Thoughts?

New 25’ TE offer, what does this mean in y’all’s eyes? @Brandon Drumm @Parker Thune

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WHY?

Last weekend against OSU, the fifth-year senior showed she's finding her groove after an up-and-down regular season.

*** I’ll start with the obvious in that Sooners new commitment in Trystan Haynes was big for a variety of reasons.


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First things first, a source told me over the last few days, “(OU) doesn’t want to see any other in-state offers leave the state after the Nate Roberts ordeal.”

That in itself made the Haynes’ situation vital for the Sooners and Jay Valai to close out and get the Carl Albert stars commitment.

This wasn’t easy, though. The likes of Georgia, Texas A&M, Notre Dame and a few others really pushed for Haynes’ services. Of those programs, it was Notre Dame that seemed to have the most push for Haynes. However, sources I spoke with said those picks for the Irish were “premature,” to say the least.

So the question now becomes why the picks for the Irish?

Well, Haynes has a close family friend that works in the football and athletic dept at ND. That close family friend was former Northeast ATH George West. But even with the connection, the visits to ND just “didn’t feel like a fit for Trystan,” a source told OUinsider.

Right after Haynes’ visit to ND, I went to CA to speak with the four-star Sooners commit, and asked if he was close to a decision. Haynes said it was “coming soon.” The next question seemed obvious at that point and it was “Would you take other visits if you commit soon?”

Haynes said, “No. I would go to where I was committed only.”

Felt like it was apparent where things stood at that point, but even with Miami and others coming to CA to see the Rivals250 DB, there was a loyalty to OU that Haynes telling the staff that no official would happen and that he was set as soon as the Sooners’ spring game took place and he formally committed.

All along it seemed like Coach Valai and the Sooners would be hard to beat, but like I said, it wasn’t without some theatrics. Haynes did a good job not tipping his hand throughout the process, but once the numbers became tight at OU — at the CB spot — Haynes made the choice he knew he was going to make the whole time.

*** Thoughts on Haynes’ skills set ***

Haynes fits like a glove. Not the OJ Isotoner type, but perfectly fitting into what OU likes to do defensively with their DB’s.

Haynes is long, with the four-star pushing close to 6-2. He’s also super versatile, playing WR, punt return and kick return as well. With his speed it’s an easy decision to play him on both sides of the ball for Carl Albert. I honestly won’t be shocked to see OU giving Haynes a look or two as a returner as well.

Also, Haynes ability to stretch the field was used a lot with Sooners’ QB commit Kevin Sperry throwing him passes last season. He’s also got a knack for space and the ability make the defender miss. You see that a lot because outside of the Titans throwing him the deep ball, they also like to get him space with tunnel and bubble screens. That more than anything shows his speed.

Ironically, even with how well he makes people miss in space, his hips are a bit tight at times in coverage but not to the point you feel it limits him too much. As a matter of fact, that part of his game is being worked on with renowned DB trainer Dwight Dobbins, who is now also the CB coach at Westmoore.

And with Haynes’ frame, it’s a matter of time before he fills it out and pushes 195lbs. And with how OU asks their corners to fill run lanes on the outside, that added weight to his frame will be needed. Though he already good in run support for CA in HS.

The other part that needs a bit of work is getting caught with eyes in the backfield at times. Haynes likes to make the big play, so naturally that comes with a bit of baiting and watching the QB instead of his man in coverage. Sometimes that gives up a play or two that shouldn’t happen, but overall Haynes is fairly technically sound in coverage and the few things that need corrected are things that are easily addressed and fixed.

All in all, the Sooners added another DB that can play multiple positions and that has the upside to be a multi-year starter once his body and skill set are developed a bit more. But Haynes is yet another four-star at Jay Valai’s disposal at corner.

I cancelled my account a couple of weeks ago. According to the page with my account info, It says cancelled but that I still have access until June 5, 2024. However, I have now been charged a renewal fee for another year as of yesterday. I got on the Yahoo page and have tried to start a chat-it doesn’t work. There is a number to call and it requires payment for support. They don’t show an email. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks!

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Gonna go ahead and fire a FutureCast in favor of Oklahoma for three-star DE Kade Pietrzak, who attends West Fargo (N.D.) Sheyenne High. He recently dropped a top four of Oklahoma, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Kansas State. If you have not yet watched his film, treat yourself. He is, as Brent Venables would say, hell on wheels.

I'm projecting him to land alongside blue-chippers Alex Shieldnight and CJ Nickson in a threefold class of defensive ends for Oklahoma. I don't know for a fact that Pietrzak ends up in the class; he's not a silent or anything. But I do know a few things about this recruitment that have given me confidence to move ahead with the prediction, especially after checking in with several different sources in the last few days.

1) As I outlined in an update last month, Pietrzak came very, very close to committing to Oklahoma on his very first campus visit.
2) Distance from home isn't expected to be a major factor in Pietrzak's eventual decision. He's more Wyatt Gilmore than Grant Brix.
3) When I checked in with sources at the other three schools in the running for Pietrzak's commitment, there was a general consensus that Oklahoma is in the pole position.
4) I've got Max Granville pegged to A&M, and Smith Orogbo could end up just about anywhere. There are also some genuine frame concerns with the latter prospect.
5) I'm told the head ball coach loves Pietrzak. And as we saw with Marcus Wimberly, if a kid's got the stamp from the head ball coach, that can make all the requisite difference.

Everything seems to line up here. Pietrzak has already visited all four of his top schools, but he's only tried to commit to one of them. He's a priority for the staff, and especially Venables. A battle with Nebraska, Kansas State and Wisconsin should be a battle that OU wins when official visits roll around. That's not necessarily a guarantee, as we saw last cycle with Brix. But this feels like a prediction that has good odds of hitting the mark. So I'm pulling the trigger.

*** Alright, so Todd Bates has been on the road recruiting this week, but has also been in daily contact with Williams’ camp. So has Texas and so has LSU. They made their final pitches over the last 24hrs with Williams and his people.

Sources told me that a bit ago that OU will be making their pitch to Williams between “10 am and 11 am today.” According to what I’m told, that is the final school they talk with before they make a decision.

As of now, OU feels good about things. Is it a coincidence they were first and last team to get to see and talk with Williams? That’s something to think about.

Also, OU is one team that every school has said is in it when I talk to people that have knowledge of that situation on their side of things. Is the common denominator school the one that wins out?

We will find out soon enough. Stay tuned.

let’s flood his xitter so he gets spooked! Or is it only because it was OU?

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In the 12-team playoff era, is winning the SEC a benefit. Here’s a quick, realistic scenario…

1 Georgia
2 Ohio State
3 Miami
4 Texas Tech
5 OU
6 Oregon
7 Clemson
8 Ole Miss
9 Penn St
10 Texas
11 Florida St
12 Boise St

Our theoretical road to a championship would be a home game vs BSU, neutral vs TTU, etc…
Georgia would get a bye, but their first game would be neutral site vs the winner of Clemson/Ole Miss

OU -39.5 vs Temple
OU -5 vs Tennessee
OU -3 at Auburn
OU vs Texas -8.5
OU at Ole Miss -6
OU at Missouri -4
OU vs Alabama -1.5
OU at LSU -5

Are we looking at taking another portal OL or are we about done with it?

3PM Softball - OSU @ Oklahoma

Weather: Looking at various hourly weather forecasts, there appears to be a very high probability that the game will start on time at 3PM and will be completed without interruption. No worries.

Being There: ESPN2 will televise the game, but you must be at Love’s Field to observe, enjoy and celebrate the wonderful group of seniors that have brought Sooner fans so much joy during their time at Oklahoma. THREE-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPIONS. The accomplishments of these Oklahoma Sooners are HISTORIC. I am so glad to have a ticket to the game. I feel honored to be there to cheer for these Sooners, before and after the game.

Batting Slump: In diamond sports (baseball and softball) it is commonplace for individual players to go through hitting slumps. Right now, it appears that the entire Oklahoma Team is going through a hitting slump. The Sooners are just 8 of 51 (.157) at the plate so far in the Bedlam series, and just 3 of 26 (.115) with runners on base. Typically, good hitters break out of slumps eventually. OU’s roster is full of players that have proven themselves to be good hitters over multiple seasons.

Today would be a good day to break out of the slump.

Bounce Back – How will they react?
It is proven that these student-athletes have the Heart of a Champion. It’s a fact that they are champions … Three Times in a Row. No criticism from temperamental fans can take that FACT away. They are Champions. They will always have those championship rings, and lifelong championship memories.

Even so, today, this historic day, would be a great day to bounce back.

BOOMER SOONER!

I wrote a little bit about this past weekend for the Sooners ahead of the Big 12 Tournament later this week.

Y'all stay safe from the storms tonight.

Have been waiting on approval to discuss this stuff with you all and got the go-ahead this afternoon.

First, was told that Todd Bates went to Dallas and met with the family for quite some time. At that point, the Sooners felt very good about things but as the negations continued to linger (and go back and forth), programs like LSU and Texas made a few attempts. So did USC, who was given a wild number that I won’t say but it was essentially a barometer to see how much others may be willing to throw their way.

According to people with knowledge on Williams’ side of things, as the negotiations began to wind down, OU’s Todd Bates and Williams’ camp were at a restaurant (during their meeting) when Todd Bates began discussing how he proposed to his wife back in the day. However, shortly after, the source on Williams’ side said that Coach Bates pulled out a paper that said, “Sooner Nation wants to know if you’ll go back to Norman with me and become an Oklahoma Sooner.”

Williams said, “yes” and the rest was history after the negotiations between Williams’ handler and the C&C Collective were finalized. A source added to that story and said, “Coach Bates went old school to seal the deal.”

Obviously, the negotiations took longer than expected, with the decision supposed to made around 2 pm yesterday, per what I was told by multiple sources. Those timetables tend to lag on longer than expected, and we all know those talks and negotiations had some twists and turns, but the Sooners’ C&C Collective got it done.

So as things became more public last night, I asked for a quote on why Williams chose OU. Williams’ handler sent back a quote from the big-time transfer DT, saying, “I’ll be able to play for Coach Brent Venables and Coach Todd Bates,” Williams said. “And with what they already have, I feel like I can come in and help the team play for a championship.”

Was also told by another source within Williams’ camp that his younger brother, Joshua, “played a big part in his final decision once again, along with his mother, Miss Cici!”

Oklahoma has wrongly been viewed as a program that wouldn’t play the NIL game at the level needed in the SEC. What took place this week just debunks those falsehoods on the Sooners being broke. This was also a watershed moment for the program in the transfer portal, and in the scope of the collective being viewed as one that other programs will have to contend with from now on.

From this point on, all that is left is for Williams to get to campus, incorporate himself into the Sooners and Brent Venables’ culture, put in off-season work and produce on the field. Something most everyone expects to happen rather quickly.

Again, this was such a huge win for Todd Bates and company landing the biggest transfer target this spring. The DT room is changing and the talent is at a level we haven’t seen in Norman since the late 2000’s. And as I said above, it’s now time to put that talent on paper to good use on the field this fall.

Stay tuned for that…

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ot...ll-hall-of-fame-stadium-rebranded/ar-BB1lUyrZ

Where is Women's College World Series played? USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium rebranded
Story by Ryan Aber, The Oklahoman

Oklahoma State opens the tournament against BYU at 11 a.m. Thursday, followed by OU against the winner of Wednesday’s Kansas-Houston matchup at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

The WCWS begins May 30 at the stadium with the championship series scheduled to conclude June 6 or 7.

Make it eight straight wins for the red hot Sooners.

Coming into the clash with Wichita State on Tuesday night, OU was ranked at No. 18 in the nation after soaring back into the rankings off of their win streak.

Oklahoma would give the nod to Brendan Girton on the mound for this one, who came into the game with an 0-1 record and a 5.33 ERA. Oklahoma would pick up two quick outs and despite allowing a few runners on, they escaped the inning unscathed. Wichita State had similar success on the mound to start this one. Despite Bryce Madron reaching third, the Sooners' bats were unable to get much else going either. The game would be at 0-0 after one.

Girton had himself an inning in the second, putting together two strikeouts and sitting Wichita State's batters in order. Unlucky for OU, their bats were also unable to get it going and the game stayed at 0s going into the second.

After a great start on the mound, OU would sit Girton for the remainder of this one and bring in righty Will Carsten. Carsten would be faced with adversity early as the Shockers had loaded bases, but Oklahoma would prevail again defensively and would go into the bottom of the third at 0-0. This would be the huge inning for OU as their bats caught fire. Started by a Bryce Madron RBI double into right, Oklahoma quickly took a 1-0 lead. The fiery bats continued as Easton Carmichael quickly shot a two run RBI single into center field. They would then lead 3-0 after the explosive third.

Wichita State would quickly respond as they started the inning with a solo home run, which resulted in OU going into their bullpen yet again and bringing in lefty Carter Campbell. Campbell came in and did his job, retiring the next three batters. Oklahoma's bats were unable to keep their success going from the inning prior, being retired in order and pushing this one to 3-1 after four.

The fifth and sixth would be much of the same, with both teams pitching leading the charge and holding each others bats to limited success. The game remained 3-1 going into the seventh.

Righty Carson Atwood would head to the mound to start the seventh and despite allowing a two out double, Oklahoma remained strong on defense and held Wichita State scoreless in the inning. The Sooners' bats would slowly pick it top again in the seventh, as they had runners on both first and third with only one out. The offensive struggles continued again though, as Bryce Madron would hit a double play that ended the inning. OU led 3-1 after seven.

Oklahoma would make yet another pitching change in the eight, bringing righty Ryan Lambert in the game. Despite allowing a lead off double, the Sooners' defense once again held the Shockers scoreless and maintained their 3-1 lead. After quickly finding three outs themselves, this one found itself to be a defensive battle headed into the ninth.

OU would make their final change on the mound for the night as they went with Malachi Witherspoon to close this one out. With Wichita State's life on the line, Witherspoon made quick work of the Shockers' bats and sealed the 3-1 victory for Oklahoma.

Next up for the No. 18 Sooners will be the Red River Rivalry on Friday night in Norman. This will mark their final series as members of the Big 12 and first pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. CST.

It took awhile, but the Sooners finally looked more like themselves on Sunday.

Coming off of two losses, Sooners hoping to avoid a sweep against OSU at 3 p.m. on ESPN2.

With a win, OU snags the No. 2 seed in next week’s Big 12 Tournament. With a loss, they fall to third.

Karlie Keeney will start in the circle.