The Football Brainiacs

Image of Markell Utsey via Hudl

– Nick Harvey: Last Friday we noted that Texas A&M DB Nick Harvey recently visited Norman and may be considering a transfer. Alex was able to speak with a source close to Harvey, who offered some additional notes on the possibility of Harvey transferring.

The source did not confirm whether transfer papers have or have not been signed, but did say the transfer appeared likely. The source also noted the two most likely destinations for a transfer would be Oklahoma or Tulsa.

The reason for the interest in Tulsa is because Harvey’s former high school coach is currently on the Golden Hurricane’s staff and, of course, a starting spot would (presumably) be almost guaranteed. – (Alex & Super K)

– Keith Ford: Speaking of transfers, we have also spoken with someone close to Ford and it appears a final decision has been made with regards to his future at OU. We have been asked not to release that decision and will respect the request not to do so, but we mention it because there should be something from Ford and his family announced this week. – (Super K)

– McTelvin Agim: Before Jerry Montgomery departed Norman for the NFL, 2016 defensive lineman McTelvin Agim was very high on the Sooners. It remains to be seen now whether that same interest can be recaptured, but it certainly won’t be for a lack of effort. Diron Reynolds recently stopped by to see Agim, who said that he has been speaking with Reynolds regularly and that the OU d-line coach has been encouraging him to visit Norman this summer. Agim said he might indeed make that trip and is also considering whether or not to use one of his five official visits to see Oklahoma in the fall.

Nothing guaranteed there but it’s nice to see Reynolds continue working to lay the foundation for his own recruiting success. – (Brandon)

– JC Chalk: We’ve been quietly waiting to see if OU would look to take a tight end in this 2016 class, and wouldn’t you know it the Sooners recently extended an offer to Clemson commit J.C. Chalk (6’3″ 221 – Argyle, TX). Despite the OU offer, however, when TFB spoke with Chalk he made it clear he was still a firm Clemson commit. He speak highly of the Sooners saying, “I think it’s a great school with lots of great history…lots of people from my high school ended up going there and they love it.” – (Brandon)

– Markell Utsey: For folks that believe there is a limited amount of talent in this part of the country, here is another example of why that isn’t necessarily the case. Markell Utsey (6’4″ 290 – Little Rock, AR) is another example of one of several defensive linemen available in the east Oklahoma/west Arkansas area.

Utsey is already a big kid with great quickness off the ball, who does a good job of firing low out of stance and using his hands effectively to disengage from blocks. He doesn’t always play with the best pad level and could use his hands better at times on his initial contact, but all those are things that can be taught. What you can’t teach is Utsey’s size and athleticism. In addition to be an excellent ball player, Utsey is also getting it done in the classroom.

However despite being a big, athletic guy with some pretty impressive film, Utsey is currently without a single scholarship offer. That said, the lack of offers is the farthest thing from an indicator as to his talents. Players like Utsey, in small(er) states like Arkansas, often go unnoticed until later in the recruiting process because there is an assumption by out-of-state programs that if there was any talent in Arkansas, the Razorbacks would have offered.

As such, small state talent often goes overlooked. But the reality is that not everyone sees a prospect the same way. What Arkansas may not like, another school may love due to personal preference, scheme, etc. Additionally, one has to consider the needs of a program. Arkansas currently has two defensive tackles already committed (in-state DT Austin Capps and Rummel DT Briston Guidry) and is likely waiting on a decision from McTelvin Agim, another in-state defensive tackle. In other words, they simply may not have a need at this point.

A couple weeks ago we introduced you to Texarkana, AR defensive tackle, Nick McCann. Since then McCann has seen interest pick up and recently received his first offer from Baylor. Texas Tech and Oklahoma also both stopped by in recent weeks to see McCann, who told us the Tech coaches let him know he should expect an offer shortly. All this from a player who, when we first looked at his Hudl tape, had somewhere around just 40 total views. But as a friend of mine who coaches at the FBS level says, “recruiting is a copy-cat game.”

I hope to have a post discussing more on local talent shortly (I know I’ve been promising it for a couple weeks and my apologies for the delay). – (Super K)

– UPDATE (1:52 pm): Sooners have offered standout 2017 LB Baron Browning (6’4″ 225 – Kennedale, TX).

– UPDATE (2:06 pm): A few other offers I thought were of note. OK Preps offensive tackle, Tyler Brown out of Lexington, OK picked up an Arizona State and TCU offer today. I can tell you that TCU is a school he really likes. Also Texarkana DT, Nick McCann who we mentioned above received an offer from Kansas today.

– UPDATE (3:11 pm): TFB has been able to confirm Oklahoma is at the high school of Teton Saltes, the talented New Mexico prospect we brought to your attention a couple weeks ago, today. We hope to have more in the way of details, specifically if an offer is made, and will be sure to pass along what we can, when we can.

– UPDATE (3:53 pm): Alright, bear with me here as I (Jordan) do my best to relay what K is texting to me regarding this OU/Saltes visit. First, it was (as expected) Mike Stoops that made the trip to New Mexico. There was no offer made in person, but Stoops is supposed to call Saltes later tonight at which point we believe there is a good chance an offer will be made at that time. And yes, that’s makes as little sense to me (again, Jordan) as I presume it does to you as well but if, at the end of the day, an offer is made I suppose it doesn’t really matter (assuming, of course, it doesn’t jeopardize your chances with this, or really any, prospect).

Interesting side note, however, if you read the our original story on Saltes linked above in the previous update, you know Saltes and his family have a strong basketball background. Well evidently during today’s visit, M.Stoops even went so far as to offer up the suggestion of Saltes having the opportunity to play both football and basketball for the Sooners.