The Football Brainiacs

– Jared Mayden: As most of you are aware, Jared Mayden, a top CB prospect in the country and Sooners legacy out of Sachse, TX recently de-committed from Oregon. This came as a surprise due to the timing of when he decided to de-commit with it being so close to National Signing Day. With him re-open, I reached out to James Mayden, Jared’s father and formwe OU basketball player to try and find out where everything stands at this point.

According to his father, right now is kind of a waiting period for Jared and he is open to all comers. In speaking with James though it does sound like a few schools are standing out currently in Alabama and LSU. However, we wanted to see if OU was in the picture at all. As you remember the Sooners didn’t even make Jared’s top 5 when he released his list before he committed to Oregon at The Opening in July. So we weren’t sure if there was interest there at this point at all.

With James being a former Sooner himself and the proximity it’s no surprise that he tells me he wouldn’t mind seeing OU try and get involved again in this race. I got the sense OU is where James would like to see his son end up but they’re obviously letting Jared make his own decision. In checking with sources it does sound like OU would still be interested in having Jared. But again, right now is a waiting game to see if Sooners will get re-involved or not. – (Alex)

– Jonathan Kongbo: The Sooners are in search of more “difference makers” on the defensive line. Defensive line coach Diron Reynolds keeps turning over stones to find guys that could come in and make an impact next year. With 2016 DE Jonathon Kongbo (Arizona Western CC) recently de-committing from Tennessee, Oklahoma is one of many many schools communicating with Kongbo. He holds offers from all over the country and is considered the top JUCO DL by many.

I spoke with Kongbo about his possible interest in OU and he said,“I’m really interested in a school like Oklahoma. Learning more about their program and coaching staff is intriguing.” Coach Reynolds and Kongbo have begun to speak in the last couple of days. Kongbo has a trip to Alabama set on January 15th for an official visit. He will then have one more official left. Oklahoma has yet to offer, but the offer could come in the next few days or so.

Super K did check in with one of the coaches at Arizona Western CC to find out when Kongbo is expected to finish his work at the community college and was told “he’s trying to be done by May”. However, he was also told by the coach that, “he (Kongbo) still needs about 28 hours to get out…” That’s quite a bit of work to do but with online classes it’s doable though I suspect he would need to take a summer session and report mid to late summer. – (Brandon & Super K)

– Grayson Reed: Cypress Creek (TX) 2017 OT Grayson Reed is one of the many 2017 recruits participating in the US Army Combine in San Antonio during the Army All-America week. Reed told me he’s 6’5 304 pounds right now and is just focused on getting in better shape and dropping some weight as the heart of the offseason begins for the high school recruits. Reed hasn’t been focusing on recruiting too much but did tell me that Texas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech are his early top group of schools. Reed also has visits planned to Arizona State and Colorado but has some other visits in mind. I would expect him to make it back to all of the schools in his Top 4 for JR Day visits. – (Andrew King)

– Junior Day | Levi Draper: Speaking of Jr day, Oklahoma has started their 2017 class off with a bang. I chatted with Levi Draper and he is our first confirmed visitor for the first OU Jr day. It sounds like the first Jr day will be in late January/early February. – (Super K)

– 2016 US Army All American Game: OU will have a few targets playing in tomorrow’s US Army All American Game. Later today, we’ll have a list of players the Sooners are heavily involved with that will be playing in the game.

– Recruiting Momentum: I know some Sooner fans were hoping that a playoff run this year would set OUs recruiting on fire so I just wanted to make quick note of a couple things to keep in mind. Firstly, Oklahoma has had their board set for a while and they feel good about most of their targets…Velus Jones, Caleb Kelly, Tramonda Moore, etc. Additionally the Sooners already have pieces in place for this class which include the likes of Chris Daniels, Bryce Youngquist, Parrish Cobb, etc. In other words, if all goes according to plan it’s unlikely you’ll see a bunch of late offers go out precisely because OU has done a good job of recruiting this year.

The second point to note is that again, the 2017 class has started off very well. The Sooners are back in the national discussion. The facilities are being built. And the new coaches – Diron Reynolds, Lincoln Riley, Kerry Cooks, and Dennis Simmons will finally have a head start on a class.

I know there is concern about the talent at OU because the Sooners seemed to be deficient in certain areas but as I mentioned in my post after the game, the way OU recruited last year and the kinds of players they are getting this year – Daniels, Youngquist, Cobb – are a different level than they were getting a few years ago.

Players like Romar, Sanchez and many others that are on the current roster and have been starters have given the Sooners a ton and have helped bring Oklahoma back into the national conversations but they were sunset offers. Daniels, Youngquist, Kelly. Cobb, Motley…Mbanasor, Campbell, Haughton, Gallimore…these are early targets on defense that the Sooners landed. – (Super K)

– UPDATE (Friday, 11:20 am): Sooners already have Chris Daniels committed and are in a good spot with Marcel Southall. I’ve been informed by a source that star DT and Arkansas commit, Briston Guidry (Metaire, LA) is expected to visit Oklahoma on the final weekend before signing day (Jan. 30th).

We will work to bring you an update from Guidry if possible. Guidry has offers from all over the country including schools like Alabama, LSU, and others so this is potentially significant news. – (Brandon)

– UPDATE (Fri., 2:28 pm): Quick update re: Guidry.

Correction: Briston Guidry tells me his #OU trip will be mid week on the 26th. Will visit #Arkansas 22nd & #ASU the 29th @ArRecruitingGuy

— Super K (@SuperK_TFB) January 8, 2016

– UPDATE (Fri., 2:56 pm): Sooners extend an offer to 2017 CB Lamont Wade, who is considered to be one of the top players in the class as a whole.

Beyond blessed to pick up another offer from The University of Oklahoma #BoomerSooner ♦⚪♦⚪⭕🙌 ❕❕❕ pic.twitter.com/gfrUutPYFS

— LaMont Wade 🦍 (@Goony_38) January 8, 2016

– UPDATE (Fri., 5:08 pm):

#Georgia JUCO WR commit, Javon Wims (Hinds CC) tells me he will visit #Oklahoma on the 22nd. @Jordan_Esco @UGAfootballLive

— Super K (@SuperK_TFB) January 8, 2016