The Football Brainiacs

Image of Trayveon Williams via chron.com

– Defensive line recruiting: Over the weekend I decided to do a little a digging on OU’s defensive line recruiting with the goal of trying to gain some additional insight on Oklahoma’s recent hire, Diron Reynolds. It had just been a little too quiet and I share many of the same questions I’ve seen you asking in the comments here on TFB.

As one would expect, now that Reynolds is starting to settle in he has also begun to reach out to recruits. One such prospect being 2016 DT & OU offer, Rashard Lawrence (Monroe, LA). In my brief conversation with Lawrence, he did say that he really liked Reynolds and loved that he has a ton of NFL coaching experience. He also mentioned he felt Reynolds has ‘a really cool personality.’

However, Lawrence is the only recruit I have been able to verify thus far who has been in contact with Coach Reynolds. Which may cause some to be alarmed, but a source told me Reynolds and the other OU coaches are still working to determine what area/s — from a geographic standpoint as the OU coaches generally recruit regions as opposed to strictly their position group/s — exactly the Sooners’ new d-line coach will focus is recruiting efforts. Once all of that is settled we should start to get a better grasp on where and what Reynolds will be as a recruiter. – (Brandon)

– Bob Stoops: The other thing that struck me in my conversations with the prospects I spoke with was the fact every single one told me they have heard from the head man himself, Bob Stoops. The fact that he has been so hands on in recruiting of late is rather interesting. And it’s certainly not just with respect to the defensive line. You hear more and more recruits talk about the relationship and/or conversations and/or time spent with Stoops on a regular basis.

It shouldn’t necessarily been taken as a critique of Stoops as the OU head ball coach, even with his many other responsibilities, has always been an effective and willing recruiter in the past. But given the clout and reputation Stoops has established during his tenure in Norman, it’s obviously a positive that he is putting that good use in seemingly getting even more involved on the recruiting trail. One would have to think that can only pay off in the long run. – (Brandon)

– Connor McGinnis: As it turns out, the Sooners did wind up landing a 2015 quarterback after all. Last night there were several reports OK Preps & Heritage Hall QB Connor McGinnis will be headed to Norman as a preferred walk-on.

Certainly a little bit of a different look just with the fact McGinnis is a lefty, and while I’m certainly no QB expect it was hard not to see some of Kendal Thompson in his game. He looks to be an athletic and talented player, but I believe there was some question as to exactly what position he would be best suited for at the next level (although I’m quite sure there are any number of people out there more familiar with his situation, so if I’m off base here please feel free to correct me in the comments below). He looks very strong with the ball outside the pocket in the open field.

All that said, one would have to expect — at least for the time being — he’ll have quite a bit of work ahead of him if he hopes to see the field as a quarterback at OU with four other scholarship players already ahead of him. However, it’s never a bad thing to add a talented player to your program and it would certainly appear the Sooners have done that in McGinnis. – (Jordan)

– Trayveon Williams: Early last week OU extended an offer to 2016 all-purpose back, Trayveon Williams. The 5’9″ 180 pound running back was actually the first offer for the newly assigned Jay Boulware and that fact was not lost on Williams when he and I spoke.

“It feels great knowing that I’m the first running back that Coach Boulware offered,” Williams said. He went on to say he also talks quite frequently with OU offensive coordinator, Lincoln Riley. The night of the offer, the two had a rather extensive talk. Williams seems to be a fan of Riley saying, “he seems really cool and was telling me my skill set is unbelievable, and I could bring a lot of fire to the offense.” But Riley didn’t stop there, telling Williams “he also said I’m the perfect back for the system and that he wants, and needs, a back like me for the offense.”

And it would appear conversation between Riley and Williams certainly paid off, as the latter is now planning to be in Norman this weekend for OU’s Jr. Day #2. – (Brandon)