Open Post | Monday, Aug. 1st (UPDATE 5:09 pm) By: The Brainiacs Posted on: August 1, 2016

Image of Kenneth Murray via 247 Sports

Just a reminder the players will report this Wednesday (Aug. 3rd) with fall camp officially starting on Thursday (Aug. 4th). However, now on to some recruiting from this past weekend.

– Taquon Graham: 2017 DE Taquon Graham (Temple, TX) has long been thought to be Texas lock by many, myself (K) included. And while Graham has talked previously about wanting to take a trip to Oklahoma, it was always unclear as to whether or not that would actually happen. With the way the OU coaches impress once they get players on campus, we knew they’d make it a race if they could just manage to get Graham to Norman. Then over the weekend Graham did his part, in attending the big BBQ, while the coaches did their part, as evidenced all over social media Friday & Saturday, as well.

Before we get to Graham’s review of the BBQ, however, we wanted to touch on an aspect of his recruitment — and a possible advantage for OU — that many people may not have been aware of previously. Graham’s h.s. LB coach is a former University of Houston player, and one who played for the Cougars when Calvin Thibodeaux was a GA there. TFB was told the two are good friends and that connection is helping Oklahoma recruit Graham.

But back to the BBQ and Graham’s time in Norman with the OU staff and the ‘life of the party’ known as #SoonerSquad17. Now it’s important to know Graham is a man of few words, so that he shared with TFB he had a ‘great time’ and that OU is now in a “good spot” for him following the visit are borderline revelations. And despite the odds, in talking with some folks close to Graham, TFB got the distinct the impression OU may have pulled even, or perhaps slightly ahead, of Texas.

Now before anyone gets too excited, it’s important to note that while I trust where that information is coming from you also have to consider there is almost always a ‘post-trip high’ coming off a visit like this past weekend. And Graham will have no shortage of Texas voices in his ear either. But the bottom line is the Sooners are making this a legit race. And we can tell you coming out of the weekend, the folks around Graham that would like to see him at Texas are concerned.

The OU staff has sold Graham on taking over Charles Tapper’s old spot on the defensive line and, as of today, Graham is already taller than Tapper at nearly 6’4″ and solid 260-pounds. Graham is a powerful human being who generates a lot of energy at the POA. Who, on film, can look at little lax simply because the game just comes that easy for him at times. But seeing him in a camp setting last year in Texas, it’s clear that when he wants to turn it on the pure power he can generate is quite remarkable.

Graham tells TFB that as of now he is planning to announce his decision before the season starts. However, we should note that Graham had previously set a commitment date in May before decided to delay his decision. And Graham admitted it’s possible that could happen again if he feels he’s not ready. But again, as of now, his plan is to announce sometime before the season. Graham also made it clear he plans on taking an official visit to Oklahoma, but said he hasn’t made a decision yet as to which game he will attend. – (Super K)

– Kenneth Murray: The Sooners also hosted 2017 LB Kenneth Murray (Missouri City, TX) for the BBQ this past Friday, who has already released a Top 6 which included: Oklahoma, Texas, TAMU, Michigan, Nebraska, and Houston.

I (K) have to say, for such a young athlete Murray is well on his way to looking the part of a college player…

https://twitter.com/murrayyy_2/status/759154247778734080

This visit was critical for the OU staff since Murray has already stated he plans announce his commitment next week (Aug. 10th). And the Sooner staff did not let you down, folks.

Murray raved to TFB about the visit saying, “From the position they want me to play, to the acts of kindness they showed towards my mom, to the facilities…it is everything I want.”

It became clear in our conversation with Murray that the way to his heart is through his family. He emphasized how much both his mother and father enjoyed the trip, but also took particular note of the fact the OU staff was extra considerate of his mother. “She has to slow it (in terms of walking) and one of the things that stood out to me was the coaches went out of their way to make sure she was okay and make sure didn’t have to walk any more (than needed). They got her a cart to get around, so that meant a lot to me.”

We came away from that conversation feeling the Sooners did absolutely everything they could to put themselves in a very good spot with only a little over a week left until Murray’s announcement. It should also be noted that Murray grew up an Oklahoma fan and while we don’t necessarily expect that to play a huge factor in his final decision, it certainly can’t hurt things either.

Murray still has another week or so to process things and the other coaching staffs will have time to make their final pitches, but it’s pretty clear where TFB believes Murray would be leaning were he making his decision today. – (Super K)

– Xavier Newman: Just wanted to note that 2017 OL Xavier Newman had a last minute issue with his ride on Friday which prevented him from attending the BBQ. But tells TFB that he plans on making it up to Norman before the summer ends. – (Super K)

– Kobe Boyce: 2017 CB Kobe Boyce also had a last minute transportation issue. But told TFB that if he can’t get up to Norman before the season starts, he will take an official visit to OU. – (Super K)

– K’Lavon Chaisson: As you all know, 2017 DE/OLB, K’Lavon Chaisson (Houston, TX) released his top list (in order) and the Sooners found themselves on top following a visit to Norman earlier this summer. However more recently he took a trip to LSU and, as some of you have noted in the comments, Chaisson has posted a few things about his affinity for the Tigers on social media as of late.

So in light of those posts, TFB reached out to Chaisson’s coach to ask if there is any reason for OU fans to be concerned to which he said very simply, “I wouldn’t read into anything on Twitter too much.” His coach also reiterated reasons for Chaisson’s interest in Oklahoma, “The defensive system, Striker and both Stoops brothers, and Thibs. They’ve done well with building a relationship.” – (Super K)

– Brandon’s Thoughts From The BBQ: Okay, let’s start with a general break down of the BBQ from last Friday. OU hosted a ton of recruits/commits, however one thing that seems to have bothered a lot of fans is the fact the Sooners didn’t (or at least have yet to as a result) land a commitment. Well, don’t get too far ahead of yourself as I have every reason to believe there will be some that eventually comes from this. It may not be now, or next week, but somebody may pull the trigger early on during the season, or shortly after. It isn’t always just about the immediate pay off so much as the bigger picture when it comes to recruiting. To that point, OU has already put together a very solid 2017 class and are in somewhat of a holding pattern at the moment as they wait on decisions from a number of guys at the top of their board.

So, yes, they’ve yet to receive a commitment as a result of the BBQ. But that in no way means the BBQ wasn’t a considerable success (it was) or that they’ve lost any momentum on the recruiting trail (they haven’t).

All that said, Oklahoma’s 2017 class seems to grow closer and closer together by the day. And even the parents of the respective commits also seem to be gaining a similar bond among one another. From them spending time at the Nike Opening Finals, to the BBQ, the parents have begun to stay in contact with one another and build a bond that will be good for the program as well going forward. Two parents of 2017 commits (who both understand college athletics) said, “this class is already ahead of what most classes are after one year on campus. They are definitely close-knit.”

Lastly, the staff has done a great job of being creative in their recruiting efforts. This BBQ is a prime example of the new way OU is working on the recruiting trail. With their social media efforts boosted, to putting on junior days and other events to gather recruits together, their efforts should be commended. Looking at the commitment list, it is clear those efforts are paying off. – (Brandon)

– Omar Manning: The Sooners played host to 2017 WR Omar Manning (Lancaster, TX) on Friday, who was joined by teammate and OU commit, 2018 DB Jordon Austin. And with the departure of Dallis Todd as well as Michiah Quick’s switch to CB, even with three other commits already on board Oklahoma is looking to potentially sign one more receiver in 2017.

TFB caught up with Manning on Sunday night where he, like many others, expressed just how good a time had at the BBQ. Additionally, Manning shared that he plans on announcing his commitment before the season starts. And while he preferred to keep the schools he is considering confidential, he did allow that his friendships with 2017 OU wide receiver commits Charleston Rambo & Jalen Reagor could very well play a role in his decision. – (Brandon)

– Patrick Fields: Last week we hinted that 2018 OK Preps DB Patrick Fields (Tulsa Union) seemed to be in line as the next in-state offer for Oklahoma. Well as you probably saw over the weekend, that offer went out Friday night during the BBQ when Bob Stoops and Kerry Cooks sat Fields and his grandfather down to make the offer official. “It was like a dream come true type deal to be honest with you. It was one of the my best days of my life,” Fields told TFB. 

We can also tell you Fields did come close to committing on Friday, but told TFB after that it just wasn’t the right time as he’d still like to see a few more schools before making a final decision. “I want to be done when I commit. I don’t want to be talking to other schools and be committed to someone. I will tell them (other schools) I am committed and don’t want to talk. Hopefully, they would respect that,” Fields said of his approach.

Fields did, however, tell TFB he would like to make a decision shortly after his junior year before also dropping this little nugget. “I thought OU would be out of the equation after TCU offered, but after today it’s gonna be real hard for anyone to beat OU.”

It just might be a matter of time until the Sooners pick up a commitment from Fields. – (Brandon)

– Joshua Moore: 2018 Yoakum (TX) wide receiver Joshua Moore also made his way up to OU, with his mother, for the BBQ. You might also recall Moore has been very adamant about the fact he doesn’t necessarily have to play along side his twin brother, Jordan, in college and seems to be proving that by visiting the Sooners, without his brother, on Friday. 

Like so many others, Moore came away from the BBQ with glowing reviews. “Man, that Oklahoma staff is the livest staff in the country,” Moore exclaimed. Moore also went on to say the tentative plan for his commitment date is next summer, on June 9th. Which is date of his little brother and sister’s birthday. Though that is a ways away it is good to see that Coach Dennis Simmons and the OU staff continue to keep this advanced recruiting level rolling. Moore is expected to make a visit during the season, but the date is not lined up yet.

Moore has continued to tell TFB that his top two schools right now are Oklahoma and Texas A&M. Meanwhile his twin brother, Jordan, has always been adamant that Texas is his leader. – (Brandon)

– UPDATE (5:09 pm):

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