Open Post | Weekend, August 18th – 20th
Posted on: August 18, 2023
Fast Five – Scrimmage Sourced Notes | Scrimmage One
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 12, 2023
Here are five sourced notes from the first scrimmage of fall camp. If you would like to read all three write ups of sourced notes, please check the Donor Board
***Offense won the day. Dillon Gabriel was efficient and pretty accurate. Gabriel connected on a couple deep balls, including one to Nic Anderson.
***Starting OL was solid in pass pro and the only real issue was some pressure up the middle collapsing the pocket. Didn’t happen a lot with the 1s but the second string DL was finding some success inside.
***One interesting note that we can point back to James’ reporting from last week which confused some, including me while I was out of town…source did confirm that Danny Stutsman was playing some MIKE with Kanank at WILL. Kobie was backing Stuts and Kip Lewis was backing Kanak at times. Did not hear anything about Near but I have not heard of him playing anywhere other than MIKE. We will talk more about this throughout the week as James will be back out there on Monday.
***One name that showed up that you will all be glad to hear? WR Andrel Anthony backed up my notes from earlier in the week as he continues to emerge. Was told he had a couple scores today (yesterday).
***Source said Jackson Arnold was ‘very good’ and ‘very composed’. Said he looked like he knew what he was doing out there and his legs make him an even bigger weapon. He had a long run, very similar to what he did in the spring game.
***Lastly, I asked specifically about the use of the middle of the field, as in if Dillon was using it and the source said both QBs were having success over the middle and noted Stogner had a couple of catches and the other Anthony touchdown was a pass over the middle.
Quick Notes From Media Viewing Opportunity | Injury Update 12:43 pm
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 14, 2023
James was out at practice today for the media viewing session and passed along his quick thoughts on what he saw…
***Beville is back as the 3rd QB today and he is throwing the ball better than Booty
***Drake Stoops and Gavin Freeman work their butts off, every time. James said their effort stood out to him during the session.
***Jalil Farooq and Nic Anderson stood out to James as they made some nice catches against air as they adjusted their routes accordingly.
***Was interesting to watch Emmett coach up LV Bunkley Shelton…James said at one point LVBS stopped his route short and Emmett was questioning him why he did that against air and instructed him to run the route he asked for and not ad-lib during the specific drill.
***Didn’t see DJ Graham out there…not saying he definitively was not out there, James just noted to me that he didn’t see him.
***Offense worked on a lot of deep stuff, this is where he pointed out the notes about Farooq and Anderson. Said Andrel Anthony is also really impressive and his hands look really good in the camp setting.
***Jackson Arnold and Dillon Gabriel looked very good throughout the drills. James noted every time he sees Arnold that he looks more confident and comfortable.
***Blake Smith actually looks pretty good to James at tight end, said he showed surprising hands.
***Hampton Fay stood out to James today, he called him a freak of an athlete and feels that if he can ever put it together as a tight end, he has the physical skills to be a really nice pick up
***Llewellyn still kinda in and out of drills, does not appear to be going full speed
***Kick off returns – James saw Gavin Freeman, Gavin Sawchuk, Jalil Farooq, LV Bunkley Shelton, Billy Bowman, Peyton Bowen and Chapman McKown working with DeMarco Murray.
***Linebacker – Stutsman was back at the WILL while James was out there with Whitter behind him and so was Kip Lewis. At the MIKE Kanak, McKinzie and Near were working.
***Today was the first day that James noticed that it looked like the grind of camp was sinking in. Some guys needed a little more encouragement and the staff was on top of them trying to motivate them.
***Special shoutout to Chapman McKown, James noted that he loves that kids effort and drive. Always looking for another rep in every drill he does.
***James said it was nice to see Emeka Megwa going through practice today with the other running backs.
Appreciate James passing along what he sees as he is only one guy with one set of eyes so he tries to get a little bit of everything for you all!
Will have some raw footage up later tonight or start your day off tomorrow morning depending on the temperature of the community!
Injury Update:
As noted above, James did not see WR DJ Graham out there today. He followed that up by checking with some sources and he wanted to pass along that Graham suffered a lower body injury late last week and it looks like he will be out for some time. Source James spoke with even brought up the possibility of a red shirt for DJ, but again, nothing has been set in stone and they are working through the path forward for DJ.
Nwaneri and What’s Important
– Super K – Posted on: August 15, 2023
As you know by now, Sooners DL target, Williams Nwaneri has committed to Missouri.
I wanted to offer a few thoughts and some simple perspective on this recruitment…
***First, as you know, I hadn’t felt particularly good about OU’s chances in quite some time. It was on August 1st (HERE) that I said I wasn’t able to put a trending pick in yet but if I had to, it would not be to OU.
***I officially put the trending pick in away from OU on August 9th (HERE).
***My belief was and still is that OU was likely running around third in this recruitment. We also believed that Williams had made a decision and after seeing what he told the media, it’s clear he had this decision made at least a week ago. In fact, he said publicly that he made a silent commitment to Missouri three weeks ago.
***As the commitment date got closer, we heard OU less and less. But there were two other things in this recruitment that had been on my mind…
***First, if OU was really confident in their position with Nwaneri, why would you take a commitment from an undersized 2025 DL before he holds a single p5 offer? Obviously the answer to that could be that you’re absolutely blown away by him. But to be an elite DL at barely 6’ is Ed Oliver territory and Ka’Mori Moore has yet to show anywhere near that kind of explosion or production. I’d argue that the Sooners, really weren’t as confident as it may have seemed.
***I can tell you, in talking to sources that while some in the building felt good about their positioning, others did not. And sometimes, even when folks say they feel good, deep down, they know better. I remember Thibs taking Lincoln Riley down to Austin to see Alfred Collins right before his commitment and we already shot Alfred’s video to Texas. I just have a hard time believing that deep down, OU didn’t know they weren’t getting Alfred.
***The other that didn’t sit well with me is that despite having a lot of reasons to go to OU (connections, proximity, etc), he seemed to be looking for a reason not to go to OU. What do I mean? Well, early on it seemed to be all OU. Then Tennessee became the hot thing. Something happened on his summer official there and Tennessee lost their favor. So, you’d think, ok then it’s a slam dunk for OU. But no. Suddenly UGA emerges.
***Then when UGA starts to wane, you’d think, slam dunk to OU but then Missouri emerges.
***Again and again, it felt like he was looking for reasons to not end up at OU.
***Having said all that, what does it really matter? Recruiting is critical, yes, but its importance at this point in coach Venables’ arch takes a big back seat to one simple thing – winning.
***This staff has shown that they can recruit. They have shown that they can put themselves in a position to win big recruiting battles. Had they, for example, been successful last season, their chances with a guy like Jospeh Ajonye would have been much better. But the fact that they’re able to put themselves in striking distance for so many elite recruits despite a 6-7 record, is telling.
***So, it’s been said over and over and it’s worth repeating, the name of the game for Brent right now isn’t winning recruiting battles, it’s winning on the field. If he wins, the recruiting will take care of itself. And that isn’t always the case. Some staffs can’t recruit. But that’s not Brent’s problem.
***But if Brent doesn’t win then recruiting will be unimportant. He will have bigger issues.
***So, again, what matters right now is what’s just around the corner – the season and how the Sooners perform.
***I know based on our reporting on Nwaneri, many of you weren’t particularly optimistic anyway. So, I don’t think it stung y’all nearly as much. But for those still licking your wounds, I’d really let it go and keep your eye on what’s most important right now.
’25 In State Tight End Nate Roberts Back on the Market
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 15, 2023
On a positive note for the Sooners, in state ’25 Tight End Nate Roberts has announced his commitment from Notre Dame and is back on the market.
Roberts (6’4 240) out of Washington, Oklahoma, verbally committed to Notre Dame back in mid June.
Sooners tight end coach Joe Jon Finley and ’25 quarterback commit Kevin Sperry have been putting in a lot of work behind the scenes in an effort to flip the talented tight end prospect.
After speaking to some sources, I really like where OU is at in the flip process here, and right now, I expect Roberts to join the Sooners ’25 class.
As for a timeline? I do not have anything concrete yet, but one source mentioned they would not be surprised to see it happen in short order. We will see if we can update a timeline though.
Defensive Expectations 2023
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 16, 2023
One of the most talked about topics heading into the 2023 season is “What should the expectations for the OU defense be in year two under Brent Venables?”
Last year, the Sooners ranked in the 100’s in most defensive metrics (122 in total defense), and there is no sugar-coating it…they earned that ranking.
Heading into year two of Venables’ scheme you should have the expectation that you will see improvement. Oklahoma went out and addressed some of the personnel issues through recruiting and the transfer portal.
The Sooners have a very experienced group up front defensively. They brought in transfers DaJon Terry (IDL), Rondell Bothroyd (DL), Jacob Lacey (IDL), Trace Ford (EDGE), Phil Paea (IDL), Konnor Near (ILB) who have all played an extensive amount of college football.
In addition to the new experienced players that the Sooners brought in, they have a ton of returning guys who have played a lot of ball, including a season under Venables in the new system. Danny Stutsman (ILB), Jordan Kelley (IDL), Isaiah Coe (IDL), Ethan Downs (DL), Reggie Grimes (DL), Marcus Stripling (EDGE). Then you look at the young guys which starts with elite EDGE PJ Adebawore and then guys like Kelvin Gilliam and Gracen Halton who may be ready to make some noise.
When you look at the linebacking group, yes you have Stutsman and Near who have played a lot of ball, but you have an incredibly talented group of younger guys like Jaren Kanak, Kobie McKinzie, Kip Lewis, Lewis Carter, Sammy Omosigho, Phil Picciotti, Taylor Wein and elite transfer Dasan McCullough. When it comes to linebackers, I truly believe this is Brents most athletic and highest ceiling group he has had in his career at both OU and Clemson. (Yes they have to go out and prove it but there are legitimately 6 athletic freaks in this group and that does not include Stutsman or Near).
You look at the backend of the defense and you have, on paper at least, more talent and a lot of experience than 2022 in Billy Bowman (S), Woodi Washington (CB), Reggie Pearson (S), Key Lawrence (S), Justin Harrington (Cheetah) and Kendel Dolby (CB). The you add in the potential of the young guys like Peyton Bowen (S/Cheetah/CB), RSJ (S), Makari Vickers (CB), Jasaiah Wagoner (CB), Jayden Rowe (CB), and Kani Walker (CB)…you are deep and talented.
When you look back and re-read what I just wrote…you realize there is a lot of talent on this defense. A lot.
Then, you look at the schedule they face…and to be Frank, this may be the weakest schedule (on paper) that OU has faced in most of our lifetimes:
Arkansas State – new QB JT Shrout (Colorado) – 3-9 last year out of the Sun Belt conference (G5)
SMU – new QB Preston Stone – 7-6 out of the AAC conference (G5)
Tulsa – new QB, likely Braylon Braxton – 5-7 last year out of the AAC conference (G5)
Cincinnati – new QB likely Emory Jones – new staff and scheme – 9-4 out of the AAC conference (G5)
Iowa State – new QB likely as Dekkers was busted for gambling – 4-8 out of the Big 12 conference (P5)
Texas – returning QB Quinn Ewers – 8-5 out of the Big 12 (P5)
UCF – returning QB John Rhys Plumlee – 9-5 out of the AAC conference (G5)
Kansas – returning QB Jalon Daniels – 6-7 out of the Big 12 conference (P5)
Oklahoma State – new QB likely senior citizen Alan Bowman – 6-7 out of the Big 12 conference (P5)
WVU – newish QB Garrett Green – 5-7 out of the Big 12 conference (P5)
BYU – new QB likely Kedon Slovis (Pitt) – 8-5 Independent (G5 imo)
TCU – new QB Chandler Morris – 13-2 out of the Big 12 conference (P5)
The Sooners face exactly ONE P5 team last year that won double digit games in TCU (and they have a new QB and a new OC).
Oklahoma faces SIX teams who were G5 (or independent) last year.
The team will face NINE quarterbacks who are new to their team this year.
The Sooners will face ONE team with equal or more talent (on paper) than them this season (Texas) and the other 11 teams really are not even in the same stratosphere with Oklahoma when it comes to recruiting (talent acquisition).
Bottom line is…yes, your expectations should be high.
Based on their talent and their schedule, Oklahoma should be able to roll out a top 25 defense this year. They have been in the system for more than 18 months, and will have gone through two full offseasons and one full season when the ball is kicked off on September 2nd.
Defensively, they should cut their defensive rankings in half based solely on the weakness of the schedule. If TCU, Texas and Kansas are your biggest offensive concerns coming into the season, you should be in pretty good shape as the Kansas and TCU QB are pretty much in the same mold. Texas has a ton of skill guys but Quinn has yet to prove himself in regard to being a consistent top tier QB (he has the talent to do so).
I guess my opinion is that if you cannot get this group of defenders, which is a talented group, up to speed in the defense in year two, against this schedule, something is amiss with what you are trying to accomplish. Looking at seven of the games on the schedule, I see very average to below-average offenses (on paper). I see three potentially ‘good offenses’ and two offenses that may be above average.
If the OU defense does not finish the season in the top 40, I think there would need to be some real looks under the hood defensively. I also do not think it is off base to have the expectation of a top 30 defense based on the talent on hand and the schedule the Sooners face.
OU likes to refer to itself as a developmental program. Let’s see it. That development, coupled with the talent on hand and the schedule they face should produce quite a jump in their effectiveness on the field.
Interested to hear your thoughts!
Fast Five | Scrimmage Sourced Notes | Second Scrimmage – First Batch
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 16, 2023
You can read the full write up of sourced notes from the second scrimmage on the Donor Board.
***Source said Jackson Arnold was very efficient in the red zone work and said “hes so good in that area because of his arm and feet’. Sounds like Arnold handles things every well down there for being such a young guy.
***Was told Jordan Kelley got into the backfield a couple of times and was the most notable presence along the interior of the defensive line, but also was told Isaiah Coe is starting to heat up and displayed some real strength in moving some people inside.
***Source said Dillon Gabriel backed up his solid performance from the first scrimmage with another good showing in regard to accuracy. Do not get it twisted, Gabriel is and will remain QB1, but it was nice to hear that Arnold got more work with the first group than he did last week.
***Source said Makari Vickers capped off a great last week of practice with a couple big plays (not sure if INTs or PBUs, will look to clarify).
***Source said Dasan McCullough was ‘all over the place causing issues’. Was told he got credited with at least one sack and forced an early throw that led to a pick.
Terry Bussey Return Visit
– Super K – Posted on: August 16, 2023
Sooners 2024 ATH target, 5-star Terry Bussey (Timpson, TX) has set his commitment date for September 28th.
CJ tells us that he has been in touch with Bussey and Bussey says that he actually plans on taking a return trip to Oklahoma ahead of his late September announcement.
Bussey already took his OV so a return trip to OU on his own dime is a bit surprising and might indicate that the Sooners have a punchers chance in this one.
#JustWin
Sourced | Team Notes
– Super K – Posted on: August 17, 2023
Spoke with a source in the building and wanted to pass along a few notes that for the most part jive with what Charlie and James have been saying…
***We all know the names of the offensive guys who are expected to be mainstays of the offense (Farooq, Freeman, Stoops, Stogner). I asked who has been surprising to the upside during this camp…
***Was told that the freshman, Pettaway has been on fire. Was also told that the Michigan transfer, Andrel Anthony has had a great camp.
***I did specifically ask about the Tennessee DL transfer, Da’Jon Terry. Of course, we’re all talking to different folks and everyone has their take but the source I spoke with said Terry has been “solid” but didn’t exactly rave about him. The sense I get is Terry is flashing which is why some feel he will eventually emerge as a difference maker but according to the source I spoke with, the consistent dominance isn’t there…yet.
***On that note, I want to emphasize that the sense if very much that the front seven has more than enough talent and depth, and experience to be excellent, this fall. And keep in mind, they are going up against an offensive line that the staff is not only confident in but feel that it will be an upgrade over last year’s line which boasted two OT NFL draft picks!
***I also asked if it’s pretty much a foregone conclusion that Gentry will take the starting corner spot opposite Woodi. Source wouldn’t go that far but said Gentry has played well and it is his to lose. Also said, they’re developing some good depth there. Sounds like both Vickers and Jasiah are young guys who are having very good camps.
Dominick McKinley | Quick-Hitter
– Super K – Posted on: August 17, 2023
I know a lot of the talk as of late in regards to 2024 5-star DL Dominick McKinley (Lafayette, LA) has been surrounding Texas, LSU and OU.
But wanted to pass along a note I just heard. Been told to watch for Ohio State as a possible dark horse in this one. Sounds like they’re quietly surging.
Larry Johnson is obviously no slouch.
Offensive Expectations 2023
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 17, 2023
While defensive expectations are one of the most talked about topics within the community, one topic that really just sits and simmers on the back burner is offensive expectations.
Last year, the Sooners ranked a respectable 13th in the country in total offense while averaging 475 yards per game. The total offense ranking masks a 32nd-place ranking in scoring offense to a degree, but that’s still pretty solid as OU averaged 32.5 points per game. Tennessee, who led the country averaged 46.1 points per game, so the gap is pretty significant.
The issues that kept OU’s scoring down were plentiful. The inability to extend drives, the points taken off the board via penalty, the missed special teams points, the dropped passes, the overthrown passes…yeah, there was a lot of meat left on the bone.
One area where OU fell well below expectations last year was in the conversions of third downs. The Sooners ranked 49th in the country as they converted 40% of their third down attempts. Washington led the country by converting 57% of their attempts. Even more disturbing was OU’s success, or lack thereof, on fourth down as they were ranked 113th in that department as they only converted 37% of their 4th down attempts (11-29).
Expectation numero uno: Clean that crap up.
The Sooners need to move the chains to keep the offense on the field, particularly with the way they use tempo. Far too often the OU offense went three and out in like 40 seconds which cripples the defense by having them come back on the field without being able to catch a breather.
Last season we saw OU spread the wealth when it came to failing to convert. You had penalties wipe out conversions, you had horrific drops on easy completions take conversions off the board, you had bad sacks taken by the QB when he could have easily run for the conversion, you had wild overthrows of wide-open guys, missed assignments…yeah a whole lot of issues.
I expect to see OU clean that up and I expect them to play a higher level of complementary football.
Additionally, what can help with the third and fourth down conversion issue is sticking with a solid run game. Last season the Sooners ranked a very impressive 10th in rushing offense as they averaged 219 yards on the ground. I actually expect that number to go up (average yards per game).
When you look at the schedule and the potential of the Sooners offensive line and a deep, yet inexperienced running back room coupled with Jeff Lebby’s preference to run and run often, Oklahoma should have a really strong year in the ground game.
Looking at the schedule and the defenses OU faces this year…well…take a peek at how they fared last season…
Arkansas State – 82nd in rushing defense – allowed 162 ypg
SMU – 120th in rushing defense – allowed 203 ypg
Tulsa – 122nd in rushing defense – allowed 208 ypg
Cincinnati – 72nd in rushing defense – allowed 153 ypg
Iowa State – 14th in rushing defense – allowed 107 ypg
Texas – 33rd in rushing defense – allowed 125 ypg
UCF – 78th in rushing defense – allowed 157 ypg
Kansas – 125th in rushing defense – allowed 209 ypg
OkState – 101st in rushing defense – allowed 178 ypg
WVU – 67th in rushing defense – allowed 149 ypg
BYU – 98th in rushing defense – allowed 173 ypg
TCU – 79th in rushing defense – allowed 159 ypg
The Sooners will face only one team who was in the top 25 rushing defenses last year, and that is Iowa State, who not only has lost a ton of their impact players on defense, but the Sooners put up 75 more yards than their average from last year (182) in their win against the cyclones.
Texas was statistically the next best team as far as the rankings go as they came in 33rd…but the Sooners face nobody in the top 60 after that and four teams who were ranked in the hundreds.
I expect Oklahoma to run the ball often and run it with a high degree of success. Run the damn ball.
So I’m not even going to place expectations on the passing game. I do hope and believe that the gimmes (short passes that were either dropped or overthrown) they could not take advantage of last year are taken advantage of this year. The hope is that Emmett Jones can come in and coach his receivers up and have them do their part when it comes to helping convert on third and fourth down to keep the chains moving.
The quarterback situation is pretty straightforward, it is Dillon Gabriel’s job to lose until he loses it. What and how does it look like for him to lose that job? We do not know at this point and to be blunt, hopefully, we don’t find out. My only expectation for the QB room is that Jackson Arnold gets enough playing time to set his foundation for the ’24 season. Anything on top of that would mean the season isn’t going as planned for Oklahoma, and nobody wants to see that. More snaps for Arnold would be beneficial for him, but you have to wonder how long Gabriel’s leash was and I am not thinking it would be ideal to find out.
With the talent OU has on the offensive line and in the running back room matching up against a less-than-stellar defensive schedule, you should expect the Sooners to move up in regard to scoring offense. Anything outside of the top 20 would be rather disappointing, in my opinion.
Interested to hear some of your expectations!
