Open Post | Wednesday, June 28th By: The Brainiacs Posted on: June 28, 2017

– TJ Pledger: In case you missed it, Brandon tweeted out the following regarding Sooners RB commit, TJ Pledger:

To which, Pledger’s mom responded by saying…

– Jaqualyn Crawford: With the Sooners the hot team in Big 12, once again, the spots for the 2018 class are filling up very quickly. Yesterday, 2018 Rockdale (TX) wide receiver Jaqualyn Crawford tweeted out…

Right after that tweet rumors began swirling that Crawford was going to announce as early as last night. That was not the plan, but when speaking to Crawford and some sources I was told that his announcement could come as early as the next week or so. One thing is for sure, Oklahoma is in a really good spot for the elite wide receiver. With Oklahoma being his only planned visit, in the coming month, there is reason to be optimistic. – (Brandon)

– More on Crawford: Just wanted to make a general comment here about Crawford. OU can go in multiple directions as they work to fill the final WR spot. What seems to be a bonus when it comes to guys like Crawford and Treveon Johnson is that they are not only excellent wide receiver prospect but they are legitimate d1 defensive prospects as well. While the Sooners plan on playing both on the offensive side, it’s great to know both sides of the ball are viable options. – (Super K)

– Jaylon Robinson: Monday Oklahoma picked up a commitment from big time All Saints Episcopal (Ft. Worth, TX) WR, Jaylon Robinson. Robinson is big because he plays bigger than his size. Watching Robinson at Pylon 7 on 7 nationals this past weekend really opened my eyes to the fact that he is so crisp in everything he does. Every movement was well timed when it came to his route running. It allows him to be such a force in space. One example was in his team (True Buzz) mid-morning game. Robinson ran a simple five yard hitch, but while doing so he slid into open area of the zone. Simple fundamentals tell you to turn to your outside shoulder, which Robinson did, but it’s his feel for where the defender was, in a split second, that made the difference in him scoring or being stopped after a couple YAC’s.

Robinson has the gift that players like Mark Clayton, Ryan Broyles and Sterling Sheppard possessed, namely, playing so well in space.

Beyond his ability to run routes and feel spacing, Robinson has the natural burst to come off the LOS or split defenders upfield. You also see it in return ability. I suspect Oklahoma will try and utilize him in that capacity when he arrives on campus.

Another weapon for the Riley to have in his already loaded offense. – (Brandon)

– Team Note | Freshman DB Notes: I’ve been talking to a few sources to get a sense of who among the incoming freshman defensive backs has been standing out (I’ll share some additional position notes later on).

One of the two names receiving a lot of praise from folks around the program will not surprise you and one will. I’m told that Robert Barnes and Tre Norwood are having exceptional summers. Barnes was a highly recruited prospect and has the pedigree so it’s not particularly surprising to hear his name. But Norwood, though very talented in high school, went largely overlooked until late in the recruiting process. The Sooners along with Notre Dame jumped in on him late and ultimately Norman’s proximity to his hometown of Ft. Smith, among other things, secured the recruiting win for the Sooners. And the initial impression is that the Sooners may have gotten a steal.

Robert Barnes: Was told he measured in at nearly 6’3 and apparently his 40 time was even better than I mentioned a week or two ago. I had noted he ran in the low 4.6s. But a second source said he ran a 4.61 and 4.58. Mind you they are running on new turf so it’s slow which makes the time even more impressive. That’s close to a mid 4.5 on worn in turf. For a guy that big, that is flying. Was told that it will be very hard to keep Barnes off the field. That doesn’t necessarily mean he will start but sources on the OU side have indicated to me that the staff’s initial impression of Barnes is even better than expected.

Tre Norwood: I was told that along with Robert Barnes, Tre Norwood is “one of the best freshman as far as movement and intelligence” that the staff has seen in a while. Was told that Norwood measured out around 6’0 and apparently also ran an even better 40 time than I was initially told. A source confirmed he ran a low 4.5 on the slow turf. Again, considering that would have been the best DB time last year amongst all the defensive backs, that’s excellent for a true freshman. Not surprisingly, I was told that Norwood just needs to continue to add some good weight. Similar to what I was told regarding Barnes, Norwood is another guy who seems poised to see some field time this fall.

Tre Brown and Ryan Jones: Have also heard positive things about both Brown and Jones. The class overall is just excellent. In the past Brown and Jones would have received even higher praise but as a source mentioned, “there are just so many good guys in this class”. I actually heard Brown made a heck of a player earlier this week in 7v7, climbing the ladder for a PBU against Jeffery Mead. And as I previously mentioned, Tre Brown showed off his speed running a blazing 4.4 40.

Sources cautioned that, it’s never certain until you see the guys in pads but the initial reviews on this defensive backs class, especially Barnes and Norwood, are exceptionally high. – (Super K)