The Football Brainiacs

Image of Teton Saltes via krqe.com

– Ryan Parker: For those of you who missed it, Oklahoma picked up a commitment from Tyler JUCO WR, Ryan Parker. Parker is a 2016 commit and tells TFB he was recruited by the Sooners as an outside receiver. – (Brandon)

– Hunter Johnson: Oklahoma made their second 2017 QB offer over the weekend to Hunter Johnson (6’2″ 187 – Brownsburg, IN), who already holds a number of offers but was still rather excited about the most recent. Hunter told TFB that Lincoln Riley came out to watch him throw last Thursday and evidently liked what he saw, because an offer was extended only a few days later.

Hunter has visited a number of schools on his offer list and says that while he doesn’t have a trip Oklahoma scheduled just yet, he is “definitely going to try and get out there.” – (Brandon)

– Jared Mayden: As TFB mentioned yesterday, I was told by someone close to Jared Mayden that he and his brother, Jalen, were in Norman on Sunday. I was told, “the visit was good…they (OU) made another pitch to Jared” and that Kerry Cooks will be at Sachse this Wednesday to visit with Mayden again. Also told that Bob Stoops met with both and told the younger brother and 2018 quarterback that he looks great on film and loves his size. Coach Stoops did ask the young QB to come camp this summer so they can do an in-person evaluation for an offer.

I don’t know which way this one will go, but it’s clear that OU is still right in the thick of things with the star 2016 CB. Jared Mayden is set to announce a decision this July at the Opening. – (Alex)

– Baron Browning: I spoke with 2017 LB Baron Browning (6’4″ 220 – Kennedale, TX) yesterday, who told me Mike Stoops came by to see him this past week. I asked if an offer was extended and Browning said that Stoops told him to expect one by the end of the week. However, Browning says he has still yet to hear back from Stoops at this point.

There are certain guys in the 2017 class that any program needs to make a priority. In the secondary it’s Jeffery Okudah, who I have little doubt will not only one day be an NFL player but an early round pick at that. In my opinion, Browning has a similar type of potential.

Browning was out most of last season with a torn labrum, so his sophomore film only consists of 1 or 2 games. But even in that little bit of film, you can see his potential. What is truly amazing, though, is that Browning has been playing varsity since his freshman year and his film (which you see above) from that one year is incredible. He’s an absolute savage. Browning already holds a number offers including those from Stanford, Baylor, Arkansas and several others. – (Super K)

– Stephon Taylor: Spoke to star 2016 defensive tackle Stephon Taylor (6’6″ 274 – New Orleans, LA), who told me both Diron Reynolds and Marcus Walker (OU’s newest GA)  have been in contact with him recently. Taylor already holds offers from schools like Alabama and LSU, but says that he’s interested in visiting Miami and Oklahoma this summer. – (Super K)

– Kenan Ivy: I caught up with Baylor 2016 DB commit Keenan Ivy (5’11” 185 – Lancaster, TX) over the weekend, who informed me that he is originally from Atoka, OK and grew up liking the Sooners. OU has not yet extended an offer to Ivy, but he said Coach Cooks has reached out to him and plans to be by this spring.

Ivy isn’t the longest safety, but he is absolutely vicious and generates an incredible amount of energy at the point of contact. He also has fantastic range which is due in part to his athleticism, but also because he appears to have that ability to see the entire field as well. A lot of safeties, like quarterbacks, can have tunnel vision, but Ivy seems like the kind of guy who has a broad view and the speed to close space quickly. – (Super K)

– Teton Saltes: Wanted to introduce you to a 2016 defensive end that we came across last week. Teton Saltes is a 6’6″ 238-pound prospect of New Mexico. A friend of mine sent us Saltes’ film and we absolutely loved his length and get off. So we reached out to him and what I learned only intrigued me more.

Last year was Saltes’ first year ever to play the game of football. Both of his parents were actually D-I basketball players. In fact, his father played professional basketball in Europe. But a coach at his high school convinced him to try out for football and, like most sports, it came naturally to him. Being new to the game, Saltes still has a lot to learn about using his hands, pad level, etc. but he just oozes potential.

It also just so happens that his mother used to live in Oklahoma (Tahlequah and Muskogee). Saltes picked up his first offer on Saturday from San Diego State, but I’m quite confident it’s just the first of many. Saltes also told me when we spoke that Arizona State will be out to see him this Thursday.

I’m really fascinated by guys like Saltes. It’s these raw but ultra long and athletic guys that find their way into the game late and turn into NFL guys down the road. What adds to my intrigue is that the young man is just incredibly intelligent. He has a 3.9 GPA and in speaking with his mother came to find out Saltes loves physics. In fact, he is attending a physics conference in Boston next month. Length, quickness, intelligence and hard-working…that’s a lot to like! – (Super K)

– Micah Wilson: Another OK Preps player has committed to a D-I program. A guy whose game all of us here at TFB love, 2016 QB Micah Wilson (Tulsa, OK), committed to Boise State over the weekend. Seeing so many D-I programs come in and recruit the state of Oklahoma is exciting to me, and I think it’s good for both the state as a whole and the in-state programs as well. As I mentioned last week, I hope to expand on that thought in a post later this week. – (Super K)

– Matt Farniok: Had a chance to catch up with 2016 offensive tackle Matt Farniok (6’5″ 308 – Sioux Falls, SD), who — as most of you know — is the younger brother of OU offensive lineman Derek Farniok. The younger Farniok holds a number of offers including those from Florida State, Michigan State, Arizona State, Penn State, Stanford and others. However, he doesn’t currently hold an offer from the Sooners…yet. He told TFB that Bill Bedenbaugh is planning to stop by in person later this spring and that an official offer at that time is definitely possible. – (Super K)

– UPDATE (11:47 am): Teton Saltes’ mother just let me know that Oklahoma has reached out and will be visiting on Wednesday. – (Super K)

– UPDATE (12:09 pm): Friend of TFB, Demetric Warren, is reporting the Sooners have offered 2016 CB & Miss. St. commit, C.J. Morgan-Walker (5’11” 187 – Bossier City, LA).