Open Post | Monday, July 7th (UPDATE 2:07 pm)
Posted on: July 7, 2014
Image of Jordan Smallwood via Dallas News
Hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend!
A number of you requested that we add a search function to the front page and we have now done that.
– Andre James: This past weekend, OU 2015 offensive tackle target Andre James said that he will announce his commitment at The Opening this week. He had originally stated he wanted to take some official visits, including a visit to Norman this fall. However, it would appear that is no longer happening. James will choose between: Oklahoma, Ohio State, Oregon, UCLA, USC and Utah. Obviously this isn’t a good thing for OU since he has yet to make a visit. Our guess is he ends up picking UCLA, but we’ll know for sure later this week.
– O-Line: With James seemingly now off the board, we’ll try to put together an OL target recruiting summary this week or next. With two OL already in the fold, OU only has three, or at the most four, spots left and you would figure one has to be held for Jalin Barnett – at least for now. Which leaves only two spots (max three) open. Lately, we’ve been hearing that OU is only looking to take five OL in this 2015 class, but we suspect if it was for the right player they would take six.
– Dorial Green-Beckham: I’m sure some of you may have had your DGB fill by now, but with such a high profile player you’re going to be hearing a lot more about him. We wanted to share a couple notes we got from a few sources since things became official this past Thursday. Firstly, in talking to our original source on this who has known DGB for a while, he insists that DGB isn’t a bad kid. Most folks are familiar with DGB’s rough upbringing. But the impression we got from our source is that DGB was missing a stern authoritative voice in his life once he got away from home and his family. Couple that with folks around him who were telling him how fantastic he is at such a young age, it can create some negative outcomes. This is obviously a personal opinion of someone who knows him, but we figured that’s better than the narrative that has no personal context.
As we mentioned a couple weeks back, DGB and OU had been communicating for a while and it sounds as though OU wanted to make sure they were in a position to pick up DGB if he decided to enroll somewhere. But we’re also told that DGB and co. were really interested in the idea of coming to OU. We are also told that Oklahoma is considering giving DGB a lot of reps in practice, including potentially some reps with the 1’s, which would seem to indicate they feel like they’ve at least got a decent case to make with the NCAA. But we’re also told that while OU feels like they’ve got a good case to make for DGB, they understand there is no telling what the NCAA will eventually do.
– Jordan Smallwood: Later this week we hope to put together a post highlighting some of the offensive weapons OU has at it’s disposal. If DGB gets the waiver, then Oklahoma will have something they haven’t had in a while, namely a serious deep threat that could demand bracket coverage and really open up the field for OU’s other playmakers. But OU does have another potential deep threat in Jordan Smallwood. Lately, we’ve been hearing more about the Jenks product. The notes we’ve gotten is that he’s looked pretty good this summer. And that’s after talk this time last year of him possibly playing as a true freshman before an injury forced a redshirt.
Obviously, all this information is based on 7-on-7 stuff so there’s no telling how it’s going to translate once the pads are popping. But the word we’ve got for now is that Smallwood is taking reps with the first team. We’ve been told that he, as most know, is big and strong with good (not great) speed. The primary weakness we’ve heard is that he can sometimes struggle with his hands. In fact one source told us that he will, on occasion, drop the easier passes but then make the most difficult, amazing catches.
– Tito Windham: Tito recently made it into town for summer workouts, and the early word on him is that he’s very scrappy. He’s confident and isn’t hear to sit the bench. He’s a raw athlete and that may be what keeps him from really competing for the CB position in 2014, but the early word is he’s very impressive and may already be ahead of some of the kids who were already on campus.
– McKinley Whitfield: You already know we’re not going to stop talking about McKinley. Wanted to share some notes we got from Clay Mack (well known DB trainer in the Dallas area who trained guys like Jamal Adams, Ed Paris, etc.). Mack worked with McKinley for the first time at J.J. Meaders camps in Little Rock a week ago. And Mack had a lot of good things to say about Whitfield. First, he actually believes Whitfield is twitchy enough to play corner. You read that right…that’s a 6’3.5 200 lb corner!
Whether it’s CB or safety, either way McKinley wants to play in the secondary and both Meaders and Mack believe he can do it. Mack said the following about McKinley, “I really like that kid. Has great instincts and is quick twitch despite his size. Needs technical work, as all of them (young players) do, but his upside is remarkable.”
– UPDATE (9:12 am): Rob Cassidy of Rivals posted a Q&A with Andre James this morning where he all but eliminates the Sooners. Which is obviously in line with what we originally posted above, but just in case any of you out there were holding out hope….you can probably move on now.
– UPDATE (9:17 am): These preseason watch lists have a tendency to get pretty ridiculous, but for the sake of full disclosure a couple of Sooners were named to some this morning. Trevor Knight was included on the Maxwell Award (top CFB player) list, while Frank Shannon, Eric Striker, and Charles Tapper were included on the Bednarik Award (top defensive player) list.
– UPDATE (11:25 am): 2015 OL and OU offer, Garrett Thomas, will be announcing his commitment Wednesday around 11:00 am. Garrett had originally set a return visit for this month after the dead period. We asked him about that and he said, “I decided I saw everything I needed to last time I was there.”
– UPDATE (1:46 pm): Chatted a little more with Garrett Thomas and he said that his parents have had a chance to see both Texas and Ole Miss (the two schools we believe are finalists along with OU). They have not had a chance to see Oklahoma. When he came and visited Oklahoma back in the winter his grandfather brought him. The original plan was for him to come to OU for another visit with his family but again he said that he decided he saw everything he needed to see last time.
– UPDATE (2:07 pm): Garrett just said in regards to OU and their chances (the context was OU possibly being out because his parents didn’t make it up to Norman), “There’s no reason to rule out the Sooners for me…and that’s in 100% honesty.” So we’ll have to wait and see how things play out on Wednesday folks.
121 Comments
The Smallwood drop issue sounds like a lack of focus, and trying to move on without the ball too quickly. That is something I used to think about Kenny Stills all the time! He always made the crazy diving catch, but if no one was around him he would drop some.
Good comparison.
There’s some pretty positive stuff out there on Dorial from other sites this morning too. Hopefully it will win over those most skeptical in his coming to OU. Considering the circumstances around his time(and how he was recruited) to MizzOU, just seems like he never had anyone to tell him no. That won’t be the case in Norman. He’ll be just another great player(if he chooses) of many that have gone through the program.
I’m also not just excusing the abuse allegations, I just feel that Stoops and company have all the real details of that event, and if they are comfortable, so am I.
Totally Agree! All the debate on whether he should or should not be brought in is officially moot. He is here! Now it is up to the Coaches to provide the structure and guidance that all players need and it is up mostly to DGB to take this last chance and make the most of it. I hope he does, everybody loves a success story. If he doesn’t he will officially fall into that VERY LARGE group of players with ALL THE TALENT IN THE WORLD on the football field but the pitfalls of everyday life swallow them up!
There are no words that can assuage my concerns with DGB.
His actions are the issue and his future actions will be what coaches, players and fans will be watching.
The only way I am remotely remotely slightly ok w/dgb mess, would be to know it’s his parents footing the bill.
I think he’s already on the school dime.
Well now Ray that doesn’t make me feel good
Nothing a tall glass of bourbon can’t fix. 🙂
Never say no to bourbon…
Didn’t he have to sign a financial aid agreement in order to even talk to our coaches?
I believe that’s how it works. However it went down, the word is he is now a scholarship player.
Makes me wonder who on the roster is doing without a scholly who could’ve used one…
I’ll amend that post to add that I’ll trust Stoops, the other coaches, the board & whoever signed off on DGB @ Coach’s behest. And maybe it’s my age that makes me jaded as a fan…but this is like a loaded gun being tossed around. The potential is great for a tragedy. Here’s hoping like hell DGB unloads the ammo and turns the Sig into the cops. I wish him the very best at OU. I expect the very best from him in return for this gamble.
Why? All you know about the situation is 2nd and 3rd hand information. Maybe put down the glass of bourbon and get your facts straight?
Wow. Um let’s see. While no one here knows all of the facts, my opinion hasn’t changed in the last however many weeks. Why should OU essentially lose a scholarship for someone who MIGHT contribute 1 year? Or he may sit this year, work out w/scout team & enter the draft. Why should OU take that chance? If a DGB is committed to playing, committed to repairing his reputation, it’s a small price IMO. OU does not the headache this situation has the potential to bring. Hopefully it works out. Again IMO DBo & JoeC had to have some strict opinions on how it would work.
Tex, you and any other OU fan has the right to feel reluctant about DGB. I
respect your view 100% and it definitely has merit. I was optimistic
about him coming on board from the beginning. I even checked myself, making
sure my excitement to have this kind of talent on our team wasn’t the only
impetus influencing my judgment. Regardless of how anyone feels, it is
Stoop’s call to make, and he will be the main one dealing with any ramifications
concerning the consequences of his decision. I trust Coach Stoops has ruminated on all the pros and cons and used his best discernment for OU and his job as head coach. I bet two of these incidents would not have happened if he was at OU to begin with–where he should have committed to. All I have to say at this point is “welcome home DGB.”
Ultimately it is on DGB to prove he deserved the chance Stoops, his staff and the administration have extended.
He has shown he is capable of making poor choices, he is now faced with the task of making good choices. I hope he succeeds, I just wish he had gone some place else.
How about another “bet”. I’m betting that future recruits around the country are taking notice, and when it does turn out in the positive, not only will Dorial come out on top, but so will OU for giving him that chance and helping him make good.
If the girls want to stay away from him for the next couple years, that probably wouldn’t be a bad thing for him either.
Hopefully, far from a certainty. Conversely, should this result in a huge stain on OU and Stoops reputation it will be used as a recruiting tool by our rivals.
EastTex, have I ever told you that you are one smart individual?
I think I made my perspective clear in other posts and won’t rehash them here. I don’t think he should have been admitted to OU because of his past actions and I don’t care how good a player he is. But as Kody K points out, it’s Stoops’ decision and nothing I can do about it now. All I can do is pray this doesn’t blow up in our faces.
I appreciate the kind words.
I sincerely want this situation to become a great story, but my years of experience tell me it is too big a risk.
So your perspective is clear and you don’t wanna rehash it but you’re gonna anyway?
That’s just it fella’s. NONE of you know the FACTS. All of you are assuming from second hand reports. There was another report out there this morning on the situation with Dorial and his time at MizzOU, and it paints a much different picture than what most of us have read.
Now I know JB would never give the kid the benefit of the doubt because in his eyes EVERYONE is guilty. But the rest of you that are capable of objective thought, should probably look a little closer at what transpired with Dorial at MizzOU. I think it also goes without saying that Dorial won’t be treated as the “rock star” he was while at MizzOU.
My prediction: Another Ryan Broyles.
A police report quoting a text from DGB’s girlfriend during the criminal trespass/assault investigation is not what I would call a second hand report, but the second hand report you don’t even link to is believable.
Dubious.
My prediction is we will have to wait and see how he conducts himself in the future.
..and the link to this ‘report out there’…..thxs
One of the things I’ve noticed is how everybody is drawing distinctions between prior drug/alcohol related offenses and the domestic violence situation that ultimately resulted in Dorial Green Beckham being released from the Missouri program. It appears that most people think that substance issues can be resolved by counseling and strict supervision but that domestic violence is indicative of an inherently evil nature that cannot be redeemed. This can’t be more wrong. Without taking away from the seriousness of DV offenses I can say without hesitation that many DV violators are amenable to rehabilitation. Counseling and education can assist them with leading productive lives absent the violence they have exhibited towards loved ones in their past. Assuming DGB was physically violent towards his girlfriend (and the evidence strongly suggest that to be the case) he can take affirmative steps to change the way he interacts with loved ones and be a better person for his change. I bet Coach Stoops has looked at these efforts in making the decision about including DGB on the roster. Perhaps structure, education, counseling and discipline are what the young man needs to reach his full personal potential. Why should anybody at OU be ashamed of being a part of this?
I was with you until you said “ashamed.”
+2
Research shows that prosecution is the only effective treatment for domestic violence, generally speaking.
But with that being said…DGB is hardly a 50-year old who has been abusing his family for years. He’s a young man who is at a crossroads in life and will hopefully benefit from strong, moral, role-models around him.
I know you are in LE, I was many years ago for five years. I always viewed men who beat on women repugnant.
Pretty sure that’s the case with all deviant or criminal behavior
I’m fascinated with the process that brought DGB to OU. Do coaches continue to have some unofficial contact after a player is at another school? Do coaches immediately reach out to a player after he’s dismissed to gauge interest? Did DGB start contacting schools to see who might take him?
Wouldn’t surprise me if somebody (Norvell?) stayed in touch with DGB even after he chose Mizzou. We recruited him pretty hard before, and iirc, thought we were in pretty good shape to land him. I bet he had a pretty good relationship with Norvell, one that allowed communication to open up again, rather easily, once he left Mizzou.
But I agree, this is pretty interesting how it all went down.
There is one report that Norvell was the only coach to contact the family and congratulate DGB after he committed to Mizzou a couple years back and that made a big and lasting impression on the family. Take it fwiw
Not that you need anything else to appreciate Norvell, but that just shown his class. Another side item, I remember DGB trying hard to pull Durron Neal to MO after he committed. If DGB doesn’t make the squad this year, I can only hope that it pushes Neal. Really rooting for him to break out.
Imagine the good workout DGB will give the OU DBs. As someone posted earlier the OU scout team with Mayfield at QB is going to really help this team.
Speaking of O-Line, I went and re-watched Bobby Evans highlights and I think he will be a future star.
I saw where he is now listed at 280 heading into his Sr. season.
I agree, his future is very bright.
Future NFL Star IMO. I’ve been riding That Evan’s train for awhile.
CHOOOO CHOOOOOO!
That’s what she said.
LOL
Couldn’t agree more. He is a great kid first of all and I believe one of the positives will be that he will be able to play early in his career. Great attitude and work ethic plus vey talented and athletic. He is also receiving tremendous coaching from the Allen OL coach, Coach Carter. Coach Carter has kids playing all over the NCAA from TX A&M( future first round draft pick Cedric Ogbuehi and all state prospect Greg Little) to Mizzou(Brad McNulty), Northwestern(Brad North) to BYU(Tejan Koroma) plus many smaller schools and obviously soon to be OU. Huge plus getting a kid so talented but that is also going to be more polished than most.
I’m not entirely sure Tay would have been recruited as strong had it not been for two things:
1. OU connection
2. Bobby is his brother
Tay is a very good player in his own right, but Bobby is “the” big player in the family.
I don’t care if you put Whitfield at CB/S/LB, just “put” an offer in front of him.
+1
I have a feeling the staff is going to pull a Cantrell — slow pedal and then offer only after he commits elsewhere. Arkansas has been showing Whitfield a lot of love and he’s scheduled to camp there around the 18th or 19th. If he gets an offer then, I wouldn’t be surprised if he commits. Been told the kid is a better talent than Chris Massey.
Massy was a Spiro Stud. Whitfield has a better frame. Chris could scoot.
…..if I remember correctly, after he came to ou for a workout, oui had a piece where they said he was being looked at for lb but they wanted to see him play this fall………would agree that it sounds like they’re going to be late, if at all
Or OL/TE/Waterboy… As to the “Twitchy”? – gonna need some help here guys.
Quick twitch muscles which enables the athlete to run faster. The quicker the twitch the faster the burst. Some people take longer to reach top speed even thought it’s fast but quick twitch provides a quicker burst to reach top speed.
I realize they break down the quick twitch in more detail but this is high level.
You did that so eleqoutly Boom. I’d rather have a kid with a Quick Burst then great 40 time. Had a kid we timed his 40 a sun dial or calendar but ran low 4’s in the shuttle. He had a violent quick burst. wTwitchy kids can snap it off / hit with more coil /explosiveness. And if you’ve watched this cat play you know he snap it off with the best of them. Beware to ball carries , wr etc when playing the Dogs. My fav quality in Whitfield is he will drill a hole in you. The pro agility / shuttle drill is a good indicator of quick burst.
Give me the kid who can hit top speed in a step or two in any direction. That’s football fast and why they call some kids instinctive. Agreed, they can run a 4.7 or 8 but in their space or gap, no one is going to beat them. Striker is a good example of the “burst” but doesn’t have a 4th gear.
I’m interested in Dimon this year because of this trait too. From what I saw, his 40 time was marginal compared to Walkers but his shuttle drill was off the chart.
Saw the same – appears to be a stalker just lookin’ for someone to lay the wood too.
There you go – Thanks, Boom.
Dana, the whole “Twitchy”, “Quick Twitch” thing is a recent phenomenon. Not the actual ability, but the verbiage. It happens all the time in the coaching/recruiting word; a word gets a grip, and everyone starts using it (last year it was the word “long” to replace tall). Nothing wrong with anyone using it (I do), just clarifying why you may not have heard it prior to this piece.
Seriously they mentioned some think he can play corner and if he could that makes him a scary prospect for the teams who miss out on him. We hear all the time that stoops wants his best 11 on the field regardless of position which is why they’re trying guys out in different positions. This kid would be mikes favorite guy because he could play him anywhere.
One of his hits alone would ignite the whole team. It would be scary for WR’s to go across the middle with guys like him. I still see him as a nickel back supporting the run or taking on a TE or slot.
Thanks for giving me my TFB fix this morning. Bummer about James, but plenty of great players out there that will want to wear the Crimson and Cream. Would love to see Barnett pull the trigger for OU here soon though.
Is Ed back? How was the trip?
Leaving in an hour and a half for the airport. Three weeks in France and Germany. Will actually be in Germany for the World Cup semis and my family are big soccer fans. Will be in Paris for the Final. Be on the lookout for me at the Tour De France, Stage 7 that ends in Nancy. I will be waving the American Flag. LOL
Awesome Ed! Have fun! And “bring me back something French!” I hope that movie reference isn’t too lame.
Home Alone 1 & 2 were awesome and then they needed to stop
So Smallwood is Jaz Reynolds version 2?
By definition, yes.
No, much more physical and stronger player at 220. Jaz was finesse and Smallwood isn’t.
Smallwood will be fine.
I can’t help but think Whitfield is Ronnel Lewis type player in that he is physically a freak (in a good way) ljust lacks polish. However once he gets coached up will be an impact player. If OU wants to keep a strong place with Oklahoma high schools then they need to get guys like this. Seems to be very little risk in taking him. Could also compare him to Colvin; dude was an “unknown” but proved to be a stud for OU.
My breakout player this year is actually Jordan Smallwood. I remember hearing rave review’s last year prior to his foot injury. Now he has another year in the system and we are hearing the same kind of things. His is a straight up physical specimen who will fight to get the ball.
As for the DGB deal, I like a lot others were weery at first but now I have warmed up to it. (Yeah, maybe a homer) But I really see a number of things coming into this. 1) OU had a prior relationship with DGB and his family really respected OU. 2) OU has a bunch of leaders on the team, the kind of leaders who have a chip on their shoulder, and are ready to lay some wood on anyone who brings in a primma donna attitude. 3) I think this kid may be an example of getting away from his environment is a good thing. Think that if Devon Thomas didn’t go to OSU and went to Clemson instead he would still be playing football, probably so. 4) I trust Stoops, he has one of if not the best track record in college football.
Mizzou has reached out to Whitfield for WR..
Folks this is McKinley’s brother William.
Super K, I’ve watched the video on McKinley, he’s very instinctive and natural. Can you provide information that at least indicates the OU coaches are aware of him?
Sam, Coach Mike and staff are familiar with him and he visited OU and received the grand tour. From my understanding, they are trying to find out “which” position he fits. I hope they figure it out soon.
Yes Coach Mike told McKinley that they want to see him his 1st few games of the year.
Just_a-Fan, good luck to McKinley.
Our secondary of the future would not get mixed up with the smurfs. They will all be over 6’1
See what? See him dominate as usual? Since I first saw his film, I’ve been a huge fan of McKinley’s. He’s a beast and game changer. I’m not a scout but it doesn’t take one to see his talent. Tell him to hang in there as Okies love to be proud of their own.
Thanks, Boom. I like that kid.I think is vision is superior and his awareness, even when he’s not looking, is something you can’t teach.
SS is putting up teasers online about Jamille taking a visit to Austin…can this please be true so we can forget that kid and go with mckinley. I saw where justafan said the coaches want to see Mckinley’s first few games but c’mon he’s got more potential that just about any other prospect when you consider he may be best as a safety or olb but he could potentially play any role besides a true dlineman.
Agree.
Come on now………Jamile is no slouch. Let’s get them both.
No one said he was a slouch but I’ve watched his film a few times trying to get a positive vibe from it and I just can’t come away thinking “man I can’t wait to see him in Norman”. From his video on youtube he doesn’t show 4.5 speed he doesn’t cover ground as quickly once he recognizes a short pass or run. Others including mckinley are much better at that. Also he isn’t an aggressive tackler and he lined up as corner mostly in the film I saw and they didn’t show many deep route coverages and when they did he gave up a step pretty quick off the line. If you have a link to better film please share I would like to have a different opinion.
First of all I am a huge Whitfield fan as I have mentioned. Although my eyes see his frame and abilities growing into the Stiker backer position in OU’s defense. Regardless, his upside is off the charts.
The limited Jamile Johnson film shows he can shed blocks and make sure tackles. JJ looks like a pretty salty player to me–pure safety or nickel. I couldn’t get a good gauge on his top end speed from the plays I seen. I’d bet Johnson and Whitfield has about the same 40 time but I’d put my money on Whitfield in the 100. Also, Mike must really like Johnson to have tossed him an early offer. I’ve grown to trust the Stoop brothers over the years. Therefore Zach, I’m just not ready to discount JJ. Hopefully, we’ll get some senior film on him later that will get us pumped up. He does hold other offers from Arkansas, Nebraska, and Texas Tech. Whitfield is a sleeper with no big time offers yet.–Reasons why? 1. Location-under the radar Oklahoma kid. 2. Raw talent who the college coaches are trying to assess how much polishing and development it will take to get him ready for big time college football. It’s on them. If they can coach he can play.
I agree would rather have Whitfield over Johnson.
Tell brother he’s already won over the Sooner fans, he needs to sit tight and wait on the coaches. They’ll come through.
Maybe adding a countdown clock to the first day of practice would be GREAT!! maybe right next to JY’s mug!!
So I know Thomas has ou high but is that a good thing? Did he recently visit somewhere else?
Thomas maybe our other OT, JY what do u think about Thomas?
He is being recruited by OU as an OT. At least that’s what he’s being told.
I am starving for football… That’s all.
I know what you mean. I spent the day yesterday on YouTube watching OU 2008
Nebraska
Mizzou
TT
I love technology, it helps me get my OU fix.
I love Whitfield! He is a football player!–a true throwback. I get almost as pumped about him as I do DGB. I guess if Mike doesn’t extend the offer, I’ll just have to pay his way to walk on. What a ceiling this kid has.
haha you feel the same as we do. LOVE him!
Tenn & Bedlam are sold out, just fyi.
http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=209541863
Been seeing that OU offer Garrett Thomas is a Strong Texas lean. Anybody heard anything to the contrary?
A lot of folks do feel that way but Garret has told me that he still hasn’t fully decided himself.
JordanEsco:
“I decided I saw everything I needed to last time I was there.”
Is that a good thing or a bad thing for OU?
Not Jordan…but I suspect he feels the same…not sure. But we just added an updated and he said that his parents have seen Ole Miss and Texas which would seem to put OU at a disadvantage.
Thats how I read it as well. Since hes obviously already made his mind up and his parents havent come up to Norman you would think he wont be picking OU. Definitely not optimistic on this one.
Agreed…I have a hard team reading hisbcomment positively.
Super K’s previous evaluation on Tito Windham-“In my opinion this kid will play early.”
Looks like this prediction might come as a redshirt freshman. If so I won’t forget to give K his props. Not that he needs it. His football acumen is conspicuous to all Brainiac readers!
adam gorney tweet from earlier mentioned OU getting more serious with Dru Samia… could this possibly be in regards to not getting good news on Thomas???
Will look into it bud. Thanks for noting it!
Thanks, I read last night that OU is gauging his interest before they make an offer..
I don’t want to come across as condoning any of the alleged actions which the new addition to the team has taken, but I will offer this bit of perspective from the view of a high school track and cross country coach. Sunshine Pumping to Follow:
The kids who always make good choices are easy to coach. I’m always proud of them for this, but I really only contribute marginally to their overall high school success. Their parents raised them to be successful.
The kids I coach who come to me from rough backgrounds, who have made poor decisions, and have some real red flags are the ones who I can really impact with my presence and influence. I always give these kids a chance to succeed while in my program, even if they couldn’t succeed before joining. Usually they turn the corner for the better, and these kids who turn themselves around are the ones who give me a real sense of pride.
On the rare occasion that I have one who continues to make poor decisions which negatively impact the team, I am forced to remove him.
I imagine that Green-Beckham has been added to the team because the staff believes they can have a positive impact on him, and that he can have a positive impact on the team. I’d love to have a troubled kid come in to Norman and leave rehabilitated. That would be a great story and a great testament to future team members. How much better would that narrative be than how two big time recievers from OSU have represented their schools after leaving?
That being said, I hate my A&M family members being able to poke me about this after my comments about their team’s indiscretions.
Good comments Fuerte! As a former OU athlete yourself and as a current coach, does the potential for negative publicity for the university outweigh the possibility of making a real impact in his life? Or is it the other way around? Very interested in your thoughts on that. Thanks!
K, I may be circumventing your question a tad, but here it goes:
I hate any negative publicity on the University. It really kills me. That includes things I shouldn’t care about like errant tweets from knuckle headed freshmen, and extends to the academic prestige the Big 12 lost when Colorado, A&M, and Missouri left the conference. (The SEC currently has better over all academic performance than the Big 12. Digest that for a while.) http://collegespun.com/national/which-of-the-5-major-athletics-conferences-has-the-best-schools-academically#
As a coach though, I have gained a new vantage point. Developing a kid is more important than my pride. One thing that I have to do on a regular basis is remember that my job is to develop kids into young men and women. The ones who need it the most, are also the ones who make my job the most difficult, and set me up for the most risk professionally. After all, the ones who go to bed at 9:00 every night aren’t the ones I’m worried about trying to sneak out of a hotel room at the state meet for late night co-ed functions.
As a fan, I don’t like the move, and I shudder to think about the “what ifs.” As a coach and teacher, even if the young man doesn’t “deserve” the second chance, I think about all the people who can be spared disaster, and perhaps provided blessings if the young man changes.
What a great series of posts, Fuente. Thank you.
Although not an OU coach I did stay at a Motel 6 last night: Offer McKinley Whitfield. Never known a kid with two last names to go wrong.
haha! nice!
Does Kameel Jackson count?
This site just keeps getting better and better! Thanks! Also belated congrats to the JY family on its newest Sooner!
The reality is Whitfield is not a better prospect that Saunderland or Kahlil Haughton. Whitfield is a safety, not a corner or linebacker.
I’d argue he’s a better prospect than Sunderland in that his on the field production is far better. Haughton is a beast. Either way you hit the key point in that OU has had the two you mentioned on their board for a long time and they aren’t going anywhere. But regardless McKinley is always going to have a voice on this site
Every one looks for different things I haven’t seen much of Sunderland so he would be third on this list of 3 but I would have him above Johnson if we added him to the conversation. I actually like whitfield the most because of how quickly he recognizes the plays and how quickly he can close gaps. He is by far the best athlete in his class and maybe the whole state. I would like to see him against 6A competition because I would bet he would have just as big of an impact and probably be a highly coveted 4* maybe even 5*.
Football. ……! I need Football! !!!!!!!!
Regarding DGB, I’m not worried AT ALL about how his future will pan out at OU. It’s kind of a no lose for Stoops. If he messes up again, he’s gone, and it’s just an “I told you so” moment. If he get’s his head on straight, then win all the way around.
My ONLY concern about DGB is how this affects the team. How will the other WR (that may lose time) feel about this? Will that create any kind of divide? It wasn’t that long ago that the team was suffering with some locker room issues, that’s the last thing I want to see pop up again.