Notebook | 2022 DE Omari Abor Talks Recruitment Post OU Visit
– Darius Terrell
Although it’s early, a few elite talents have already revealed themselves in the class of 2022. A name that Sooner fans should start getting familiar with is 2022 Duncanville standout Omari Abor. I was able to catch up with Abor and his father, Mr. Barr, to get an update on the recruiting process for the family and an update on his current status.
Abor currently holds fifteen offers, with them coming from the likes of Alabama, Oklahoma, Michigan, Texas, Georgia, Auburn, Washington, TCU, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Missouri, Kansas State, Colorado, SMU, and Kansas.
Mr. Barr told me that they had already visited Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and TCU. The decision on where his son plays will be a “collaborative decision, but ultimately, he is the one that has to actually live it.”
Abor is recently measured in at 6’4 249lbs and qualified for the UIL State Regional Finals in Powerlifting despite suffering a broken bone in his hand. According to Abor, he wasn’t even able to go all out.
“The crazy thing is, I was able to qualify without doing my max on Bench or on Squat.”
That ladies and gentlemen is the sign of an explosive athlete. Abor was a starter at Defensive for a loaded 15-1 Duncanville squad as a Sophomore that made it all the way to the UIL 6A D1 State Championship Game before falling to North Shore. Abor was named the District 8-6A Newcomer of the Year
Abor picked up an offer from Oklahoma on a month ago and visited campus last weekend.
“I loved it at Oklahoma. I felt like I belonged there. The coaches really made me feel like they wanted me. All the coaches were communicating and looking to get to know me.”
If that weren’t good enough early news for Sooner fans, here’s more.
“I grew up watching Oklahoma. My room is filled with Oklahoma stuff.”
Oh, my.
More good news:
While Dad may be a fan of the SEC (he likes the numbers on SEC defenders and the NFL Draft), the younger Abor has a bit of a different perspective on conference branding.
“Conference affiliation doesn’t really matter to me. I think I’d rather go to an offensive program and be a guy that makes their defense better.”
Abor shared with me some of the main factors that will go into his decision:
“Trust in the coaches (Head Coach and DL Coach), chemistry with players on campus, and scheme fit.”
Both father and son voiced an interest in remaining relatively close to the DFW area.
“I want to go to a place that’s not too far, but also not too close to home.”
They also shared an opinion on one major part: Who is the Head Coach?
Mr. Barr stated, “I want my son to go somewhere where the Head Coach is stable. Assistant Coaches move around, but an entrenched Head Coach isn’t going anywhere. That’s important for us. I want to know that the person entrusted to my son is going to be there for the duration of his time there.”
I’m not genius, but that sure sounds good very, very early for OU.
Both father and son told me that they plan to take all five official visits and don’t plan on deciding until National Signing Day in 2022. This one is just getting heated up and it’s going to be quite a battle. Oklahoma has done a terrific job of setting themselves up early with a defender that could be in the conversation for 5-Star status in the coming months.
Sophomore Highlights:
Caleb Williams | Quick-Update | Post Visit
– Super K
As you know, about a week and a half ago, I was in the DMV area to see Caleb Williams and a number of other players. Since then I’ve been overseas on a brief vacation (no Coronavirus where I am!) but will be back state side tomorrow.
While here though, I was able to get some quick reactions from Caleb after his OU visit. I’ll bottom line this…
***First, Caleb said that in terms of actually seeing anything new or particular that stood out, he said he didn’t really get that from this visit. He said more of what he got was “clarity” after this visit. I think that’s about as good of a description as you could hope to get. In other words, whatever questions there may have been, have been answered.
***In terms of a return visit, he said, “I might visit for the Spring Game. I Don’t know yet. Just finished this visit so going to have to regroup and figure that out.”
If I had to guess, I’d say he will come for his official visit, then. But again, he didn’t quite commit to that.
***In terms of a decision timeline, he said, that he doesn’t have one…
***On that note though, OU sources felt good about the visit and I don’t think his timeline matters so much as the Sooners receiving the assurances they need.
***The next guy in line after Caleb Williams is North Shore QB, Demetrius Davis. So, as long as you don’t see the Sooners make a definitive move there, then they’re comfortable with where they stand with Caleb.
2021 OL Connor Tollison Commits to Missouri
– Charlie S
Did not see that coming…
Following his trip to Missouri, 2021 OL Connor Tollison has announced his commitment to Missouri.
Going into the visit, I noted that Mizzou was the one obstacle to be concerned about if you are OU.
Not going to sugar coat it though, I was of the opinion that he would commit to the Sooners.
By no means a crippling blow to OU and Coach Bedenbaugh, but certainly a bit of a shocker!
Visit Update | Shemar Turner
– Charlie S
*** Last week we told you that OU was expecting 2021 defensive lineman Shemar Turner (6’3.5″ 260) out of DeSoto, TX on campus over this past weekend.
*** Turner did not make the trip up to Norman, however, he did show up in Austin again to visit the Longhorns.
*** As we have been saying, we feel like OU was the leader in this recruitment last fall, however, we believe Texas has taken the lead.
*** The Sooners need to get Shemar back on campus to slow the momentum of Texas and the good news is that he tells Darius he plans on being in Norman on Tuesday (Today).
Quick Hitter | 2021 RB Camar Wheaton
– Charlie S
*** Last night, 2021 running back Camar Wheaton (5’11” 190) out of Garland, TX wrapped up his unofficial visit to OU.
We will have a write up on his visit later this week but just wanted to assure you that he came through and it sounds like things went very well (as you would expect).
As you all know, Wheaton is a priority target for the Sooners and it will be interesting to see how his recruitment, which will be led by OU running back coach DeMarco Murray, will play out.
I think it is safe to say that Wheaton, LJ Johnson, and TreVeyon Henderson are the primary focus at running back in the 2021 cycle.
Quick Hitter | 2021 OL Bryce Foster Visiting Today
– Charlie S
Sooners getting a nice last minute visitor today as 2021 offensive lineman Bryce Foster tweeted out he will be in Norman.
Touched base with him last night and he told me he and his father just made the decision earlier in the day that they will be heading up to campus for the first spring practice for OU.
Foster’s continued visits to Norman are a very good sign for Coach Bedenbaugh and Riley as he is one of the most highly sought after players in the country.
Quite a run over the last few days for the Sooners in regards to having elite recruits visiting.
Quick Hitter | Sooners Hosting Additional Visitors
– Charlie S
*** We are hearing the Sooners are expected to host 2021 Offenseiv Tackle Reuben Fatheree (6’8″ 305) out of Richmond, TX
We have not been able to confirm this with Reuben yet, but we are checking on it and will update should we hear anything.
*** 2023 Athlete Jaxon Howard (6’4″ 205) out of Minneapolis, MNm will also be in town as Spring Practice gets underway for the Sooners.
*** Elite 2022 Offensive lineman Kam Dewberry (6’4″ 300) out of Humble, TX will also be on campus today.
