Weekend Open Post | March 27th – 29th
Posted on: March 27, 2026
Follow Up to Insider Note on Heinecke | Update: 10:00
– Charlie S – Posted on: March 23, 2026
Last night, I posted an Insider Note about Owen Heinecke HERE.
“With all the craziness with guys getting waivers, seeking and receiving injunctive relief, and zero consistency from the NCAA regarding granting additional eligibility…
Do not be shocked to see some news from Norman regarding Owen Heinecke in the very near future.”
This morning, the news is out…Owen Heinecke has filed injuction against NCAA, seeking another year of eligibility.
This is the same route that Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss took, and he was successful in securing another year of eligibility for the upcoming season. In Chambliss’ case, the ruling concluded that the NCAA failed to act in good faith and that Chambliss met the criteria for a medical redshirt to regain eligibility for a sixth season, despite the NCAA previously denying his waiver request.
If Heinecke gets a ‘friendly’ judge, I would expect the same result, but timing is of the essence as the NFL Draft begins on April 23rd. I do not think Heinecke and OU go into this blind and they have things lined up properly.
Update: As noted, with timing being so important, the emergency hearing date has been set for April 16th, which is a week before the draft.
Sourced | OU’s Compensation Philosophy
– Super K – Posted on: March 24, 2026
As I noted last week, I wanted to pass along want I’m hearing in terms of the ranges on compensation the Sooners (and others) are paying out for freshmen deals on 2027 players. This became of more interest to me since the Sooners already hold such a good class.
***First, a word on the Sooners philosophy. As I may have previously mentioned, the logic for the OU staff in how to approach the revenue sharing is…
You’re going to pay a premium in the portal. So, be good at your evals, pay a little more up front so that you can avoid that premium later.
Here is an example…
Say you grab a cornerback out of high school and offer him 300K while other schools are only offering 200K. You’re taking a risk but the hope is that he ends up being a great player. If he is a great player then you may end up having to pay him 700K in his second or third year but that same kid would end up costing 1.2 million in the portal.
The downside of course is that if you keep missing on guys, you’re burning money on freshmen that don’t make up that difference later.
But the Sooners trust their ability to evaluate.
***So, for example, I’m told the Sooners paid a freshman premium for Cooper Hackett (I was told somewhere around 600K). If you’re right about him, you’ll make up the difference in the subsequent years.
***Freshman deals for good OLs are more like 350-450. So the Sooners paid a premium
***I was told the tight end ranges for top tight ends right now are around 300K so the Sooners probably put a decent amount towards their recent tight end grab. But again worth it if you’re right on him.
***Addtionally, I’m told that the deals are being structured as partial revenue sharing and partial NIL. That’s true across the country.
***I asked a source what schools do if the NIL portion is blocked by the clearinghouse. Was told that you just break it down into multiple small deals. So…
Say you did a deal for 500K – 300 in revenue sharing and 200 in NIL and the clearinghouse blocks the 200K deal. Then you scramble to find the player four 50K deals (200K in total). Was told that the clearinghouse is much more hesitant to block smaller deals, if at all.
***So going back to what I said about the Sooners clearing about 5 million off their books for next year. You can see that, in the current market that is giving them a ton of extra room to play with but they are using it by betting on their ability to evaluate.
Sourced Recruiting Notes
– Charlie S – Posted on: March 24, 2026
Spring ball is starting up and so will the visitors who will be making their way to Norman to watch the squad go at it.
Before that happens, a couple sourced recruiting notes to pass along…
***Start with ’27 running back commit Keldrid Ben. As I have repeatedly noted, Ben and 2028 RB Commit Micah Rhodes are a pair of guys to keep an eye on as they committed to Oklahoma in large part due to DeMarco Murray being the position coach at the time. Yes, I know Ben recently told some pro-OU outlets he is locked in and won’t be taking any other trips, but as I noted at the time, “kids say the darndest things.” Now, Notre Dame is expecting to host Ben this weekend. Now, all is not lost with Ben, as I believe he is doing some due diligence, but I do not believe this will be his last visit to another program, so Deland McCullough and the Sooners still have some work to do here.
***Onto next potential commits. I have been pretty steadfast in saying I believe OL Gus Corsair or CB Gabe Osborne will be the next public commit for Oklahoma, but now, enter S Bode Sparrow. I would move Sparrow in front of Osborne in regard to timeline (sounds like Osborne wants to get some vacay on the calendar for him and his family) and Sparrow is getting closer to pulling the trigger. This is not a monumental shift as I have said I like where OU is for all three, but more along the lines of a reorg with respect to timelines. I still expect Osborne to be part of the class, I just expect Sparrow to jump on board before he does.
***Speaking of defensive backs, a source out west was talking about the OU cornerback haul and they were of the opinion that instead of continuing to pursue Juju Johnson, they would go all in on Trenton Blaylock if they were OU. They like his game and are a bit leary on Juju based on his price tag and his health situation (missing all of last season). So, while I am not saying this is what OU will do, it is something a source who is familiar with Juju and Trenton would prefer to do if he were OU.
5 Spring Storylines Which May Define Oklahoma’s 2026 Season
– Charlie S – Posted on: March 25, 2026
Happy Spring Ball opening day to all who partake! Here are five things I will be paying most attention to this spring!
1. Will Ben Arbuckle commit to the run game?
This might be the defining question of the spring.
Arbuckle’s system thrives on tempo and efficiency, but in the SEC, OU has to show it can win with balance and physicality. That means a true commitment to the run, patience when explosives are not there, and the ability to close games on the ground.
Spring will tell us if this offense can control games, not just chase big plays.
2. How impactful are the new additions to the staff?
There is real intrigue with Jason Witten at tight end, Lamar Morgan at defensive back, and DeLand McCullough at running back.
Spring is the first look at their teaching style, their attention to detail, and how players respond to them day to day. Just as important is early development at those positions and whether the group takes on a new edge.
These are not just new faces. If they hit, they can raise the floor and toughness of multiple position groups right away.
3. Who steps up at wide receiver?
There is talent in the room, but the question is whether there is a true number one option. New additions Trell Harris and Parker Livingstone will see their first action as Sooners. Manny Choice and Elijah Thomas are the new guys from last year. This year’s new guys of note will be Jayden Petit and Jahsiear Rogers. All of them hope to make an impact like Isaiah Sategna did last season.
Spring should bring clarity in terms of a go to target, a legitimate vertical threat, and which younger players are ready to contribute now. This group has upside, but it needs structure and definition by the end of spring.
4. Is the defense ready to take another leap?
Under Brent Venables, the trajectory has been positive, but now the expectation is more than improvement.
A major focus this spring will be finding a consistent pass rush presence following the departure of R Mason Thomas. Someone has to emerge as the guy opposite Taylor Wein that offenses have to account for off the edge.
Beyond that, the emphasis remains on consistent run defense and faster, more instinctive linebacker play. To compete at the top of the SEC, this unit has to become a group that can control games, not just complement the offense.
5. Can the offensive line become a strength again?
Under Bill Bedenbaugh, expectations never dip, but this group has something to prove.
Spring will be about locking in the interior, finding answers at tackle backup left tackle, and a battle at right tackle, and building real SEC-level depth. If this unit comes together, the entire offense takes on a different identity and becomes much more reliable.
Quick Notes Post 1st Spring Practice
– Charlie S – Posted on: March 25, 2026
Source says there are 85 all-Americans out there!
Seriously though…it was a successful first practice and James will send over some Raw Video for you guys to watch either later tonight or tomorrow.
Some players who did not participate:
***OL Daniel Akinkunmi
***DL David Stone
***RB Tory Blaylock
***WR Daniel Odom
***DL Kenny Ozowalu
Players who were not at practice due to rehab/recovery
***WR Trell Harris
***DE PJ Adebawore
***DT Jayden Jackson
Sourced Spring Practice Observations | March 26th
– Charlie S – Posted on: March 26, 2026
Spoke to a source about the first practice of the spring for the Sooners and wanted to pass along their take on a few things.
***Source was pretty impressed by the TE group. Said “I mean…night and day. From coaching, to purpose, to the guys in the room, it just looked so much different”. Again, this source in particular is pretty smitten with Jack Van Doreselaer, but pointed out that none of ”these guys’ looked like the guys from the past groups of late.
***Safety Omarrion Robinson, while not a new guy, was someone who stood out for source on day one. While Robinson was a very willing and active participant last year, source said he has a different air about him and is carrying himself like a vet as opposed to a second year guy looking for a role. Source believes Robinson will push for playing time (I agree).
***Was told the offensive line is starting exactly like we have talked about with Fasusi at LT, EPL at LG, Maikkula at C, Fodje at RG, and E’Marion Harris at RT and source thinks Harris could be the most signifficant add for OU on the offensive side of the ball from the portal and said “He takes the guessing out of the picture” in regard to who the best 5 are. Source agreed with me in respect to their likely being different combos between now and the first kick, but those five you see out there right now are all guys who will go into spring and likely fall camp as the number oness and the other guys will be the ones chasing some roles. Source did note that Peyton Joseph ‘looks like a dude”.
***Source was very impressed by what they saw from the DL with David Stone and Jayden Jackson not participating. Sounds like Bishop Thomas and Trent Wilson looked good and source was particularly impressed by what Wilson has done with his body in the offseason. With Kenny Ozowalu not practicing as well, the numbers were rather thin but Tank Carrington and Nigel Smith turned some heads as well as the entire group of front players moved around quite a bit to help keep the flow of practice moving. Was told the athleticism amomg the group is still quite high.
***Will have more takeaways in the coming days.
New Age GMs | Sourced
– Super K – Posted on: March 26, 2026
With revenue sharing and NIL, the general manager role at some programs has expanded.
I’ve spoken to OU sources and sources at different programs to get a sense of what role GMs are playing.
Here is the range I’ve found…
***One SEC program I spoke with really hasn’t changed a lot. Their GM plays a traditional Player Personnel Director role. Like the past, offers are mostly dictated by coaches. And, like the past, assistant coaching decisions remain fully in the control of the head coach.
***A Big 10 and Big 12 program I spoke with are on the opposite side of the spectrum. The GM has complete autonomy over offers. Additionally, the GM is very involved in the hiring and firing of assistant coaches. In the case of the Big 10 school, the GM is being given actual final say in hiring – even over the DC and OC.
***From what I can tell, the Sooners take a more balanced approach. BV still makes the decisions on hires. Others have input, but my sense is no one can really sway BV. But on recruiting offers, Nagy is being given autonomy. However, I was told that assistant coaches can stand on the table for a kid when there is a difference between the GM’s office and the coaching office, and the GM’s office defers to the coaches. However, I’ve been told, you better be right.
