Open Post | Weekend, December 6th – 8th
Posted on: December 6, 2019
Bedlam | Position Group Progress Reports
– Charlie S
Handing out the rankings for the Sooners position groups following their Bedlam beatdown!
Let’s get to it…
QB: 4* – Last week – (2*)
Very nice bounce-back game for Hurts following the TCU debacle.
Sometimes games are dictated by circumstances, including the weather. On a windy night, Hurts was only asked to throw the ball 16 times. He completed 13 of those passes for 163 yards and one touchdown. More importantly, he did not throw an interception on a challenging night.
Hurts looked like he was in complete control of the offense and he made some really nice decisions on when to keep and when to hand the rock to Kennedy Brooks.
Hurts finished with 16 rushing attempts for 61 yards on the night and one touchdown. He also pulled in a touchdown reception on the ‘Sooner Special’ with Nick Basquine tossing it to Hurts who was wide open for the score.
So you have a passing touchdown, a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown…pretty wild!
Good night for Jalen, sets the offense up well heading into the Big 12 Championship game.
RB: 5* – Last week – (High 4*)
After a dominant performance against TCU last week…Kennedy Brooks put up another spectacular night.
Brooks got the majority of the carries on the night as he went 22 for 160 and one touchdown. He outperformed Oklahoma State’s Chuba Hubbard in their head to head matchup and was a huge asset for the Sooners all night.
Rhamondre Stevenson had 3 carries for 50 yards and had a long touchdown wiped out due to a penalty on Marquis Hayes. But Stevenson was solid in the blocking and pass pro game as well.
Jeremiah Hall is just a guy who has steadily improved in all aspects of his game and it really looks like we have gotten to the point where Riley is shifting the focus onto his talented group of backs.
Love to see it!
WR: 4* – Last week – (4*)
On a night where there were only 16 passes thrown by Jalen Hurts, the Sooner receivers still had a big impact on the game.
CeeDee Lamb 4 receptions for 36 yards
Nick Basquine 2 receptions for 32 yards
Lee Morris 1 reception for 29 yards
Charleston Rambo 2 receptions for 10 yards
Brayden Willis 1 reception for 3 yards and 1 touchdown
Then you have Basquine getting credit for a touchdown pass of his own to Jalen Hurts.
The blocking was terrific as usual and while the receiving numbers weren’t what you would expect, they were exactly what OU needed.
OL: High 4* – Last week – High 4*
Last week I started by saying ‘Felt like the offensive line played their best game of the year, to be frank.’
Rinse and repeat this week.
The insertion of RJ Proctor into the starting lineup following the first half of the Baylor game has really helped this offensive line take a massive jump.
They are working very well together and they have dominated the last two and a half games.
Proctor played his best game as a Sooner, Hayes had a few dumb penalties but he is really developing into a monster, Creed was out there killing people, Tyrese is so so so consistent and Ealy looks to be back to his early season self and had a terrific night pulling.
The timing for the offensive line evolving into their current state could not be better for the Sooners as they head to the Big 12 Championship and potential playoff run.
Really quite amazing what Bill Bedenbaugh has done with this group after losing four guys to the NFL last season. He is worth every penny and more.
DL: 4* – Last week high 4*
Ronnie Perkins once again made a big play in a big spot at the end of the first half for OU.
LaRon Stokes was filling in for an injured Jalen Redmond and man, he had a really solid game. He was continually in the backfield disrupting the Oklahoma State running game and making the angles that Chuba had to take nearly impossible to be successful.
Gallimore wasn’t really flashy on the night but he was consistent and played assignment sound football (the entire DL did actually which was huge in limiting Hubbard).
The guy I really noticed while watching the game again was Marquise Overton. Dude was absolutely on fire and was disruptive throughout the night.
The defensive line played a really good game and when you couple that with how the offensive line played…that old saying of ‘The game will be won in the trenches’ certainly rang true in Bedlam.
LB: 4* – Last week (High 4*)
Take out the first quarter, and the linebackers may have gotten a 5* ranking after watching the game again.
Yes, Murray was up and down in the first half, but again, once he settled in, the entire defense picks up steam
DaShaun White, while not spectacular, did a really nice job in the run game as his speed and fluidity was on display as he closed space well in the run game and short passing game.
The story of the game for me was the continuing emergence at the RUSH spot.
Both Bonitto and Ugwoegbu were so solid all night. They seemed to carry over the momentum they built up in the TCU game without missing a beat in Bedlam.
3 weeks ago, I had no clue what was going on at RUSH…this morning, I’m looking at it as a strength on the defense and a position that has been getting better and better over the past few weeks.
Big night for both of the RUSH guys, really nice to see.
Corners: 4* – Last week – (Low 4*)
If I was doing it individually…
Parnell – 5*
Davis – 4*
Brown – 2*
Motley had a NIGHT! Two forced fumble, a fumble recovery, one interception (we know he really had two)…
Dude is playing out of his mind right now! Could not be a better story as Motley was basically thought to be a dead man walking with the new staff in town.
Brown is the enigma here as many (including myself) thought he would be the foundation of the secondary coming into the year. I have to give K credit here as he would debate me about it and he always leaned towards Motley having the ability to do what we are now seeing while he always thought Tre was a bit overhyped by the fan base.
Whatever it is, Brown has a lot of work to do and I expect him to be back next year to continue his development because Bedlam was not kind to him and the rest of the year has been a bit ‘meh’.
Jaden Davie continues to go through the up and downs of a typical freshman year, but he still flashes quite a bit when he is out there with his usual good tackling ability and strong route recognition and coverage. He’s a baby, but he’s growing and developing.
Safeties & Nickel: 4* – Last week 4*
I said it in my post-game thoughts…I said it in the Sunday Brunch post…Lincoln Riley and Alex Grinch said it Post Game and on Monday Post Practice…Bookie had a big-time game.
Pat and DTY were solid. They weren’t spectacular and they weren’t terrible. They each made some nice plays and they each had a few missed tackles. But for the most part, they played at a high level and got their job done.
Bookie led the team in tackles and had multiple point robbing tackles. He stood up the ball carrier allowing PMot to strip and recover the fumble. He caused a fumble. He was also good in coverage and yes, he missed one obvious tackle (probably missed another one somewhere) but you cannot overlook the impact he had on the game even if you take out the point reducing plays he made.
Bookie is the most instinctive player on the defensive side of the ball. I have maintained that all year. When he is in the game, the defense flows as he recognizes and diagnosis plays so quickly that the other players on the defense benefit.
You may not like him, or you may not think he is the ‘ideal’ nickelback for the Sooners, but you have to respect his game.
All season Grinch has been looking for someone to challenge him at NB. He tried Sylvie early, he tried Broiles and he tried Criddell. Obviously, Bookie took on all challengers and kept his job and is doing a really good job.
Special Teams: 4* – Last week – 3*
Brkic…man what a great story. Perfect on the year with every one of his kicks!
Mundschau had a decent game.
Kickoff overage was decent.
Kickoff return is nothing special and hasn’t been all year…record scratch…thought OU was on to something with Pledger last week…Bedlam, not so much.
Kendall Dennis | Quick-Hitters
– Super K
A few things to note here on the Kendall Dennis front…
***Have heard that Dennis has moved up OU’s board. He’s not necessarily as big Grinch typically prefers but the turnovers are too impressive.
***I spoke to someone who was at the Lakeland vs. Armwood playoff game and asked them how Kendall did and was told…
”He was lights out. The first half they had Zay Roberson covering Agiye Hall and he ended up two TDS. Second half they made Kendall follow him and he had no more catches and Kendall had a clutch INT that would have ultimately changed the game but next play Lakeland threw it right back”.
***Kendall did the same thing when I saw in the playoff game the week prior! Lakeland defense was reeling and he stole an INT in the red zone. Would really really like to see the Sooners land this young man.
***I did check with him and he said Oklahoma is scheduling a trip to come see him this week. I checked with Dominick Hill as well and he said that he hasn’t heard that they are coming. I do believe they still want Dominick but I think it tells you that Dennis has really impressed Oklahoma.
More on Kendall Dennis | The Latest
– Super K
***First, we were told this morning that Clemson is heading down to Lakeland (FL) tomorrow to see 2020 Sooners CB target, Kendall Dennis. We have been told they have given the Lakeland staff indication that they are going to offer Dennis.
***That certainly creates some serious competition. Should the offer happen, I would fully expect Kendall to take a visit to Clemson.
***I was also told that Auburn appears to no longer be an option for Dennis. I really don’t know why. Perhaps they’ve received a silent commitment from a player. But the latest I’ve heard is that Auburn isn’t the threat now.
***I asked Kendall what his plans are in terms of commitment and signing. He said that he will commit in December but sign in February. I kind of doubt that will be the case. If I had to guess, I would guess he ends up signing early. The coaching staff at Lakeland is really good with recruiting and I believe they’re in regular communication with college staffs and their players. If it appears that Dennis is in jeopardy of losing a spot if he doesn’t sign early, then I suspect he will. If it comes down to OU and Clemson, that could very much be the case.
***I have been told by a couple of people though that Kendall and his father loved the OU visit. As in the situation with Eaton, I think if a decision had to be made today, it would be OU. But it doesn’t have to be made today. We’ll wait and see if Clemson goes ahead with an offer tomorrow. I don’t think a Clemson offer means OU is out but obviously makes things more challenging.
***For those of you who are asking, the reason Florida hasn’t offered his because they’re full. The Florida staff, from what I’ve been told, loves Kendall but they don’t have room especially now that they’ve taken Ethan Pouncey.
Notebook | Josh Eaton, Breaking Down Targets & DB Numbers
– Super K
***As you know, Josh Eaton dropped his top list yesterday and announced that he will be signing early…
I’m going to bottom line this for you. Based on what I’m hearing from my sources, if a decision was made today, it would be the Sooners.
Obviously, the decision isn’t being made today but this note is pretty significant given Eaton is coming off his LSU official visit.
***I know some of you have asked about the numbers as it relates to Manning, Eaton and Kendall Dennis. The timing is going to be interesting and I’m going to give you some additional information on Dennis and Manning in another post but I think if it comes down to it, they’ll go ahead and take all three.
As most of you have already figured out, Dontae is the guy they’ve pushed for the longest. He’s very complete.
***Eaton is a big corner and you’re not likely to find someone his size that moves quite as fluidly as he does. He has good speed and he’s truly elite in his size and movement. Ball skills are also excellent. His primary weakness is tackling. Not that he isn’t’ willing but he’s just going to have to learn how. He transitioned over from offense last year and that’s something OU is going to have to work with him on.
***Kendall Dennis has elite speed and explosion. He’s as fast or faster than Tre Brown but far looser than Brown. His ball skills are elite. Likely, the best in the country at positioning himself at getting his hands on the ball and coming down with it.
Obviously, his primary weakness is size. He’s on the 5’10 side of 6’. I’d say he’s a tiny tiny bit taller than Jaden Davis. He’s thin so his ability to play right away is going to depend on how his body reacts to the college S&C program.
***Dontae is the highest priority because he’s the most complete. He has elite speed. He isn’t a true 6 footer but he’s on the 5’11 side of it but he’s already college-ready in terms of his muscle development. He’s a sure and violent tackler. He has the cover skills. And, he has the ball skills (in this arena, no one is as good as Dennis IMO though).
A class of these three players would be mind-blowing. I mean, mind-blowing.
Two of three is still the best OU has had in a long time. Again, more on Dennis and Manning in a bit.
Alfred Collins | Trending | Sourced
– Super K
You’ll recall that a couple of weeks ago, CJ went by to see Alfred Collins and came away with the impression that OU had made a move past Texas.
I spoke with a source recently who gave me some interesting and corroborative information. Was told that the Sooners were looking to set up a time to visit Alfred this week and were told by Collins’ parents that a visit wasn’t necessary.
Why?
Apparently because the Sooners are in such a good position with Alfred and the family.
In other words, based on what I’ve been told, OU is the outright leader.
Alfred did tell me that OU did stop by the school yesterday for a visit, anyway, which is obviously the right move. But things are looking extremely good for OU.
However, keep in mind that Alfred says he doesn’t plan on signing until the second signing day which means Texas will have hired a new defensive staff. And, with Collins’ ties to Texas, who knows how a new pitch from a new defensive staff could change things?
Quick Hitter | DB Name to Know
– Charlie S
As you know, the Sooners are really focusing their efforts on five 2020 defensive backs at this point in the cycle.
Right now, we are working under the belief that there are three more spots available…two, if you believe one of those is already spoken for by way of a silent commit.
The main defensive backs in focus are:
Dontae Manning
Joshua Eaton
Justin Harrington
Kendall Dennis
Dominick Hill
All five of those guys would be takes and in Mannings case, we believe he would be a take regardless of numbers.
Should things go sideways with the majority of those targets and the Sooners somehow miss out on their numbers, one new name to keep an eye on is Decamerion Richardson (6’2″ 176) out of Bossier City, Louisiana.
I have been in contact with Richardson and he confirmed that communication with the Sooners has picked up.
When I asked him if they are working on him to come up to Norman for a visit, he mentioned that the relationship has not moved to point at this time. However, he would be open to visiting should the communication lead down that path.
After checking in with K and comparing notes, Richardson’s name has been in the Sooners books for a while. K’s sources told him a while ago that Coach Manning became aware of Richardson while down in Louisiana on a recruiting visit to see one time Sooner target Major Burns.
Again, at this point, Richardson is just a name to know, but man…watch his film…the display of speed he flashes in the second clip is pretty impressive. He also looks every bit of his listed 6’2.
Nothing wrong with having options in pocket at this point for OU as they look for clarity in regards to how this defensive back class will fill up.
And for those of you who will undoubtedly ask (and rightfully so), OU does feel like they are in a good position for the guys they are focusing on at this time.
I’ll keep in touch we Decamerion and find out more about when he plans on signing and what he is hearing from OU as the days pass.
Recruiting Notes | New Defensive Lineman & RB Recruiting to Watch
– Super K
***First, a new defensive lineman’s name to know is that of Joshua Ellison. Ellison is a JUCO defensive tackle out of Blinn who had been committed to TAMU up until last night.
He announced his decommitment and I reached out to him to see if OU has been in touch. It turns out, they have.
Ellison said that coach Thibs reached out to him and that Ellison has plans to make it up to OU for a visit next weekend (13th – 15th).
This doesn’t have any connection to Alfred Collins. I imagine this interest is more about concern over Perrion Winfrey but that’s a bit of speculation. I have heard that Ellison is quite talented so it could also just be that the Sooner see him as a player.
***Another thing to watch is I’ve been told there is a bit of confidence on the Alabama side that they may flip Sooners RB Jase McClellan.
The Sooner sources I’ve spoken to don’t seem too concerned and it may not be nothing at all. But, I wanted to note it because to be honest, we simply aren’t going to get anything out of Jase or his family. So, until he signs it’s really going to be a bit of chasing speculation from sources on both sides.
On the one hand, OU is closer to home and McClellan has been committed to OU for so long. On the other hand, he’s been to Bama on multiple occasions and with the way the running back situation played out this year, it doesn’t look OU will clear anyone out of the running back room.
If (and that’s still a big if) anything did happen, I’d like to see the Sooners go after Corey Wren (John Curtis HS, LA). I’d like to see them take Wren regardless. That speed is too much to pass up. He’s a legit 10.4 4.3 type guy.
The trade wouldn’t bother me at all.
The Latest | Dontae Manning
– Charlie S
Staff visited him earlier this week…not entirely sure who all was there aside from Roy Manning as there were multiple coaches but…they even took Ruffin McNeil with them, so you would imagine that at the very least Grinch, Roy, Ruffin and perhaps even Lincoln was there.
*** It Sounds like OU, right now, is in a really good spot but…he has an official visit to Georgia next weekend which is obviously right before signing day and they could be in a position to make a big move if they push. Georgia really is the only school we are worried about in terms of schools on his top list.
*** Probably the most significant update on Manning is that we have heard he is going to sign early. Manning has not confirmed that with us, but that is what we are hearing through the grapevine.
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