Open Post | Weekend, July 22nd – 24th
Posted on: July 22, 2022
Sourced | Season Expectations From the Inside
– Super K – Posted on: July 19, 2022
I’ve continued to check around to try and get a sense of the expectations inside the building. As you know, I’ve expressed my optimism countless times.
Many of you are also aware of the fact that I was very concerned about Lincoln’s tenure well before he was let go. One of our board members and myself had a conversation back in October where he got quite the earful from me (an hours worth) about just how bad of shape I felt the OU program was in. For those of us here on TFB, our criticisms of the program under Lincoln began before he announced his departure.
Here’s the sense I’ve gotten about the expectations inside the building.
***The clearest sense of optimism is on the offensive side of the ball. Folks inside the building have told me they prefer that some of the media and other fan bases are underestimating the Sooners. There is such a sense of seriousness that some of the folks I’ve spoken to don’t seem to want to offer much of opinion other than just – we’re staying focused and working hard.
***But it’s clear there is real excitement about the potential of the offense. I think part of that is you have a number of returning players. The quarterback is someone the staff feels very good about. He’s taken plenty of snaps under Lebby’s tutelage. And the offensive staff is still comprised of a number of guys who have been here.
***A lot of times, when you walk into a new situation, one of the position groups most in need of upgrade and a position group that can really limit your offense’s chances of success if it’s not up to par is the offensive line. Sources feel good about the line and with that, you can feel good about the run game and the QB protection.
***I can’t nearly get as clear of an answer on how folks feel about just how good the defense can be.
***I’ve asked specifically about the interior defensive line and was told they can be good but whether there are any true draft picks on the DL “that remains to be seen.” Was told they just want those guys to put their heads down and work. The staff seems optimistic about the two transfers and of course guys like Redmond and Coe.
***One thing I was reminded of after speaking with a source recently and I think it’s important to mention this. Just as we’ve said Bedenbaugh’s guys were hampered by the poor S&C program – which was noticeable as guys got further and further from Schmitty’s tenure – the defensive line was also hurt by that lack of physical development. So, I think there is an expectation that whether OU has any bona fide studs or not, the whole unit should be better from a physical development standpoint and from an overall football skill standpoint.
***I think there are just so many more question marks on the defense because the Sooners haven’t had that tradition of playing the greatest defense in a while. I’ve been told the staff definitely likes some of the pieces they’ve inherited but there is a lot to learn for these guys.
***If I had to summarize it, I’d say the overall sense I get is clear confidence on the offensive side and cautious confidence that the defense can grow into a strong unit throughout the season and how good they’ll come out early on is just hard to predict.
***I personally think they’re going to look pretty good early on. I think folks that aren’t close to the program don’t realize just how dysfunctional some things had gotten. And despite that, the team was winning. That alone makes me feel like the defense will be much better than we are used to. Sure they will be some growing pangs but I’m sticking with my undefeated to 1 loss season prediction.
Briles Style | Watching the Wide Receivers
– Super K – Posted on: July 19, 2022
We all saw how devastating Art Briles’ offenses were. It’s not a stretch to think that had he remained at Baylor and continued to add more and more talent, he could’ve put the Bears in position to win a national championship.
His offenses were simple but absolute nightmares – the tempo, the violent run attack, the spacing and the precise air attack. Even Coach Venables had a chance to see it up and close when it was still fairly early in it’s on-field talent development.
As you well know, the Sooners are employing Briles’ son-in-law are their offensive coordinator. When Lebby got hired one of the things I imagined was Lebby and Art chopping it up which surely means they talk football. And, surely that also means recruiting.
So, I wondered, is Art watching film on the guys Lebby is going after.
Art had a really good eye for wide receiver talent. That aspect of his offense was so scary. Every one of those guys ate up grass in an absolute flash. There are fast guys and then there are football fast guys – sometimes they’re one and the same and sometimes they aren’t.
But Briles had those kinds of guys that could split your safeties off a slant and end the series with six. And he had guys who could go straight over the top.
Again, the thing that stood out about Briles’ wide receivers is that ate up grass quickly and got DBs on their heals.
The Sooners haven’t really had that scary speed since Hollywood. And even with Hollywood and before that Dede and so on, it was always just one guy.
But looking at this class and how we expect it to round it, it looks an awful lot like Art Briles might be watching some film and offering some input (I’m totally speculating of course).
And it doesn’t matter what size they are, they can run, they’re sudden and they’re loose enough to change direction. Even if they’re big they can get a DB off his spot and then go. When you ask about 2022 WR signee, Jayden Gibson who is a huge dude, you hear the same thing over and over…speed.
In this class, Keyon Brown is the bigger guy, and again, same smooth running style with plenty of agility and gone in a flash.
Charlie described Sooners WR commit, Jaquaize Pettaway as a lesser version of Jaylen Waddle. That’s a compliment. Again, Pettaway is moving faster than everyone on the field. And should the Sooners land Anthony Evans (and we believe they will) they’ll have another guy cut from the same cloth.
Even the guys the Sooners missed out on that were high priorities like Cole Adams and Malik Benson were burners who ate up grass in a hurry. And the Sooners lost both of them to Bama and we all know ever since Saban changed his offense he put a ton of emphasis on blazers.
If you’ve been on this site for a while, you know that during the Lincoln era we were pounding the table for more speed.
It’s clear Lebby has the same idea.
Updated Trending | Makari Vickers
– Super K – Posted on: July 20, 2022
As you know, we recently noted that we believe the recruitment of 4-star DB, Makari Vickers (Tallahassee, FL) has begun trending towards the Sooners.
A source close to Vickers confirmed that Vickers and his family will be in Norman for the Party at the Palace event. This will likely be Vickers last visit before he announces a decision.
You’ll also recall that Vickers is down to a top three of OU, Michigan and Alabama. We believe it’s a battle between OU and Alabama.
My last trending frequency for Vickers to OU was at 60/40 Sooners (full post is here).
I didn’t think I’d be able to go up much more than that but in the past few days, I’ve heard a couple of things that give me a little more confidence in the Sooners’ chances with Vickers.
So, I’m bumping this one up to a strong 70/30 Sooners.
Sourced | Sooners Ready to Return from 2021 “Vacation”
– CJ Vogel – Posted on: July 20, 2022
I spoke with a source over the weekend regarding the expectations for the Sooners this upcoming season, and let me tell you, the confidence is there.
The source mentioned getting back to Cowboys Stadium for the Big 12 Championship game in December is at the top on the priorities list. “We took a vacation last year. We will be back.”
I got the sense that is the mindset across the program, especially from those who were on roster last fall.
My source added there has been incredible buy-in from the Sooner roster this summer with the new staff as well. Nothing you have not heard already from updates from K, Charlie and James, but wanted to add in on my own.
Quick Visit Note | DJ Hicks
– Charlie S – Posted on: July 20, 2022
Darius was able to confirm that the Sooners are in position to get a visit from ’23 DL target DJ Hicks (6’4 270) for the Party in the Palace the last weekend of July (29th).
Darius told us ‘As of Monday, the Hicks’ will be heading to Norman’.
If anything changes, we will update.
Recruiting | Quick Hitters | Kirkland, Minich & Vasek
– Super K – Posted on: July 21, 2022
***I suspect many of you have seen reports that 4-star OL Payton Kirkland (Kissimmee, FL) may now be leaning towards Texas.
We cannot confirm that. We had heard for a while that Kirkland was heading to Michigan State. But, I did want to note to you all that the Sooners had previously ceased recruiting Kirkland. So, OU hasn’t been involved here for a bit.
***OU recently offered rising 3-star DB, Ben Minich (West Chester, OH). Minich told us he was planning on visiting OU next week for the Party at the Palace.
Notre Dame entered the picture this week. Schools like Duke, Wake Forest and Stanford have been in the mix for a bit. But, I spoke to a source up in the area and was told that he likely ends up at either OU or ND.
I did ask Minich if the ND offer changed anything with respect to his scheduled OU visit. Just waiting on a response.
***As you know, the Sooners are in the thick of things with 2023 DE, Colton Vasek.
We previously reported that per a source, Vasek’s plan is to make a decision shortly after he visits Texas Tech (next weekend). As far as we know, the Tech visit will be his final visit before making a decision.
Oregon was trending here. And obviously, OU and Texas are in it, as well.
I like the chatter I’ve been hearing for OU, as of late. I give OU a slight lead in this one but for now take a healthy dose of caution with that optimism.
Visit Note | ’23 DB Ryan Yaites
– Charlie S – Posted on: July 21, 2022
Touched base with Sooners ’23 DB offer Ryan Yaites (6’0 190) out of Denton, TX and he let me know that he is ‘trying’ to get to Norman next weekend for the Party at the Palace event.
He let me know that his parents have travel plans but he ‘might just slide up with Jackson (Arnold)’. As you likely recall, Yaites is high school teammates at Guyer of both Jackson Arnold and OU DB target and Notre Dame commit Peyton Bowen
Perhaps more importantly, the LSU commit reiterated that he definitely plans on taking an official visit to Oklahoma as CJ mentioned previously.
So while the Summer of George has been action-packed, it looks like there will be plenty to keep track of in the fall.
In Depth With Ethan Downs | Earning It
– James Hale – Posted on: July 21, 2022
Sophomore Ethan Downs (6’4, 263) of Weatherford, Oklahoma, came to the OU Summer Camp in the summer of 2019 without a scholarship offer from OU. Downs was sick that day but competed harder than any other player, stopping to barf a few times, but battled through. At the end of the camp, then defensive line coach Calvin Thibodeaux offered Downs, and soon he was a Sooner.
“I think it is wise for programs to put every kid that comes to their camps under duress to see what they are made of,” said Downs at Big 12 Media Days on CBS Sports Radio 105.3 HD1. “If I show them that I was sick and a little dehydrated throughout the camp, then they will know that if I am sick on game day, then they know what I am made of. I showed them that I was capable even when I am not feeling well, and ended up getting an offer.”
Downs always wanted to be a Sooner, and when he got to OU, he had to pinch himself that he was actually part of the OU Program.
“I was kind of star-struck when I got to OU,” said Down. “I was a fan for so long, and my family being fans as a kid, I came to games all the time. For my birthday, one of my presents was tickets to OU games. OU was my dream school, and getting a chance to be there and walking up to that stadium and actually practicing in it there was a dream. At times, I would get caught looking around at the lights.”
“Or, I would be looking up into the stands, and coaches would have to come up to me and go ‘Ethan, snap out of it, you are not a fan anymore, you have to focus and dial in’. It has been a long road of maturing and growing, becoming more confident, but I am still a fan of this program.”
In an age of NIL and the transfer portal you wonder if players are playing for the love of their university anymore? We can confidently say that Downs is playing for the school he truly loves.
“Yeah, I am Boomer Sooner in every single way,” said Downs. “I enjoy every second of being a Sooner, and there is a lot of time away from the camera when nobody is in the stands when we are working at 6:00 AM or 10:00 AM when the sun is beating on us and then coming back for afternoon workouts. None of it is easy, but if it was easy, then everyone would do it.”
“As a team, we push ourselves collective to be better, to be greater, and to always hold everyone else to a standard, and that is the fun when nobody is watching, and we find out what we are made of. We become closer, bond with each other, and build chemistry, brotherhood, and love for one another. We challenge each other with accountability. The only thing that can hold us back this year is us.”
On defense, Coach Brent Venables has made a major overhaul with new coaches and concepts, but Downs believes that the unit will be exceptional.
“I am not trying to be boastful or talking nonsense, but so many teams beat themselves because of a lack of preparation,” said Downs. “They lack focus and a good feeling about how they practiced. We have all the tools that we need to be successful. We have great coaches, great knowledge, a great staff, and great chemistry on this roster. We practice at a very high standard.”
“We have great athletes with a lot of experience on the unit. We have transfers that have come in, and they have their own styles and knowledge of how to run this defense. There are so many tools in the toolbox that we can get the job done. We can go anywhere in the country and beat anyone with the right preparation and right focus in mind. The only thing that can hold us back is our own execution.”
The Speed D of Alex Grinch is different from Brent Venables’s defense.
“It’s the mentality of the Venables defense that is the difference. Its knowledge of the field around you and our ability to read an offense that is a major difference. I have become more knowledgeable in the game of football. I know what we are doing in the D-line and what our linebackers behind me are doing. I know how blitzes are being fit or what coverages are being played.”
“I know how to drop back into coverage and when I should drop back into coverage. I have become more knowledgeable within the game in this defense. I know that might happen within any defense with more time, but Coach Venables has made all the information available to us.”
“He has given us little nuggets about how to grow, how to take notes, and how to watch film. He has taught us how to adapt and hold onto our grit. How to fight when we are down, and focusing on the details when we are tired. That is all in the mentality of how you want to play the game. That is being able to accomplish anything that you want with your mind when you are tired and dealing with the major stress in the game.”
“Even when facing an army of people, and nobody else believes in you and wonders if you can do it, then it comes down to the mentality of believing in yourself and the guys next to you.”
The assumption is that the Venables defense is more complicated, but the players don’t look at it that way.
“I am just learning more football in this defense,” said Downs. “If you pick his brain, you will learn so much. People feel he is the most knowledgeable defensive mind out there. Does that make him the most complicated, or does that make him the most knowledgeable?”
“He is experienced and talking about all the individual pieces of the defense, knowing every position on the field. He knows what their role is, and all that is about his knowledge. Knowledge is power, and with the knowledge, you are able to perform on a higher platform with more ability to execute your job and someone else’s job if need be.”
“We know who has what responsibility and who has your back. Who has the gap next to you, and if you need to sacrifice your body diving for the ball carrier, you know that somebody is behind you, ready to make the tackle. It’s the little things that make a difference in how you are going to play.”
“Having knowledge of how an offense is lining up, how their formation details what they are going to do. What the running backs and the down linemen are doing will give you an idea of where the play is going, and what they are going to do. How an offensive lineman lines up in his stance will give you a great idea of what is going on. There is so much to read on every play, and all that does is give you keys on how to react faster. That has made me a more confident player.”
The defensive end unit is loaded this season because the ‘Rush End’ guys under Grinch have been absorbed in the defensive end unit under Coach Venables. At times Coach Ted Roof and company will have a defensive end standing up with the other in a stance.
“Our standup guy now is a ‘Jack’, and it is not so much that we have guys standing up but in certain calls against certain formations, we do. If we make a call with a ‘Jack’, then the defensive end that is on the side to be a ‘Jack’ will be a ‘Jack’. It has made us a more dangerous defense because our guys become more agile and learn how to drop into coverage when needed.”
“We learn how to cover and read routes, how to read a quarterback, and learn when to pass rush, but react on the ‘fold’ play by the running back. All the coaches have done is given us tools. It has made me a more confident player knowing how to stand up and how to balance a stance. I am more comfortable with how to step, read a play, read the offensive tackle. Body language can give you so much information. We have so many tools to help us be successful.”
The defensive end group has become a diversified group.
“Jonah Laulu (6’5, 271) is from Hawaii and very talented,” said Downs. “He is very strong, he is a great guy. Reggie Grimes (6’4, 273) is strong and fast, and he is experienced. Marcus Stripling (6’3, 241) is the most experienced player among the group and probably the most athletic player among the group. Clayton Smith (6’4, 231) is a promising athlete who has really grown a lot over the past year.”
“Brynden Walker (6’2, 257) has battled through injuries but is still getting stronger and faster. He is still sticking with it. He has grown a lot as well. We have younger guys that have just got into our program. Kevonte Henry (6’2, 220) is a freshman and has a lot of room to grow. He is athletic and fast, wants to learn, and is coachable. R. Mason Thomas (6’2, 222) is a freak athlete. He could honestly play this year. We have a lot of high hopes for him. He is a great kid and can really play.”
“Overall, our group is tight, and we are talented. We can play, and we will get it done this year.”
The football team watched the softball team complete a dominating performance and win the National Championship, wearing their faith on their sleeve. The team constantly showed their love for God and praised him for their success. Downs is a man of faith, and playing for a head coach in Coach Venables a man of faith.
“Our standard is a biblically based standard,” said Downs. “There are principles and morals that are biblically based. We learn how to serve people, love people, build trust, and respect, have responsibility, honor and live a biblical life, and play the game with biblical standards.”
“We learn how to run your race to win. There are so many lessons and wisdom that Coach Venables shares and gives to us through biblical teachings, but as you know, being a Christian and expressing your faith is kind of a taboo thing in sports, and a lot of people frown upon it. I think people are confused about what a true Christian looks like.”
“We are in a world where churches are divided, and churches are confusing to people. People interpret the bible in so many different ways. So many people are confused on what it means to be a Christian or what that type of person looks like. Nobody is perfect, but inspiring to be like the character of Christ is a hard character to imitate.”
“What he is, is power beyond measure but under control. Knowing how to love, and how to give, and how to put others above you and in front of you. You learn how to serve people but are still able to perform acts of great faith, acts of great strength. Our softball team won a championship giving all glory to God. They were thankful that they could not do this without God, who gave us everything.”
“Whether you are a Christian or not, it is plain to me none of us are self-made. We were given parents who raised us and guardians who fed us. God gave us a spirit and our life as individuals. Even though God always takes things away from people, he puts things back in their lives, and God’s intentions are the best for everybody.
“Even if I lost football and I could not play another down, I would know it was for the good of God’s kingdom, and it was part of God’s plan. I would continue to wear my faith on my sleeve, having love and passion for God.”
Coach Venables influence and what he believes is easy to see within the football program.
“Coach Venables has brought men in and people in who are very heavy in their faith. They are not afraid to show their faith or their belief in Jesus. They all have a relationship with Jesus, which is very reviving and refreshing. I grew up a Christian, and that faith was tested when I got to college, but now it has become even more real for me.”
“My faith became no longer a habit, but a priority to be a Christian, to read my bible, to grow, to edify myself to grow knowing how much grace has been given to me. I play football for God, and I really want to express what God has done for me. He has given me the ability to play football. I don’t want to be great to prove to anybody who watches me that I am good, but I want to be great because God gave me the tools to do it. He doesn’t see a physical body. He sees a heart, so it doesn’t matter if I am the tallest or the fastest, it doesn’t matter if I win the Heisman or I go to the NFL, and it doesn’t matter if I play another down of football, but I can use this platform to glorify him.”
“I can use that platform to show him how much I try to emulate him as an example for others. Jesus has set a great example for us on how to live, and I want to be a great expanse of how that life is to be lived. I have great joy in my life, and I am having a great time playing the sport that I love, but giving God the glory every sept of the way.”
Downs was the healthiest eater among the Sooner group at Big 12 Media Days.
Downs goes up against the Sooner offense every day in practice, and he is impressed.
“Our offense is really fast and very efficient,” said Downs. “Dillon is a heck of an athlete who has a heck of an arm. He can run, and he is very smart. Our offense will be amazing this year, and our offense will be scary good. We have the bests defensive mind in college football, so he went out and got the best offensive mind (Jeff Lebby) that would give him trouble on any given Saturday.”
“When I say the only thing that can hold us back is us, I am talking about the offense too. I believe in what they can do, and they are going to be great this year.”
