Open Post | Weekend, September 4th – 6th
Posted on: September 4, 2020
Team | Sourced | Quick-Hitters
– Super K
Wanted to add a few additional notes to my previous notes on this past weekend.
***Heard the same as James, that Theo Howard and Pledger were the skill guys who stood out most in the scrimmage.
***Also, while one source I spoke to indicated that after the initial offensive onslaught, the defense settled in and ultimately the day was a bit of a draw; another source I spoke with said they felt the defense ended up winning the day.
***One source I spoke with actually said that after the early showing by the offense, the defense was lights out.
***Was told that Rattler “is as advertised”.
***Defensive line standouts were per source were Kelley and Perkins but also had a second source corroborate what I had initially heard regarding Noah Arinze’s performance. Apparently he had a good scrimmage which is a nice surprise considering the reviews we had received on him over the summer were a bit lukewarm.
***James has already discussed the linebackers but wanted to add that I was told “backers had a decent day. Young guys are figuring it out, slowly”. Source specifically mentioned Whittier who is starting to get a handle on things.
***The more I talk to different folks about the LBs, the more I think OU needs to just make sure they can keep Asamoah and White in there for the early part of season while they bring one or two of these young ups along. It’s clear that athleticism isn’t the issue, it’s experience. Hearing repeatedly with guys like Ugwoegbu, Whittier, etc. that it’s about figuring things out in there – seeing things. Fortunately, Grinch’s system is preset so that should help the transition but again, they’re going to need live game reps.
***Still get the sense that after Asamoah and White who will be your two starters, it will be Ugwoegbu as the third backer, for now.
***Also, how people feel about Perrion and Kelley is subject to who you talk to. I think most feel they’re pretty good. The question is just how good. I know I owe y’all some notes on the defensive line which I will get to you.
So You Want To Be Recruited | 2022
– Charlie S
The 2022 recruiting cycle kicked off in earnest on September 1st at 12:00 am.
Once the clock struck midnight, the phones lit up.
Coaches and their staffs were unleashed and allowed to initiate contact with the high school juniors.
Previous to September 1st, the recruits had to initiate the contact so it was basically on their choice of timing.
Phone calls, texts, direct messages…game on.
I spoke to a handful of 2022 kids yesterday afternoon.
One 2022 wide receiver told me “Man my phone is still going crazy! Good and fun process though! I probably got over 110 texts in the first hour from different coaches but thankfully not too many phone calls because it was so late!”
A running back echoed similar sentiments when he said “I turned the sound on for a minute and it (the notifications) sounded like a video game with how it was going off”. He added he quickly turned off the sound so he could get some sleep.
The offensive linemen are not immune either. One big man told me “I haven’t even gotten through half of the messages (at 6:00 pm) and my voice mail is full!”
Even I got called out for adding to the issue!
A 2022 defensive back joked with me by saying “Why you have to add to my work here? I got 150 messages from coaches, a couple who I never even spoke too and cause I am a good man I have to take time to answer you!”
One defensive lineman mentioned he and a friend, who is also a recruit, are having an intense competition when it comes to notifications. He was having fun with it and he mentioned he appreciated me adding to his tally by saying “Every little bit helps”.
For some, the constant notifications will slow down, for others it will only intensify from now until they sign on the dotted line more than a year in the future.
Some kids embrace it and love the interaction while others tend to focus on specific schools.
While I would never characterize what they are going to be going through as a hardship or anything, they are all going through an adjustment as their lives will be impacted by recruiters who are very, very good at what they do. The calls won’t stop coming, the text messages and direct messages filled with graphics and quotes are just beginning.
K and I have both seen some recruits notifications and while I can’t speak for K, I have seen phones with over 1,000 notifications which had yet to have been answered or even acknowledged by the recruit. It can be very overwhelming to some!
The one thing I consistently take away from the recruits is that the vast majority are truly grateful for the opportunities they are being presented with. Boisterous or reserved, braggadocious or humble, they all know they are fortunate to be in the position they are for the most part.
ChampU22 | The Pursuit Begins in Earnest
– Charlie S
The class of 2022 is officially open for business.
September 1st marked the day when football programs around the country were able to initiate contact with recruits in the class of 2022.
The contact period opened at 12:01 am and OU wasted little time in reaching out to a ton of prospects. They even extended an offer this morning to 2022 CB Avery Powell (5’11” 170, Jersey City, NJ).
Oklahoma already has two elite recruits committed in LB Kobie McKinzie and ATH Jordan Hudson and they are in a good position and have some momentum with a number of other highly sought recruits.
Names you will likely become familiar with (if you aren’t already) in the 2022 class include:
QB: Ty Simpson, RBs: Gavin Sawchuck, Raleek Brown, Jaydon Blue, WRs: Luther Burden, Caleb Burton, Tayln Shettron, Evan Stewart, Armani Winfield, TE: Donovan Green, OLs: Zach Rice, Will Campbell, Jacob Sexton, Kam Dewberry, Collin Sadler, Dayne Shor, Cameron Williams, Jaylen Early, Jake Tayloe, Johnny Dickson, Devon Campbell, DLs: Malick Sylla, Cyrus Moss, Kenyatta Jackson, Derrick Moore, Omari Abor, Dani Dennis-Sutton, Earnest Cooper, Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy, Bear Alexander, Anthony Lucas, ILBs: Justin Medlock, Shawn Murphy, OLBs: David Bailey, Jaylen Snead, Harold Perkins, DBs: Domani Jackson, Travis Hunter, Will Johnson, Denver Harris, Maurion Horn, Bobby Taylor, Toriano Pride, Terrance Brooks, Kamari Wilson, Zion Branch, Chace Biddle, Cristian Driver, Xavier Nwankpa, ATHs: Brenen Thompson, Gentry Williams, Emeka Megwa…and many others.
The names listed above are not the only targets and I undoubtedly left many names out, but I just wanted to get you familiar with some of the guys who will likely be in focus.
The 2022 class is loaded and Oklahoma should be able to continue with their high level of recruiting.
Eyes & O’s of Riley | Accounting Matters
– Charlie S
Just a recap of the emojis sent out by Lincoln Riley which are still out there.
***July 2nd : ‘O’ : 2021 offensive player who has yet to announce his commitment publicly. Should hear something on this one by the time October rolls around if nothing changes.
***August 22nd : ‘O’ : This was the sensitive one. At the time, we gave you no clues other than to say it was a very highly ranked recruit who informed Lincoln Riley of his intentions to commit to Oklahoma.
Here is what we can tell you now since the reason around the sensitivity regarding the commitment has been addressed. It is a 2022 offensive player. We will get further into the details of why we were asked to hold any hints at a later time, but as we indicated, it’s a big get.
***August 23rd : ‘Eyes’ : This is a 2021 offensive commit who will likely make his decision public in the near future.
Update | Sooners 2021 CB Commit Latrell McCutchin
– CJ Vogel
Hello, friends. I am back bearing good news.
Last night I was able to head over to Austin LBJ to watch Sooners 2021 CB commit Latrell McCutchin in action as he prepares for his senior season to begin.
First off, he is moving tremendously well following ACL surgery last winter. I will have more on this in a minute, but that is certainly a good sign with the season only a couple weeks away.
Like his own senior season, the Sooners are set to begin their 2020 campaign on September 12 vs. Missouri State and McCutchin is eager to see his future teammates in action.
“Man, I just want to go see those guys go win a national championship, I feel like they really deserve it” McCutchin said. “Coach Riley, one of the most dedicated people I know towards football, towards bettering people as men and things like that. I just want to see those guys win.”
While McCutchin has not been back up to Norman since March before the shutdowns, he tells me he is hopeful to make a return soon for a few unofficial visits.
In the mean time, he has been in communications with Oklahoma’s 2021 class and strengthening those bonds with the current commits.
“Man, we have some guys in our class,” McCutchin said. “I think it is going to be really special when I get up there. Especially in my second or third year when I actually get to play with the guys that I was recruited with. I think it’s going to get real scary for other teams.”
I asked McCutchin about Sooners QB commit Caleb Williams and what he has come to know about the nation’s No. 1 overall signal caller.
“That boy is locked in,” McCutchin said laughing. “Caleb is a different breed. I’m not even going to lie, I’ve never really seen anything like him. The way he throws the ball, he’s got some zip on that thing. It’s going to be fun picking him off in practice too.”
As for if McCutchin has his eyes on anyone set to join the class, – “No comment.”
McCutchin tells me he “hasn’t had any issues” with his knee since the injury. In fact, he said he “feels like (his) surgically operated knee is better than my non-operated knee” in terms of strength. He added that he felt like the surgery made his knee much stronger.
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