Open Post | Weekend, August 13th – 15th
Posted on: August 13, 2021
Updates | Joshua Bates and Jalen Hale
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 10, 2021
The Sooners ’23 class really picked up steam in the last week as they added the elite duo of TE Luke Hasz and ATH Makai Lemon.
Earlier this summer RB Treyaun Webb and QB Malachi Nelson pledged to Oklahoma and the Sooners are in position to add to the class once again at the end of this week as ’23 OL Joshua Bates (6’3 280 ) out of Durango, CO is set to announce.
***On Bates, he is scheduled to announce his decision on Friday and he let me know he will be dropping a video around noon. So for those of you interested in planning your day accordingly, there you go. We may have to pause chat for a bit depending on what exactly ‘around noon’ means.
***I also checked in with wide receiver Jalen Hale (6’2 175) out of Longview, TX. Hale was on his way to practice when he got back to me but I had asked him if he was starting to feel the push from the recruits in the class. He said “I’m keeping contact with OU so it’s been the same and those guys have always been in touch so everything is straight’.
Hale was in Norman for the BBQ in June and he was able to spend a lot of time with the guys in the ’23 class. The Sooners already have Lemon penciled in for the ’23 WR room and they are in a very good position with DeAndre Moore and in hot pursuit of Brandon Inniss as well.
So the targets are very clear and right now OU is in a good position with all of them. Of course, there is a long way to go and a lot can change, but just thinking of the possibilities is a fun exercise.
Gabriel Dindy | Significant Changes
– Super K – Posted on: August 11, 2021
As you all know, the Sooners are in the thick of things for Sooners legacy and 5-star DL Gabriel Dindy.
This morning, Dindy let me know that there have been a couple of potentially significant changes to his recruitment.
***First, I had felt for a while that Alabama was going to be a team to watch in this race. Dindy’s father had long said they would OV to Bama this fall and knowing Gabriel’s demeanor and how serious he is, I sensed he would find Alabama’s no-nonsense environment appealing.
***As of now though, Dindy tells me that the Alabama visit is a no-go. It appears, according to Dindy, they have for the moment decided to not take the Alabama trip.
***That would mean this thing is likely down to OU and TAMU. I’m not saying that can’t change. If it changed one way, it can change back. But that appears to be the case for now.
***Secondly, Gabriel was planning on making a commitment at the All American game or around that time. This morning, he tells me that while he doesn’t know the date yet, he has decided to move his timeline up. Again, a pretty significant change.
Sourced Team Notes | Fall Camp | Defensive Line
– Super K – Posted on: August 12, 2021
***In a word, we are hearing that the defensive line is “deep”. Let’s talk interior line and then the ends.
***Sources tell me that the defense overall is extremely deep. I’m told there is quality depth at every level of the defense. This is something we did observe in the spring game despite the fact that a number of guys who were held out.
***I’m told that for the two interior defensive line positions, the Sooners are rotating like eight guys. Eight!
***Source says that while there isn’t a Gerald McCoy or a Tommy Harris in there, the group as a collective is a good group. In other words, the number of guys who can get on the field should allow the Sooners to remain exceedingly fresh.
***You’re looking at pairs of Winfrey and Redmond (like starters), Stokes and Ellison, Coe and Roberson, and Kelley and Gilliam.
***Was told that Gilliam is doing well. Sources say he’s taking coaching well which means he’s going to get better and better. He’s mature and wants to be great and that’s half the battle.
***The Sooners feel the interior line is going to be a strength of the defense and it’s good to hear folks around the program are optimistic that they’ve got a number of quality bullets in the chamber.
***On the edges, the Sooners obviously feel good about their first line of guys in Bonitto and Thomas. But after that it’s a pretty open competition and they’re just going to have to see who will step up.
***I’m told that Clayton had one of his best days this week. He’s very athletic but he’s still very young. So, you’re going to need to ease him in.
***Word is Grimes is doing well but is more of a first and second down guy. Not sure he gives you the pass rush upside of guys like Clayton and Stripling.
***But with Stripling, while he has that pass-rush upside, he is still surprisingly light which isn’t the best thing on your early downs.
***I’m told Downs and Rawlins-Kibonge have some upside but are just, again, very young and need some time to develop.
***So at the DE spot, you probably have a little more in the way of pure upside with guys like Clayton and you have a good first group but not as much depth as you have in the rotation at the interior spot.
***Still, I very much get the sense that the Sooners are happy with what they feel they’ll get from the defensive line this year overall.
***I should have one or two more quick notes later on but the above should hold you over for a bit.
Another Look at ’22 DL Recruiting
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 12, 2021
The Sooners currently have two defensive line/edge guys committed in the ’22 class.
***Derrick Moore (6’4 260) at DE/Edge
***Cedric Roberts (6’3 275) Interior DL
So Cain and Thibbs each have one guy in the fold already and they serve as a nice foundation.
A quick look at the remaining priority targets with offers looks like this:
***DE/3 – Gabe Dindy (6’3 280) – Looks to be down to OU and Aggie. OU will get an official and Aggie already hosted him officially. OU has the family connection, Aggie has the job and location.
***DT – Chris McClellan (6’3 295) – Looks like a 3 team race right now with Ohio State, Florida, and OU in the mix and LSU/Bama potentially lying in wait. Potentially officially visiting OU per K’s report.
***EDGE – Kenyatta Jackson (6’5 231) – Two horse race right now with Ohio State and OU at the front. OU looking to get him back on campus and so far, we have not heard any reason to believe that the trip does not occur.
***EDGE – Marvin Jones (6’4 245) – Has an OU official penciled in during September. Has OU in his top group, so you never know.
***DT – Hero Kanu (6’5 293) – Has 5 official visits set for the season. OU, Georgia, Ohio State, Bama, and Notre Dame. Recently set up the ND visit after getting the offer and as I have mentioned, I think they immediately jump up his list. Will be a battle, but OU having an official (following a summer camp visit to Norman) keeps them in the picture.
A target without an offer at this time to keep an eye on:
***DL – DeSean Brown (6’3 230) – I list brown as a ‘DL’ because a source close to him mentions that OU is recruiting him to play multiple positions, much in the same vein as Isaiah Thomas. I like Brown and with the recent turn of events with Omari Abor (who I am not currently listing as a serious target for OU) I am a little surprised an offer has not been extended to this point. In this case, I do not get the sense that it is too late for OU to become a major player here if they choose to get heavily involved.
As I mentioned above, I did not include DE Omari Abor (6’4 240) on the list based on our own previous reporting. I also did not include DT Jaray Bledsoe (6’4 270) on the list as we just have not heard anything from the OU side on him being a thing and we also have not heard anything from Jaray in regard to OU. Doesn’t mean those guys could not become factors down the line once again, but right now, it doesn’t look like anything will materialize there.
If you get a combination of two of the guys mentioned above to go along with what you already have, you are in very good shape IMO.
Quick Hitter | ’23 WR Brandon Inniss Sets Announcement Date
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 12, 2021
Earlier this afternoon, Sooners ’23 wide receiver target and top-ranked wide receiver in the county, Brandon Inniss (6’0 190) out of Fort Lauderdale, FL (American Heritage HS) tweeted out that he will be announcing his commitment on Sunday, August 22nd.
Not a lot to add except to say we feel very good about OU’s chances to land Inniss after speaking to some sources around OU and Inniss.
