– Marvin Wilson: The OU staff made their way to Houston yesterday to do an in-home visit with top defensive line prospect, Marvin Wilson. As we’ve previously mentioned, Oklahoma’s decision to switch back to a 4-man front has put Oklahoma squarely back in the mix with Wilson.

I was able to briefly catch up with Marvin following his trip and his response to the staff’s visit couldn’t have been better (this needs it’s on separate Open Post if you ask me)…

“[The in-home visit was] amazing man, they came in ready to play…probably the best recruiting pitch I ever heard in my life”. – (Brandon)

– Jacob Phillips: Here is the latest on Jacob Phillips…

I exchanged a few text messages with Phillips last night and he said he does not have a date set for his final announcement. He described the process of deciding between LSU and OU as “very difficult”. He would not comment on what factors he is looking into saying, “I’m just trying to keep my thoughts to myself”.

Related to the above, we are told that Phillips has asked both OU and LSU to give him a little time to think. It’s more than clear that Phillips is torn. While, Phillips wouldn’t comment on it, we continue to hear that the draw to OU is the winning and the connection he has with the recruits and staff. The draw to LSU seems to be NFL defensive production and the SEC.

We are also told that the Sooners in-home visit is still a go. So long as that’s still on the Sooners are still in it.

I also spoke with a current OU commit who noted that Phillips is still in the Sooner Squad 17 group text message. That may seem like a small thing but the commit said, “right before Reagor decommitted we kind of knew it was coming because he left the group message but Jacob is still in there and he talks to us like he never even took a trip to LSU”. – (Super K & Brandon)

– Tre Norwood: As you all know by now the Sooners have finished off their DB class by adding Fort Smith native, Tre Norwood. Between Norwood, Biyron McGrew and now Minnesota CB, Kiondre Thomas, Northside has had a lot of defensive backs success. In fact I’m told they have a fresh stock of DBs waiting in the wings.

In the past couple weeks I’ve been in touch with Norwood and his defensive backs coach, coach Curry. Curry’s son is a cornerback for Oklahoma State. He certainly knows what a division one DB looks like.

OU has been looking to upgrade their football IQ, speed/quickness and ball skills in the secondary. Norwood could help with all of those…

Norwood is a sharp kid. Excellent grades and according to Norwood, a hard working and respectful young man. I have to say, in speaking to him he certainly is impressive. Additionally, football coaches don’t usually put the ball in the hand of a kid they can’t trust. Tre played QB this past year.

Norwood seems to have good speed. Last year, Northside’s start cornerback was Kiondre Thomas who, as I mentioned, signed with Minnesota. Thomas had elite speed. He was 10.5 – 10.7 verified 100 m track guy. According to coach Curry, “Tre is about a half step behind Kiondre. He’s right there with Kiondre and a little faster than Biyron (Mcgrew)”.

Norwood is quick. Ultimately at OU this is probably the critical quality. Oklahoma likes to play off and either get down hill in a hurry (or drop a linebacker underneath in a curl/flat zone) and when they play bump and run they are going to run more than they bump so quickness and loose hips are critical to OU. – (Super K)

– Tyler Taylor: GA LB, Tyler Taylor tells me that he now has a top two but insists the Sooners are not out of the race. “LSU and Auburn are my top two but other schools are still in the running.” However it sounds like OU may be uncertain of their chances. Taylor said about OU doing an in-home visit this week, “I’m not sure (if they will). They were going to but I don’t if the people saying that (he’s down to only LSU and Auburn) scared them off”. – (Super K)

– Roschon Johnson: Sooners offered star 2019 dual threat QB, Roschon Johnson (Port Neches, TX). Johnson and his father visited Oklahoma for the Bedlam game this past season. In talking to people I trust about Johnson who have worked with him, I’m told he will be the guy in 2019. I expect Texas to enter the picture very soon. He’s already been offered by both TCU and TAMU. – (Super K)

– Keaontay Ingram: The Sooners have also offered star 2018 RB, Keaontay Ingram (Carthaga, TX). We should have more with Ingram soon but in my initial exchange with him it sounds like a visit to Norman should happen.

 

– UPDATE (10:28 am): It looks like the Sooners are still in pursuit of 2017 WR/DB, Ryan Jones out of North Carolina.

We are told that Jones could play either way but should the Sooners elect to take him they’d be looking at him as a safety prospect first.