Open Post | Weekend, May 30 – June 1
Posted on: May 30, 2014
– This weekend PJ Mbanasor will be making his return trip to Oklahoma. He first visited for the March jr. day and Oklahoma made a great impression with him at the time. In the many, many times I’ve spoken to Mbanasor, he’s made it clear that among the many things he likes about OU is the fact that “they just win…and you can’t argue with that.” And he sees there is an opportunity for him to get on the field early and flourish.
Mbanasor’s parents weren’t able to make the trip up the first time he visited, and since then he’s wanted them to see it. I spoke to him earlier this week, and he said it’s going to be really important for him to get his family’s feedback and opinion about Oklahoma.
Mbanasor is headed to Norman tomorrow and will be on campus Saturday for the visit. We’ll try to bring you updates on the visit as we get them.
– Yesterday, Mike Stoops went down to see McKinley Whitfield. An offer was not made, but we’ve done some digging and it sounds like Stoops was thoroughly impressed with McKinley. The word I have heard from multiple sources is that the offer is likely to happen soon.
The issue right now seems to be OU simply figuring out where to allocate McKinley on their boards (safety, LB, etc.). They asked him to come work out for a day at the OU camp, but McKinley isn’t sure that is going to happen.
– We’ve had a few questions about where OU stands with Katy RB, Rodney Anderson. I haven’t had a chance to speak to Anderson yet, but I we have been told that the OU coaches feel very good about where things stand with the talented RB. Sorry that isn’t much, but it sounds somewhat promising at the moment.
– Spoke to Ykili Ross and his’ father yesterday for quite a while, and it sounds like they are still very much interested in taking an official visit to Oklahoma. Ykili said he has been in regular contact with OU coaches. Coach Kish and Norvell have been the two coaches staying in contact with him, and they’ve been doing so frequently.
Ykili is looking at a number of schools including Notre Dame, USC, UCLA, and Oregon among others. He’ll also be taking an unofficial visit to Notre Dame this summer. It’s still early but I get the sense the local schools (UCLA and USC) are going to be toughest to beat. UCLA has clearly done a good job recruiting Ykili, and USC is his family’s favorite team. But USC currently has a CB commit and seem to be sitting really well with Iman Marshall and Isaiah Langley, so it could open the door a little for OU.
– I caught up with Ringling OL Riley Joe Daniel yesterday (JY’s write up on him is on it’s way soon). I asked if he’s had contact with Oklahoma, and he told me that indeed he has. Coach Bedenbaugh went by to see him last week and asked him to attend an OU camp. With offers from UNT, Tulsa and Houston, and given his size, I’d be surprised if Riley goes through the entire recruiting process without pulling some BCS conference offers. It sounds like Oklahoma State and Arkansas have been in regular contact with him, and have given him the indication that an offer from one or both schools could happen this summer.
75 Comments
Did we pull the offer for Marshall? I thought we offered him but I don’t see where he has a current offer from us.
Yes OU offered him a month or two ago
Do you think Mbanasor commits this weekend?
He said he doesn’t plan on it so I’d say no…but he committed on the spot at TCU so you never know. But my guess is no based on what he’s told me. Hope I’m wrong though haha
IMO he pulled the trigger early on TCU not realizing what the future would hold but with all of the interest now, will take his time. Am just hoping some of these guys will start to commit at the end of summer after the ‘officials’ and before their SR season begins.
How do you feel about the recent offers of JUCO linemen? Are you okay with it or would there be a preference to bring in high school recruits…Is that just a sign of OU needing experience at that position even if the experience isn’t at D-1 Level?
I’m personally a little confused by the NG offer only because I know there is at least one HS NG down in Louisiana that would likely be ours with an offer. The OLB/DE offer might be just because the kid is THAT good. I haven’t watched his film but JY called me when he watched the kid and he raved about him. I’m guessing that they think the NG will help them get the DE and they know that the NG can play defense and if that doesn’t work they can flip him to OL.
Only thing I can think of is a worse case scenario, where they are somewhat reserved about Phillips’ back injury. They’ve seen in the past with Granger how hard it is for a DT to come back from an injury to the back (and I would say anyone in the trenches, Shead, Good etc), so maybe they just want some more upperclassmen depth with Wade if we had to go forward after this year without Phillips
What are the chances OU gets Jamabo and Anderson? Do you think it’s a one or the other situation?
I just got off the phone with a friend and he’s the second person in the past 24 hrs to tell me that not only does OU feel good about Anderson but people who have talked to him feel good about him to OU. Apparently TAMU really screwed up his recruitment. And Jamabo is Wariboko’s cousin and all I can tell you that when Wariboko was committed he (Wariboko) felt OU was doing a lot of Jamabo recruitment through him (Wariboko) and he (Wariboko) did not appreciate it. But don’t really know much beyond that.
……well, that’s an interesting tidbit on wariboko/jamabo……..never heard of that connection………so, do you mean that ou wanted the former to help recruit the latter…can you clarify…….thxs
That’s very interesting so keeping josh happy by offering his brother may have helped ease that situation or somewhat helped recruit jamabo as well? I think time will still tell if max can be a serviceable d1 player if he has a good start to his season I hope ou offers.
If OU offered Max I still think Josh would have taken visits…I’m not fully convinced that some of it wasnt pretext. But he would have ended up at OU IMO. I still don’t believe for one second OU should offer Max. I sure as hell wouldn’t do it. Not for an OG and I probably wouldn’t even do it for a tackle.
Agree, not with the talent level of the CB’s we are sitting well with. If we were struggling there maybe you take a chance, but we are sitting pretty with elite talent
Thanks Super K. That’s great info. I strongly agree with you. Wariboko isn’t going to change the way OU does things.
Thanks for the insight! … You would think a recruit would want to help recruit his cousin.
What about the tyreik gray kid out of texas? I like his film a lot even though I never see him run between the tackles which is common in high school you give the ball to your best athlete and tell him to get the edge. But you can tell he’s got good vision and balance and they list him at 4.45. I would like to see him in a sooners uniform.
Would think OU will end up with either Jamabo or Anderson, first to pull the trigger. With OU sitting on 6 quality backs and none SRs, would think they take 1 and hit it again next season. And I actually like Gray’s film better than Jamabo’s. Still worried about durability issues with him.
I wouldn’t be disappointed in soso or Anderson. I think gray has more potential. You’re worried about gray or soso’s durability? I know soso had some injury last year.
Soso’s. Seems he was hurt a good portion of last season. Had heard it was a re-occurring situation so maybe he has healed in the off season. Guess we will see his SR year.
“They asked him to come work out for a day at the OU camp, but McKinley isn’t sure that is going to happen.”
Would this be from personal conflicts (scheduling, lack of necessary means, bad timing, etc), or is he just not willing to make the trip on his own dime?
Oh no, it’s personal conflict. He’s going on vacation around the same time but he might be able to squeeze in the camp.
Good deal. I hope OU takes a serious approach with this young man and I hope he realizes the opportunity when its presented.
OU loves him is what I’ve been told. They saw his film last week and immediately scheduled the visit to see him. He’s incredible in my opinion. Absolutely incredible upside.
SK – if Coach has any hesitation let him know that I’m free for a conversation – will be off-line for a few days as am moving back to Oklahoma in next few days. Seriously though; am of your opinion and and really looking forward to see how this plays out. Fingers crossed!
Who else is on OU’s radar for corner besides Mbanasor and Yikli?
Well I know there are a lot of people who feel Patterson at Lawton will get an offer at some point. As we’ve said before, coach Bob Stoops really likes Patterson. OU is still recruiting OSU commit Jaylon Lane. And I would assume they are still recruiting guys like Isaiah Langley and Holiday but the more I ask around the more I feel those aren’t happening. Also, some of the coaches on staff like Derrick Baity out of Tampa (I love him) but an offer hasn’t been made yet. And then there is the kid from Louisiana, Donte Jackson who got an offer recently.
His film is certainly impressive (Whitfield). My main concern was the level of talent of his opponents, cause it’s clear early and often that he is definitely on a different level of play than the opposition. It’s great to stumble upon these hidden gems, but even better when they’re in your own back yard.
Whitfield plays in Oklahoma Class 3A district 8 I believe. District 8 isn’t filled with particularly good teams but schools in that district such as Roland and Idabel are known for having some great athletes. While 3A isn’t the best competition it is still solid
Oskie……haven’t heard that word in a while. Back when I played HS ball, that’s what we yelled out when we picked off a pass.
Yes sir, same here!!
should this guy have an offer ?
#22 Junior RB – Devine Ozigbo
most have this guy as upper 4.6 ‘ s in the 40
but Scout has him as a 4.44 ! (5-11/230/4.44)
-has apparently also run a 10.84 100m !
His Hudl highlight film shows some shifty moves and soft hands as well
Any news as far as Jalin Barnett goes? Has he released a time table at all for picking a school?
Haven’t really asked around about him much. The only two names I’ve heard associated with his name (other than OU of course) is OSU and Bama and Bama has probably already moved on.
..per oui article…….says he’ll have a top 5 before sr season starts…….wants to look around all he can
….yep and Hale says he’s an OU lock……which is usually the kiss of death.
Off Topic: Looks like Tommy Tupperware… sorry Tuberville is trying to get the 2004 Title claimed to Auburn since USC got it vacated and OU lost. I honestly find it this laughable.
http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2014/05/tommy_tuberville_still_believe.html
Not sure if this has already been said but at the Oklahoma Class 4A State track meet Austin Cantrell placed 1st in the shot with Kaden Jackson coming in 2nd. I also saw Whitfield run a 22.29 in the 200 finishing 4th.
Those three are some freakin athletes! Thanks for posting Diesen!
Mixon has a future in recruiting for sure.
Pardon my ignorance, but who is this that he’s with?
Khalil Mckenzie. I should have included their caption but the photo was too big
Is Mixon the most ripped incoming freshman since AD?
Not that mixon doesn’t look like a grown man and I’m not sure if he’s 18 yet, but perine is jacked. There was a picture of him from like Wednesdays post.
It really is scary how jacked that kid is. I had seen some pictures of him before, but my dad and I were lucky enough to sit right next to him at the spring game this year. Yeah his arms are completely jacked but what impressed me what that his legs and thighs are just as ripped. I really am just as excited to see the ball in his hands just as much as Mixons.
I agree, Perine looks like a solid f’n rock.
Yessir and a highly mobile rock.
For Sure Perine looks like a FREAK.ALL SWOLE UP!LOL!
Just saw where Lio Lafaele commited to Tech. Another big disappointment. Must be ‘the greys’.
http://texastech.scout.com/a.z?s=188&p=8&c=1&nid=7602429
Pj mbanasor posting pictures of his visit. Perine is his high school teammate hopefully that gets pj to come to Norman.
Any way you can link or post the shots?
I added the photos I’m not sure if they’re viewable from certain browsers. Here’s a link to his twitter although I think he has his set to private. https://mobile.twitter.com/PeterJayy_2
The pictures didn’t come up at first, thanks.
I didn’t realize at first he’s holding Derrick straits jim Thorpe award. He wears #2 just like strait.
Thanks for the pics.
I was already on board with his recruitment, but when he was quoted as saying “they just win” that showed me that he is a thoughtful young man that is interested in winning and he has his priorities straight.
Clearly he wants to be a winner and understands it takes more than flashy uniforms, but good coaching and team work to help fantastic athletes reach the top.
http://i.imgur.com/BUbJzJ1.gif
Yeah those are good points but I think the other schools in his top7 have a good winning tradition. Although none come close to ou.
Zack, you’d think having Perine as a team mate would help, but I don’t believe it will at all. Can’t believe I remembered this (retain a lot, even if I don’t want to) The 2 aren’t friends at all, & it’s not going to be a factor
Chandler Cox has committed to Auburn
Well that sucks. I was hoping for him and Ivey. But maybe there’s another fullback out there like flowers and Millard. I would like to have a couple of those on the roster at the same time.
Was reading up on my old high school in the local paper to see what happened in the spring game a few days ago. The football team had been down for two years, really down, and this past season brought a new coaching staff and much improvement. Talent was never an issue.
What really caught my attention was the final paragraph of the article.
There is too much talent in East Texas for OU to allow this to continue unchallenged. Not only is Briles DC Phil Bennett from Marshall, Bennett’s brother has been a long time HC in East Texas football, winning a state championship a number of years ago in Jefferson.
OU needs to start a camp in Tyler or Longview to compete head on with Baylor for this talent rich area. I would hate to see OU miss out on anymore K.D. Cannons.
EasTex, agreed. How about the Earl Campbell and there are too many others to mention. Curious, do you know where OU does hold their camps? I know they do satellite camps but other than that, I don’t know. Like K mentions, there are trainers all over who played college/pro football and they help kids get exposer. Some to their own schools but others just to help the kids. That is why I have enjoyed the recruiting articles from TFB. There is a lot more about recruiting than I ever thought.
No, I don’t know where OU’s camps are…wasn’t certain they had any.
There have been a number of Sooners from ET in the past, Billy Sims, David Overstreet, Joe Wiley and AD, to name a few.
There was a kid from Marshall from their 1990 state championship team, Terrance Shaw, who played ten years in the NFL and went to two Super Bowls. In high school he was what many would consider an undersized CB and played his college ball at SFA. The thing is he is an example of some of the ET talent that gets overlooked, he always had the speed and the head for the game.
I believe by the rules, OU can’t start their own camp in another state. They can allow OU coaches to “guest coach” at a previously established camp, however.
Yeah I’m not sure if they are officially OU camps but I do know that we have satellite camps at high schools down there every year…it might just be a loop that the coaches go around to have camps down there but they are OU satellite camps no matter
SEC coaches want to shut football camp loophole.
Personally, I think that rule sucks. If you can recruit nationally, why not hold camps nationally? I understand the cost factor, but not the turf factor.
We do have satellite camps down in texas…not sure where but think closer to Houston..texas made a big stink about it but as far as I know the rules weren’t changed..I think the weather gave us problems last year
Now you have Sumlin ‘itchin’ and moanin’ about it.
The NCAA only allows camps to be held in the state of the school, so OU can’t pick a location in Texas and host a camp. There is one way around this (which OU already does), and it’s the satellite camps.
Satellite camps are hard to establish, as the school involved (OU in this case) has to be invited in from the school that actually hosts the camp. OU has held a satellite camp in Houston several times over the past few years, but it’s hard. The cost is on the hosting school, and since it’s typically a FCS school hosting, budgeting can be an issue.
Anyway, the power 5 conferences are really pushing for major recruiting changes, and maybe that’s something they will change. In any event, I wouldn’t worry about the Baylor thing, OU does just fine with it’s own camp. OU didn’t miss out on Cannon because of Baylor’s camp (as he also camped at OU). Cannon went to Baylor because of the way they play offense. Like everything, if OU continues to win (and beat Baylor) recruiting works out fine.
Thanks for the info.
I know the OU camp starts in a few days, but haven’t been able to find how many registrants are signed up, plus it is expensive. There are a lot of very talented kids that can’t afford it.
There aren’t any schools in the ET, NW Louisiana or SW Arkansas area where they could camp. Shreveport would be ideal, but Centenary doesn’t play football.
Yeah, it’s a screwy deal setting up out-of-state camps. It’s interesting you would mention this though, recently Penn State set up a satellite camp (in Georgia I think), and the SEC coaches had a fit. Apparently it isn’t the norm there, which is funny because Franklin came from an SEC school. Anyway, I think it’s pretty common throughout the mid west.
It’s against SEC rules.
What really irks me about Baylor hosting a camp smack-dab in the middle of ET is there are numerous good programs in that part of the Ark-La-Tex and Marshall is on the rebound with their new coaching staff.
There is a sophomore QB that many Mav fans thought should have been the varsity starter as a frosh, Cameron Haller. As a 9th grader he is small, 5’8″, but runs a 4.nuthin’ and has a cannon for an arm, he pitched for the varsity team this year with a 95mph fast ball. Then there is the renewed power lifting program which only started with the 8th and 9th grades, finishing 1st and 2nd in there region which includes Longview.
The coaches and fans all agree the strength of the 2014 Marshall team will be the O and D lines. A Baylor pipeline to Marshall would really burn my biscuits.
http://youtu.be/vpSEzTS8B-w
I watched Whitfield’s film again and for some reason, we really need him. Here’s my take and I would like to get your opinion as some of you are coaches with a better eye than me. Nickel back. Striker could possibly be playing in this role next year. Now think of Whitfield. Hitter, cover guy, faster with better hips, and can cover more ground with that 6’3 frame. Plus he will fill out to 220/230. I watched the 2000 OU/UT game the other day and Roy Williams came up on a couple of plays and stopped the runner cold and backward. I would like to see Whitfield in this same position. He would need to learn how to blitz but with our coaches, I don’t think that would be a difficult task. Spiro boy makes good at OU, hope it happens.
He doesn’t have near the initial acceleration that Striker has as a pass rusher..imo that role will go to either Bolton or Evans. I see him being able to cover the rb or tightend though…if he can carry the weight I’d put him in the middle
I think ou moved up one spot for Gibson with lsu getting a commitment already for the 2016 class with the #3 rated dual threat qb.