Open Post | Tuesday, March 3rd
Posted on: March 3, 2020
4-Star DL Kelvin Gilliam Visiting Sooners
– Super K
Last week, I stopped by Highland Springs HS to see 2021 defensive lineman, Kelvin Gilliam.
I’ll have a full write up on him but a few quick notes…
***As noted above, he plans on taking an unofficial visit to Oklahoma on April 9th. This will obviously be a huge opportunity for the Sooners to make an impression on a high-level defensive lineman and still hold on to the official visit.
***Gilliam, like Goodwine, has a great frame. He’s a solid 6’3 and around 260 lbs with plenty of room to add weight. Sooners haven’t had a lot of these 6’3 to 6’4 broad-backed, long-armed defensive linemen in recent years. In other words, they need to keep pushing in this mid-Atlantic region because there are plenty of them and they actually defend run-based offenses.
***Again, coach Riley and coach Thibs are the lead recruiters here but it’s Shane Beamer that got the Sooners in the door once again. Also, Gilliam says he’s been communicating with the entire staff, including new DE/OLB coach, Coach Cain.
Update | 2021 LB Raneiria Dillworth Visiting
– Charlie S
*** Checked in with Sooners 2021 linebacker offer Raneiria Dillworth (6’2″ 195) out of Kernersville, NC after seeing his tweet the other night…
*** What prompted me to check in with him was the fact that he got offered by OU on January 30th and put out his top five (NC State, UNC, UGA, South Carolina, Bama) which did not include OU on February 3rd and I was looking to close the door here
*** Turns out, the door is not closed as Raneiria tells me the Sooners are a ‘real player’ in his recruitment.
*** He went on to tell me that he will unofficially be visiting Norman on April 1st…which is just a few weeks before he silently commits to a program.
*** Now, not saying OU is in the drivers seat or anything here, but the fact he is taking a trip to Norman on his own dime is a good indication of some sincere interest and while he may not initially pick OU, I could see this as a scenario where the Sooners keep their iron in the fire and continue to recruit him regardless of his decision in May.
*** Dillworth has a busy spring as he is set to visit his top five as well as OU, Florida State, and Tennessee.
*** We plan on making our way down to see him in the spring and hopefully will have more on where things stand with him and OU at that time.
Update | 2021 DL Tunmise Adeleye to Visit
– Charlie S
The Sooners will get a visit from 2021 DL Tunmise Adeleye (IMG Academy) in late March.
Adeleye tweeted out his spring visit list and the Sooners will get their shot on March 26th.
Back in late December, Adeleye included OU in his final six along with Ohio State, Florida, LSU, Texas A&M, and Alabama.
I touched base with Tunmise and he told me this visit will be an unofficial visit.
That is good news for the Sooners as they would be able to host him officially at a later date should things go in that direction.
Quick Hitters | Visitor Reactions – Tollison, Laughlin, Johnson
– Charlie S
Was in touch with a couple of today’s visitors and got their initial reactions to the trip…
*** Caught up with OU offer Connor Tollison, 2021 OT out of Jackson, MO (Jackson) and he said the trip ‘Exceeded his expectations’. He mentioned that he appreciated being able to spend the day with Coach B and Coach Riley. Nothing is set in stone but it sounds like the Sooners will get an official visit from the big man.
*** Spoke with Hugh Laughlin, 2021 OL out of Athens, GA (Academy) who was very impressed with his trip.
Laughlin said “The highlight for me was just the atmosphere. You could tell everyone put in the hard work, but they lobe on each other too.” He added “The people stood out to me as well. I like Coach B a lot and how he is not about the fluff and just goes straight to the point. I also liked Coach Riley a lot.”
While no offer was extended during the visit, Laughlin told me the OU staff will be out to see him in spring and he expects an offer once they get to see him play the position as he is new to tackle.
*** Checked in with 2022 WR Stephon Johnson who was very excited following his trip.
Johnson said “The family feel is what really stood out”. He added “Coach Simmons, man he made a very strong impression on me, I feel like I can play for a coach like him and Coach Riley was just so cool!”
Johnson does not yet hold an OU offer but he let me know he plans on being back in Norman on March 28th for another unofficial.
Quick Hitter | Visit Update | 2021 LB Terrence Cooks
– Charlie S
*** Caught up with 2021 linebacker Terrence Cooks out of Pearland, TX (Shadow Creek) on Monday around lunch time. Cooks was on campus Sunday with the rest of the visitors…however, unlike most of the others, Cooks was just leaving Norman when I spoke to him.
Cooks stayed the night in Norman and had himself an extended stay on the visit and was able to spend additional time with the coaching staff.
I’ll have more from the 6’2″ 210 lb athlete on his visit, just thought that was something worth letting you all know.
Update | 2022 DT Bear Alexander
– Charlie S
The Sooners hosted one of the top defensive linemen in the 2022 class this past weekend as Keithian “Bear” Alexander out of Dallas, TX (Skyline) made his way to Norman for a visit with OU.
The elite prospect holds all the major offers already and it is more surprising to find a school that has not offered him than it is to find a school that has already offered the rising junior in high school.
As I reported prior to the visit, Bear was heading to Norman with his ‘Pops’ Tony Jones as well as 2023 QB Jaylon Robinson.
The Sooners delivered and Alexander was not disappointed by the visit at all, he said “OU definitely caught my eye” following the trip.
Bear said all the things about the environment and family atmosphere that we have come to expect following a visit to Norman, but when I asked him what stood out to him the most, he said “Their consistency (on-field) and their numbers over time”.
He also mentioned that he really enjoyed the time he got to spend with head coach Lincoln Riley as well as defensive line coach Calvin Thibodeaux.
The Sooners appear to have made quite the impression on the big man during his time in Norman. Time will tell if it is a lasting impression, but after talking to him, I do not think it is out of the questions to see him pop up in Norman a few more times over the next year or so.
Alexander is going to be pursued aggressively by a ton of big-time programs throughout the duration of his recruitment as he is a precious commodity (elite defensive tackle)…at this point, I would include OU in that mix and making that big first impression was a good start for the Sooners.
Quick-Update | Mukuba & McCutchin
– Super K
***As you know, this past weekend, the Sooners hosted two of the best 2021 defensive backs in Andrew Mukuba and Latrell McCutchin.
***The trip went very well. Mukuba said it was “amazing”. Going into the trip, he loved the Sooners but his favorite staff was the TCU staff. After this trip, and this being his second time around the staff it sounds like the Sooners staff may have taken the lead.
***Andrew says he will back for the Spring Game in April.
***Going into the visit, I mentioned that everyone should keep their eye on McCutchin. Well, as you’ve seen, the Alabama decommitment happened on the trip.
***McCutchin said he doesn’t know when he will announce a decision and added he’s going to take a break from recruitment for a while. But, no worries for the Sooners as they are in good position.
***He said he isn’t sure just yet if he will make it back for the Spring Game but if I were a betting man, I’d bet he does.
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