The Football Brainiacs

– Spring Game Visitors: We are working on a list of visitors for this weekend’s spring game. Below are some of the early names.

Ron Tatum – in my mind this is the must get guy for the Sooners. Tatum isn’t just a good prospect for an in-state guy. He’s a good prospect in general. Tatum tells me he doesn’t have any additional visits planned but will be at the OU spring game.

Josh Proctor – Sources tell us Ohio State is the biggest threat to the Sooners for Proctor. The more he’s on campus, the better it is for OU.

Bryce Bray – The Bixby OL told us that he plans to make a decision this spring. Could something go down at the spring game?

Byron Hobbs – I’ll have more on Hobbs, the talented TX LB, later this week. But after speaking to Hobbs mother, I can say pretty definitively that this will be a critical visit for OU. This will be Hobbs’ second visit to OU and OU is very much within striking distance but they need this weekend to go really well because they are in a very tight race with some other programs and a decision for Hobbs is rapidly approaching.

Patrick Fields – OU DB commit. Fields’ presence is important. He has taken the lead as a recruiter for the Sooners.

Jalen Redmond – Interestingly, Redmond was actually at OU this past weekend. He will return this upcoming weekend for the spring game. Definitely have to like where OU sits with Redmond so could something happen soon? Well, according to him…no. Redmond tells us that he plans to announce in early January.

Treveon Johnson – 2018 WR, Treveon Johnson (Giddings, TX) is underrated in my estimation. But that is good for the Sooners. This visit will be Johnson’s second in 2017. This is another guy to keep an eye on a possible flip that could come soon.

Jaquayln Crawford – 2018 WR, Jaq Crawford (Rockdale, TX) will also visit this weekend. Crawford is good friends with Treveon Johnson so having them both on campus together could help.

Jordan Kelley – OU DT commit.

Darrell Simpson – Maybe. Simpson’s father tells me they are still confirming whether they will be able to make it. As I mentioned earlier in the week, a source let me know that Simpson is close to a decision.

Alston Orji – Maybe. Orji planned on being at the spring game but there may be some sort of a miscommunication. Orji’s father told me this morning that coach Kish wants them to visit on the 15th. Not sure if they just want to have some individual time with Orji or if the dates got mixed up.

– Team Notes | More on Linebackers: For the first time in a while the Sooners are looking at some real competition at the linebacker position. Here’s some insider notes along with a bit of a recap.

Overview:  The general thoughts I’ve heard is there is a lot of potential in this linebacker unit. However, a source said, “they still have some maturing to do. They’re young so no one is really taking charge.” With Obo out and Steven Parker out, the defense overall is missing a vocal leader.

Inside LBs: JMT, we are told has had a good spring. I think the real story line, as I mentioned earlier in the week, is whether the Sooners move Kenneth Murray inside to maximize the athleticism on the field. Earlier this spring I was under the impression that Murray was playing the opposite OLB position to Caleb Kelly but after further clarification, I’m told Murray has actually been behind Kelly at the SAM position. But, again, you’ve got two NFL quality athletes in Murray and Kelly and you need to get them on the field at the same time.

I asked one source if Murray could move over to the JACK position and the general consensus was, as expected, playing the boundary against a tackle especially as a freshman just isn’t feasible. Besides, Obo really has that spot on lock.

Kapri Doucet has taken a lot of inside reps this spring so he’s now a guy that you can rely on inside or outside. Also you’ve still got Beal in the mix.

Outside LBs: At the Jack (Boundary) OLB you’ve got Obo. Behind him is Mark Jackson. But a source I spoke to said that Jackson is struggling to handle the OT in the boundary against the run. He’s still young so there’s plenty of time and room for him to grow. But one source mentioned that just based on his size and length alone, Addison Gumbs, is a guy to watch who could end up winning the back up spot to Obo in fall camp. Gumbs has that bit of extra size and length that you want in a man who’s going to have to handle OTs in those tight spaces.

At the SAM (Field OLB) position, Caleb Kelly will be the starter. Period. It shouldn’t surprise anyone but there are a lot of folks around the program who believe Kelly will play on Sundays. Special athlete with more overall size and length the Sooners have had in a while. – (Super K)