The Offensive Tackle Countdown
Posted on: February 15, 2014
Right after the first junior day, K and I were talking about the guys we had on campus. The now famous picture of the offensive line prospects came out, and this whole thing started with a passing question K asked me about whose game I liked the most at offensive tackle. He’s been after me for a minute now wanting me to do a countdown, and I gotta admit that this is one of the tougher evaluation related things I’ve had to do recently. Over the next few days, I’m going to profile six offensive tackles.
In alphabetical order:
As kind of a disclaimer, number one you have to remember that these guys aren’t even seniors in high school yet. Secondly every one of these guys has the potential to be a top level bcs player. There are things about every one of their games that I like a lot. In this case it’s not so much about who’s the best player right now. There are some who qualify as most athletic, nastiest, most powerful, most technical, best frame and I have to take into account how different coaches evaluate. Do you go for who is the most college ready now, or do you go after the one who has the most potential? So again before we get started I’d like to say one more time that all of these guys are great players, and depending on how hard they are willing to prepare and work, the sky is the limit for all of them.
Starting tomorrow or Monday I’ll be counting them down from 6th place on down the line till we get to my favorite offensive tackle recruit/prospect.
37 Comments
Can’t wait for the eval’s!
Bring it on! 🙂
JY,
Keep in mind Andre James, George Brown, and Drew Richmond are somewhere in this contest as well.
First, Thanks! I’ve wondered if once we feel as though we have one of these guys in the stable, is there any interaction with their high school coaching? Is there communication of how the Sooners see where they need work and ideas/techniques of coaching shared? Thanks again, great place to dwell!
Yes there is plenty of interaction between these kids High School coaches and the OU coaches or any other college coaches for that matter Perry. Most of the High School coaches in OK and a lot from Texas especially those with OU recruits go to OU’s coaches clinic.
Thanks Sonny. I went to a small school in OK, (State Champions two years) but never saw a coach from any school. This is a neat deal for the high school coaches to have help from OUr coaches!
OU’s spring practices are open to High School coaches. HS coaches can get right in their drills. College coaches relationship with HS coaches is a very important piece of the recruiting puzzle.
Just remember – Sutherland didn’t play the last 3-4 games for FM due to an injury. (Arm or shoulder I think)
Most of his film will be early Jr year film.
If you just call them all NASTY, that’ll be fine with me and it will save you time!
Sounds great! excited for the coming breakdowns on each of them, especially Bobby Evans!
Can someone who knows and has the time please put names to all of these young men in order of appearance?
I remember seeing it in one of the posts here, but now I can’t find it.
Thanks
From L to R: Connor Lanfear, Keaton Sutherland, Jalin Barnett, Josh Wariboko, Conner Dyer, and Toby Weathersby.
Should that read L to R?
Thanks, looking forward to the profiles.
So many factors to evaluate. Do you know if JY will go so far as to predict left or right tackle potential in college. Also who is the guy on the far right next to Weathersby? Jordan thanks for your info and all of TFB reports. It’s one of the many reasons this site is the best for OU info.
Just ask JY. He generally gives his opinion on where a kid will/should play based on his Eval. If a kid can play inside or has the ability to play left tackle etc. I think of the kids committed so far to the 2015 class and Barnett, Weathersby who are hot on the radar would play out like this:
Wariboko Inside
Barnett Inside
Weathersby – Tackle, haven’t a clue what side since I haven’t seen film.
Evans – Left tackle. I think Evans has a chance to play on the left side. He’s long and a heck of an athlete. Would have to watch more of his Sr. film to make that determination but he seems to fit the Left Tackle model.
I have no idea on the other kids.
Thanks on the info.
Stay tuned…
cant wait til for the count down on all these great young men u guys do an excellent job on keeping us die hard O.U#1 fans updates this is my website on keeping me upated & informed on O.U#1 football luv ya’ll guys boomersooners all day everyday 😉
Looking forward to seeing the evaluations for these fine young men. TFB are the best!
I really like Andre James. He just drives until the whistle sounds. Stands a lil high but he’s quick and strong. Needs a lil weight, but I love his “no-quit” and first step.
I really like Bobby Joe’s kid. Not only is he gifted athletically but he plays SMART. I haven’t a clue what his grades, ACT etc.. are but from watching his film I would bet he’s a great student. He plays smart. Some of that is that he receives elite coaching at his level. Evans is athletic, long armed, fluid, and seems to have good hip flexibility. The skies the limit for this kid IMO.
Completely agree. Seems like I saw him listed somewhere as a TE, but he’s a LT in IMO with plenty of room to grow. He does play smart.
JJ he was a TE. Some of the best Left Tackles were Basketball kids that were converted from Tight End. Anymore if your athletic enough, have the frame etc Left Tackle is where the money’s at. Look at Lane Johnson.
Good looking kid, obviously athletic being a converted TE. Can’t wait to see how he finishes his senior year. Do you think he can continue to put on weight as he seems to be on the light side right now. Hope he can get some nasty on this year, maybe another year playing inside will bring that out in him.
Evans should be visiting March 1st. The dude is an underrated stud out of Allen.
Is Tyler Moore an OT prospect…a poster came on scout showing his film and said Coach Ben had visited his school
Really hope we can sway Lanfear, looks like he may be able to play either side and he loves to finish blocks.
So a question here for anyone. Given our offensive scheme, what are the ideal sizes to fit and does size matter as much if speed and quickness are really good?
You know. Pass vs run blocking.
Jay, are you going to do the fourth quarter of the Sugar Bowl? Love reading your breakdowns!
All these recruits are in the 6’5″ – 6’6″ and 270lb to 280lb range! They are just about to be Seniors and have one more year of High School Ball and possible a Redshirt year. If OU closes on 2 or 3 of these guys they will be absolute beasts after a redshirt year at OU! I think my 3 favorite are Dyer, Lanfear, & Sutherland. But got to love Evans as well who wants to play at his dads alma mater! Bring on the Rankings, JY we eagerly await the countdown!
Lanfear looks the part in this photo. And Barnett looks like he is loving his Sooner experience. Like AtlantaSooner mentioned, might need to expand and include a few comments about the other OT targets. Love the way this 2015 class is coming together in the lines.
Already having withdrawals. Gonna go watch OU / Bama again:-)
Hello? “tap” “tap” Is this thing on?
I can hear ya!
Did anyone else notice OU could only fit seven of their eight Big12 Champ trophies in that pic? That trophy group pic was bigger than the whole OL group, Bedenbaugh and the GA at the end. Congrats to Bob Stoops and his staff for making that a reality.
I sure hope Jalin Barnett OG commits to OU soon to help the momentum of the 2015 class.