The Football Brainiacs

Image of Dede Westbrook via kwhi.com

Happy Friday y’all!

– Linebacker Recruiting: Without any current linebacker commits and with Oklahoma running a 3-4 defense, linebacker recruiting is of interest to all of us so we’ll begin there.

Cameron Townsend: Last week Missouri City (TX) 2015 LB Cameron Townsend took an official visit to Oklahoma. He has announced that he will be making his decision this weekend (on Sunday). While he isn’t doing interviews until after the commitment, he did chat with us a bit and let us know that he is choosing between OU and Texas. He didn’t give any indication about which was he is leaning though everyone we’ve talked to seems to believe he’s on his way to Texas. Townsend told us that OU has told him he can play either outside or inside linebacker. Texas wants him specifically at the WILL.

Off the Board: A number of OU’s linebacker targets are off the board now (unless of course OU intends on trying to flip them down the road). Most recently, Bo Wallace and Cassius Peat committed to other schools. This past week, Khaylan Thomas also made his announcement as he committed to Arizona State.

Jordan Griffin: For those of you who remember seeing The Blind Tape Test feature we did with Brian Bosworth (HERE), you’ll recall one of our favorite inside LBs (and one of the Boz’s favorites as well), Jordan Griffin out of Armwood in Seffner Florida (Eric Striker’s Alma Mater). One of the Armwood coaches let us know that Griffin was visited by coach Kish in the spring and while he appears to continues to be on the OU board, an offer still hasn’t made. Griffin will be making his announcement this weekend. Wisconsin seems to be one of the favorites.

Semaj Thomas: Another LB that OU continues to recruit is TCU commit, Semaj Thomas. We caught up with Semaj last week and he said he has not set a date for a visit to OU. He told us that while he is considering a visit, he has to clear everything with his family and coaches. It’s clear in talking to him that he’s torn between the idea that he is currently committed to TCU, but at the same time is interested in seeing other regional schools like Oklahoma and Texas.

Anthony Wheeler: We caught up with OU 2015 LB offer Anthony Wheeler a couple weeks back (right after the OU/Texas game), and he told us that OU continues to lead in his recruitment. However, we’ve been told by our Texas recruiting guys that he’s also said OU and Texas are now currently even. So we’re not entirely sure where things stand, but it does seem clear that OU continues to be a major part of Wheeler’s recruitment.

Dwaine Thomas: We recently introduced y’all to 2015 LB Dwaine Thomas out of Louisiana. Thomas is currently committed to Louisiana-Lafayette, but it’s clear after one viewing of his film — and talking to folks in Louisiana — that Thomas could be a big time D-I player. When we posted our initial notes about Thomas, he hadn’t received any interest from the high major regional schools.

Since then, we’ve been told that Oklahoma has reached out to the coaching staff at Hahnville (school Thomas attends). Mainly to check on Thomas’ academic situation — because a kid with film that good and his offer list tends to lead one to question such things — and we were told that everything checked out (as we expected).

We’re also told that TCU is beginning to show interest. Thomas could be this year’s Charles Walker. On film he appears to be a better linebacker prospect that most every other kid OU is currently recruiting at the position.

Remaining Targets: The other LB names you all are familiar with are of course Keisean Lucier-South, Arthur McGinnis & Anthony McKee. We spoke to McGinnis earlier this week and he confirmed that he still intends to take his official visit to Norman for the Bedlam game. It’s been a while since we caught up with McKee and South. However, they were both very high on the Sooners after their visits for the Tennessee game.

Roy Sutton III (Fossil Ridge): An interesting 2015 LB prospect we came across recently is Roy Sutton III out of Keller, Texas. Alex King (our Northern Texas recruiting buddy) found Sutton and went by to see him in person. There’s a lot to like on film

After seeing him last night, Alex came away even more impressed saying, “Sutton has impressive speed and athleticism. Fought off a cut block and was off the ground immediately to bat the ball down but just missed it. Good length and rush moves. His inside outside move is devastating.” A little formal eval…he also texted K last night while at the game and said…”You’ve got to see the speed he’s showing off the edge chasing the QB. The kid can freakin’ run!”

That’s it for linebackers at the moment.

– Cody Ford: JY spoke to Ford’s father last night and he let us know that Cody will be attending the LSU game this weekend. However he told JY that, “he’s just visiting with friends to see a big game…nothing for OU to worry about. Just something to do for the weekend.” He also said that Cody will head up to Norman for his official visit the weekend of Bedlam. We certainly take Ford’s father at his word, JY has a great relationship with him. But if LSU did offer, we can’t help but think it would be something to worry about. That said, for right now it seems all is still well.

– Dede Westbrook: Oklahoma recently made a new JUCO 2015 wide receiver offer. The Sooners offered Dede Westbrook from Blinn College late last week. We spoke to Westbrook this week and it’s clear he’s very excited about the OU offer. As we tweeted out yesterday, Westbrook told us that he will take his official visit to Norman in a couple weeks for the Baylor game. He also told us that his final three schools are Texas Tech, West Virginia and of course, Oklahoma. While he didn’t say OU was his leader, we get a sense they may very well be. Westbrook said he is a December grad and will announce his final decision sometime that same month.

– Kyler Murray: We spoke to Kyler Murray’s father (Kevin) earlier this week. As many of you know, Murray did indeed make a trip to OU last weekend. Unfortunately, Kyler’s father said they are not currently putting out any public statements about Kyler’s recruitment. While it seems a certainty that Kyler will end up in College Station, we did find that ‘no comment’ somewhat interesting. If everything was 100% go, why not just say that? But that’s purely speculation on our part, just to be clear. Either way, all we know right now for sure is that he’s committed to TAMU and the family isn’t willing to make any public statements about his recruitment at the moment.

– Kobe Smith: Had a chance to speak with 2016 NG Kobe Smith (Lawrenceville, GA) yesterday. He’s a player we are very impressed with (VIDEO) and has the kind of size and athleticism to anchor a 30 front. Smith told us that Jerry Montgomery is in Georgia and will be attending his game this evening. Don’t be surprised if an offer happens. One thing is for sure, Montgomery is looking to do what he did at Michigan. Which is to find the best prospect he can early on and make sure he has every chance of landing him.

– Cali Offers: Sounds like a couple of California offers were made yesterday. Our own Brandon “The Drake” reported that OU has offered 2016 WR Tyler Vaughns (VIDEO) from La Puente, California. Also OU offered 2016 WR Dylan Crawford (VIDEO) out of La Canada, California.

– UPDATE (Fri., 11:41 am): Per Rivals’ Adam Gorney, OU has offered 2015 DE/DT Jojo Wicker (Long Beach, CA).

– UPDATE (Fri., 1:54 pm): Jay Norvell is going crazy with California WR offers. Another one today to 2016 WR Dymond Lee, again per Adam Gorney of Rivals.