The Football Brainiacs

Image of Maurice Chandler via @Norsemen_FB

– Zack Sanchez: Spoke with a source recently and was told that prior to spring break Zack Sanchez was having some back problems. Apparently it was enough of a hindrance that in OU’s lone practice thus far, Stanvon Taylor had even been getting some of what would normally be Sanchez’s reps. I haven’t been led to believe Sanchez’s back issue is anything to worry about long-term, but it will be interesting to see if Kerry Cooks can bring out the best in Taylor. He’s always been an incredible athlete, but fell behind somewhat in terms of the cornerback competition. – (Super K)

– Matt Hegarty: As we mentioned earlier this month, Notre Dame offensive lineman Matt Hegarty is looking to transfer and Oklahoma is one of the three schools he is planning to visit. Hegarty has already graduated from Notre Dame, so he will be immediately eligible to play this 2015 season. He recently visited Florida State, we are hearing he will be making his Norman visit next month. In fact, it sounds like it could be around the time of the Red/White game. – (Brandon)

– Maurice Chandler: Former OK Preps & Lawton cornerback Maurice Chandler is a name many of you may be familiar with. He signed with NEO out of high school and will be graduating next December. We feel Chandler has elite potential with great length and size for a corner, but he also appears have that rare and coveted speed for someone his size (6’1″ 190).

Oklahoma was interested in Chandler when he was in high school and when we caught up with him this past weekend, it appears the Sooners have been in touch again here recently. Chandler let us know that Dennis Simmons has reached out to him and the two are expected to speak at some point this week. He also mentioned there is a good chance he could be speaking with several other OU coaches this week as well.

As we mentioned previously, OU is planning to take two corners in this class and just one safety. However, exceptions would be made for an elite talent (or two). And on film Chandler looks like an elite prospect, in our opinion. All the size and athleticism you want is there, but he’s also surprisingly polished in his technique for a junior college level corner.

Chandler currently holds offers from Arizona State, Nebraska, Utah, Arkansas State, Utah State & Toledo. We fully expect he and his fellow OK Preps teammate, LB Chris Baccus, to pick up many more offers in the coming months. – (Super K & Brandon)

– Wyatt Davis: An offensive tackle out of Bellflower (CA), Davis is already one of the most coveted prospects in the 2017 class. He holds offers from Alabama, Oklahoma, UCLA & USC. Bill Bedenbaugh has been recruiting Davis diligently, who shared with TFB he is planning a visit to Norman during his spring break (which falls between April 1-9). Davis said he “can’t wait to meet everyone on the staff…especially coach Bedenbaugh.”

It’s still very early but Davis commented on his interest in the Sooners saying, “I’m extremely interested in OU…the tradition is great and, more importantly, coach Bedenbagh is an excellent coach.” – (Brandon)

– UPDATE (11:20 am): I had a chance to speak with star 2016 RB Devwah Whaley out of Beaumont (TX), who made his first trip to Norman this past weekend with his family and loved it. He told me that it met all of his expectations. Interestingly, it seems Whaley is being recruited by a number of the OU coaching staff including; Cale Gundy, Tim Kish, Jay Boulware, Lincoln Riley and even the head man himself, Bob Stoops.

Whaley tells me that he communicates with the OU staff every day and, as of right now, he says Oklahoma is his top school! Whaley does, however, want to take some additional visits before making a decision. He visited Alabama last summer and received an offer from the Crimson Tide at the time. He says he hopes to make it back out to Tuscaloosa for another visit. He also said  he’d like to visit the University of Georgia if possible. As far as a timeline for commitment, he’s still thinking about that and admits that things could change. But right now he’d like to be committed sometime before his senior year.

Whaley came away from the visit impressed and the OU staff is clearly making him a major priority, which he says he’s very aware of and appreciates. He also likes the fact that while a school like Texas A&M may be looking to take multiple running backs in this class, OU is only looking to take one.

The Sooners seem to have placed themselves in a good spot with Whaley thanks to the great work of the staff and it’s a good thing, because he strikes me as both an impressive athlete and young man. – (Super K)

– UPDATE (2:05 pm): 2016 QB Augie DeBiase (Neptune Beach, FL) is on campus today for an unofficial visit.