Open Post | Tuesday, March 26th
Posted on: March 26, 2019
Update | Kendall Milton
– Super K
***I checked in with Chris Milton, the father of 2020 5-star RB, Kendall Milton.
Chris tells me that they have yet to decide on a date for the OU official visit but I continue to feel confident that the Sooners will absolutely be one of the official visit destinations.
It does not sound like the Spring Game is going to happen as Chris said, “Probably not [going to the Spring Game]. Trying to get visits when it is not hectic on campus so we can truly get some one on one time”.
Chris also says that they plan on deciding on OV date very soon. I’ll bring that to you when I have it.
Josh White | Trending
– Super K
Going into this recent LSU visit, I felt the battle for 2020 LB, Josh White (Cypress Creek) would end up being a Red River Battle.
In fact, just last week Josh told me he was trying to decide on whether to attend the OU or Texas Spring game.
I checked in with Josh and it sounds like he may not be attending either.
LSU made quite the impression, he tells me.
It’s something that isn’t necessarily out of the blue, as Josh’s mother’s family is a Demas (he’s related to Demond Demas) and they’re from Louisiana.
In fact, the first time I spoke with Josh he mentioned growing up a bit of an LSU fan.
He said about the LSU visit that outside of liking LSU, in general, as a program, he feels like there is a real need at his position.
You can bet that OU and Texas are going to continue to fight but right now this one is trending in a different direction.
I will note that Josh is undecided about when he wants to announce. He said it could be soon or he could wait until the end of the school year.
Obviously, the longer he takes, the better it is for other programs like OU and Texas to restablish themselves in the fight.
Quick Hitters | Linebackers Visiting & Additional Targets
– Charlie S
A few really quick notes on 2020 Linebacker recruiting following the turn of events with Josh White and LSU following his visit this weekend.
*** Spoke to James this morning and sources let him know that a pair of linebackers plan on visiting OU to take in a practice this week
*** On Tuesday local product and 2020 LB Cole Thompson (Norman HS) is planning on being in attendance for practice. Thompson has been getting more looks from OU recently and the 6’2″ 210 lb high school junior could be working his way into the picture for the Sooners.
*** James also is hearing that 2020 LB Quade Mosier (Fayetteville, AR) will make a return trip to OU to take in practice on Thursday. Mosier was up in Norman while the team was on spring break so this will be a good opportunity to see how practice works at OU for him.
*** As Super K reported last week, Kourt Williams (Bellflower, CA) plans on heading to Norman on April 6th. There are a number of other visitors coming in that day and we will cover that in the near future.
*** Other names to keep an eye on at LB include: Jaylan Ford (Frisco, TX) who is scheduled to visit on April 6th as well, Mohamed Kaba (Clinton, NC) who OU is trying to get in for the Spring Game, Antonio Doyle (Hazelwood, MO), Trenton Simpson (Charlotte, NC), Cameron Riley (Evergreen, AL) and Jordan Banks (Harbor City, CA).
Right now, we are working under the impression that the Sooners are looking for one true linebacker this cycle so they do have some options here.
– James Hale
*** On the offensive side of the ball, I have been told that what has been noticeable has the been the poise that Jalen Hurts has at all times during practice. Sure he will laugh or smile when it calls for it. He is not a plastic man or a robot but when the team is going through team and scrimmaging work he’s poised and is as cool as a cucumber.
*** With Creed Humphrey out this spring due to injury, word is that OL Coach Bill Bedenbaugh is working sophomore Tyrese Robinson (6’3, 326) and Finley Felix (6’5, 311) at center and for both, it’s the first time they have executed a deep snap. That’s not as easy at it might seem, but it’s made easier when you have a quarterback like Hurts standing back in the shotgun.
*** When you have new centers snapping for the first time they are liable to snap it low and left, or low and right or maybe high straight or high left or right and according to people who watch him, Hurts never panics, never wavers and just reaches wherever the snap is and catches it all the while keeping his eye on the play downfield. It is told to me that he has been uncanny in always catching the snap no matter where it is and still keeping his eye on what’s going on up front and what’s going on in the secondary, and usually makes the right read where to go with the ball.
*** Sources tell me Hurts isn’t winning the job over redshirt freshen Tanner Mordecai (6’2, 208) because he throws the ball better, he doesn’t throw any better than Mordecai, but he’s winning the job because of his experience, poise and ability to lead a team.
*** If Mordecai doesn’t win the job, it is my opinion that he will be best served to stay at OU and learn the art of being a quarterback from Hurts and he will be better for it in his future battle with freshman Spencer Rattler (6’1, 205) for the starting quarterback job in 2020.
*** On the defensive side of the ball, I am told that what has been seen through four workouts is a defensive unit that is moving all the time and trying to confuse the offense which is the goal on every single play. Under Coach Alex Grinch the defense wants to confuse the quarterback and the offensive line on every play, and if the defense is successful then the ultimate goal will occur and that is a turnover and getting the ball back to the offense.
*** From some that are seeing the Grinch defense for the first time they are seeing what the Grinch defense is all about. It’s a dramatic difference in how OU has played defense over the past couple of years, especially in the secondary where DB’s aren’t playing off receivers as they have been. Now, word is, the corners are on top of the receivers 80 percent of the time, and when they are playing off they make sure to come down and get hands on the receivers even if it’s two or three yards downfield.
*** Yes, the offense will burn them every once in a while but that’s a gamble that Coach Grinch is willing to take and he knows if his team will tackle well then the big plays will get held to a minimum, and yes, word is that guys are getting pulled for missing tackles, or not being in position to make the tackle.
*** Accountability to the defense matrix is what is demanded from Coach Grinch and so far the guys are fired up about it, trying to work it, and are having fun playing in it.
The article above is a small snippet from James’ write up from Monday, ‘Hale Yes Spring Break Is Over | Sourced Notes, News, & More’. If you would like to read the full article, please check the Donor Board. James Hale posts two full notebooks each week which cover everything from sourced football notes, media opportunities, and every other in season sport at OU.
Jahari Rogers Visiting & Update
– Super K
About a week ago 2020 DB, Jahari Rogers told me he was planning on visiting Oklahoma for the Spring Game.
That plan, he now tells me, has changed.
He will instead visit Texas for the Spring Game. Rogers plans to visit OU for a spring practice in the next week or two.
I know Rogers enjoyed his last visit to Texas and with him deciding to go to their Spring Game, I think it’s safe to say they are a threat.
Having said that, a quote that stays with me from a conversation I had with Rogers early this year came when I asked him if his grandfather, who played at OU, was pushing him towards OU.
“Well, he just wants to see the best for me and of course that’s his alma mater so he thinks that school is best for me”.
Rogers continued, “he just tells me to keep my head on straight, be humble and just look for academics and OU has great academics and when I get the chance to ball out to keep on the name”.
I think it’s also worth noting that when I spoke to Jahari before spring ball started, he had mentioned wanting to see OU practice. He said he really wants to see how they compete.
“I want to see the competitiveness. The games I’ve watched (last season) they really stopped competing, it looked like. I want to see them finish good games and really push through and win them big games”.
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