Open Post | Monday, Dec. 15th (UPDATE 8:54 pm)
Posted on: December 15, 2014
Image of Ricky DeBerry via timesdispatch.com
We have entered the recruiting dead period, so things will probably slow down considerably on the recruiting front with the focus shifting to bowl game prep.
– DeChaun Holiday: As we’ve noted, Holiday did not make it to Norman this past weekend. However, we wanted to pass a little info on regarding the talented Cali prospect. Last week we speculated that perhaps with Colin Samuel committing and Marvel Tell still available, UCLA may be filling up and OU might have a legit shot at Holiday. We’ve since checked with another source and apparently Holiday is very high on UCLA’s board and would be a definite take for them. In talking to Holiday, we’ve always got the sense that he was UCLA bound. And it sounds like if that’s still where he wants to go, then they’d love to have him.
– Ezekiel Turner: JUCO safety Ezekiel Turner chose Washington over the Sooners last night. I know a lot of folks may be a bit baffled by why someone would make that choice, the reality is Washington had been recruiting Turner for quite some time and it wasn’t that big of a big surprise he chose them. The Sooners are still in with Justin Reid and Kahlil Haughton, so there is still plenty to be settled with respect to the safety position in this 2015 class.
– Kahlil Haughton: In the past week, OU continues to make Haughton a top priority. First by a visit from Bob Stoops and the Sooners weren’t done there. Mike Stoops, Jay Boulware, and the Golden Hat were also in Waco this weekend as evidenced below. We caught up with Haughton last week, and he said that he just wants to discuss things over with his family before making his decision. Early on we definitely felt the Sooners led and perhaps that still the case, but Haughton saying, “…after I discuss with my parents, I’ll probably have a better idea…” certainly makes us a little less confident. But at this point, we still like the Sooners.
– Darrin Kirkland: 2015 LB Darrin Kirkland will be announcing his decision later today (Ed. note – scheduled for 3:00 pm at his high school). He will decide between Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas & Ole Miss. We’ve asked around and been told that Kirkland may already be a silent commit to the Vols. Whether he does indeed end up at Tennessee or goes elsewhere, we will be shocked if OU is the pick here. Sorry.
– Ricky DeBerry: The stud 2015 LB is also set to announce, barring any change in plans, his decision this Friday. Some of the schools in the running are Oklahoma, Tennessee, Alabama, Penn State, Virginia & Texas A&M. We’ve talked to some sources to try to get a feel for where he may end up and the feedback has been pretty mixed.
What we do know, however, is that OU feels pretty confident with respect to their chances. That said, if history is any indicator their confidence doesn’t always mean it’s a sure thing. Everyone can misread things at times, but this certainly isn’t a situation like Kirkland where you get the sense the Sooners pretty much have no shot.
In talking previously to DeBerry’s father, we do believe the interest in the Sooners is very sincere. And he (DeBerry Sr.) grew up a bit of an OU fan. And even in talking to some Alabama folks, they seem to also feel the Sooners may win out here. We can’t really say definitively one way or the other right now, but there are definitely reasons to be optimistic.
– Cassius Peat: As most of you know, 2015 LB Cassius Peat (Tempe, AZ) decommitted from UCLA a couple weeks back. We spoke to Cassius recently, and he said he is considering another trip out to Oklahoma. But in talking to a source, we were told that Arizona State may end up being his eventual landing spot. It sounds like ASU was in a close race with UCLA before he originally committed to the Bruins.
– Jace Sternberger: We want to congratulate Kingfisher TE Jace Sternberger on his commitment to Kansas this past weekend.
– UPDATE (11:05 am): Just wanted to quickly remind everyone that midyear JUCO enrollees can sign as early as this coming Wednesday. Sooners should be expecting NLIs from Jamal Danley, Will Johnson & Dede Westbrook.
– UPDATE (2:48 pm): OU stealing recruits on and/or around NSD has become somewhat of an annual tradition. We’ll what, if anything, comes of this late offer. And what (again, if anything) it could mean with respect to their other current outstanding offers.
Austin St. Michael's ATH Jameson Houston picked up an offer from Oklahoma. Currently committed to #SicEm.
— "EJ Holland" (@EJHollandOn3) December 15, 2014
– UPDATE (2:57 pm): 2015 LB Darrin Kirkland makes official what TFB told you earlier this morning. He has committed to Tennessee.
– UPDATE (8:54 pm): Somebody heard me.
My goodness…am I crazy or does this kid need an OU offer like immediately? http://t.co/TrCSAbCIFl #Sooners
— Jordan Esco (@Jordan_Esco) December 4, 2014
CONGRATS to Steilly's Fotu Leiato who just got Offer # 11 from #OKLAHOMA #Sooners #SteillyPride #BoomerSooner @BrandonHuffman @adamgorney
— Steilacoom Football (@SteilacoomFB) December 16, 2014
260 Comments
Besides Dwaine Thomas, do you have any “backup plan” guys OU has indicated they’d offer if we don’t land some of the LBs or Haughon/Reid?
And that’s if Thomas’ feelings aren’t hurt at being notified he is ‘plan C’ by Kish. smh Have not heard of any other offers for safety, which is right there with ILB in terms of need the way they played this season. Likely see the staff doing the potty dance and rushing out a last minute offer, maybe stealing a prospect from NIU or Sam Houston St. Sorry for the gloom but not feeling very optimistic on OUr top war board guys.
Sounds like we’ve got “all our eggs in one basket” re: DeBerry & Haughton
Sounds like they’re not locks either. Not a good sign. Ou has been recruiting both very well. I would hate to see us miss out on either.
Until we start landing these top flight defensive recruits, nothing really matters. Have to start closing on priority #1 guys.
Spartacus…….so true !!!! CLOSE on counts in had granades and horseshoes… finishing 2nd on these prospects doesn’t do a thing to help the Sooners………..
Can we please have some unqualified “Good” news? I need to see this class shake out and we must add instant impact players that allow us to compete. Lastly, on the coaching front, if any changes are made then would they come after National Signing Day?
re: coaching changes – Presumably, yes, if changes are made it stands to reason doing so after NSD makes the most sense. Although there is definitely an argument to be made, IMO, that doing something like that is pretty s#$%%y for a kid who commits just a couple weeks prior only to learn their position coach will now no longer be there. But at the end of the day it’s a business I suppose.
I think you make those coaching changes prior to NSD if you have replacements lined up for them, if you don’t than it would make sense to keep them on staff a bit longer until things are cleared up.
Personally…given both the age and experience of Tim Kish and Bobby Jack Wright it would be a solid move if Oklahoma could just move them to administrative roles within operations or recruiting. I always assumed Bobby Jack would take over for Merv if he wanted to.
If Oklahoma could find a way to add both DJ Durkin and Travaris Robinson from Florida as linebacker and cornerback coaches respectively…than they would have gone a very very very long way to adding youth, energy and some of the top recruiters in the country to the defensive staff.
Of course seeing that Durkin is going to be offered multiple coordinator spots that may not be realistic….even though I wish he would replace Mike.
Maybe Dave Aranda of Wisconsin could come in, coach linebackers and get Oklahoma’s 3-4 back on track……I’m just dreamin here….
Paul, I guess they need to put Saban in an administrative role too since he’s older thank Kish and BJW. Don’t let the age get in the way of coaching productivity.
I would respond to this comment by pointing out an abundance of things….but at the end of the day you just compared Tim Kish and Bobby Jack Wright to Nick Saban…..that pretty much disqualifies your post.
I compared ages and I’m not confrontational on my posts so hope you didn’t take it that way. However, age may play a role but I don’t think it’s the key role. I’m not saying I’m a Kish supporter but I’m not focused on the age as much as some.
Let’s say Saban is LB coach not HC at Bama & he’s churning out NFL LBs every year, will you still listen even though he’s old?
I look at guys like Snyder and Pittsburg Steelers DC is almost 80 and they are still killing it. Passion sells at any age.
I don’t know that saban would still be as “with it” if he was just a position coach. He’s obviously a great head coach but that takes a different breed. Position coaches/coordinators often have the game pass them by when they get older.
While I disagree with the age thing, I think the issue is one of energy and connecting with recruits. I think Kish just doesn’t have it in the way JM, BB, CG and MS do.
And no, not just tweets. I can point to guys that have we have closed in on purely on the faith they have in the guys above. All we hear about Kish is “he’s nice” and the it all fizzles
Travaris Robinson is reportedly joining Muschamp at Auburn
“Can we please have some unqualified ‘Good’ news?”
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).
Sorry, man. Been singing carols all morning. Had to do it. 🙂
Texas still sucks?
Rashad………. realistic news? , IMHO, OU will sign a number of unheralded , unranked, ‘prospects’ to fleshen out the class—say 4-5 of them… or save the scholarships for the 2016 class and hope to do better on the field next season……sorta the same scenario as the past several years…
Do you all anticipate any recruits that may just come out unexpected for OU? Guy’s that no one is really expecting. I can’t help but think of Mixon, Quick, Orlando Brown or Kenyon Frison last year. I’ll be honest, I figured that there was no intrest in OU and here they commited. Anyone that you think is a potential last minute signing day head turner?
I think mixon and quick were more expected though. Brown came out of nowhere and frison was a nice surprise.
Do you know if there is any word on Natrell Curtis? I remember he had to go the JUCO route in regards to grades, but do you think he will end up at OU?
If I had to guess I would say no. I think the next 2 years will be life changing for him as it is for many 18 year olds but he has a baby that may be almost 2 so I would think he wants to stay close to home. If he’s still a d1 prospect in 2016 look for Arizona or asu.
big joe…………wouldn’t expect Curtis to leave Arizona since he has kids to mentor and support.
True. Mixon and Quick were both high on OU from the start.
You guys should take a look at David Parker out of Mustang, OK.
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1598907/highlights/173076375
He holds interest from Kansas, Arkansas St., New Mexico, North Texas, and Wyoming. I believe he is an underrated WR in the state.
Any whispers of OU in contact with Whitfield now? Guy could be the answer at a couple of positions.
Last year OU averaged 3.1 stars per Rivals. I know that is a subjective view. But this needs to be a top 15 class. I mean, are we going to go without LB’s?
……no lbs?……..we’ve done it before!……..lol
We will land linebackers they just may not be 4 and 5 star guys. McKee and mcguinnis would be good. And then throw in Thomas and hopefully make a run at griffin now that wisky lost their coach.
I want the Smith kid that decommitted from Vandy.
And really, that would be a good LB class and I would be thrilled to end up with those guys. McGinnis is the guy I would most like, other than Jefferson. But after seeing his film, Josh Smith is right up there, too.
We were a top 15 class last year at 3.2 avg star rating. At this point on Rivals we are at 3.5 avg star rating. If we close in that fashion, we will be top 15 again.
Okay. Sounds better.
Top-15 classes haven’t been working out so great lately. Top 10 needs to be a goal here.
The top needs to be the goal.
I think Kish is gone if we don’t land Deberry.
Bob would still be fine with him landing linebackers with Lou-Monroe and Ark State offers. Excellent recruiter. Deserves a raise.
That is it in a nutshell. We take guys whose top offers are from the type of schools you mentioned, while getting beat out by Bama, LSU, Etc…Perhaps we have to consider Norman as not a great destination. I mean to say it is not a big enough city for the top players.
Sadly, kids do not look at OU the same as they used to. Back in the day we had defensive recruits flocking to OU. I think kids care more about the city and lifestyle more than tradition and prestige nowadays.
Yeah. They think they can become rappers and movie stars as well as being great football players. Perhaps in focusing on more national recruits as opposed to Texas and OK, we lose the type of kid who has a Christian upbringing. Hence, they want to go to schools that offer bigger cities, more women, clubs etc…think of the idiot players that have removed themselves from the program lately!
Yes, Tuscaloosa, Waco, Lubbock and Oxford are so much more cosmopolitan than Norman. What did happen to all the women and clubs in Norman and OKC? Did they all move to San Diego or Jacksonville?
Because nowadays everyone is on TV. Wasn’t like that back in the day. And as for choosing a city, yesterday here in LA, I was in shorts and flip-flops. I do not miss the Oklahoma weather at all.
I was too. And at least we had rain!
Maybe we could pick up some of the UAB guys?
there should be 1-2 Oklahoma guys OU could sign and bring in, fatten up, and play LB……..
From a good friend of mine who played high school football with one of Malik Jefferson’s older brothers: “Talked to a guy I played ball with back at Poteet, said Malik wants to go to OU, but his mom likes A&M.”
Take it for what it’s worth, as my guy speculated on it a bit saying he had always heard Malik’s mom liked Texas. My guy also thinks Malik is, to put it in friendlier terms, soft.
If he chose ou I might fall over dead. I think ou has no shot. But I appreciate the info.
Nothing to see here, move along.
Does momma not understand that Mesquite is closer to Norman than College Station??
Stop. Really. Just stop. Been wanting this kid at OU for 2 years. My heart will break just a little if he goes to texass but would stop if he somehow, someway ended up at OU now. Guess we’ll know about him and DeBerry come Friday.
deez…………………momma usually wins and when OU recruits this situation, the recruit always goes where momma wants him to go…………….
That’s not how it turned out with Deondre Clark.
Thank God.
Thanks for the info, had a feeling that he liked the players at OU, but usually the parents get the last/most imp say (except for Landon Collins, haha)
OU isn’t a factor here but if for some little miracle he choose OU I might have to change my pants.
Hey MS on the road. There will be no changes in coaching would be my guess. Stability is important.
Stability for more 8-4 seasons is always very important.
Two pick sixes and a near pick six against Baylor changed those games. Basically by rejecting MS you are saying he forgot how to coach defense. Or do you think he sucks at recruiting? Clearly in games OU had a clear advantage in talent, OU’s defense played well and we won easily (LOU-Tech, Tulsa, Tenn, Kansas, WV, Iowa St.) But in games where the talent level was only slightly better or equal, OU lost or squeaked by. 8-4 is not on the coaches. I mean, beating Bama was due to the great coaching? Or better execution by the players? Is Briles, Patterson etc…better than Stoops? No he had a QB and a defense that played better that the opposing teams QB and D in all but one game.
Yeah we don’t want to mess up the good thing we got going now
I’m still optimistic about this class because we always close well. Signing day is still (roughly) 2 months away.
This is why I’m glad we’re playing Clemson. They’re a strong, respected program and if we win convincingly OU has positive momentum going forward. (And Clemson is starting Stoudt who has played rather poorly this season)
Didn’t we say this about Bama?
Not until after the game.
In all fairness, Bama gave us a big boost for about 2 months and was a large factor in the strong close OU had. Even got a few commits within a week of the game.
And even if we did win big Clemson is not Bama
ya but….we have a history of making any QB look like an All Pro.
And most people say this because, ironically, Brent Venables’ defenses. So, I suspect Knight will put up 750 yards.
It would be sweet to see a list like the Sooners in the NFL for the recruits committed and list of guys we could land!
Jamal danley said he is sending his loi in at 701 am weds.
Where to?
I have zero confidence, actually I am lying, I have negative confidence that we will be landing any of Deberry, Wheeler, Malik or Arthur. Coach Kish just doesn’t inspire any confidence in me with his recruiting. Hope I am totally off base here!
I’ll say we get deberry and Arthur.
I’m not worried about missing out on wheeler. I would rather have a more athletic looking player. To me wheeler needs to bulk up and play a 4-3 DE.
Not a wheeler fan either. Too stiff and doesnt move very well.
I would take him but I wouldn’t tout him as the prize linebacker if we miss out on deberry and jefferson. And there’s other ILB I like more. Griffin and long would have been great together.
Here’s to turning more flat-footed safeties into LBs.
CS………….I think Kish is less of a problem than the Little 12-2…..guys with serious NFL dreams want to play in a conference where their skills are on display… the ACC, SEC, PAC, B1G are where the ‘big boys’ go to play…..the Little 12-2 is where the ‘leftovers’ find a home………….
Love reading your stuff as I couldn’t make this up if I tried. Your comments are so insane they make me laugh. Keep up the good work.
I am glad of the collective effort TFB has put to let the troll be. He’ll keep angling till someone bites.
No offense, but that’s just dumb. Are you being sarcastic or what? OU has the top two RB in the league (Murray/AD). One the top DT, corners, safeties, LB: Curtis Lofton, Cory Nelson etc…not to mention OL everywhere.
You just realized that? Lol. Dude is not work the time. Seriously.
Great point here. Completely agree. The arrogance and reluctance of the existing schools to add 2 more schools is aggravating as the entire realignment process. Now getting snubbed in the playoff speaks volumes to recruits.
So in other words we still have not landed any talent sense our debacle with OSU and it is looking as though we may not land an elite LB again in this class. Wonderful the news just keeps getting better and better.
Positive news. Our JUCO’s will all be on campus in January.
OU has not had a true ILB since Lofton. This has to change this year. My family and I have visited three Santas now, and the last time we had this exchange:
Me: “Ask him for a Mike ‘backer?”
Daughter: “A bike hacker?”
Me: “No, you. A Mike LINEbacker. You know, he brings down the ball carrier if they get past the big guys. Just tell him – he’ll know what you’re talking about.”
Daughter: “Okay, Dad. A line mike-backer.”
Me: “No! A Mike. Line. Backer.”
Daughter: “Oh. Sorry, Daddy. Got it.” [Runs and flops in Santa’s lap].
Santa: “So what would you like, pretty girl?”
Daughter: [Whispers in Santa’s ear].
Santa: “Oh, ho ho! Why, of course Santa has heard of the Green Bay Packers!”
So there you have it. No ILB this year.
Too funny.
You can always e-mail the North Pole. That works in my house.
Could you share the address? 😉
I can just hear Santa telling your daughter “With Kish recruiting for you? Fat chance!!”
Leave that man a stocking full of coal! Make that TWO stockings!
My list in no order of athletes that OU could possibly sign. OU has 16 verbal commits to date so half of this list they could not sign anyway. With about 50 days till NLOI day it will be interesting to see what happens.
1. Ricky DeBerry
2. Kareem Orr
3. Kahlil Haughton
4. Gabriel Campbell
5. Josh Smith
6. Neville Gallimore
7. Jalin Barnett
8. Josh Wariboko
9. Anthony Wheeler
10. Arthur McGinnis
11. Anthony McKee
12. Ryan Newsome
13. Chason Virgil
14. Dwaine Thomas
15. Martinas Rankin
16. Ykili Ross
17. Cassius Peat
18. Malik Jefferson
19. Justin Reid
20. Nate Dalton
21. Darrin Kirkland
22. DeSean Holmes
With only 10 spots left ( ? ) surely Santa will be that good to OU???
At first I thought you were ranking your list but with Reid and jefferson near the bottom I knew otherwise.
No just a list. I would hate to try and name a top 10 out of that list.
Thanks, Gary. Impressive offer list. And odds are that OU will get a few kids off that list. Who? Who knows. Unlike years past, you cannot say OU is the clear leader for a single one of them. That is what I am finding so disheartening. Finishing second is just 1st loser. This ain’t T-ball and everybody gets a ribbon.
Sad but true. Always a bridesmaid but never a bride.
Quick note: The 4:00 time for Kirkland initially listed above was EST. He should announce around 3:00 central. But still no reason to expect it to be OU, sorry.
Kirkland to TN
#KishOfDeath
#KishMyButt
No Strike against Kish, he is just warming up, warm up doesn’t count. We will start counting with Deberry.
Deberry would be Montgomery’s get. He recruited him throughout the process.
Dang, how could I miss that one, when you said we had a chance, I should’ve guessed, Coach Kish was not anywhere near that prospect, jk!!
……at least it wasn’t utx……
Jordan, who made the offer? If he’s being looked at as a corner then I don’t like what the coaches are hearing from our targets.
I was wondering if this was an indication of things to come. Seems like a strange offer if it’s for corner.
…..and you’re hearing what?
I’m not hearing anything. I’m wondering if the coaches are getting bad news from our corner targets.
fwiw, he’s rated a 2* safety commited to bu………are we chasing anything now?
Haughton and Reid. But probably has more to do with turner choosing Washington. Not sure that whitfield wouldn’t be a better safety at this point. Really reaching.
I imagine the bad news is flowing from all directions but the coaches still have time to find several unrated, unrecruited ‘ diamond in the rough’ types that usually gravitate to this 2nd tier conference.
and here you are, yet again. you are truly a miserable little person, man. you never have anything nice to say, ever. does the sun even shine where you are? holy crap
…..I think you’re being stalked………
Ross and Holiday were always long shots. So is Martin. Orr and Dalton must not be coming, either. Hang onto PJ and hopefully get the NLI on Wed from Johnson. Good start at least. sigh
Wait, why is this Houston kid getting an offer before Lawton’s Darreyl Patterson?
I think the ship sailed on Patterson. I would think the corner from Edmond is higher on our list now.
Not sure if OU will try to get back involved. Had offered and were pursuing him prior to his commitment.
https://twitter.com/HamiltonESPN/status/544610353964122112
…is he going to tenn too?………..lol
I think BB will definitely give him a call when the dead period is up but I don’t think ou is gonna get much of a look at this point with all the guys we have lined up.
Don’t you have to go after him if Barnett has really faded like people are saying?
Weathersby has already indicated he is looking at SEC teams. he wants to play in the NFL preparatory conference against future NFL talent ……
Question. Are TFB going to do some recruit comparisons and evals like last year? I haven’t seen any this year.
What do you mean by evals? Like the blind tape test deal? Or just general write-ups from the TFB guys?
Thanks guys. Yeah, both is what I was thinking. Last year several players from the same position were compared by TFB and given numbers. We also had the blind tape test on some of those guys.
not to speak for em, but i think i remember k saying something along the lines of the numbered evals weren’t gonna happen anymore. they didn’t feel right about it or something along those lines. maybe this can help tide you over til you get a real answer
I asked this previously but never really got an answer. Is there anywhere that tells or shows exactly which players are on scholarship and which players are walk-ons?
Don’t know if it’s still updated, but you can try the Scout Eligibility chart:
http://oklahoma.scout.com/a.z?s=146&p=9&c=16&yr=2014
Not anywhere that I’m aware of.
Calmus, Lehman, RUUUUUUUUUUUUUFUS, Lofton, Torrance Marshall. Travis Lewis, just in the stoops era. And even though he wasn’t in stoops era…..THE BOZ. The Boz should embody what you want out of a linebacker, at the very least on the field. Mean. Nasty, Physical. And Unafraid. Of anyone. But Lofton was the last great linebacker at OU and I can’t even think of anyone we have right now that you just go, damn, he is gonna be a beast or is a beast. Striker maybe but he isn’t even a linebacker in the natural sense. There is a downward trend and it needs to be fixed.
Are mike and jay REALLY tall dudes? Or is kahlil haughton a very short safety prospect? That picture had me doing a double take haha
I believe Mike Stoops is around 6’2″. I may be wrong. However, Haughton isn’t wearing shoes and he’s slightly behind Stoops.
That would do it, picture had me going there for a second though!
Stoops is playing about 8 yards off which creates the illusion. 🙂
That’s press in his eyes
Well played.
Comment of the day
……that’s gold jerry, gold!
great line, one of the best.
Mike is 6’2. In the pic he’s prob wearing shoes and kahlil isn’t. Kahlil is just under 6’2. Prob 6’1.5
so you are lurking in the shadows.
That’s good for a safety I think. Sounds like he’s in the Tony Jefferson range height-wise.
Lanky 6’2 btw. Looks like a basketball player
247 has him at 6″2 175.
Why is anyone going to Rocky top these days?
SEC, beautiful town, good tradition.
It’s not like he’s going to Stillwater.
HA! Well said.
Drop the SEC and you’ll have something. Stop with the hype about the SEC already. It’s not like OU doesn’t produce NFL players. We know that SEC teams can’t handle high powered offenses like the Big 12 has. Once again Bama is the one SEC team, ONE SEC team, that is equal or better that the rest of the teams. Stoops was right all along.
played ball there against em and its really a nice place. it gets freaking cold there, but its tennessee so its gonna get hot, the town is a cool little college town, women are not ugly, indoor facility is pretty sweet but everybody has that nowadays and of course sec, sec, sec
The finished one of the nicest training facilities I’ve ever seen a year or two ago. Really great stadium, really loud fans, very bright uniforms, SEC, swag, SEC, and swag.
Compare that to Norman…Aging facilities but soon to get a face lift, embarrassing loses, Oklahoma, nothing to do, wallflower leadership.
For reference:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw4OdUaVmEA
A lot better than what OU is going to do, IMO.
I hope your kidding. haha
Why would I be kidding?
Stephen, I’m trying to figure out why you call yourself an OU fan.
Am I not an OU fan because I pointed out what’s wrong? I don’t understand. I think I can be objective and still very much be a die-hard OU fan. I’d rather know what the issue is than ignore that there is an issue.
It is a very nice area and they play in the sec, never a winner. We are addressing some issues and I strongly feel Stoops will make the necessary changes in staff and scheme. Granted, this year didn’t work out but I’m optimistic. Texas under Mac killed us every Feb and we killed him every Oct. It will get straightened out IMO. Stephen, didn’t mean to push a button, but trying to find the optimistic side of a die hard fan.
This next year it will all be about execution. If we converted 5% more 3rd downs then we would have won those 3 close games. The blow out to Baylor may have been inevitable so we probably would have been outside the top 4 and my guess is the fans saying we will go 6-6 next year, would still be saying 6-6 next year. At least their consistent.
The last time we were embarrassed, there were major changes for the better. This time around I feel the same thing will happen. If you follow recruiting long enough you hear of these top guys we missed on that don’t amount to much or transfer or quit or get kicked off. The ones that make it are few. Recruiting is a crazy game.
Well in Stephen’s defense…recruits are choosing Tennessee over ou. And I doubt their boosters are cutting down on their pledges because they continuously go 7-5, 6-6 or worse. They are in the sec and have a stadium that holds 100k+
In other words they’re kicking our ass in the minds of the adolescent.
That.
Agree, they are kicking it all the way to 7-5, 6-6 w/ 3 or 4 cream puff teams on their schedule. 100k+, so. I would rather have nothing to do with quiet fans and wallflower leadership and hang my hat on this.
Tennessee (1932–present) All-time record 808–366–53 (.680)
Postseason bowl record 25–24 (.510)
Claimed national titles 6 (1951*, 1998*)
title Conference titles 13
Heisman winners 0
Consensus All-Americans 38
OU All-time record 842–312–53 (.720)
Postseason bowl record 28–18–1 (.606)
Claimed national titles7 (1950, 1955, 1956, 1974, 1975, 1985, 2000)Conference titles 44
Heisman winners 5
Consensus All-Americans75
I get your point, but recruits these days aren’t admiring tradition like they use to. It’s all about what is next big thing, what is hot right now, what is in it for me. For Tennessee, they have a brand new training facility specifically for football players, which they sell as basically a factory for athletes. They’re coming off a top 5 recruiting class and in contention for another one and I think the coach is fairly new, too.
OU prides itself on tradition and past accomplishments too much. If it selling recruits and fans on what is in store for the future, we’d be having a more success. That’s my humble opinion.
Play like a what?
15 years since the last
…there are several nat’l powers around with great history/ tradition that used to be good and are now just one of the pack with us………
It looks to me like OU’s facilities will be equal to theirs. I dont know how you think they are better than us in any aspect of football. They might get “top players” according to rivals. They aren’t hot and they are the bottom of the sec. I respect your opinion. I just disagree.
I’m speaking from a recruiting view. On paper they aren’t better, but on TV all the time and social media they are getting a lot of momentum. They’re just kind of like TAMU, not a lot of succcess, just a lot of money that is being spent in the right ways. I agree with you that OU’s facilities are going to be really nice but to me it doesn’t center around the right people and I’ll explain why.
1.) Its got to be about the players and staff first, they do the work, make the renovations about them.
2.) You have to add something for the donors. Not sure if you’ve seen the big renovations going on at TAMU, I have a friend that is heading a little part of the construction which is where I’m getting this info, but they’re building top of the line suites and bar areas for the donors. Not saying OU isn’t but I didn’t see anything in the plans to do so. These little luxurious keep the donors on board and is a reward for their commitment.
3.) Lastly the fans, I just think they should he catered to last in a renovation since they don’t contribute or do as much work as the first two categories of people.
You left out the ass kicking they got in Norman and the one coming up at Rocky Top.
True, the one thing Tenn doesn’t do is win.
Stoops has been right that the media hype surrounding the SEC hurts recruiting.
I would agree for many reasons. The success of a few SEC West teams has trickled down on the rest of the conference.
It has a heck of a lot to do with their financial partners at ESPN who hype them relentlessly every day, as well. That’s literally millions of dollars worth of free publicity of the best kind- coming from a supposedly unbiased source in the eyes of many of the viewers. Which is why this season is so very galling. With a better managed team we could have been going to a bowl to beat them again on the field as so many out of conference foes did this season, and as we did in the Sugar Bowl earlier this year! But we have our own myriad of problems, of course. Sigh.
The contracts and deals have to do with the leadership above Stoops and even above OU. They really didn’t do anything during realignment and I think that put OU in a really tough spot. So now we all have to have premium cable or have to stream the OU games all season. Yay.
But I bet the last thing the sec would want to see is OU joining. If we could hang our hat on that we would only be getting beat on recruits by Saban. I think 7 of the top 10 teams in recruiting are in the sec. So it’s lilely we would have top 5-10 classes which would get us the athletes we currently don’t have.
Like you said the only way to shut them up is to beat them on the field. But you have to get there to do it. This year TCU and Baylor had a shot, but it didn’t go their way.
I look at it this way:
Oregon- West Coast
Ohio State-Northern Country
Florida State-East Coast
Alabama-Southern Country
Big 12-Shafted Country
ESPN schedule made in heaven for viewership.
yes but they do have great recruiting classes the last two year’s next year’s game in Tennessee is going to be a scary game for Oklahoma .
That’s what the hype is. But not if OU has Shepard and DGB and maintain the Perine/Running identity. OU can compete for a Title if Knight/Mayfield play consistent football. Go back and watch the tape. Our defense was running down their running backs.
When was the last time you saw an OU backer blow up a play without making the tackle? Where’s the nasty?
Tom Wort and Travis Lewis were good hitters with great athleticism but both loved to dance around blockers. Still seeing a lot of that. We need a linebacker than can hold over 220.
SIAP: Is Toby Weathersby in play with his decommitment from TX?
Guys on the TX board are saying Malik Jefferson is going to A&M. Guess we’ll know for sure on Friday. Also, lots of panic @ Texas with the decommitment of Weathersby. Several posters wonder if Lampkin is next.
Lampkin and Weathersby were OU offers from a long time ago and OU was favored to sign both of them at one time. Something is starting to smell real bad at Texas in the last month.
Agreed. The sentiment seems to be Charlie Strong is not a great recruiter, plus kids don’t want to go to a TX team that finished 6-6. That said, Cecil Cherry just committed who is a strong OLB from Lakeland, FL.
I don’t think Strong has smoothed things over with the Texas High School Coaches Association yet. He was not well received at their last convention and seemed tone deaf to them.
Yeah I don’t think he understands the bond the Texas coaches have. As a head coach you have to please a lot of people, administration, boosters, coaches, parents of players, players, etc. Not necessarily a** kissing but an ambassador so to speak.
Or at a minimum, I’m a “one of you” type of guy. He may have thought his cachet as Texsa HC was more significant than it actually is.
here here
OLB- wow. I sure hope OU can say boom on a linebacker before this time next week. I could not imagine the meltdown if OU does not get a linebacker from their present offers.
Doesn’t Austin, TX always smell, though? 🙂
It do, like patchouli oil.
My mother used to wear that stuff and it made my wife nearly puke.
Then for God’s sake, keep your bride away from Austin. :0
No doubt. She’s from Ohio…and we’re safe and sound in Plano
We are but minutes apart and almost completely Heathen, Hippie and Hipster free…unlike Austin.
Currently watching the La. 4A state championship replay and I have to say, what I’ve seen of McGinnis to this point is…WOW!
In contrast, what I saw of Wheeler in this past weekends game drew a big…MEH.
Was McGinnis the LB that Kish said they needed to wait on some other offers, or did I mistake him for someone else?
No, not McGinnis. He is a serious target and has been for a while.
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Arthur-McGinnis-148200
Thanks … and good to know. I apparently had mistaken him for another recruit.
Dwaine Thomas another linebacker from the boot.
interesting that the guy has several major offers but no visits shown to anyone
I find that strange, too. Have noticed several top recruits have done that.
Some one suggested grades/SAT/ACT may be at issue, but would never claim that without proof.
I read somewhere that he wanted to concentrate on his football season then take his officials. Listed at 6-2/226. Are you ready for this he has OU listed in his top 5!!!
Yessir.
I find his listing Taco Tech as odd, but the other three are formidable in his recruiting.
I’ve always wanted McGinnis & Griffin. Still do. That’s my ILB duo.
Seeing Mc in actual game action instead of video clips gives me a better idea of his ability and desire. Kid is going to be a great one and personally I think he would look fantastic in Crimson and Cream.
I’m sure you remember Griffin and his tape was awesome. Also, it was cool to read what Mr. Boz said about him.
He and David long would be good ILB in this system.
agreed.
I do remember the tape and Boz.
Still, being able to see a player in game action gives me more about the player than clips.
No doubt and I agree. What you don’t see on tape is leadership.
Gives me context. You can’t tell on a tape if the player is taking the next play off *cough*wheeler*cough* or plays with desire and hustle on the next play/every play.
Hope we get some guys with a motor like JJ Watt. Unreal to watch him. Walk on, pizza delivery guy. hmm guess some scouting services messed that deal up.
Thank you. After Jefferson, McGinnis is the guy I want most. Add DeBerry and Josh Smith and offer Dwaine Thomas right freaking now and we’re set.
A 2016 recruit for Monroe Neville just jumped off the screen at me. Big, quick and great motor.
http://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/rashard-lawrence/W97rxvTqEeKZ5AAmVebBJg/default.htm
Any chance Dalton Wood plays LB?
Very doubtful. He’s the only TE/FB/HBACK that we apparently have interest in for 2015.
Pure TE or H Back. Doesn’t move like a LB but he can flat out run for a guy his size. From my old HS and my dad kept me informed every week as they lost in the last second in the semi. hard lose.
Fotu Leiato reportedly just got offered by OU. If I remember correctly, Jordan was pretty high on this guy. He’s an OLB I believe.
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1487608/highlights/170695375
Could you spell that name again for me? 🙂
HAHA Sorry I will definietly correct that.
I didn’t know if it was right or wrong, I was trying to figure out the nunciation. haha.
I got a little carried away with those darn vowels.
I think Jenks has a Reese Leitato. Fotu Leiatoto-oh well . Fotu is listed at 6′ 200 lbs. Why would they offer him and not Dwaine Thomas of Boutee, La. ( ? ). Isn’t he the one Kish said they like him during an in home visit but couldn’t offer at that time. I guess if OU keeps offering linebackers somebody will accept.
I’ve given up trying to figure out what this staff is doing where recruiting is concerned, that’s why I’m just kicking back and trying not to sweat it too much until late Jan. or early Feb. Things always look crazy this time of year and somehow we always stand and cheer on signing day.
Ray……………..just got to put on a 2nd pair of rose-colored glasses and buy in to the media hype…………..
Gary…………….one has to wonder …………of course, after watching MStoops defense against Baylor, etc who would want to join his defensive unit ?? probably few with true NFL dreams………..
This reeks of desperation to me.. The kids film is cool.. Lots of big hits.. But he seems very small & im not sure he can get a whole lot bigger…
Listed at 6’0. I think Striker is about that height, obviously has more weight and mass to him, though.
You may have a point. His hudl film has half a million views. That has to be a record. And yet his offer list is not impressive. Tells me they feel like he ship sailed or they aren’t waiting now on McKee. I would take McKee McGinnis deberry and one more and call it a day.
Don’t get me wrong.. I’d love to see that guy running around on our special teams… Im just not sure i can see him fitting on defense…
Jeremy…………….think you are correct………………
If he is good and as a coach I would tell him he could play anywhere he wanted. Heck, I would play him both ways. Give him a year to redshirt and develop.
I had actually watched his tape a while back and remember thinking he looked like a head hunter. My only problem with highlight film is you never see the bad plays. I would rather hear what people say that have seen these guys live. We may be down to offering guys like this that could be super stars but could just as easily bust.
Leiato is tiny ( 6-0,195) for LB duties…. OU already has safeties with more size and height…
He is a SS. Looks a lot more fluid and better speed than our current SS thomas. Dont mind the offer at all. We dont have one guy in the secondary that will come up and make u pay (byrd might be a guy that can lay the wood but he doesnt play much).
Random thought here……did anyone watch the second half of the New England game yesterday? Specifically Gronkowski? THAT is what a big soft-handed tightend can do for your offense. It opens up so many other things. Wishful thinking……….
WOW!
McGinnis just ran down a 4.5 RB from the opposite side of the field.
Does his team have any other D1 talent?
A couple of metric tons of it.
Yep Tyron johnson who’s the other school?
Monroe Neville. Love their DT I mentioned below.
For Easton, one kid that impresses me is a junior LB. Announcers say he is 6’3 230 and looks it, but his max prep page says smaller and there is nothing on him at rivals.
http://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/pernell-jefferson/1D8IgySGEeS00gAmVebEWg/default.htm
I think Lawrence is interested in OU but will probably end up at lsu
Looks and plays like a grown-a**ed man.
This kid just made Johnson look foolish and slow with his cut and TD run.
Tough little guy, reminds me of Saunders.
http://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/kavontae-turpin/Y8GMtWJ3EeOzMAAmVebBJg/default.htm
https://twitter.com/rivalsmike/status/544680863427207168
He’s not even old enough to have a HottyToddy.
Not according to my grandmother. We got watered down Hot Toddies as kids if we had an upset stomach…usually from eating so many fresh figs right off the tree.
Yep, Jack Daniels and honey in a cast iron skillet could cure Ebola.
Walker’s Deluxe Bourbon was my grand dad’s poison of choice.
….hmm, all SEC. Wonder what got to him.
I can handle the fotu offer if it is for SS but not has a LB. If this offer is as a LB then that proves that Mike has no idea what he is doing and Bob has no control over the program.
Cc, this is what I think is going on: Mike Stoops has been trying to come up with a defense designed to stop Big 12 passing offenses. His solution seems to be to put as many DBs as possible on the field. He’s fallen in love with the safety/LB hybrid, which is fine if we’re running the 46 defense, but we aren’t. The smaller we get on D, the worse we are. But stubbornly, he doesn’t want to see that. Instead of sticking with sound principles of pressure defense to dictate the offense’s options, he seems to want to avoid front end pressure and leave the field open with DBs in zone scrambling around in hopes that they’ll stop the pass…which Baylor and TCU ripped apart, at will.
Either that, or the recruiting of LBs is going so poorly that we’re offering anyone.
The way our recruiting has gone this year, I have no clue what we are trying to do. If there is a strategy then somehow no one knows but the coaches. I guess we will all know on NSD who we get and the might have’s.
Anything on Mbanasor following his in-home with the Arky DB coach yesterday?
a 6-0,195 lb ???? haven’t had one that size since Richard Dillon came out of Ringling many years ago…..he’s not even SEC safety size.
Sounds like a wasted offer to me. I doubt he makes it past the Rockies. Since were offering youtube/hudl sensations we might as well offer apollos Hester.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3CClOsC26Lw
read a story on kirkland and utenn……vols did a great job on the family, they were sold at the nov visit and everyone else was wasting their time with him ……
Does Fotu legato always carry the ball in one hand? How many fumbles did he have? Not knocking the kid, just would like to know.
Damn auto correct. I know his last name isn’t legato.
Another Jefferson LB/S. Reminds me of Troy Palomalu Sr.
never thought I would live to see the day when the emphasis on ILB’s shifted from the 6-3,245 Dick Butkus-like maulers to the 6-0,195 gnats of a bygone 1960’s era…Even one of Bud’s best—Jerry Tubbs–was 6-2,220. and that was in 1956………… how times change.
I know I’m wasting my time and should know better than take your bait but I voildnt help myself. Rivals had Eric Striker listed at 6’1 195lbs coming out of highschool. He turned out ok being as he is the size of s gnat and all.
Santa: What do you want for Christmas?
Me: I want a Dragon and a Castle!
Santa: Seriously? Please ask for something more reasonable.
Me: Ok, how about a true run-stopping Middle Line Backer?
Santa: What color of dragon do you want?
PS….I’m obsessed with Fotu Leiato….if he comes to OU my first born will bear his namesake! Please tell me we’re recruiting him?
For all the good Mike did when he returned, the one thing he seemed to do was root out the nepotism and “buddy” system Bob had adopted. (Kittles is the glaring example) Kish is Mike’s buddy. We offered Kish the LB coaching spot over Randy Shannon. Shannon can recruit and connect with recruits… Kish isn’t pulling any talent at lineback. Mike seems to be getting the DB’s and Montgomery pulls DL recruits. Need playmaking LB’s if they want to help out the young db’s.