Open Post | Weekend, March 27th – 29th
Posted on: March 27, 2020
Sourced | On Corona Virus and Possible Change to Signing Period
– Super K
I recently spoke with a coach who told me that word is starting to go around that there is a possibility that the NCAA could scrap the early signing period.
The Corona Virus lockdown is obviously having a huge impact on recruits being able to evaluate schools via visits. Additionally, staffs are unable to meet in person, let alone evaluate talent.
It’s probably a bit too early to tell whether this ends up happening or not but it does sound like there is already some discussion about possible modifications that could be made to signing.
Where did the Sooners go? | Update | Andrew Mukuba
– Super K
2021 DB, Andrew Mukuba (Austin, TX) has been one of the fastest rising defensive back recruits picking up offers from Clemson, Alabama, Texas, Georgia and a host of others.
Oklahoma recently extended an offer to Mukuba, while he was on a return visit to Norman. He visited with his teammate, Latrell McCutchin.
I’ve been checking with players to get a sense of which staffs are continuing to recruit hard during this unexpected dead period and which staffs have been treating it like a vacation.
I’ve so far been very impressed with Oklahoma’s contact with players.
But for some reason, at least so far, I haven’t had great feedback on defensive backs. That could be because I’m asking the wrong players but I checked with two yesterday and Oklahoma was not one of the teams recruiting either player the hardest during these times off.
The answer that Mukuba gave me, however, was really surprising.
Mukuba listed multiple schools who have been recruiting him hard during this period: Notre Dame, Tennessee, Clemson, Texas, LSU, TCU, Georgia, etc.
No mention of Oklahoma.
I asked him about it and he said, “I have no clue. I haven’t heard from them guys”.
Meanwhile, Bedenbaugh is Doing Work
– Super K
I suppose this is related to the previous post on Mukuba…
Bill Bedenbaugh is doing work…
I checked in with 2021 OL, Bryce Foster, yesterday. I asked him, as well, which schools have been recruiting him the hardest during this Corona Virus dead period.
As you know, Foster has a top five of OU, Texas, TAMU, Oregon and LSU.
His answer on which of the schools have been recruiting him hardest during this, what he called “Coronocation”…
“Oklahoma has definitely been the leader in that category”.
Quick-Hitters | Sooners out for Dillworth? + More
– Super K
***As we previously reported, the Sooners were set to host 2021 LB Raneiria Dillworth (Kernersville, NC), in early April
Dillworth was then set to announce a decision in mid-April.
As you know, the visit has been canceled due to the virus. However, I checked with Dillworth and unless a visit is rescheduled for the fall, it sounds like he’s decided to go ahead and proceed with his commitment and wrap it up. As such, we believed the Sooners were out…
***That likely explained the newest LB offer out of North Carolina. Last night Oklahoma offered 2021 LB, Jabril Mcneill (Raleigh, NC).
*** However, Dillworth tweeted he would no longer be committing in April which s good news for the Sooners.
*** I checked with him and asked if he would likely visit Norman when able too and he said, “definitely going to get down there!”
***Also, checked around a little bit today on the Mukuba situation. Was told that the Sooners have things on pause with Mukuba.
I certainly understand having higher priority guys but this remains a head-scratcher to me only because, you never know if you’ll need to circle back around. You don’t necessarily have to push hard but disappearing completely…yeah, I don’t get that one.
Either way, expect to see another offer or two go out, soon.
Quick Hitter | Sooners Offer 2021 DB Jordan Mukes
– Charlie S
Earlier this week, the Sooners offered 2021 defensive back Jordan Mukes (6’4″ 192) out of Choctaw, OK.
As you know, Mukes visited Norman earlier this year and I have been in touch with a source close to him who tells me that the plan was to make multiple trips to Norman this spring…but then the Coronavirus happened.
Source said once he is able to make his way back to campus, he will. Source also indicated that Mukes had been in contact with Corners Coach Roy Manning a lot of late and was feeling like the offer was coming.
You have to like the Sooners chances here and when you pair this development with the Mukuba news that K reported earlier, you may draw some conclusions of your own.
*** Touched base with Mukes following the offer to see how it went down and he told me he was on FaceTime with head coach Lincoln Riley and defensive coordinator Alex Grinch.
*** Knowing how much he was looking forward to this offer, I asked him if he played it cool or let the emotions fly when the offer came and he said “I let them fly! I tried to hold it to a smile though”
*** I asked him if the offer took a weight off his shoulders and he gave a great answer as he focused on his team rather than himself as he said “Nah, not a weight off my shoulders because I am really focused on my high school team right now. We have big plans for next year and a lot of athletes”. (Love that mentality)
*** Mukes also confirmed he plans on getting back down to Norman when circumstances change and that is allowed.
4-Star WR Malcolm Johnson | Initial Update
– Super K
Sooners recently made the top list for 2021 4-star WR, Malcolm Johnson (Alexandria, VA).
Johnson is yet another prospect from the DMV area who the Sooners are targeting. And every time I think Lincoln has found the fastest WR in the country, he finds another.
Johnson is an elite (division 1) 100m sprinter. He’s been clocked at an official sub 100.4. That was last year as a sophomore!
But as he tells me, he’s still a football player running track and not a track star playing football.
I spoke with Johnson yesterday and wanted to highlight a couple of things from our conversation.
***First, the young man is sharp and extremely motivated. It’s very clear that he loves football but also wants his identity as a successful young man to include things other than football.
***Secondly, he tells me that among the three or four schools recruiting him hardest during this Coronavirus dead period is the Sooners. Shane Beamer started the party and now Lincoln Riley and the rest of the staff are making the move.
***He was originally planning on visiting Oklahoma this spring or summer but obviously that has changed. Still look for that to happen once things open back up.
***He’d love to play with Caleb Williams…
He and Williams grew up play on select teams together and there is clearly mutual respect. Johnson said he trusts Caleb and believes in his work ethic (I found it so refreshing that he emphasized his desire to play with guys who have a similar work ethic). And Caleb told me that Johnson is a legit prospect.
***More on Johnson later but I have to reemphasize the point (and I know I’ve said it before) that if Caleb Williams announces for OU, it’s could have a serious (positive) impact on OU’s recruiting. He’s just such a well-respected player and person.
***I remember recently talking to a recruit who said, “you think it’s a coincidence that the same year Spencer Rattler goes to OU, they sign all those 5-star wide receivers?”. He added, yeah that’s OU but also those guys want to play with great players.
***Caleb isn’t just a great talent and a great young man, but unlike Spencer, he’s in a talent rich area of the country where the Sooners have made a big push.
DeMarco Murray Recruiting 2021 In-State ATH AJ Green
– Charlie S
*** The Sooners offered in state 2021 Athlete AJ Green (5’11” 190) out of Tulsa one year ago.
*** At the time, he was an offer at defensive back
*** He has picked up a ton of recent offers from big-time programs since that time and most of them are as a defensive back as well.
*** Green wants to play running back in college. He is not completely closed to the idea of playing defensive back, but right now, his preference is at running back.
*** Here is where things get interesting…after checking in with him this week, Green has told us that he has been in touch with Sooners new running back coach DeMarco Murray recently.
*** In fact, he noted that he just spoke with DeMarco this past Saturday and that Murray told them they will remain in touch.
*** The Sooners are looking to take at least two running backs this cycle and while they are in on a bunch of kids that are considered to be elite backs (Wheaton, Johnson, Henderson etc…) Green could become the guy that plays the part of ‘Perine’ to a ‘Mixon’ type in regards to their recruitment (not on the field). That worked out quite well for the Sooners I would say.
Elite 2022 LB Justin Medlock Enticed by OU’s Pitch
– CJ Vogel
Oklahoma offered elite 2022 linebacker Justin Medlock from Manvel, TX on December 9, 2019 and has been building a steady relationship ever since.
Medlock recently visited Norman for the Sooners’ Junior Day on February 1st, and was set to return once again however the current Corona Virus has put a detour on those plans for the moment. Though Medlock said he is attempting to stay in rhythm throughout the crazy times.
“I just try to keep the same routine as if school was still in,” Medlock said. “I do all my classes in the morning and workout after.”
Medlock visited SMU and Texas last week and was set to visit LSU on March 14, however he was unable to with basically every school closing campus. He mentioned Ohio State as a school he hopes to see at some point in the future.
There is good news on the Oklahoma front. I mentioned the initial offer was extended on Dec. 9. Medlock told me he and the OU staff have remained in contact ever since.
“I’ve been talking with Coach Brian Odom,” Medlock said. “I am planning on getting up there for a game this season too.”
Medlock seemed thrilled with the pitch Coach Odom pitched to him on the OU defense – Kenneth Murray 2.0.
“That’s the exact role they would have me playing if I chose OU,” Medlock said. “Coach Odom says it’s almost like looking in a mirror when comparing me to him.”
That alone should give a pretty good indication of how highly the Sooners staff values Medlock following just his sophomore season in high school. After all, Murray is projected to be a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
For all the hype the OU offense gets, the Sooners have seen several defensive players hear their names called over the past couple of years too, specifically at linebacker. OU will have four linebackers in the last five years selected once Murray gets picked next month, something high on Medlock’s mind.
“My number one goal is to make it to the league, so (development) is very important to me.”
On top of development, Medlock cited education and culture as two of the biggest factors that will play into his decision.
Medlock debuted as the No. 8 LB in the country in the first 247Sports rankings for the 2022 class. He will undoubtedly be a hot commodity for schools across the country.
Talking Point | Lack of Spring Ball Issues | QB & MIKE
– Charlie S
The Sooners entered the offseason knowing they had two significant holes to fill.
One of the holes was on offense as Jalen Hurts has graduated and Spencer Rattler and Tanner Mordecai were slated to battle for the starting spot throughout the spring at the very least.
The other glaring issue was on defense at the MIKE linebacker spot as Kenneth Murray left early to take his talents to the NFL. The MIKE linebacker spot is much more of a question mark in comparison to quarterback as Spencer Rattler is the heavy favorite to win that job, but I am not sure anyone can confidently say who will be the Sooners starting MIKE for game one.
Yes, we all know there are other areas of concern like left tackle and the secondary, but those issues have some pretty clear solutions (Wilkins has to step up and Norwood will battle Brown and Davis for a starting spot, at least initially).
The issue at quarterback will be mostly based on lack of reps throughout the spring which would help the new QB with both timing and familiarity. Now, familiarity with the offense probably won’t be a big deal as both Rattler and Mordecai have spent time in the offense and they are obviously familiar with it. Timing with the receivers, backs, and tight ends is another story and that only comes through repetition and in that regard…the more the better is always the motto.
In regards to Murray’s vacated spot at MIKE, you have multiple names you are all familiar with in Caleb Kelly, DaShaun White, Brian Asamoah, and Bryan Mead along with newcomer Shane Whittier (freshman) as well as a potential experiment with David Ugwoegbu getting a look from his rush spot at MIKE.
If spring ball is completely canceled (as it appears likely at this point) and you are left with summer workouts and a fall camp (hopefully) I have a feeling the coaches will be forced to go with their initial ‘gut’ feelings at those spots and work backward.
In other words, in my opinion, the competition at Quarterback and MIKE will not be won organically on the field. I believe the coaches will have their hands forced by a shortened practice window and in turn, have to work backward from their initial opinions.
Again, I don’t think this matters so much at quarterback where I actually believe it would be a very good thing to name Rattler your starter prior to fall camp.
At linebacker, I think the smaller practice window hurts Oklahoma quite a bit. Both White and Kelly have experience at WILL, but neither has much experience at MIKE. I know the positions are very similar, but it could be something as small as a mental mindset which could be the difference-maker and with fewer reps, those things are difficult to observe.
The lack of spring ball really impacts Whittier and Ugwoegbu and at this point, if I was a coach, I may be less inclined to even bother experimenting with Ugwoegbu (he was working at RUSH early in the spring as it was due to Bonitto’s limitations) and without getting a ton of live reps in the spring, Whittier missed some valuable experience.
While the Sooners have questions at two of the most important positions on the field, they do have quality options.
Let’s face it, things could be much worse. You could have a program that is trying to install an entirely new offensive and defensive scheme with new coordinators and position coaches along with multiple player moves being planned…like Texas.
Rattler should give the offense a boost in regards to ball distribution at the very least, but the linebacking situation intrigues me.
Sweet Recruiting Notes | Tristan Leigh & Tommi Hill
– Super K
***More on Caleb Williams effect?
Well, in February it seemed the Sooners didn’t have much a of chance with 2021 5-star OT, Tristan Leigh. In fact, it seemed so bleak that I didn’t even bother going by the school while I was up there…twice (late February & again in early March)!
Now, all of a sudden?
He tells me that after the Coronavirus stuff clears, he’s trying to visit the Sooners.
***Also, the Sooners made the top 5 for 2021 FL DB, Tommi Hill (Edgewater).
Other schools included are Nebraska, Arizona State, Ohio State and Georgia.
Now then, I spoke with a source on the Ohio State side and was told that as far as the Bucks are concerned, they’re “just a hat on the table“. With their recent commitments, it sounds like they’re not in heavy pursuit.
Georgia recently offered but I’m sure they’ve put out a ton of offers. So, you never know how committable that is.
OU offered him fairly recently, as well, and instantly jumped in his top five.
Gotta think Oklahoma has a good shot here. I have yet to see Hill in person or see speed times on him but he certainly looks like what Grinch is looking for, on film.
He’s a bigger guy, he has a ton of interceptions and looks like a safety but plays like a cornerback.
He could be one of the reasons the Sooners have slowed things way down with Mukuba. And while I think they should continue communicating with Mukuba, I have no problem at all with OU (in the end) going with whoever they prefer (rankings and offers be darned).
I respect that. Just keep all the options on the table, for now.
