The Football Brainiacs

– Thoughts on Who Stays and Who Goes: As another season winds down, there is always the question of which players will be back and which players will take an early shot at the next level. I’ll offer my thoughts on some of the big name Sooner players who will make that choice in the coming month or so.

Joe Mixon: Everything I’ve heard is that he is as good as gone. I did hear something interesting though recently, that if Mixon stayed it would be to play another year for Lincoln Riley. Riley is loved that much by Mixon and really, the entire team. My personal feeling, not withstanding Joe’s affection for Riley, is that he is indeed gone. And by the way, the report by Football Scoop on Oregon’s interest in Riley is very true. And I do believe he is far higher on Oregon’s list than some of the national writers believe.

Samaje Perine: The recent word I’ve heard on Perine is he is leaning towards leaving. I’m sure his draft grade could play a role but I’m told that if he does indeed leave the primary reason would be the number of injuries he’s already sustained in college. As you know, the life of a running back can be short and I’m told that is playing a significant role in Perine’s decision process.

Baker Mayfield: I’m very uncertain about this one and have not heard much of anything. My guess is that if Joe and Samaje both leave and with the departure of Westbrook coupled with a QB class that may not be particularly strong, his draft grade will then play a big role in his decision to return or leave. If Riley leaves, I suspect that will make his decision easy.

Jordan Thomas: For the longest time, I had heard Thomas was certainly going to leave. Lately the word has been he is leaning towards staying. But this time of year there is always the coaching change possibility and if Cooks were to leave I do believe that would play a big role in his decision.

Steven Parker: Have always heard Parker will stay but again, see last sentence of previous note.

– Linebacker Recruiting: As you know 2017 IMG LB, Jordan Anthony told us that he was visiting for the Bedlam game this week. Speaking to sources TFB has been told that visit is possibly being rescheduled. Oklahoma linebacker coach Tim Kish has recruited exceptionally well  in the 2017 class and has talented linebackers Levi Draper, Kenneth Murray and Addison Gumbs expected to come in as early enrollees this January. He also has linebacker Jacob Phillips solidly committed and he will report this summer.

All that said, Kish has time to wait out some recruiting situations. Tyler Taylor (Sugar Hill, GA) and Levi Jones (Austin, TX) are players the Sooners are still heavily recruiting. Tyler Taylor told TFB, after his official in September, that he would be visiting Oklahoma again before signing day. At this time we are trying to confirm when that visit will happen.

In regards to Levi Jones, TFB has spoken to a couple of sources and as of right now he is expected to take an official visit to Oklahoma. Jones has taken his time with his recruiting to concentrate on his senior year at Austin Westlake, a team that is still in the Texas HS football playoffs and play this Saturday. Jones family has close relationship with the family of OU QB Baker Mayfield that is also playing a part in Jones’ recruiting.

I’m told there may also be some additional names that surprise us coming down the stretch. – (Brandon)

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