Open Post | Weekend, July 23rd – 25th
Posted on: July 23, 2021
Omari Abor | My Take
– Super K – Posted on: July 20, 2021
As we’ve been discussing some of the defensive line targets, some of you have asked about where things stand with 2022 DE Omari Abor.
The short answer is, I don’t know because I don’t believe Omari knows.
In speaking to folks around Duncanville, I’m told that he still has yet to decide and just when he thinks he knows, something changes.
When I saw Omari earlier this year, he made it very clear that coach Cain was the coach he was closest to. However, I did get the sense that his father’s opinion in the matter would weigh heavily and it sounded like his father preferred Ohio State for the proven development of a guy like Larry Johnson.
I also noted pretty early on when most felt it was going to be a OU vs. Ohio State battle that Alabama would end up playing a bigger role than most anticipated.
And they are.
Depending on who you talk to and when, you’ll hear Alabama is the leader or you’ll hear Ohio State is the leader. That isn’t to say Oklahoma isn’t in it but in ups and downs of this recruitment, I get the sense that Oklahoma has fallen behind Ohio State and Alabama for the moment.
But again, as a source over at Duncanville told me, things continue to change on this front.
Ideally, the Sooners would like to finish things off with Kenyatta Jackson and then be done at DE. If Abor were to pick Ohio State, it might make things easier with Jackson.
More on Omari Abor | Sourced Update
– Super K – Posted on: July 21, 2021
***Yesterday, I mentioned that the word we’ve heard from folks around Duncanville is that things with Omari Abor continue to change day to day. What is clear is that Ohio State, OU and Alabama are the primary schools in the mix.
***Between the time of my last post and now, I did get word from a source out of Alabama that has caused me to change my current order a bit. After the Alabama official visit, we got the sense that Alabama had moved a bit ahead of OU.
***It sounds like the impact of that visit has worn off. Source on the Alabama side did not feel nearly as confident.
***So, I’m going to put the current order with very small differences in between these schools as Ohio State, OU and then Alabama.
***Also, Mike Roach over on Horns247 reported yesterday that Abor will be taking a visit to Texas in July.
***Last time I saw Abor he did mention that he would likely visit Texas at some point but, it is very unlikely the Horns will be much of a factor in this one. Abor has told me he will rely quite heavily on his father’s counsel and I didn’t get the sense his father would like to see him go that direction.
***Really think the three primary schools we’ve already mentioned will remain the main contenders as long as they want to be.
Quick Hitter | 2022 LB Devon Jackson
– Charlie S – Posted on: July 20, 2021
A few of you have asked about where things stand with OU and 2022 LB (6’2 200) out of Omaha, Nebraska following rumors of a potential fall visit.
I touched base with Jackson and he confirmed he has an interest in visiting Norman this fall. He told me “I want to take an official to OU during the season, but I do not know when yet’.
So while the interest is there on his side, things are not quite as clear on the OU side. There is still some debate on how aggressively OU will be pursuing another linebacker in this class as they already have Kobie McKinzie and Kip Lewis in the fold.
It feels to me as though Odom and the OU staff are keeping things warm with Jackson, but with no date set yet for a visit, they have not jumped in with both feet at this point.
Will keep tabs on Jackson going forward.
Follow Up Note | 22 LB Devon Jackson
– Charlie S – Posted on: July 22, 2021
A couple of days ago, I posted a note on ’22 LB offer Devon Jackson (6’2 200) out of Omaha, Nebraska.
In that note I said:
‘I touched base with Jackson and he confirmed he has an interest in visiting Norman this fall. He told me “I want to take an official to OU during the season, but I do not know when yet’.
So while the interest is there on his side, things are not quite as clear on the OU side. There is still some debate on how aggressively OU will be pursuing another linebacker in this class as they already have Kobie McKinzie and Kip Lewis in the fold.
It feels to me as though Odom and the OU staff are keeping things warm with Jackson, but with no date set yet for a visit, they have not jumped in with both feet at this point.’
After checking around, and with the assistance of James as well, I believe my assertation of ‘Odom and the OU staff are keeping things warm’ is correct.
Sources tell James that right now, OU is not looking to add an additional inside linebacker to the class, but they left the door open for such a possibility down the line.
Feels like this situation comes down to numbers elsewhere playing themselves out before OU jumps in with both feet.
If a visit date gets set, and the visit takes place, that would be the sign that OU has decided to push. Until then, it’s kind of in a holding pattern.
Recruits React to SEC Rumors
– CJ Vogel – Posted on: July 21, 2021
The news of Texas and Oklahoma potentially looking to join the SEC took the college football world by storm yesterday afternoon. I asked around to get a sense on the interest either school would get from top notch recruits should the move actually happen.
I’ll have a running update on this list of recruits and their responses as more come in.
In-State 5-Star Target
“I feel like it would be good for (Texas) to try and make the jump to the SEC.”
Oklahoma Commit
“I think it is very exciting. (Oklahoma) can be a top dog in the SEC with Alabama and Georgia.”
Four Star Prospect
“My thoughts on both Texas and Oklahoma are very high. I feel that no matter what conference they are in, they will ball.”
Top Texas Target
“I would still look at them the same. Maybe even a little better because they are playing the best of the best.”
Top Texas and Oklahoma Target
“I think they should make it happen.”
(6:00 p.m.)
High School Coach
“I think the strength of those brands leaving the BIG XII hurts the conference overall but as a Texas kid the chance to see the A&M andUT rivalry rekindled in a conference with the UF/GA, Bama/LSU, etc is huge for CFB.
And while the record may not show progression I think Mike Leach being in a lot of dawg fights last year, after being known as an Air raid guy headed to a run heavy conference, gives them an easier transition.”
Elite Texas and Oklahoma Target
“I think it’s a big deal and I honestly think it’s a great move. I had saw your poll and said tapped yes quick lol.”
– For those who are confused, I put up a Twitter poll asking if fans wanted to see UT and OU move
(6:17 p.m.)
Texas and Oklahoma Target
“I think it’s a good idea. I think it’ll show us what teams from different conferences can do against the best ranked teams of the NCAAF.”
(8:25 p.m.)
Texas Commit
“That would be cool, to me it’s not a big deal because either way I’m going to UT to compete and dominate in every aspect of the game doesn’t matter who my opponent is.”
5-star Texas & Oklahoma Prospect
“I think it’s live for Texas to be joining, now Oklahoma, I don’t know about that one. They don’t play enough defense for the SEC, but who knows maybe that’ll change.”
(9:25 pm) – Charlie
OU Commit
“Oh, I’m excited! I wouldn’t be surprised if we are underdogs entering the conference. But with these recent signing classes, I strongly believe we would shock the world and win it!”
OU and Texas 2023 4* Prospect
“Well, I personally think if that move were to happen, there would be no more reason to watch the Big 12 football games”.
2022 OU and Texas Offer
I think it would be interesting for sure. Would change college football big time”
(9:45 p.m.) – CJ
Texas High School Coach
“Man, it would be strange and weird. I don’t think the big 12 would last without those 2 teams. But it would give Texas and OU a boost in recruiting (not like they don’t get good classes) but they would start to get more of the East coast guys. Also will help the image that Big 12 teams can’t play in the SEC.”
(10:35 p.m.) – CJ
Elite 2024 Target
“It’s cool. Dosen’t really matter to me I can play with them all.”
2023 Target
“Think it is really cool idea.”
Ranking Big 12 Offensive Position Groups
– CJ Vogel – Posted on: July 22, 2021
I think this will be a fun little practice. With the football season creeping up, let’s run through some of the Big 12 positional groups and rank the top players/corps at each position heading into the 2021 season.
I plan on dropping a top five of each position group, then in the description of the positions expand on my personal favorites of each position.
Quarterback
- 1. Oklahoma – Spencer Rattler
- 2. Iowa State – Brock Purdy
- 3. Oklahoma State – Spencer Sanders
- 4. TCU – Max Duggan
- 5. West Virginia – Jarret Doege
For the quarterback position, I opted to only run with players with experience and not first time starters simply because we don’t truly know what the starters can bring to the table. Off the bat, I am of the belief that Spencer Rattler is entering the 2021 season as the best quarterback in the country. That should not be too far-fetched of a thought that the former No. 1 QB recruit in the country is in that conversation right now. Purdy falls in next for the list following a season where he was named All Big 12 First Team last fall.
Personally, I don’t think the conference QB room is all that strong compared to that of year’s past. I said that last year as well, but I am not huge on Sanders, Duggan or Doege and they fill out my top five. Skylar Thompson is in the conversation for that group too, but KSU offense will keep him limited in my opinion. Newcomers like Tyler Shough and Casey Thompson/Hudson Card have the opportunity to finish in this top five by the end of the season as well.
Running Back
- 1. Bijan Robinson – Texas
- 705 yards, 81 carries, 8.1 yards per attempt, 4 TD
- 2. Breece Hall – Iowa State
- 1,562 yards, 280 carries, 5.6 yards per attempt, 21 TD
- 3. Eric Gray – Oklahoma
- 772 yards, 157 carries, 4.9 yards per attempt, 4 TD (at Tennessee)
- 4. Duece Vaughn – Kansas State
- 642 yards, 121 carries, 5.3 yards per attempt, 7 TD
- Zach Evans – TCU
- 415 yards, 54 carries, 7.7 yards per attempt, 4 TD
- Leddy Brown – West Virginia
- 1,010 yards, 198 carries, 5.1 yards per attempt, 9 TD
- Kennedy Brooks – Oklahoma
- 1,011 yards, 155 carries, 6.5 yards per attempt, 6 TD (in 2019 season)
- LD Brown – Oklahoma State
- 437 yards, 82 carries, 5.3 yards per attempt, 2 TD
- SaRodorick Thompson – Texas Tech
- 612 yards, 109 carries, 5.6 yards per attempt, 8 TD
- Roschon Johnson – Texas
- 418 yards, 80 carries, 5.2 yards per attempt 6 TD
I thought this would give a great indication of where I see things fit for the Big 12 running back group. It’s going to be a fun year this year for Big 12 running backs, as I believe the group is incredibly talented. Texas fans know exactly what type of talent guys like Duece Vaughn, SaRodorick Thompson and LD Brown have after they ran all over the Longhorns last fall.
With that said, Texas and Oklahoma have the deepest rooms in my opinion with Oklahoma State on the outside looking in. Gundy at Media Days mentioned have 4-5 guys he felt comfortable giving the ball to in any situation, though I am leaning on Brown as the guy.
Wide Receivers
- 1. Marvin Mims – Oklahoma
- 37 receptions, 610 yards, 9 TD (16.5 YPC)
- 2. Xavier Hutchison – Iowa State
- 64 receptions, 771 yards, 4 TD (12.0 YPC)
- 3. Erik Ezukanma – Texas Tech
- 46 receptions, 748 yards, 6 TD (16.3 YPC)
- 4. Quentin Johnston – TCU
- 22 receptions, 487 yards, 2 TD (22.2 YPC)
- 5. Mike Woods – Oklahoma
- 32 receptions, 619 yards, 5 TD (19.3 YPC)
- 6. Winston Wright – West Virginia
- 47 receptions, 554 yards, 2 TD (11.3 YPC)
- 7. Joshua Moore – Texas
- 30 receptions, 472 yards, 9 TD (15.7 YPC)
- 8. Jadon Haselwood – Oklahoma
- 4 receptions, 65 yards, 0 TD (16.3 YPC)
- 9. Theo Wease – Oklahoma
- 37 receptions, 530 yards, 4 TD (14.3 YPC)
- 10. R.J. Sneed – Baylor
- 39 receptions, 497 yards, 3 TD (12.7 YPC)
The wide receiver unit in the Big 12 is never dull, and this year it is loaded with Sooners. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the lack of Oklahoma State receivers. Gundy is aware of the hole at WR1 and mentioned at Media Days that the Pokes don’t have that target out wide they have become so accustomed to over the years.
Guys like Mario Williams at Oklahoma and Troy Omeire at Texas could and should end the year in this group in my opinion. I am expecting a big bounce back year from OU WR Jadon Haselwood this fall as well.
Tight End/H-Back
- 1. Iowa State – Charlie Kolar, Chase Allen, Jared Rus
- 2. Oklahoma – Austin Stogner, Jeremiah Hall
- 3. Texas – Cade Brewer, Jared Wiley
- 4. Texas Tech – Travis Koontz, John Holcomb
- 5. Baylor – Ben Sims, Drake Dabney
Charlie Kolar is in contention for being the best tight end in all of football in the 2021 season. With the way Iowa State utilizes their 12 and 13 personnel, this group is imperative to their success. The same can be said about Oklahoma. Should Austin Stogner come back at 100% full strength, this group is neck and neck with that of Iowa State. Stogner and Hall combined for 8 touchdowns and 640 receiving yards in 2020, so there is plenty of production returning for the Sooners.
Texas duo drops off quite a bit from the first two teams listed. Brewer and Wiley return having played a part in an offense that did not target the tight end too often. However, that might change under Sark. Still, Texas is limited with what they can do if Brewer remains the No. 1 guy.
Offensive Line
- 1. Oklahoma
- 2. Iowa State
- 3. Oklahoma State
- 4. Texas Tech
- 5. Texas
A down year on the offensive line at Oklahoma still produced one of the conference’s best units. Led by Wanya Morris and Marquise Hayes, the Sooners will be tasked with replacing Creed Humphrey in the middle, but Bill Bedenbaugh has done nothing but produce elite offensiv elines during his time with Oklahoma and 2021 should be no different.
Iowa State, again is in the top 2 of a positional ranking here, received two All Big 12 preseason nominations with Trevor Downing and Collin Newell leading the charge. Of course the Cyclones are returning the nation’s leading rusher and that is a huge testament to the offensive line they are producing in Ames. Oklahoma State and Texas Tech are two others that really caught my eye.
Texas is still figuring out the pieces on the offensive line, but for the time being, the combination of Jones-Angilau-Majors-Okafor-Karic appears to be the rotation until Derek Kerstetter returns to the lineup. The big question here is if Christian Jones can take the next step forward and if Denzel Okafor can prove to be an improvement from last season.
