The Football Brainiacs

– Shurod Thompson: Yesterday, 2016 safety Shurod Thompson Jr. (Brentwood, Calif.) announced that he will visit Oklahoma on October 3rd for the West Virginia game (same weekend that DeMarkus Acy has an official visit already set as well). Thompson had also previously released a Top 7 which included: Oklahoma, Arizona State, Boise State, Colorado, Oregon State, UCLA & Utah.

I asked Thompson about his interest in Oklahoma and he told me that it stems from his relationship with Kerry Cooks. The two have been speaking for some time with their relationship first coming to fruition during Cooks’ time at Notre Dame.

I had the chance to review some of Thompson’s film, and he looks like a pretty nice prospect. He doesn’t appear to have made a huge jump between his sophomore and junior season, although this tape from both was quality, but it does make me want to find out a little bit more with respect to his developmental background (something I forgot to ask him about last night). He has good versatility in that he plays pretty well over the slot and does a nice job closing space in center field. He transitions a bit high, which makes him look a little slow out of his breaks at times, but there is enough COD at WR to give you a sense the flexibility is there, and he’s light enough on his feet.

I really like his downhill speed, but I think perhaps the most redeeming quality about him are his eyes. I like to make a mental note of false steps and when a safety or LB should see what’s happening, versus when he actually sees what’s happening. And Thompson is seeing the field well, which puts him in position to make plays. At one point on his film he reads his key right, precisely when he should have, and mirrors the running back perfectly as he weaves in-and-out of the trash and closes on time. Close too early and you’re going to miss. Close too late and you’re going to miss. But Thompson was right on time.

He also does a really good job of eyeing the QB on a roll out, or a PA, and still feeling his zone. Eyes are critical at the safety position, and he looks to have a good set. He may not have identical traits (elite speed, that first downhill step, or the bone jarring power) of some other top safety prospects — someone like Arnold Azunna (Mansfield, TX) for instance — but he’s a true safety prospect who sees the field well, is a plus athlete, with strength in all phases of the game.

Again, it will just come down to whether he’s one of the guys that’s going to sit in the Everest Center on a Friday night doing transition work to refine his craft. And that’s not a question I can answer. – (Super K)

– Tramonda Moore and Justin Broiles: In a little OK Preps news, most of you may have already noted that 2016 OU offensive line target, Tramonda Moore picked up an Alabama offer after camping with the Tide earlier this week. This may come as a surprise to most but it really shouldn’t in that there is no denying Moore’s elite size and athleticism. Like most young prospects, what he can eventually be will depend on the effort he puts in to perfect his craft. But he has those God given gifts that simply cannot be taught. And I wanted to give a shout out to Alex for discovering Moore pretty early on.

Props to @AKing_TFB for his scouting ability. This excerpt about @_TMOE55 was from April when he had 0 D1 offers. pic.twitter.com/sUiddN96eP

— TFB Sooners (@TFB_Sooners) July 15, 2015

2017 in-state DB Justin Broiles also camped with Moore at Alabama…

John Marshall teammates 2016 OL Tramonda Moore(@_TMOE55) & 2017 DB Justin Broiles (@JustinbroilesJ) on #Bama visit. pic.twitter.com/wLyc8yeqXy

— Brandon Drumm (@Bdrumm_Rivals) July 14, 2015

…and while he did not receive an offer, I’m told that Nick Saban did pull him aside at one point. Evidently Saban told him they like his game, they plan on adding him to their board, and will continue to evaluate him throughout his upcoming junior season.

You may recall Broiles also attended the Oklahoma camp and Brandon, who was in attendance, tells me he was very impressive. I’m hoping to get a chance to see Broiles live this Friday at the TCU camp. – (Super K)

– UPDATE (11:42 am): Regarding the “maybe” of OU’s top 2016 RB target, Devwah Whaley, visiting Norman this weekend.

2016 Beaumont, TX (Central) RB Devwah Whaley (@devwah_whaley) will be at #Georgia Dawg Night this weekend. @UGAfootballLive #UGA

— Alex King (@AKing_Evals) July 15, 2015