The Football Brainiacs

Image of Marcel Southall via Scout

– Team Note | Jordan Smallwood – Most of you know by now that OU wide receiver Jordan Smallwood is back. I was told he was practicing full go this week. One source mentioned he is, as expected given his size, more physical than a lot of the OU receivers. Hopefully, he can stay injury free and finally put everything together on the field. – (Super K)

– Blake Williams: 2016 TE/H-back Blake Williams (Mustang, OK) is a 6’4″ 225-pound freak of an athlete. As most of you know, Williams had to overcome a physical ailment that resulted in him missing the last two years of football but is now healthy again. Williams earned his first division one offer this past summer from the University North Carolina, based on the athleticism he displayed during a camp he took part in at Chapel Hill. Williams is also being heavily recruited by Alabama as well.

And now it appears as though the Sooners have become very serious about him (and for good reason). We are told that none other than Bob Stoops himself spoke with Williams this week. And Cale Gundy has also been in regular contact with Williams for the past few weeks. Williams mother tells us coach Stoops said, “when Blake’s medical info all checks out…then in a week or so he (Stoops) would like to offer Blake.” She also said coach Stoops asked that her attend OU’s next home game.

In our estimation this would be an excellent in-state offer for the Sooners. Not only would OU be putting their hat in the ring for a high quality athlete with size, but they’d also be getting a high quality and hard working young man. – (Super K)

– Marcel Southall: 2016 DT Marcel Southall (Duncanville, TX) made it to the OU/Texas game last weekend and although things clearly didn’t go OU’s way, it hasn’t made the Southalls any less interested in the Sooners. I chatted with Southall’s father yesterday, who let me know they have scheduled their official visit for the TCU game on November 21st. – (Super K)

– Daelin Hayes: Speaking of that TCU weekend, it was just a couple days ago friend of TFB Demetric Warren broke the news of 2016 LB Daelin Hayes also planned to be in Norman for an official visit. However, less than 48 hours later there has already been a change in plans.

https://twitter.com/DaelinHayes_24/status/654799128946327552

We are still working to determine if Hayes has any plans to try and still get out to Oklahoma, but as of now it would appear what we do know is that it won’t be for the TCU game.

– Brey Walker: 2018 Southmoore offensive tackle was in attendance for the Sooners tough loss versus the Longhorns this past weekend. Despite that, the Walkers tell me they had stayed quiet for most of the game, but when OU was making their comeback in the second half they said, “Forget it. We are Oklahomans at heart, so we had to do the right thing and started to cheer for OU, right in the middle of the Texas recruits section.”

That ought to make you OU fans feel good, as Walker is one of the most sought after offensive lineman in the country, regardless of class. Walker will be back in Norman next week on an unofficial visit when the Sooners take on Texas Tech. Which is another good sign considering Walker has already visited OU earlier this season. – (Brandon)

– Matthew Gutwald: 2016 OL Mathew Gutwald lives in Dublin, California but spent much of his childhood in Oklahoma. Gutwald tells TFB that he and Bill Bedenbaugh communicate almost everyday now. And while Gutwald has yet to receive an OU offer, he says coach Bedenbaugh and the staff recently reviewed his film and told him they came away impressed. – (Super K)

– Anthony Hines: Last week I checked in with the father of star 2017 LB, Anthony Hines (Plano, TX). Mr Hines said his son is having a great season, so far, and isn’t really focused on the recruiting aspect of things at the moment. He did mention, however, that his son will be in College Station this weekend for the TAMU/Alabama game.

Mr. Hines went on to say his son speak with the OU coaching staff nearly everyday, and that the family plans on making it to an OU game later this season. Hines is no stranger to Norman as he has visited OU on several occasions over the last year. Mr. Hines said the Sooners are up there on their list and in really good standing with his son. – (Brandon)

– Jaelan Phillips: OU recently offered 2017 OLB Jaelan Phillips (Redlands, CA), who I had the chance to speak to recently and leaned he and Tim Kish have been in regular contact. From what I could gather Phillips seems to really like coach Kish saying, “he’s a really genuine guy…I still have a lot to learn about the program but what I see on the surface…what I know so far I like.” Phillips couldn’t say whether he will be able to make it on an unofficial visit but did say, “as of now Oklahoma would one of my top schools to take an official visit to once that time comes.” – (Brandon)

– Darrell Simpson: Coach Bill Bedenbaugh continues to be aggressive on the recruiting trail with another 2018 offensive lineman offer in Darrell Simpson (Justin, TX). In fact, Bedenbaugh recently stopped by Justin, TX to see Simpson in action. I saw Simpson at an OU camp this past summer and came away rather impressed. Simpson is a very athletic, strong, and physical blocker. I spoke with Simpson a bit this week, who said that he set up an unofficial to OU for October 24th when the Sooners will face Texas Tech. – (Brandon)