Open Post | Weekend, August 17th – 19th
Posted on: August 17, 2018
Danielson Ike | Quick Hitter 8.16.2018
– Alex King
After 2019 OT Jonah Tauanu’u committed to Oregon this past Saturday I reached out to St. Louis, MO Rockhurst OT Danielson Ike to see how the communication with him and OU had been. At this point, Oklahoma has OT Stacey Wilkins, OG EJ Ndoma-Ogar and OG Marcus Alexander committed for the 2019 class. We were able to confirm through a source they will be taking one more OT for sure and possibly another prospect if they are a stud. Ike is one of the top offensive tackles left on OU’s board.
He confirmed that Coach Bedenbaugh has remained on constant contact. Ike had mentioned to me back in July that he was looking to taking an unofficial to OU early this month. But that visit never materialized.
Bedenbaugh has told Ike he wants him to get to Norman for a game this season. If that will happen is yet to be decided. But one thing Ike has decided is that Oklahoma will be getting an official visit from him at some point.
“I know for a fact that OU will get an official visit from me,” Ike said.
One thing to note here is that Ike has told me before, he wants to go somewhere that he doesn’t get red-shirted as he wants to see the field when he’s a true freshman. And with the depth OU has at OT after bringing in guys like Adrian Ealy, Erik Swenson and most recently Brey Walker and Darrell Simpson, that won’t be an easy task. That’s not even mentioning if Bobby Evans and were to return for his SR year. Will be interesting to see if that pushes him away from OU.
TFB Short | Why the Defense is Beating the Offense
– Super K
We’ve noted through sourced information that the defense has been a step ahead of the offense for much of camp. Coach Riley has noted it. Today, Grant Calcaterra mentioned it.
Why is this the case?
I suppose, the obvious responses are…
***No Baker Mayfield
***The defense is better?
But let me suggest another reason. The defense knows this offense.
Here are quotes from our sourced post scrimmage notes from last year’s fall camp.
Defense won the day. But I wouldn’t read too much into this. The defense has been going against this offense all camp. They know what’s coming. The defense has the offense memorized. I was told there were some drops today.
Was told there are some timing issues between the QBs and the WRs but one source mentioned that it’ll get cleaned up before the season. Right now they’re giving a lot of people reps. Once they settle on the primary targets it should clean things up.
Here’s where I suspect reality is…
***The defense is better. By how much? I don’t know yet but Murray’s experience at middle linebacker alone is going to make a notable difference.
***The offense is worse. By how much? Hopefully by an amount less than the margin between last year’s defense and this years.
This offense will be dangerous. It’s a Lincoln Riley led offense.
And, most defensive coordinators will be facing the quickest and most sudden quarterback they have ever faced…in their lives.
So that’s…
Lincoln Riley + the most athletic QB you’ve faced + CeeDee Lamb + Hollywood + Rodney Anderson + a good offensive line. In what world does that equal anything but sleepless nights for a defensive coordinator?
Pair Of Sourced Fall Camp Quick-Hitters | Wide Receivers
– Super K
***Jaylon Robinson, I’m told he’s getting a look inside and outside in that second group. He’s been good when he’s in but I’m told he was dealing with some minor hammy issues last week, as well.
I asked someone about the speed of Robinson and Crawford and if they’ve got the same kind of twitch that Hollywood has. Was told, Robinson and Crawford are a different level of speed when compared to the rest of the team but they aren’t quite Hollywood yet. However, source reminded me that Hollywood is much older, “he’s had a lot more time to get bigger and faster. Wait till you see those two guys in a year or two”.
I really like that OU continues to grab these uber twitched up guys…size be danged.
***AD Miller, always a guy who you hear good things about in camp but then the season comes around and you don’t hear much (he redshirted last year due, in part, to a fall camp injury).
Spoke to someone yesterday who said what we already know, namely that Miller isn’t just big, he can flat out run. He clocked a 4.38 this past summer. But this person also noted, “it’s going to take one big catch in a game for him to get that confidence and realize what he can do. But it’s gotta be in a game. He knows what he can do in practice. If he gets that catch in a game with the way he can run, shoot”
Find additional sourced wide receivers notes on the Donor Board! Just click the link!
Post Practice Notebook August 16th | Murray, Bookie, Young DEs & More
– Michael Kinney
Linebackers
For Kenneth Murray these days, it’s all about being a student of the game. The sophomore middle linebacker has always been one of the most physically talented players on the field, but this year it’s about adding the knowledge to it.
“It’s real important,” Murray said. “Especially right now because we’re building. The biggest thing with defense is communication. If you don’t have a main communicator in the middle if you don’t have someone driving the defense… that’s really the main thing. You have to have somebody that’s going to drive the defense. In order for you to do that, you have to study. Just studying all of that stuff just makes you a better player and makes you play faster.”
Part of Murray’s homework during the offseason included watching tape on several linebackers from the NFL. He is especially fond of Luke Kuechly’s game. The Carolina Panther’s consistency is something Murray wants to add to his game.
“I’ve studied about eight to 10 linebackers this offseason,” Murray said. “But the main one I have studied the most is Luke. He is somebody I want to pattern my game after. If you look at his consistent game over his years, he is a 10 tackle guy every week. That’s really my goal for this season. Obviously, I want to be a leader, for one. But I want to be that 10 tackle guy every week. I want to lead the team in tackles.”
As a whole. Murray likes how the linebacker group has been improving during camp.
“At linebacker, we’ve taken some big steps,” Murray said. “We’ve got some real good depth right now. I really like the way my guys are working. We all are working real hard. I think we’re all kind of starting to understand where we need to be and stuff like that. I think pretty much all of us I the linebacking group it has slowed down a little bit. We have a real good group, tight-knit group.”
Bookie sits out of practice
Freshman Brendan Radley-Hiles was one of several players who did not suit up for practice Thursday. However, secondary coach Kerry Cooks said there is nothing to be concerned about.
“Precautionary,” Cooks said. “He could have went if he needed to. We’re just trying to let him rest a little bit. Let his legs get back underneath him. He will be back out tomorrow.”
Defensive coordinator Mike Stoops added:
“He needs work as much as anybody,” Stoops said of Radley-Hiles. “When he’s healthy he needs to be out there, and he will be. We’re just trying to make sure we don’t injure our players, get them healthy. We have two weeks to get ready to play a real game. We’re going to need him on the field or he’s not going to feel comfortable and be able to play like he wants to play unless you’re out there taking reps. He’s done a great job in the film room and studies hard. So conceptually he picks things up well.”
Tatum and Perkins picking up the pace
Another pair of freshmen who look to have an impact this season is defensive linemen Ron Tatum and Ronnie Perkins. Stoops says both are now starting to figure things out.
“Perk, you can tell he is much further ahead just because of the spring,” Stoops said. “Ron got a late start getting here in July, but he’s coming on. You can see his abilities are starting to show through this second week. The first week he was a bit out of place, but you see it coming together for him. You see him starting to piece some plays together. That’s what happens with all young players. It’s flickering. It’s not there yet, but he’s working hard. You can see progress. I think his upside is tremendous. He just has to keep fighting.”
Cooks breakdowns the differences between safeties Justin Broiles and Robert Barnes
“Night and day different body types for sure,” Cooks said. “Broiles is a high energy guy. He’s a student of the game. Rob is going to be a guy who brings a little bit more physicality, a little bit more stoutness. But a good communicator as well. I think that those guys understand that it’s going to come down to who can we trust and who’s going to be the most consistent. So that’s a real battle right now at that position.”
Mark Jackson and Addison Gumbs both bring something different to the outside linebacker position.
“He’s a big due,” Murray said of Gumbs. “He can come off the edge. Athleticism. I’ve seen him in athletic situations be real athletic. He can come off the edge. So, I am real excited to see where he takes his game. Mark has a real nice game, I love his game. He can get twitchy if he needs to and he can really speed the power bull rush if he needs to. As far as coming off the edge, it’s something he is real good at and something he takes pride in and is a professional at. That’s what he does and does all the time. You definitely see all the work he puts in.”
Depth at cornerback
“I feel like I’ve got three and I think Miguel (Edwards) is pushing for that fourth corner,” Cooks said. “But (Parnell) Motley is coming out every day to work. Norwood is taking a step forward from his freshman year. And then Tre Brown, a lot of people don’t talk about him, but he’s competing his butt off. I feel like I’ve got three corners that I can rotate in and feel comfortable with any three of those guys.”
