Oklahoma and recruiting the Southeast

I wrote at the end of the Edwards commitment post that Oklahoma was making more of an effort to get into Florida. Oklahoma is making a concerted effort to get boots on the ground in SEC territory in general.

Why: Well you go where the talent is.

What's going on? OU's general recruiting efforts are usually concentrated  outside the SEC over  Stoops tenure - Yes Oklahoma recruits national and reaches into the SEC territory anyway but OU consistently pulls more talent elsewhere.(obviously Texas and California) . Oklahoma is committed to mining the SEC turf  more vigorously now for a few reasons

• Recent SEC HTH Success (Bama,Vols2x,Auburn) 
• Facility upgrade leveled the playing field 
• SEC Coaching Instability - Outside of Saban,SEC is a hot mess 
• HS Connection building/blooming- Expecting more ROI over time

OU hasn't been represented at a satellite camp like the one above outside of the state of Texas 

Oklahoma joining up with Memphis and crew for one of these camps in SEC territory is strategic, based on the bullet points above. Memphis has a ton of talent in the 250 mile radius of the city. OU will be able to evaluate talent and if they can get kids to visit, the recruits will find "SEC level" facilities OU lagged behind in.

Will it work: As I said above Oklahoma does reach into SEC territory already, we signed 7 last year from SEC states after all which was somewhat surprising., I expect that number will be less surprising going forward. Oklahoma's has a nice little buzz going on right now, it should only grow over this cycle.

Miguel Edward commits

Playing catch up this week. My apologies


Well Oklahoma stopped the hemorrhaging out this weekend, and Coach Cooks extend his streak of being money on the recruiting trail as Rivals250 Florida Prep prospect Miguel Edwards verballed to Oklahoma.

Miguel Edwards is probably going to end up a borderline consensus four star prospect by the time NSD comes along,Edwards current;y can be called a physical tweener at this point, he can literally grow or be shaped by the nutrition and support staff. Miquel however collected an impressive list of early offers based on his most valued traits: versatility and his instincts. Miguel could project at every secondary position just based on how he physically develops. Edwards collected offers from a host of  teams before committing to Oklahoma including Alabama,Auburn,Louisville and Wisconsin among others.

The commitment also helps strengthens Oklahoma's attempts at reaching into Florida to get commits this cycle. More on that later

#ST2k18 April: #Sooner Recruiting Update

Well the last ten or so days have been a bit rude to the Sooners on the recruiting trail. It's not all doom and gloom as much of it was expected, just that there wasn't any good news to counter out the bad.

Unexpected & Bad: Bryce Bray to the Pokes. Had the kid penciled in as a lock but family ties and friendships won out for now. I expect Bedenbaugh will keep the lines of communication open, but also it's clear he's moving on to secure another interior line prospect.

Expected, yet still sucky: Thompson to the Horns, Proctor to the Buckeyes, Jones to UCLA This was set in motion when Thompson decided to sit on his offer, allowing Rising to verbal. Casey is a great prospect for what Herman does  but Rising fits the OU mode with better arm strength. Urban Meyer is just a machine. I expect OU will still be on Proctor heavily. If there is a coaching change at UCLA at the end of the year, OU will be back in play for Jones but I suspect Oklahoma isn't holding a spot for Jones as they are for Proctor.


Any good news?: The projected good news I had early this month seems to be on its way now on the offensive line as OT Darrell Simpson released his top squads - I expect Oklahoma will be the selection over A&M when he formally announces. DE Ron Tatium will release his top squads tomorrow - Oklahoma will be listed and should be considered the favorite. Oklahoma also sits at the top for several DBs who could announce soon



April Class Projection

Key: RED= Committed, ** = projected verbal, ## =  Work to do to secure

QB: Cam Rising
RB: TJ Pledger + 1 TBD/Future Offer
Flexback/TE  1 TBD/Future Offer
WR Treveon Johnston** (Tech) Brennan Eagles## (A&M)
OT Brey Walker Darrell Simpson**( A&M) Reese Moore##(Texas)
IOL Brandon Finamore ##( Multiple) Tank Jenkins##(Multiple)


DE Ron Tatum**( Alabama,Texas) Miles Emery**(Louisville), Ronnie Perkins(## Missouri,Bama)
DT Jordan Kelly,   Bobby Brown**(A&M), Trevor Trout##(Missouri)
OLB Jalen Redmond**(Nebraska, Arkansas)
ILB Austin Orji##(Texas,Vandy) Ayodele Adeoye##(Missouri) or Future Offer
CB- Jordon Austin, Miquel Edwards**(Miami,Wisconsin), Starrland Baldwin**(OSU,WVU)
S - Patrick Fields, Delarrin Turner- Yell**(Baylor)


Housekeeping

Moved Jordon Austin back into my class projection for now - seems the air has been cleared there.

Still messing around with my class size number. Still contend class will be in the 22-24 range when ink hits paper. Will nail that down next month.

I've posted in the past how Bedenbaugh likes "tweener" bodies on the OL - guys capable of playing inside or outside based on need

Hardest Position to project: Interior OL, Flexback, Safety.. These position are all kinda wtf right now.

As always the above is just a laymans predictions: Consult your 9.95er of choice for more in depth discussion on this.


Next 3 commits: DB ,Darrell Simpson, Ron Tatum,


Tomorrow - Big 12 Monthly update.

Early NSD finally gets NCAA Approval

Finally. NCAA has approved a three-day signing window to occur in December, while still needing to be ratified is a big step and means it's gonna happen.

Why is this a big deal - Allows prospects to completely end their recruitment if they elect to do so, puts an accent on early evaluations and contact and in general it prevents shady trainers from moving your five star linebacker commit to LSU

Evaluations and forming early relationships will become important but reality is this will only slightly alter the recruiting landscape some recruit poaching will be minimized but not all.. Recruits committed to lesser programs will delay their signing to February in hopes of landing a bigger offer.


The Final NCAA ruling on this will come in June. It'll be ratified by most all accounts

Spring Game: Recruiting

Oklahoma will have between around 30 and perhaps more invitees spread across '18-'19 and beyond prospects in attendance.

Facilities:

Prospects will get to see the near completed facilities. I tweeted a bit about this last night, but the videos and renderings that the public have seen doesnt really give it its due. There is a good bit of "sparkle" to it, high end finishes - some neat stuff the kids will like (The Hype Room, The Barber Corner) while not going overboard (I'm looking at you Clemson with your damn slide and putt-putt) but what's really going to set it apart is just functionality - its  forward thinking

Boom Coming?

 It's clear we're trending hot right now between several prospects, and I've been given the impression Oklahoma will receive good news very soon that relates to the offensive line. There's writing on the wall there because usually when it heats up like it has it meets a quick resolution. I expect good news soon, if not today I don't expect it to drag out farther than early next week.

Jordan Kelley Commits

Union's own Jordan Kelley made it official today,committing to Oklahoma over Oklahoma State, Texas Christian and Arkansas following the Under Armour scouting combine.He announced on twitter. Kelley checked in at #5 on my in state prospect ranking Kelley becomes the third in state commitment for Oklahoma joining fellow Okies Walker and Fields.

Kelley probably legitimately stands 6'3 and about 295, pretty much a perfect frame for projecting out well at the next level, Film Here . Jordan becomes the first defensive line commit in a class that should be full of them. 

Recruiting Housekeeping

Made some adjustments/edited  the Recruiting hotboard to reflect new information following Kelley's commitment. Next complete update on April 20th

Prediction: Next three commits Miles Emery, Bryce Bray, Ron Tatum

Pledger Commits

TJ Pledger verbals to Oklahoma over USC,Nebraska and UCLA among many others. The kid is originally from California and is finishing his prep career at the IMG Prep Academy in Florida. Pledger stands 5'8 and 190 pounds  Watch his highlights below

Now flip on some highlights of Q

Pledger's ability to run inside and outside reminds me so much of Q. Pledger is build so stoutly and low to the ground, with his vision its an impressive combination. Pledger will push for a 5 star rating.he plans to shut down his recruitment. Expect more good news this weekend.

'18 Big 12 Recruiting Snapshot - March

It's time once again to get back into the swing of things with CFB recruiting and Big 12 recruiting in particular. It's still early, but this is the second update of the '18 cycle, here be post number one


General Housekeeping:  Still kind of slow in researching recruiting needs/restriction for all the Big 12 teams at this point. I'll get on that and next months will be more in depth on each team so far as roster needs.

KU: Kansas still leading the pack buoyed by a foursome of Louisiana prospects despite some high quality decommitments last month .Leader of the pack for KU at this point is four star wr Devonta Jason, t will be a major coup for Kansas to hold on to him. KU has not picked up any new commitments since the February Recruiting Snapshot.

OU:  Sooner specific update coming tonight/tomorrow.  Oklahoma's top prospect is five-star OT Brey Walker - who is controversially the #2 in my OK Preps ranking. Oklahoma added in state three-star safety Patrick Fields since the Feb snapshot.

TCU:  Frogs added two prospects since the last updated, including the current headliner to their class in four-star safety Atanza Vongor

OSU: Pokes added my #8 rated Ok Preps prospect in three-star prospect OT Hunter Anthony. Dual Threat QB Spencer Sanders remains the bell cow

Baylor: One of the few teams I know a bit about: Baylor is going to be attempting to replenish their  line depth in a major way, and that shows early as Rhule has already accepted the commitments of three offensive line prospects. Bears have added two commits since the last update, both on the OL in Casey Phillips and Ylijaah Hall.

Tech: No change since Feb snapshot, Top recruit remains four-star WR Gabriel Douglas 

Texas: First commit of the Herman era at Texas is a Florida boy, that trend didn't work out so well for Strong. Justin Watkin is a four-star WR. Recruits are said to be taking a wait and see appoach with Texas this year.

WVU: No new prospects for WVU, three-star in state DT James Gmiter is the lone Mountaineer at this point

ISU: ISU got on the board with Wisconsin three-star DE Will McDonald hoping on board late last month

KSU: N/A way way too much in the air with Snyder's health. Recruiting will be slower than usual for KSU.

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March Projected Order of Finish

#1 Oklahoma

#2 TCU

#3 Texas

#4 Ok State

#5 Baylor

#6 WVU

#7 ISU

#8 Tech

#9 Kansas

#10 Kansas State

Jr Day in Review & Note on Scott Pagano

Yesterday Oklahoma held it's second Junior Day for this cycle and it seemingly went swimmingly.

'18 Offers Extended

DT Jordan Kelly, DE/OLB Iziah Fikikitonga, and CB Starrland Baldwin . I had slotted Kelly and Fikikitonga into my class projection but not Baldwin. Baldwin is a kid with just explosive speed, he's a take at CB and at worst his film shows that he'd be more than capable at feeling an ATH role as a WR/KR.

Building Relationships

Oklahoma uses these events to get prospects and their families in an environment that is friendly, and open for communication. Oklahoma puts out the glitzy trophies and championship rings, coaches sit down and give individual attention. It's really about trying to connect and get a feel for each other because for some this will be the last in person contact until fall. A few others will be able to camp at OU this summer obviously, but got to start these relationships off right

'18 Boom Watch?

If one of the recent offers going to pop, I'm assuming it would be Baldwin or Fikikitonga. I expect Kelly to visit Texas, then take a few days after that.

'19? You kidding me '19

I'm iffy on even getting into this but yes Oklahoma secured two highly ranked '19 WRs this weekend in Theo Wease and Arjei Henderson both are elite players. Feb '19 is a long way off, it's best to think of these two as VIP club members, they're in the club but will club hop (visit other schools) a ton over the next 24 months.


Big Scott Pagano
The public list is trimmed and Oklahoma is a finalist among seven schools. I asked around and  the following is from someone in the know:

"He wants playing time  our depth chart looks good to kid like that. The four-man front is huge here."


 I'll keep nosing around and see if I can get a visit date locked down.

 My added commentary to this: Doesn't hurt OU at all that Oklahoma is the only one on the list with championship goals. Could be huge, but I still think OU will trail an Oregon or Cal but I'd love to be wrong.


Edit: 2/21  There's a report Pagano has scheduled his visit for March 31.  I have no reason to doubt that, but as of this edit I haven't heard that myself. I have however been given the impression Sooners are much bigger players in this thing, than I previously thought..

Feb Recruiting Update '18 ST2k18 - Defense Projection

Yesterday I made my first offensive class projection  so today here comes the defense. My same caveats apply, consider this all in good fun and if you want inside notes you have great options out there. As I said yesterday: Consider this more like a layman recruitniks wishlist

Red = Committed/ Blue =Offered, Projected Verbal  (...) = Other schools in running

DT Calvin Avery (Nebraska) Bobby Brown (A&M) Jordan Kelly (TCU,OSU)
DE Ron Tatum (Alabama,Texas), Miles Emery (Louisville) Jalen Redman (Arkansas),
OLB  Iziah Fikikitonga (TCU)
ILB   Alston Orgi (A&M) DaShaun White (Baylor,Texas,Houston)
CB Jordon Austin  Vernone McKinley (A&M,Alabama, Tech,)
S Josh Proctor (Oklahoma State, Goergia,Arkansas), Cam Jones (UCLA)

Ath/Specialists/MISC: 1-2 TBD


My projected class size for '18 was an ambitious 22-24. i've posted previously on how recruiting classes dwindles, i'm fairly comfortable in this prediction accounting for typical attrition.

Lineman By The Ton:  You typically recruit your juniors, but Oklahoma has switched to incorporating the four man front for one and the fact is as I noted above: attrition will occur. We need to go extremely defensive front heavy this cycle. I feel the staff may even be more likely to allocate scholarships from another position to Juco prospects there as well potentially.  Our scholarship distribution is a mess

Linebacker: We're going to take at least two inside linebackers. Orgi is the primary target, White is likely to get exposure late. Expect more names to emerge. OLB - We may take one, we may take none, I plugged Fikiktonga there because he is a tweener who is currently a DE.

MISC: 1-2 spots to be allocated based on need or held for elite players. I could see an additional outright DE like Miles Emery, (Kansas State,Kansas) for example.

This wishlist and my offensive wishlist will put Oklahoma in the 22-24 range, which I think is likely. As I said yesterday, I will do several of these over the offseason: Don't take this as gospel. Always tip your waitress

Feb Recruiting Update '18 ST2k18 - Offense Projection

I projected class need  and now I'll move forward with some sure to be wrong predictions for the offensive class

just go ahead and accept that

Oklahoma will sign a strong offensive class,but the bulk of the impressive athletes will come from the trenches.. My prediction for the rest of the class will be relatively "weak:" relative to the OL class and  when compared to the skill position talent SoonerSquad17. That's to be expected. 

Now before we get started: Don't take this as gospel: Subscribe to your recruiting site of choice and listen to those guys, or save your sanity and check back in late January 2018

This is just a recruitnik projections based on today .unless i say otherwise in a particular instance (aka "according to sources). Think of it as a rolling projection I'll do periodically in the offseason.

Red = Committed/ Blue =Offered, Projected Verbal  (...) = Other schools in running

QB- Cam Rising

RB- TJ Pledger -( Nebraska & USC) & Mychale Salahuddin - (Penn State Maryland, UVA)

Flexback/TE -  TBD

OT - Brey Walker   Anthony Mckinney (Iowa State) 

IOL- Curtis Dunlap (Florida/Miami)

WR -    Sean Shaw Jr (Kansas, Kansas State SMU) Drake Stoops (Iowa State, SMU)

Notes:

I believe OU ends up with another interior OL type. Bedenbaugh likes tweener type OT/OG (see OU offer Will Lawrence in Tennessee as an example)

Flexback/FB/TE It's quite possible Oklahoma doesn't take a Flexback this season for one but I think simply having offers out to some that fit the mold means one will make themselves known at some point this cycle  

The WR spot is iffy to me, at the time of this writing neither Shaw Jr or Stoops have offers, but are the type of recruits who'll end up at OU this cycle in my opinion. I also think C.J. Moore will be an instate WR to watch as we get into this summer and fall. If we do land an out of state WR I would think it would just be one between Eagle, Bush and Wells. but I just don't expect it after last years haul

Tomorrow: Defensive Projection and a look ahead to Jr Day

'18 Big 12 Recruiting Snapshot - February

This will be a monthly article, chronicling the recruiting highs and lows of the conference this year.I was going to start this in May but Kansas and that hot start have turned heads so I think doing so now will allow a better point of reference for everyone. Monthly snapshots will be posted around the 15th until further notice.

What's the deal with Kansas?! I've written about it before, relationships matter. I advise you to look into Tony Hull's coaching history and that should eliminate all doubt that relationships aren't important.  Kansas isn't going to keep up this pace, and in all serious likelihood some ,if not most of these kids will ink elsewhere in 2018 but that's ok. Can you remember Jayhawks football having this much positive press in February? Neither can I,

Not how you start, It's how you finish: Piggybacking off the Kansas blurb,  most schools in the league have 0-3 recruits verballed right now, Kansas having 8 is a severe outlier both in the Big 12 and nationally. I've seen people wonder about that on social media, this isn't routine. Schools will begin to pick up commits at a regular clip starting pretty quickly. Junior Days for all programs start up around this time.

2018 League Recruiting Predictions: I expect both Oklahoma and Texas will have strong classes (cause duh). TCU/OSU should be in/around the Top 25- 30 by the end of the year, TCU was hampered by class size this cycle. WVU/Baylor in the late 30's, ISU in the 50's. Kansas, will move into the 50's. The wildcards this cycle are Texas Tech and Kansas State due to Kliff's hot seat and Snyder's health I suspect both programs will have new coaches. a good hire at Tech could move them into the 30's-40's  no matter the start, KSU is just its own being right now so without Snyder i don't even know what to predict.

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What is Junior Day? - Recruiting 101

Welcome once again to another edition of Recruitnik 101. If you're unfamiliar with this term and new to following recruiting this should set you straight.

Junior Day - Unofficial visits of high school underclassmen to campus, usually in large groups. Schools usually hold 1-3 each spring, in addition to prospects taking individual trips to spring practice

Purpose: Coaches use these visits to gauge interest in the program (remember these are classified as unofficial visits, the prospect/prospects family is paying for transportation/meals etc). These visits allow coaches to get to speak with prospects and their families, extend offers etc. Occasionally high school coaches also make these trips, which is good for fostering relationships

What happens: Prospects get tours of the facilities, someone is on hand to answer academic questions about departments and varying length of contact with their position coaches and the head coach depending on program interest. Prospects of age who don't receive offers are usually encouraged to attend a summer on campus skills camp for further evaluation

Why is it important: The more communication between prospects and their families with coaches the easier the recruiting process goes. Getting talent onto campus helps forms relationships between prospects which can help provide group momentum. Getting commitments is obviously the goal of Jr Day, but even if they don't pop that day it usually sets the wheels in motion.


Oklahoma's next Junior Day is next week.

2018 : Recruiting Needs & Intro

"Signing day was yesterday, yeah but..."

image cred: OU Recruiting

Oklahoma signed a consensus top 10 class yesterday, yeah but.. it's time to move on to 2018.  Yes, I know that sounds dumb, the ink isn't even try yet but that's the nature of recruiting, the coaching staff staff started on the class of '18 in the spring of 2016 (honestly probably further back than that).

Already in the fold: 5*OT Brey Walker, 4* QB Cam Rising and 3*  CB Jordon Austin

#'s Game: Minimum we'll be taking is 18, but as explained here: attrition happens. I expect next years class to be around 22 or 24

Position Breakdown 

QB -  Cam Rising
RB 2 -
FB/Flex/1-
WR/TE3
OT1 -  Brey Walker  + 1
C/G- 2
DT3 (I'd prefer one impact juco in this group)
DE2
ILB2
OLB1
CB2: Jordon Austin +2
Safety1:
ATH2