Open Post | Weekend, Feb. 13 – Feb. 15 (UPDATE Sun., 10:28 pm) By: The Brainiacs Posted on: February 13, 2015

Image of Tren’Davian Dickson via MaxPreps

– Jared Mayden: As some of you may be aware — because we know you have been diligently checking our OU Junior Day visitor list for updates — the 2016 CB & OU legacy is now planning to be in Norman this weekend. Similar to what he tweeted earlier this week, Mayden told our guy Brandon there is a chance this visit could change things with respect to his recruitment. While his ties to OU could certainly play a factor, you also have to credit new DB coach Kerry Cooks for coming in and hitting the ground running. The two have a previous connection as the latter was Mayden’s primary recruiter while at Notre Dame.

Mayden is also expected to be joined by his younger brother, Jalen, a 2018 dual-threat quarterback.

– Frank Martin II: It should come as very little surprise given what we’ve come to know about the man, but it would appear Bill Bedenbaugh is already putting in the work with this 2016 class. We learned earlier this week he had extended an offer to 2016 offensive tackle, Frank Martin II (Santa Ana, CA).

Brandon was able to catch up with Martin shortly after he was offered and learned the 6’6″ 280 pound tackle is apparently very high on the Sooners. Martin went so far as to say that he “loves OU” and explained one of the main reasons for that is because of Oklahoma’s track record of putting offensive linemen into the NFL.

While he may not be the most talkative young man, he did share that he would like to visit Norman in the near future. Although an exact date for said visit has yet to be finalized at the moment.

– Tren’Davian Dickson: Dennis Simmons has also wasted little time getting to know a lot of kids in the recruiting area. To that point, he has already been in contact with 2016 Sooners wide receiver offer, Tren’Davian Dickson (Navasota, TX) just the other day.

Dickson was already high on the Sooners, but after speaking with Simmons shared with TFB the new OU WRs coach “is great guy and seems to be real cool.” When I (Brandon) asked him what he thought about OU he said, “great traditionally, Top 5 program of all time.”

Dickson also said he plans to be in Norman next month for OU’s March 7th Junior Day.

– Chevin Calloway: Brandon has also been able to confirm that Kerry Cooks has in fact extended an offer to 2017 Bishop Dunne defensive back, Chevin Calloway (Dallas, TX). He is only a sophomore so it’s still very early in the process of things for him, but his recruiting continues to pick up as Ok. State has also offered him this week.

– Jack Anderson: Last night, I (Brandon) had a chance to speak with 2017 Frisco offensive lineman & OU offer, Jack Anderson (Frisco, TX). He had recently expressed some disappointment on Twitter regarding Jerry Montgomery’s departure, so I wanted to check in and see where things now stood as the two were very close.

While he had initially planned to be in Norman this weekend for OU’s Junior Day, he’s now planning to attend the March 7th Junior Day instead. He said he is looking forward to a change to get to know Coach Bedenbaugh better as the two continue to develop their relationship.

– Junior Day visitor list: This has been posted on TOP all week, but on the off chance some of you might not have seen it yet we figured it made sense to just go ahead and post here as well.

2016

WR Kareem Adeniyi (Mansfield, TX)
ATH Tyrell Alexander (Lancaster, TX)
OL Tyler Banta (Midwest City, OK)
WR Kofi Boateng (Arlington, TX)
CB Brian Bullock (Round Rock, TX)
S Calvin Bundage (Edmond, OK) – OU offer
CB Ardran Carr (Arlington, TX)
DB Eric Cuffee (Waco, TX) – OU offer
DT Chris Daniels (Euless, TX) – OU offer
OL Kellen Diesch (Trophy Club, TX) – OU offer
CB Obi Eboh (Southlake, TX)
DB Greg Eisworth II (Grand Prarie, TX) – OU offer
WR Zach Farrar (Southlake, TX)
DB Madre Harper (Arlington, TX)
ATH Jordan Humphrey (Southlake, TX)
OL Tope Imade (Arlington, TX)
S Kenan Ivey (Lancaster, TX)
DE Noah Jones (Moore, OK)
RB Jeremy Lewis (Lone Grove, OK)
CB Jared Mayden (Sachse, TX)
LB Houston Miller (Keller, TX)
WR Mark Mims (Lancaster, TX)
WR Obi Obialo (Coppell, TX)
OT Chris Owens (Arlington, TX)
S Austin Quillen (Jenks, OK)
OL Logan Roberson (Harrah, OK)
DB Chanse Sylvie  (Shreveport, LA) – OU offer
DE Douglas Tucker (Dallas, TX)
OT J.P. Urquidez (Copperas Cove, TX) – OU offer
WR T.J. Vasher (Wichita Falls, TX)

2017

ATH Darrion Green (Dallas, TX)
LB Anthony Hines (Plano, TX) – OU offer
WR Omar Manning (Lancaster, TX)
ATH Jeffrey Okudah (Grand Prarie, TX)
WR Cartrell Thomas (Lancaster, TX)

2018

QB Jalen Mayden (Sachse, TX)

– UPDATE (Fri., 8:40 am): It had been rumored for a day or two now, but NOLA.com is confirming that LSU assistant Brick Haley has in fact interviewed for OU’s D-line coach opening.

– UPDATE (Fri., 8:53 am): I guess the upside is you didn’t have a lot of time to get your hopes up regarding Haley.

 – UPDATE (Fri., 11:19 am): Texas has made the Brick Haley hiring official.

– UPDATE (Fri., 11:44 am): Sooners appear to have offered 2016 JUCO WR Taj Williams (Council Bluffs, IA).

– UPDATE (Fri., 12:46 pm): Good catch from TFB reader Randy White, who saw that would-be preferred walk-on — and the brother of 2015 OU signee Dede Westbrook — Aaron Sims tweet out that he is evidently no longer headed to Norman.

https://twitter.com/Asims_14/status/566291604688748544

– UPDATE (Fri., 3:11 pm): Sooners have offered 2016 OT Austin Myers (Manvel, TX).

– UPDATE (Sun., 12:26 pm): Alex was able to confirm a new name not on the visitor list above.

– UPDATE (Sun., 1:46 pm): Alex put together a nice write up about some of the prospects in attendance today, and who could be leaving with OU offers.

With OU’s first Jr. Day this afternoon and numerous talented prospects on the list to be in Norman. Wanted to bring you guys a quick note on who we think could receive an offer.

Most likely to receive an offer:

*Tyrell Alexander (2016 Lancaster ATH) – Explosive athlete with good speed and size at 6’1” and 180 pounds for the wide receiver position in Lincoln Riley’s spread offense. Alexander has been racking up offers since his film got out. Baylor, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Tulsa & West Virginia just to name a few. We fully expect the Sooners to join that list today as well.

*Chris Owens (2016 Arlington Lamar OT) – After his first year at the position, Owens shows high potential. Standing 6’4” and 280 pounds, he has displayed impressive athleticism for the position with a thick, compact build that Sooner fans could compare to Trent Williams. Owens has been blowing up as of late with almost 20 offers already. Don’t be surprised if Bill Bedenbaugh extends an offer today.

*Jeffrey Okudah (2017 South Grand Prairie Ath) – Okudah is one of the best looking athletes in the state of Texas already and is just a sophomore. His ceiling looks to be extremely high with the size, length, speed & athletic ability he displays. OU will most likely join Okudah’s list of offers today that already includes Iowa, Nebraska, Oregon State & Texas Tech among others.

Wouldn’t be surprised to see offered:

*Noah Jones (2016 Southmoore DE) – Jones popped up on the scene last season. He became the versatile DL/TE for Southmoore. The question is at 6’5″ 255lbs and just 16 years old, where does he translate to in college? Most believe DT or OT. He has really good feet and is powerful, could be a possible 3-4 DE for OU.

*Madre Harper (2016 Arlington Lamar CB) – Harper is bigger than your average CB at 6’3” 175 pounds. Has great length and the ability to flip his hips with ease. Plus he excels on the track and has the speed/burst to drive on the ball. Harper has all the tools to be a big time corner at the next level.

Dark horses that could get offered:

*Kenan Ivy (2016 Lancaster S) – Ivy isn’t the biggest S at 5’11” 185 pounds, but he is the anchor leg for Lancaster’s 4 X 100m relay team and that speed is something that caught Mike Stoops eye before. Has impressive numbers in the weight room and is the leader of the Tigers defense. All traits of the type of kids Oklahoma likes to bring in. Now does Kerry Cooks like him enough right now to offer?

*TJ Vasher (2016 Wichita Falls Rider WR) – Vasher brings great size at 6’5” 180 pounds. On film he runs nice routes and has the look of a possession receiver/red zone threat at the next level. Plus he plays in a spread for Rider currently.

– UPDATE (Sun., 5:40 pm): Alex had a chance to catch up with OU Jr. Day visitor, Tope Imade.

2016 Arlington Bowie OG/OT Tope Imade actually forgot that the Jr. Day was today and headed up to Norman on Saturday for his visit. It still turned out to be worth his while, however, as it sounds like he got to spend about three hours Bill Bedenbaugh and was given a full tour of OU’s facilities. No offer was made but Imade said he was actually happy he went up yesterday instead of today, where he thought he would be ‘looking for attention.’

– UPDATE (Sun., 5:58 pm): Big update as Alex has now caught up with 2016 CB Jared Mayden.

Just caught up with 2016 Sachse CB Jared Mayden, who was a late add to the Jr. Day list earlier this week. Coming in to the weekend, OU appeared to be on the outside looking after Mayden had previously put out a Top 3 of Ohio State, Oregon & TCU. Today, however, provided him the first face-to-face meeting with Sooners DB coach Kerry Cooks, who also offered Mayden while he (Cooks) was at Notre Dame. Mayden told TFB, “I enjoyed (talking to) him (Cooks).”

But the big news for OU fans is that Mayden appears to have enjoyed his time in Norman so much, that he made this decision after leaving, “I no longer have a Top 3.”

Sounds as though Cooks and the Sooners could be right back in the mix with the talented 2016 corner.

– UPDATE (Sun., 6:52 pm): Another update from Alex:

Was able to catch up with 2016 Trinity DT Chris Daniels, who headed up to Norman with his pops and said he really enjoyed his time on the visit. He got to have around a 30 minute private conversation with father and Bob Stoops in the OU HC’s office. Stoops let him know if he comes in and works hard, he could have a chance to start as a true freshman. Daniels and his dad both consider Stoops to be a ‘legendary’ coach, so he said they definitely enjoyed the time they were able to spend together.

With it being this early in his recruitment, he said he didn’t consider committing while in Norman. But did say he and his father both really like OU. It was Mike Stoops and Cale Gundy who were with Daniels for most of the visit, and he said the two OU assistants have been in touch since a day or so after the new of Jerry Montgomery’s departure broke.

Daniels said Stoops let him know that they are working to get a DL coach hired hopefully within the next couple of days. Daniels also said the OU staff have picked up whatever slack there may have been following the loss of Montgomery. Sounds as though OU coaches made as good of an impression as they could have during the visit.

– UPDATE (Sun., 7:26 pm): OU has picked up their second commitment in the 2016 class in 6’4″ 225 pound Jon-Michael Terry (Tulsa, OK). He’s listed as a tight end with most services, but OU is looking at him as a linebacker.

– UPDATE (Sun., 8:50 pm): Alex was able to get a little more from Jared Mayden:

When Mayden was in Bob Stoops’ office, Mike Stoops and Kerry Cooks were in there as well selling him on how they could use him with the athleticism and size he brings, along with possible early playing time. He told me that he really enjoyed talking with Cooks even going so far as to say, “I could see myself playing for him.” He liked the fact of how straight forward and honest Cooks was during their conversations.

I also got the chance to talk with Mayden’s father, former OU hoopster James Mayden, who thoroughly enjoyed the visit as well. He talked about how smooth the Jr. Day was ,and that he really liked the set up and how informative it was for both he and his sons. He admitted to being understanably biased towards OU and that he would love to see Jared as a Sooner, but definitely wants his son to do what is best for him. James said he got the chance to talk one-on-one with Cooks for a while, and he also came away impressed by the new OU assistant.

Jalen, the younger brother, was actually the only QB in attendance, so he was able to get some one-on-one time with Lincoln Riley. The new OU offensive coordinator said he would be out this the spring to see Jalen and also extended an invite to one of OU’s summer camps. It was very evident in my conversations with the group that the entire family thoroughly enjoyed their time in Norman this weekend.

All in all, per James, OU did nothing at all to hurt themselves with his sons today. In fact, Jared told me that OU would be among his top contenders moving forward. Which is obviously a big change from where things stood coming in to the weekend.

– UPDATE (Sun., 10:28 pm): Time-delayed…………

boom

 

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