Open Post | Weekend, December 13th – 15th
Posted on: December 13, 2019
Big 12 Championship Game | Position Group Progress Reports
– Charlie S
Handing out the rankings for the Sooners position groups following their Big 12 Championship Game performance against Baylor!
Let’s get to it…
QB: 3* – Last week – (4*)
Jalen Hurts came to OU with several goals. Among them was to win the conference championship, lead his team back to the playoffs, and I would imagine a personal goal (which he would never admit to) was to get to New York as a Heisman Finalist.
Mission accomplished on all three counts following this weekend. Tip of the cap to Jalen who has made the most of his one year in Norman.
As for his game against Baylor, it wasn’t great, it wasn’t terrible, although it could easily have been either in the end.
Hurts once again was bitten by the turnover bug as he was charged with a fumble (I credit the OL for that one) and an Interception thrown (all on him).
He was actually very good in the pass game as his stat line read: 17 completions on 24 attempts for 287 yards which was good for 12.0 yards per completion. He also had one touchdown pass to go along with his interception.
On the ground was where he struggled this game in both his decision making and his production. Hurts rushed 23 times for 38 yards which comes out to a 1.7 yards per carry average and his longest run on the day was eight yards.
Obviously the Baylor defense had a major hand in limiting Hurts in the ground game, so you have to give them credit, but after watching the game again, Jalen looked hesitant and indecisive in his decision making at times.
I think a three-star ranking is appropriate here for him as he also did guide his team to a win and made several nice throws, particularly one to nick Basquine for his touchdown.
RB: 4* – Last week – (5*)
The stats were not gaudy for the Sooners tandem of Kennedy Brooks and Rhamondre Stevenson, but their contributions were crucial for a pretty stagnant Sooners offense.
Kennedy Brooks had 17 rushes for 59 yards which is a 3.5 yard per carry average and he had 1 touchdown
Rhamondre Stevenson had 8 carries for 48 yards which is a 6.0 yard per carry average and he also had 1 touchdown.
Stevenson would score what would be the game-winning touchdown in overtime and the Sooners backs helped pass protect Hurts when they could to assist a shaky offensive line performance.
Playcalling for the backs was my biggest issue as they repeatedly were able to gash the Baylor defense running inside the tackles but Riley and Hurts would go away from those calls for long stretches of time. Left me scratching my head.
Still, the backs performed when called upon and helped propel the Sooners to their fifth consecutive conference championship.
WR: High 4* – Last week – (4*)
I said it last week I will say it again…CeeDee Lamb is the best receiver in college football.
Lamb finished with 8 receptions for 173 yards which was good for 21.6 yards per catch.
The dude just shows up big in big games. His 71 yard catch and run was the Sooners biggest offensive play and it set them up to take the lead early in the game.
Nick Basquine added a pair of big catches, including the lobe touchdown pass of the day for OU, and Austin Stogner made a clutch catch out of a very creative formation for the Sooners to keep the chains moving.
All in all, the receivers did a phenomenal job and the only real issue I had which kept them from getting their fifth star was Charleston Rambo’s catch where he did not work past the line to gain. He was on the short side of the field, had the marker in his sights, and still cut the route short which derailed an important drive for OU.
Great outing for a great receiver…one who in my opinion, is the best to play at Oklahoma. I hope you have all enjoyed CeeDee Lamb in a Sooners uniform because he only has at most two more games left. The kid is special.
OL: 2* – Last week – High 4*
The past two weeks, I felt as though the Sooners played their best games of the season along the offensive line.
This game…not so much.
The tackles were no match for the Baylor defensive ends and linebackers and they were constantly putting Hurts in a bad spot.
Creed Humphrey can only do so much and while Hayes and Robinson were their normally consistent selves, the tackles really put OU in a bind.
Now, can we attribute some of the issues to injury? Maybe. But for this game, OU had no answers as all three tackles looked slow and indecisive. That’s a problem heading into the playoffs that will have to be addressed as priority number one.
On the bright side, Swenson actually looked better at right tackle than left when he went in for an injured Adrian Ealy, but I still don’t feel like he is the answer. The question is, what is the answer as the Sooners go up against LSU? I’ll leave that to Coach B to figure out.
DL: 5* – Last week – 4*
Ronnie Perkins again led the charge for the Sooners defensive line as they spent a large portion of the game in the Baylor backfield disrupting running lanes and applying tremendous amounts of pressure on the Bears quarterbacks.
Jalen Redmond continues to grow more disruptive by the week and the job Neville Gallimore has been doing has been largely overlooked but the number of blocks he is eating which frees up Perkins and Redmond is a key to the success of this line.
The Sooners gave up 35 yards rushing. Thirty five.
Those 35 yards came on 29 attempts. In other words, Baylor averaged 1.2 yards per rushing attempt. That is ridiculous!
Great job, well earned five star ranking for a group that has really come on over the last quarter of the season following a slight dip in production following the Texas game which one may have considered their high water mark,
LB: High 4* – Last week (4*)
Kenneth Murray was the dude you all wanted to see all year.
DaShaun White was very solid (the touchdown over his outstretched hand in the endzone was a perfect throw by the QB as White actually was in a very good position)
Caleb Kelly flashed his five-star credentials as the rust appears to be almost completely gone.
nik Bonitto and David Ugwoegbu really enjoy playing against Baylor apparently.
The linebacking corps was very, very good.
This was a lot different than the first half of the first Baylor game for the linebackers and in particular Murray. K9 played his assignments and the rest of the defense fed off of that.
I really like how the RUSH position has come along over the last half of the season as it was a bit foggy early in the year and then with the JMT injury things went south for a minute. However, both Bonitto and Ugwoegbu have stepped up and been consistent and impactful!
Corners: High 4* – Last week – (4*)
Coming off his worst game of the year against Oklahoma State, Tre Brown had perhaps his best game of the year. He was solid all night in coverage and his effort based play, in which he chased down Baylor receiver Chris Platt, who had a 4 yard head start and a falling Pat Fields as a pick, saved the season for Oklahoma in my opinion.
If Baylor scores a touchdown there and takes the lead…do you have confidence that OU wins the game? I don’t.
Motley and Davis played well for the most part and yes the secondary as a whole had two major busts, but overall, they played very well.
The corners made several key pass breakups and tackled well for the most part.
They will be severely challenged against LSU, but for this game, they played like a strength of the defense.
Safeties & Nickel: 4* – Last week 4*
Pat Fields was all over the place and DTY played another solid game.
Fields was particularly effective in helping the Sooners to hang on by a hair to win the game…
Fields and DTY combined for multiple PBU’s and 4 tackles for loss. Well played game by the duo.
Bookie started at nickel and was playing well until he was injured as he laid a hit on the Baylor ball carrier. Justin Broiles came in for him and did a really nice job at nickel for OU.
Solid game for the last line of defense!
Special Teams: 4* – Last week – 4*
Brkic…perfect. Kid is a weapon for OU and his three field goals played a huge role for OU.
Punting was fine.
Kickoff overage was decent.
Kickoff return…eh.
2020 Wide Receiver Recruiting Update
– Super K
The Sooners currently have three to four wide receiver commits which includes Brian Darby, Marvin Mims, and Trevon West. DJ Graham was taken as an ATH and could end up on either side of the ball.
***I’ve been told that OU is still looking to take one more wide receiver in this class which makes sense given what the numbers will look like next year.
***I’m also told that they’re looking for a big bodied outside wide receiver.
***I can tell you that there was some recent communication with Jalen McMillan and while McMillan likes OU it looks like his family really has a strong preference that he stay on the west coast. So, I don’t see anything materializing there.
***There was a push for Arian Smith but it looks like it might be too little too late depending on whether he signs in December or not.
***OU did make a recent offer to Iowa State JUCO WR commit, Xavier Hutchinson. However, I was told that Hutchinson has informed the OU staff that he is solid to Iowa State. So, as of now, it doesn’t look like this one is going to move.
***Haven’t heard much on the Demond Demas front since his visit to OU, earlier this fall. I suppose there is a chance there are things going on behind the scenes here but I certainly wouldn’t bet on it.
***We are kind of digging around to see if any new names are going to pop up. Also, I imagine OU is going to be mining the JUCO ranks for more possible prospects and keeping their eye on the transfer portal.
Dontae Manning | Follow-Up
– Super K
As Charlie noted earlier, the Sooners did their in-home visit with 2020 CB, Dontae Manning, earlier this week.
I’ve been checking on where things are with Manning and I’m a little surprised to have to be saying this but it sounds like the Sooners really need this in-home to go well this evening.
The latest I’ve heard is that Oregon is very much surging and it sounds like they may even have a slight lead on the Sooners.
There’s still probably some twists and turns in this one but as I said, this time of year I’d rather give you as much as we can as we hear them.
If I hear different after the in-home, I’ll add another update.
Quick Hitter | 2020 DB Major Burns
– Charlie S
*** 2020 defensive back Major Burns is no longer part of the LSU class this cycle and he has reopened his recruitment.
K and I were aware of this last night and we can confirm that Burns and OU have been in touch.
However, at this time, it is not clear if OU will pursue the one time silent Sooner commit.
Something we will continue to work on and update you with any new information we get.
Quick Hitters | 2020 JUCO Defensive Tackles
– The Football Brainiacs
Couple quick hitters on the defensive line for you…
*** First let’s start with Sooners 2020 JUCO defensive tackle commit Perrion Winfrey (6’4″ 305 Iowa Western CC)
Charlie touched base with Perrion and it sounds like things are going along smoothly.
Winfrey told Charlie that he will be leaving Iowa Western on December 13th (Friday) and heading home. His mother is planning on holding a get together to celebrate his signing with Oklahoma next week and as of right now, he plans on being in Norman when classes begin following the new year.
That is obviously welcomed news.
*** Super K was in touch with 2020 JUCO defensive tackle target Joshua Ellison (6’3″ 296 Blinn College) who is heading to Norman for his official visit this weekend.
While Ellison is not committed to Oklahoma at this point, K did want to check on his timeframe for enrolling.
Ellison told K that he will know whether he will be a January or May enrollee on Friday.
Our takeaway from that information is that it appears Ellison is waiting on some academic clarification which will determine when he is eligible to enroll at the school of his choice.
We will check back with him after Friday and let you know what we find out.
Updates | Kendall Dennis & Major Burns
– Super K
***First, Kendall Dennis had previously told me he would be committing in December and signing in February.
Last night, he informed that he will now sign in December. Also, I do not expect the Clemson OV to happen.
***On the Major Burns front, as Charlie already informed you all, we got wind of this last night. And, Burns and the OU staff have been in touch.
OU has always been high on Burns but because they are in a good spot for some guys, I believe they are going to evaluate Burns’ senior film and then make a decision from there.
So, bottom line is while there is communication, I have not received any confirmation on whether the Sooners are going to push for Burns.
On a related but non-recruiting note, I have to say, what LSU has done to Burns, a Baton Rouge native and a kid who has recently lost his father, is disturbing. While many of our transgressions in this world go unpunished (in this world), I wouldn’t be surprised to see LSU’s luck turn after this. Just my opinion.
Update on Eaton and Bama
– Super K
For quite some time, Sooners DB target, Josh Eaton has been planning an official visit to Alabama for this upcoming weekend.
The Sooners were in-home with Eaton this week and I am told things went really well.
Following that visit, I spoke with someone close to Eaton who tells me that Josh called Alabama and cancelled the official visit to Alabama.
There is still the matter of Georgia and whether he will wait till February to sign in order to take that official or if he will go ahead and sign in December. I don’t yet know what he has decided but that decision should come quickly.
If he does indeed wait until February then I’m not sure how that will impact things with him and OU.
2020 Wide Receiver Push
– Super K
As I mentioned in my wide receiver update, earlier this week, the Sooners are still looking for a big body outside receiver. I noted that their most recent offer hasn’t been open to their overtures.
“OU did make a recent offer to Iowa State JUCO WR commit, Xavier Hutchinson. However, I was told that Hutchinson has informed the OU staff that he is solid to Iowa State. So, as of now, it doesn’t look like this one is going to move.
Sooners JUCO DT weekend visitor, Joshua Ellison is teammates with Hutchinson.
I don’t know how likely it is that Hutchinson will decide to come up but James tells us that OU is actively trying to get Hutchinson to come up with Ellison.
I mention this because, while nothing may happen, if it does, it’ll probably stay quiet and it will probably happen fast.
If not, look for some new targets to emerge in January or transfer portal targets.
20 Deep | Early Signing Day Preview
– Charlie S
The early signing period is less than a week away.
Below we give you a breakdown on the commits in the Sooners ’20 Deep’ class and when they are expected to sign and enroll as well as some of the remaining targets and what their schedule appears to be at this time:
*All of the commits are expected to sign early…of course that could change but we do not foresee any shake-ups at this time.
Commits:
RB – Jase McClellan – Aledo (Aledo, TX) – 5-10.5 202 – Sign & Enroll Early
RB Seth McGowan – Poteet (Mesquite, TX) – 5-11.5 215 – Sign & Enroll Early
OL – Nate Anderson- Reedy (Frisco, TX) – 6-5 262 – Sign & Enroll Early
OL Andrew Raym – Broken Arrow (Broken Arrow, OK) – 6-5 285 – Sign & Enroll Early
OL Aaryn Parks – National Christian Academy (Fort Washington, MD) – 6-4 320 – Sign & Enroll Early
OL Anton Harrison – Archbishop Carroll (Washington, DC) – 6-5 310 – Signing Early
OL Noah Nelson – Williams Field (Gilbert, AZ) – 6-8 295 – Sign & Enroll Early
WR Trevon West – Lamar (Arlington, TX) – 6-0 165 – Signing Early
WR – Brian Darby – A&M Consolidated (College Station, TX) – 5-11.5 192 – Signing Early
WR Marvin Mims – Lone Star (Frisco, TX) – 6-0 173 – Signing Early
TE – Jalin Conyers – Gruver (Gruver, TX) – 6-4 220 – Signing Early
DL Reggie Grimes – Ravenwood (Brentwood, TN) – 6-3.5 242 – Signing Early
DL Noah Arinze – Webster Groves (Saint Louis, MO) – 6-5.5 240 – Signing Early
DL Perrion Winfrey – Iowa Western C.C. (Council Bluffs, IA) – 6-4 305 – Sign & Enroll Early
DB Bryson Washington – C.E. King (Houston, TX) – 6-2 196 – Sign & Enroll Early
ATH Michael Henderson – Ranchview (Carrollton, TX) – 6-1.5 234 – Sign & Enroll Early
ATH DJ Graham – Keller Central (Keller, TX) – 6-0.5 178 – Sign & Enroll Early
LB Shane Whitter – Walter M Williams (Burlington, NC) – 6-0 222 – Sign & Enroll Early
LB Brynden Walker – Bishop McGuinness (Oklahoma City, OK) – 6-3.5 230 – Signing Early
Targets:
DL Alfred Collins – Cedar Creek (Bastrop, TX) – 6-6 284 – Signing Late
DL Joshua Ellison – Blinn CC (Brenham, TX) – Signing & *Potentially enrolling early
DB Kendall Dennis – Kathleen (Lakeland, FL) – 6-0 175 – Signing Early
DB Josh Eaton – MacArthur (Aldine, TX) – 6-2 185 – Undecided *(We believe he is leaning to signing early again)
DB Dontae Manning – Raytown (Raytown, MO) – 6-0 180 – Signing Early Announcing at All-Star Game
DB Justin Harrington – Bakersfield CC (Bakersfield, CA) – 6-3 210 – Signing & Enrolling Early
QB Chandler Morris – Highland Park (Dallas, TX) – 5-10 175 – Undecided
WR Xavier Hutchinson – Blinn CC (Brenham, TX) – 6-3 200 – Iowa State Commit, Has an invite to Officially visit OU this weekend per James – Signing Early
I will add there is always the possibility of new names or names which will be revisited and pick up steam (like Major Burns for instance) as signing day approaches and as always, we will have updates throughout the week!
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