Weekend Open Post | June 26th – 28th
Posted on: June 26, 2026
Sourced Note | ’27 LB Recruiting
– Charlie S – Posted on: June 22, 2026
Currently, the Sooners hold commitments from two big-time linebackers in the ’27 class. OU has Cooper Witten and Taven Epps verbally pledged, and those two in the same room, for my money, already represent one of, if not the top LB classes this cycle.
However, the Sooners did make a serious push for Case Alexander.
Alexander had long been thought of as a lock to Penn State based on his and his family’s affinity for new head coach Matt Campbell (who was at Iowa State) and although OU did make a push for him, he wound up choosing the Nittany Lions yesterday.
So here is where we are currently.
Based on sourced information, OU is not going to throw in the towel on Alexander and they will continue to check in and build on that relationship. I do not necessarily expect anything to change anytime in the near future, but hey, once you get into the season, who knows, so I think it is smart to keep doing work there.
Now, when the question comes to if this was a case of “Case Alexander or bust’ in respect to the numbers in the linebacker class of ’27, I had a source tell me that OU will continue to monitor the landscape when it comes to potentially working on another target. Source believes OU would be content to take the two in the fold and call it a day, but they do have the luxury of taking another if the right opportunity presents itself.
One name that the community continues to wonder about regarding being an OU target or not is Choctaw LB Israel Hammons. Hammons committed to Oklahoma State this past weekend and a source I spoke with shared some interesting stuff.
I asked if OU had been/remains in contact with Hammons. Source said OU was very upfront about their pursuit of Case Alexander and Hammons and his camp were aware that OU was ‘going all in’ on Case. OU also made it clear that Hammons was certainly a guy they viewed as a backup plan and source noted that Brent Venables himself is very high on Hammons.
However, that was a while back, and OU has not been in communication of late. Source did note, “When Will Muschamp asks why isn’t OU recruiting this kid” you know this isn’t a talent issue.
So, right now, it is pretty clear that OU not only was focused on Alexander, they had some level of confidence there. The question is, will OU try and jump start something with a guy like Hammons, or will they sit on their hands and basically keep it as a “Cas Alexander or bust’ situation?
Based on sourcing, I expect OU to eventually open up communication with other LBs in the coming months, and I do expect Hammons to be among those whom OU kicks the tires on (I do not view the OkState commitment as any sort of hindrance…if OU knocks, I think Hammons is open to them).
We will see how it plays out.
Brandon Sherrard | Sourced | Latest
– Super K – Posted on: June 23, 2026
First, congrats on the OU baseball national championship! It was a bummer that the ladies had a rough end to the season. But I’m sure for many of you this more than made up for it!
The Sooners are still working to bring one more 2027 CB into the fold and they’ve been pushing for Brandon Sherrard (Pearland, TX).
Sherrard has taken recent OVs to OU, LSU and this past weekend he was at Texas.
A few quick things…
***A decision should be coming soon. I was told last week by a source close to him that he’d be likely settling things after this past weekend’s Texas visit.
***Our guys on the Texas side seem to feel like Texas isn’t pushing as hard for Sherrard despite the OV.
***That lines up with our thinking based on what I’ve heard from the OU side – namely that it’s probably more of an LSU vs OU battle.
***I get the sense that LSU has a slight lead right now but I’m waiting for final word from a source close to Sherrard to be a bit more definitive about it.
***Before Blaylock committed, I got the sense OU was a little more confident. But I think there is some concern that just the sheer number of commits the Sooners have at that position, could spook Sherrard.
Spring Wraps Up with a Natty | Football On the Horizon and Source Says Brent Will Feast
– Charlie S – Posted on: June 23, 2026
As we inch closer to football season, we wanted to take a moment to thank the entire TFB community for helping make this winter/spring one of the most entertaining offseasons we’ve had in a long time.
What started as a way to pass the time between football updates a few years ago has turned into months of daily discussion centered around a couple of Oklahoma bat-and-ball programs.
And what a spring it was.
One program pulled off one of the most unlikely runs in school history, storming its way to a national championship that few outside the program saw coming. The other, a perennial powerhouse and championship favorite, shockingly saw its season end before the tournament even began.
If you had predicted that back in February, very few would have believed you.
That’s what made it so much fun.
From game threads and ‘Open Discussion’ threads to celebrations, frustrations, and everything in between, this community helped turn a quiet offseason into must-read material every day. Whether you were riding the highs or suffering through the lows, you made the journey worthwhile.
And don’t think the football program wasn’t paying attention.
A source tells me Brent Venables is already using the spring as a teaching tool. Nobody talks more about avoiding complacency and focusing on the details than Venables. This spring gave him the perfect examples. One team did all the little things right and ended up lifting a national championship trophy. Another had all the talent in the world but learned just how unforgiving sports can be when the margins get thin.
The message is simple: nothing is guaranteed.
Expect Venables to remind his team of that often between now and kickoff.
So thank you to everyone who joined us this spring. You helped turn a couple of bat-and-ball seasons into one of the most memorable offseasons we’ve experienced.
Now it’s time to turn the page.
Football season is coming.
And after what we just witnessed, we’ve all been reminded that sometimes the stories nobody sees coming become the ones we remember forever.
NCAA Passes Five for Five
– Charlie S – Posted on: June 23, 2026
In a rare development, the NCAA appears to have stumbled into a good idea.
The NCAA Division I Cabinet unanimously approved a new age-based eligibility model on Tuesday, taking another step toward simplifying one of the most confusing areas in college athletics. Under the proposed rule, an athlete’s eligibility clock would start either when they enroll full-time in college or at the beginning of the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever comes first.
For Oklahoma and the rest of college football, the biggest benefit is clarity. Schools will have a much better idea of how long prospects have to play, and it should help eliminate some of the confusion surrounding older recruits, prep school prospects, and eligibility waivers. Current athletes with eligibility remaining after the 2025-26 academic year will be allowed to choose whichever system benefits them most, creating a transition period before the new model fully takes over with the 2027 recruiting class.
The Sooners are as well-positioned as just about anyone to handle the change. With Brent Venables, Jim Nagy, and a personnel department that has already shown it can adapt quickly to college football’s constantly shifting landscape, Oklahoma should be able to navigate the new rules without much trouble. And honestly, if the NCAA can create a system that’s easier to understand than the one it replaced, that alone might qualify as a minor miracle.
Sourced | Building Depth
– Super K – Posted on: June 24, 2026
I know Charlie has covered this with you but just wanted to add some corroboration for what he has said regarding building defensive depth.
I chatted with a source recently about what the focus is for this summer in terms of the defense. Was told that they continue to love their front line group and really like the depth at linebacker and a fair bit at corner.
But where they have been focused in trying to build out depth at safety. I was told they have not yet done any cross training of DBs from other positions like cornerbacks, just focused on getting the other safeties to be as good as they can be to limit any drop off.
And, again, there is a big emphasis on building the defensive line depth as they were this past spring.
Again, nothing earth shattering here but just a little sourced insight that echoes what Charlie has been telling you all.
Latest | Sparrow, Wolfgramm and Fields
– Charlie S – Posted on: June 24, 2026
So…not much to report other than what we already have, but just wanted to bring it to the front for those who continue to ask.
***Safety Bode Sparrow will announce his commitment to the school of his choosing on Friday. The Sooners have been out front in this one for a long time and as you know, I have had his commitment draft in the back since late March. NOW…BYU and Utah have pressed, and pressed hard, and you never know what is gonna happen, but as far as I know, sources have told me that Sparrow has not informed either BYU or Utah that he is in. Which ‘bodes’ well for OU. I have him going to OU at this time.
***On Uhila Wolfgramm…your guess is as good as mine. Seriously. The kid doesn’t tip his hand, and nobody connected to him does either. Sources at OU remain confident, and they feel like they are in a good spot, but again, in this case, BYU has its hands all over this recruitment and I could see them winning out in the end. I’m not willing to bet on this one, and I honestly don’t even have a gut feeling, as I noted I could be swayed either way as to where he will land. I expect an announcement here in the very near future.
***Finally, on Safety Jaden Fields…I had a source tell me he is taking his time and seeing how some things play out…this bodes well for OU should Sparrow surprise me and not commit to OU. Should Sparrow not land at OU, I would expect the Sooners to do a hard pivot and start to be more aggressive with Fields. I do think OU could grab him if they push based on sourced info.
Who’s Calling the Shots in Recruiting? | Sourced
– Super K – Posted on: June 25, 2026
Ever since Nagy was hired and the Sooners went to an NFL, I check periodically with folks around the program to get a sense of how things have or haven’t change when it comes to the business of recruiting.
The latest impression? The Sooners continue to move more and more towards an NFL model.
You’ll remember that in the past and certainly under Bob, coaches had full autonomy on offers. Even Bob and to some degree Lincoln, didn’t meddle much in those decisions.
Brent seemed to have more control but the assistant coaches were still the decision makers.
As I had noted previously, when Nagy came in that started to change and OU was a little more progressive in giving the GM quite a bit of power.
Where are things now? It sounds like they’ve moved even further in the Nagy direction. There is still latitude for a coach who wants to stand on the table for a particular player but obviously that’s risky because if the front office, as it were, is pushing you in a direction and you defy them and turn out to be wrong, not a good look.
What I gather is that Nagy and his guys do everything from the evaluations, to the money and they follow a Dabo model of really limiting the actual number of targets. They are hyper focused on a few targets – maybe half or less than most other recruiting departments/staffs.
In terms of landing who they want, it seems to be working well. In terms of how this is going to work out, that remains to be seen but it’s clear that as much as program lives and dies by it’s talent, this program life is squarely in the hands of Nagy and co.
Breaking Down the Top Rooms in the SEC | Quarterback
– Charlie S – Posted on: June 25, 2026
Ok…July is almost here, so it is time to start focusing on the season ahead. I will post my projected starting player rankings for each team in the league at QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, DL, LB, Secondary and Special Teams.
We will kick things off with ranking the quarterbacks.
2026 SEC Quarterback Rankings
1. Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss)
The reigning king of SEC quarterbacks. Chambliss enters 2026 coming off a season in which he put up video-game numbers and led one of the nation’s most explosive offenses. He is equally dangerous throwing or running the football and has complete command of Lane Kiffin’s system. Until proven otherwise, he’s the quarterback every SEC defense fears most.
2. LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina)
Few quarterbacks in the country possess Sellers’ combination of size, strength, athleticism, and arm talent. He can take over games by himself and has developed into a much more polished passer. South Carolina’s rise has mirrored his development, and he enters the season as a legitimate Heisman contender. He does not have great weapons around him, but I believe he would make every team in the SEC better if he played for them, aside from Ole Miss.
3. Gunner Stockton (Georgia)
The Georgia signal-caller may not get the same national attention as some others, but winning matters. Stockton has proven he can operate Georgia’s offense efficiently, make smart decisions, and deliver in big moments. Surrounded by elite talent and playing for a perennial championship contender, he has all the tools and support necessary to put together a monster season. If Georgia wins the SEC, Stockton will be a major reason why.
4. John Mateer (Oklahoma)
Mateer was the driving force behind Oklahoma’s playoff breakthrough and one of the biggest turnarounds in recent college football history. His toughness, mobility, and ability to create explosive plays make him one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the conference. With another offseason under Ben Arbuckle and an improved supporting cast, Mateer could easily climb higher by season’s end.
5. Arch Manning (Texas)
The talent is obvious. Manning has elite arm strength, athletic ability, and football instincts. However, unlike the quarterbacks ahead of him, he is still working to establish the same level of week-to-week production and leadership over a championship-caliber season. The ceiling remains incredibly high.
6. Marcel Reed (Texas A&M)
Reed doesn’t always receive the headlines, but he’s one of the better quarterbacks in the conference. He generally protects the football, makes solid decisions, and provides enough athleticism to stress defenses. His consistency is a major asset for Texas A&M.
7. Sam Leavitt (LSU)
One of the most intriguing quarterbacks in the league. Leavitt arrives at LSU with tremendous talent and expectations. He has a strong arm, can extend plays, and has the potential to become one of the SEC’s elite quarterbacks if he adjusts quickly to his new surroundings. See if he can play the whole year, thats my main concern for him.
8. Byrum Brown (Auburn)
Brown’s dual-threat ability immediately raises Auburn’s offensive ceiling. His athleticism allows him to turn broken plays into positive gains, and he brings much-needed explosiveness to the Tigers’ offense.
9. Keelon Russell (Alabama)
Perhaps no quarterback in the SEC has a higher long-term ceiling. Russell possesses elite physical tools and was one of the nation’s top recruits. Experience is the only thing keeping him outside the top tier entering the season.
10. Austin Simmons (Missouri)
Simmons has the arm talent and confidence to become Missouri’s next standout quarterback. While he still has plenty to prove, the potential is obvious, and the Tigers are counting on him to elevate the offense.
11. Aaron Philo (Florida)
Philo enters a pressure-packed situation at Florida. The talent is there, but he must prove he can handle the weekly demands that come with leading an SEC program.
12. George MacIntyre (Tennessee) – Think he starts game one over Faizon Brandon, but its a battle.
MacIntyre fits Tennessee’s offense well and possesses impressive upside. However, he’ll be learning on the job against some of the toughest defenses in the country.
13. KJ Jackson (Arkansas) – I think he beats out AJ Hill
Jackson offers athleticism and playmaking ability that can help Arkansas compete. Consistency as a passer will determine whether he can move up these rankings. I kinda think he is too low, but Arkansas is just so bad.
14. Kamario Taylor (Mississippi State)
Taylor remains more projection than production at this stage, but Mississippi State believes he has the tools to develop into a quality SEC starter.
15. Kenny Minchey (Kentucky)
Minchey finally gets an opportunity to show what he can do. Kentucky needs him to provide stability and spark to an offense that has struggled for consistency.
16. Jared Curtis (Vanderbilt)
The former five-star recruit has immense talent and a bright future. However, as a young quarterback likely facing significant challenges, expectations should be tempered early in his career.
