The Football Brainiacs

– Noah Cain: Sooners are notorious for having star running backs. With the 2018 class locked up, with commits Tavion Thomas and TJ Pledger, and 2020 having Jase McClellan, Oklahoma is very focused on the 2019 class. The player that OU is pushing the hardest for is IMG running back, Noah Cain.

Cain visited OU for the Tulane game after being up in Columbus to see the Sooners beat the Buckeyes. I spoke with Cain and he said the visit to Norman “went great” . Though Cain doesn’t have plans to visit OU again, this season, he did say that he will be at the OU/Texas game on October 14th. That will make it three games that Cain will have attended where the Sooners were playing this season. Based on what K said below, if this turns into a Red River battle, the third visit could be the charm.

Cain added that besides his visit for the RRR, Michigan is the only visit he is for sure to take the remainder of the year, but he would like to take more if he can.

As far as Cain’s relationship with OU staff, Cain says, “My relationship with Coach Riley and Coach Boulware are stronger than ever.” Add to it the fact that Cain’s teammate and IMG backfield mate, TJ Pledger is committed to OU, the Sooners are in a good spot for the elite 2019 back. Cain says Pledger is pushing him every day to join him.

Lastly, for those waiting on Cain to make a decision you will have to wait till December 2018. Cain plans on being an early enrollee. – (Brandon)

Additional Note on Cain From Super K: Just to add to Brandon’s note here, earlier this week I spoke to someone really close to Cain who talked about Cain and three of the more prominent schools in his recruitment.

LSU – Cain is originally from Baton Rouge so he grew up a LSU fan but I’m told LSU is beginning to fall out of favor a bit. I was also told that LSU is beginning to favor a 2019 in-state RB so that could further push the two parties apart.

OU – OU is, as Brandon put it, in a good spot. They check the boxes in terms of stability, pedigree, etc. I’m told Cain, like so many of the kids, loves Lincoln Riley. OU may be the safest bet at this point but not a sure thing.

Texas – My source said that Texas’ advantage in all of these, interestingly, is the fact that Cain feels like he’s far better than any of the RBs they have on campus. I’m told he feels confident that he’d have the best chance to play early at Texas and that is very much playing in their favor.

– Badara Traore: Last week, our Andrew King was in touch with a recently offered Texas JUCO OT target, Badara Traore (ASA College). In the course of the conversation, Traore mentioned that he may be taking a official visit to Oklahoma.

I checked Traore and he did say that the Sooners are indeed in communication with him and have offered him. No word from Traore or from our sources on the OU side when the official visit might happen. – (Super K)

After reviewing his film, here are JY’s thoughts on Traore:

Wow. 6’7 315 lbs with a frame to carry north of 330. Agility is there. He hops a little too much and is jerky in his kick slide, but that’s something he can smooth out and refine.

Great reach and seems to have strong hands. Plays with an edge but not the nastiest I’ve ever seen. Still, there’s an evident mean streak.

If he stays healthy he has the potential to be a early draft pick. Can’t teach the size and quickness he has. Seems to be more comfortable run blocking at this point but is a knee bender who could be taught to be a premier pass protector.

– Dwight Gooden and Defensive Line Targets: As most of you know, Sooners JUCO DT target and current Arkansas commit, Emmit Gooden (Independence CC) visited Oklahoma this past weekend.

Gooden didn’t have a ton to say about the visit. Just the usual, the trip went well, it was good to see the coaches. Typically Gooden is more open about his visit.

Gooden had originally told me that this past weekend’s visit would be a official visit but then took a unofficial visit instead. He said he was shooting for the West Virginia game for a official visit. That isn’t until November 25th.

All the above caught my attention.

I spoke with a couple folks and it feels very much like, while is still interested in Gooden, they’d like to first see how things play out with their top high school targets.

Those targets appear to be: Ronnie Perkins, Bobby Brown and Daniel Carson. – (Super K)