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— Spoke last night with three-star defensive lineman Kole Briehler, a former teammate of current Oklahoma OL Logan Howland at the Hun School in New Jersey. Briehler’s top schools right now are Oklahoma and Michigan, with Stanford also in the mix, but the Sooners certainly seem to have the upper hand in his recruitment of late. He’s well aware that the situation in Ann Arbor is highly fluid depending on Jim Harbaugh’s eventual decision, and he values the stability and developmental opportunities that Oklahoma offers. As we reported last week, Briehler got an in-person visit from Brent Venables and Todd Bates, and he’ll be back on campus with the Sooners for their junior day this weekend. Briehler also informed me that he’s already set an official visit with Oklahoma for the final weekend of June; it’s his only scheduled official right now and he doesn’t intend to take more than four OV’s. At this point in a previous cycle, I’d probably be confident enough in Oklahoma’s standing with Briehler to drop a FutureCast. But because this class will be smaller and spots come at a premium, I’m going to hold off for now and see how the visit this weekend affects Briehler’s potential timeline. Also of note is a very pertinent detail that Briehler shared at the end of our conversation: he’ll have company when he takes his OV.

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— Four-star linebacker Kamar Archie and Oklahoma have quietly been a thing for some time now, and Briehler told me that he and Archie plan to take their Oklahoma OV together. For the moment, the Sooners are only recruiting for one additional linebacker spot in the 2025 class. And although Zac Alley’s arrival could impact the priorities with regard to that spot, I have been told by a well-placed source that Archie is on the short list of players that would be a take to fill that spot at any point. He’s a bona fide two-way star who is a menace at linebacker and a unit at running back, and for those that haven’t watched his junior film, treat yourself at some point today. Archie is the real deal. In fact, last November, Rivals national recruiting analyst Adam Friedman had him first on his list of most impressive linebackers he’d watched in 2023. For my money, that’s easily a top-100 player by year’s end if his senior tape lives up to expectations.

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— Caught up with 2026 Southlake Carroll wideout Brock Boyd last night. I’d already been told by a couple of sources in the Lone Star State that the Sooners had jumped out to a big lead in Boyd’s recruitment, and I’ve got an itchy trigger finger with the FutureCast on this one. Emmett Jones recruited Brock’s older brother Brady to Texas Tech, and if memory serves me correctly, Brock might actually have been the first 2026 WR to get an Oklahoma offer. He’s been a priority for Jones and OU from the jump, and he’s a certifiably elite prospect — so much so that Cam Newton sought him out from hundreds of miles away for his national 7-on-7 team, which is comprised almost entirely of players from Florida and Georgia. TCU, SMU, Nebraska and Texas Tech have been steady in their pursuit of Boyd, but Oklahoma appears to be a few steps ahead of the crowd here. Boyd told me he wants to commit pretty early in the process, as he’s mindful of the portal’s impact on numbers. I think this is one that should be wrapped up before the calendar year is over, and though I’m holding off the FutureCast for the time being, this is definitely a prediction I could see myself making in the not-too-distant future.

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— Another 2026 wideout with whom Oklahoma is in good standing is four-star Dominic Saidu-Robinson, the son of former Oklahoma wideout and revered DFW-area skills trainer David Robinson. I spoke to Saidu-Robinson last night, and when I brought up Emmett Jones, he referred to the Sooners’ wide receivers coach as “my dawg.” Jones has been recruiting and maintaining a relationship with Saidu-Robinson since his freshman year, and that has put Oklahoma abreast of Baylor and TCU at the forefront of this recruitment. The young receiver is big on relationships, and he’s got long-standing ones with Jones, Malcolm Kelly and Baylor running backs coach Khenon Hall. This is one that I’m watching closely, but given where Oklahoma already stands with Boyd, Legend Bey and Mason James, I think much will depend upon Saidu-Robinson’s ultimate timeline here.

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— Let's start with Gus Cordova. Although the three-star DE did plan on visiting Oklahoma this weekend, it seems as though the OU staff has backed off of those plans from their end. As he continues to gain steam on the recruiting trail, Cordova maintains strong interest in the Sooners despite a laundry list of other offers. If we’re talking about sheer interest level from the prospect, I would say Oklahoma is easily in the best position for Cordova. But the question becomes whether the love is truly reciprocated from the OU staff, and as of right now, the on-again, off-again nature of the Sooners’ pursuit of Cordova would indicate that the answer is no. If Oklahoma turns up the heat on the Lake Travis standout and OU legacy (who has outstanding junior tape, by the way), I think they could wrap things up with him pretty expediently. But for the moment, they’re standing pat in his recruitment. And in speaking with sources on the matter, the Sooners’ primary concern may not be the off-field situation involving Cordova at Lake Travis (if you've heard nothing of this, let me know in the comments and I'm happy to fill you in). It may be as simple as his fit in the defense. He projects as a hand-in-the-dirt defensive end and is currently about 255 pounds, but the Sooners already have a guy of that phenotype committed in Alex Shieldnight. Would they take two? It doesn't seem they are necessarily banking on it.

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— That brings us to a new offer at edge in the 2025 class, and that’s fast-rising Houston phenom Smith Orogbo. He’s got some really fun junior tape, plus some ideal measurables which are not dissimilar to a younger PJ Adebawore (minus the world-class wingspan, obviously). Orogbo has long been a target for schools such as Nebraska, Houston, Texas Tech and Baylor, but he added the offer from OU yesterday and moved quickly to set up a visit. Orogbo told me that he clicked right off the bat with Miguel Chavis, and that although he already had a trip to Baylor booked for this weekend, he intends to get to Oklahoma next month for an unofficial visit. The Sooners have a myriad of pre-existing options at the edge, including CJ Nickson, Dawson Merritt, Jayden Woods, Max Granville and the aforementioned Cordova. So it very much remains to be seen how hard they’ll push for Orogbo. However, especially at this point on the calendar, I don’t think you offer a kid like Orogbo unless you’re willing to take him. I know it’s early, but OU piqued Orogbo’s interest from the get-go, and I like the Sooners to eventually get an official visit from the 6-foot-4, 215-pound stud.

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— Ashdon Wnetrzak was one of the standouts at the All-American Combine in San Antonio earlier this month, and it resulted in a wave of interest from several Power 5 schools. I’ll save you the headache on this one: the name is pronounced WIN-trick, and he already held an offer from Oregon but is now hearing from OU, Texas, Utah, Notre Dame, Penn State and others. I’m frankly not surprised that he hasn’t picked up any offers from those schools just yet, because this is definitely the type of kid that a college coach probably wants to see with his own two eyes before pulling the trigger. Wnetrzak is 6-foot-8 and 340 pounds, and that listing might even be a bit conservative. In terms of sheer surface area, he’s one of the largest human beings I’ve ever seen. He was on the Forty Acres for Texas’ junior day this past weekend, and tells me he’ll be at Oklahoma on Feb. 2. I don’t know if Bill Bedenbaugh ends up offering him right off the bat given the Sooners’ standing with some of their current targets, but it is worth noting that Wnetrzak is a former high school teammate of Eugene Brooks, so he’ll effectively have two lead recruiters if he does pick up the OU offer.

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— OU was the first offer for Manny Choice last summer, and he’s built a strong relationship with Emmett Jones throughout the process. However, he has yet to visit Norman. That’ll obviously change this weekend, as he was one of the first names we confirmed for the Sooners’ junior day. I spoke to Choice tonight and he told me that Jones remains arguably his strongest player-to-coach relationship on the recruiting trail. Texas A&M and Texas have both become big players in this process, as has TCU. But especially because Jones was first to the table with Choice, I think OU has the advantage. What will inevitably come into play here, though, is the timeline, as the Sooners only have one receiver spot left in the 2025 cycle. From the sounds of things, Choice isn’t planning on shutting things down before the summer. So unless Emmett and Oklahoma can completely blow him away this weekend, I’m holding off on projecting Choice into Oklahoma’s class. But let's see if Jones can work some magic when the kid gets to campus.

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DT just entered the portal

Long story, but I'm having a heart catheter on Tuesday, Jan 23 for the purpose of determining whether I have a stent or bypass surgery. I'm praying for the former. With a stent I miss a week of work. With a bypass, two months. By the way, I feel fine. But they did a stress test recently and said the heart was pumping fine. But there was congestion on the right side that needed to be dealt with. In 2018, I had a stent inserted in my LAD, aka widowmaker on the left side. This is the other one.

If God somehow were to take me Home, I'd be okay with that. But the one thing I do not want, is to not be able to take care of myself. I had two PC appointments Wednesday, even though it was freezing. I had three today and two Friday and two next Monday. Then, who knows. I trust Him and know He is in control. Pray for the doctors, and my longterm outlook. Know that He is sovereign, and trusting that is a great comfort in life.

Thanks in advance,
Randy

Josh is such a great person. I believe he truly cares about the Players! It's worth the watch.

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Not afraid to go after the brothas at LB, I like it.

Just very interesting

Clemson Pre portal era/w penalty year
2015. 14-1
2016 14-1
2017 12-2
2018 15-0
2019 14-1
2020 10-3
Average: a little over 1 loss a season

Clemson post portal era / with out penalty year
2021 10-3
2022 11-3
2023 9 -4
Average : over 3 losses a season

Here’s where is also gets interesting in their highschool recruiting

247 rankings
Clemson Pre portal era/with penalty year
2014 #16
2015 #9
2016 #11
2017 #16
2018#7
2019#10
Average #12 th ranked class

Clemson Post portal era without penalty year
2020#3
2021# 5
2022# 10
Average: # 6th ranked class

Clemson actually is getting more highschool talent than ever and averaging less wins / less championships in the portal era.

I’m not saying recruiting rankings mean a ton and I will also mention Clemosn use to take smaller classes which hurts their rankings .

I do find it interesting that even with elite highschool classes Clemson is struggling by refusing to supplement with the portal because of culture / the Clemson way

Dabo can’t recruit any better than he has the last 3 years , without changing his portal philosophy his program may continue to decline .

BV does use the portal , but he’s not willing to play ( pay the price ) that the big boys do.
It’s like having one foot in the door and one foot out .

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE !

Date:
Saturday February 17th

Time:
6pm

Location:
NOUN Hotel
542 S University Blvd
Norman, OK 73069

Cost:
$350/ticket (Only 40 available)

Join us for a private dining experience with honorary guests including former QB Trevor Knight, Red Dirt Rambles Co-Hosts Nic Anderson and Kaden Helms, and 10 additional players!

The evening will include:

· Meet and greet with the players
· Giveaways
· Dinner and drinks
· Red Dirt Media merchandise

And more!

There are only 40 tickets available for this personal dining experience – claim your seat today!

10-10 at the half. Even after the homecookin the lions have been served.

David Stone - ⬇️ 7 to #17 overall
Taylor Tatum - ⬇️ 1 to #43 overall
Zion Kearney - ⬇️ 6 to #102 overall
Nigel Smith - ⬇️23 to #138 overall
Davon Mitchell - ⬇️70 to #155 overall
Jayden Hardy - ⬇️28 to #166 overall
Eugene Brooks - 📈207 to #174 overall
Jayden Jackson - 📈 249 to #202 overall
Ivan Carreon - ⬇️15 to #216 overall
Zion Raggins - ⬇️6 to #222 overall

Danny Okoye - 📈 from 3* @89 rating to 4* @90 rating
Isaiah Autry - 📈 from 3* @87 rating to a 3* @89 rating
Andy Bass - 📈 from 3* @86 rating to a 3* @89 rating
Josh Aisosa - 📈 from a 3* @85 rating to a 3* @86 rating

Reggie Powers - 📈 from a 3* @88 rating to a 4* @92 rating
Grant Brix - ⬇️ from a 4* @92 rating to a 4* @91 rating
Eddy Pierre Louis - 📈 from a 3* @87 rating to a 3* @88 rating

Please note these are just 247 ratings not the composite 247 rankings. If they’re not listed, the rating/ranking didn’t change.

Final Rivals250 for 2024 class: https://n.rivals.com/prospect_rankings/rivals250/2024

Top 10 risers in final ranking: https://n.rivals.com/news/rivals-rankings-week-ten-biggest-risers-in-the-rivals250-17

Gorney's thoughts: https://n.rivals.com/news/tuesdays-with-gorney-final-2024-rivals250-released

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I took a look at some of the must-watch games on OU's schedule this season:

“We don't jump up and down, acting like we won a national championship."
Texas coach Rodney Terry said that Wednesday after UCF threw the horns down and celebrated after beating UT.
This was Terry on Saturday after beating Baylor. 😂🤣😅

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*** UW transfer OL Geirean Hatchett reached out to me after his visit with the Sooners and said that it was over and he was headed back to Seattle.

What I can also add is that Hatchett told me the visit was “really good” and the transfer OL also added, “I had a great time.”

Sources say it was a very good visit as well. That said, no commitment was made, with Hatchett adding, “No plans for another visit yet. Still deciding what to do next.”

Another part to this is the fact I have been hearing that staying with UW is still in play and makes sense with Hatchett being from Washington and growing up there. Even so, there is some confidence that the Sooners can add Hatchett, but I did want to make sure you all know there is other options for him, including staying with the Huskies.

*** I’ll have more later on but this is the initial update I have on the Hatchett situation. Things should move rather quickly with OU’s add/drop period ending later this week, I believe. From what I see on the OU academic website, it looks like additions end on Jan 29th.

*** Again, more coming on this but seems OU is in a good spot but Hatchett and his family are going to meet and discuss things before finalizing what’s next.

I know we didn’t have much of a shot. Still sucks when it happens. To see a team on OUs schedule next year getting a player that will make them significantly better that we could have had that would significantly help us. It triple-ey sucks that the teams cleaning up in the portal are all on OUs schedule in 2024. Mizz, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas

UPDATE FRIDAY 8:40 pm

*** So, UW transfer OL Geirean Hatchett reached out to me and told me he arrived in Norman earlier today. The sought-after OL also informed OUinsider that he and his family will be in Norman through Saturday before the visit ends.

The change in things, is exactly what we spoke about regarding his younger brother, and fellow transfer UW OL, Landen Hatchett. The elder Hatchett told me that the confusion was that his other younger brother was with him and his family, so the fact the other younger brother was/is with him is where the confusion happened.

So, Geirean confirmed OUinsider first report that Landen Hatchett IS NOT with him and his family in Norman. How that relates to his final decision is something we will have to follow up with him on when we do a post-visit interview.

So stay tuned.

******


UPDATE 2:38 PM FRIDAY

*** Okay, so I have talked to several sources today about the possibility of Washington freshman transfer OL Landen Hatchett visiting OU as well. I have gleaned from those conversations that OU is perilously looking to try and find ways to make things work to add both brothers.

Is it feasible just yet? I am not really sure if the Sooners are over or just barely over the numbers right now, but they are in a pinch in that area, that is for sure.

I can add that the Sooners do feel good about where things stand with the elder Hatchett brother, Geirean. Oklahoma will show him around, and potentially Landen (sources say he will be on hand, but no one will confirm the visit is for him to be recruited by OU as well). If the Sooners do make a move for the younger Hatchett as well, you would think Oklahoma would be the leader for both.

We will continue to add to this as we get more, but I did want to make it clear that the odds of Landen arriving on campus with Geirean Hatchett have bumped up a bit. However, the roster numbers game is where things start to get interesting on the addition of both or one Hatchett brother.

Remember, Geirean told OUinsider yesterday that the two would love to play together at OU, but "it's not a deal-breaker for us not playing together," the elder Hatchett said. That being the case, it would obviously behoove the Sooners to try and find room for both to be on the roster, and it would also make the OL room that much better, in my opinion. Now, it's just a matter of making things work.

Either way, if the Sooners can add just one of the Hatchett's it's a win-win for OU moving into the 2024 season.

More on this as we get more information.

*************************


I spoke to sources really close to UW OL transfer Geirean Hatchett and was told that the Huskies OL transfer would "definitely be interested in the Sooners."
I also spoke with Hatchett himself a bit and he reiterated that before tweeting that he is working on his own path right now. Hatchett also stated, "OU and Coach B were the other school really high on my list, so I will look at them."

*** That said, I do think OU is going to work on a few other transfer OLs in the portal. I spoke to a source who said, "OU has interest in several guys in the portal and is casting a wide net a bit."

I have heard some buzz on Julius Buelow and Parker Brailsford, but I am working on more confirmation. Also, there are some who feel a few other Arizona OLs will hit the portal soon. I would venture to guess that OU would kick the tires around there as well. Obviously, all of that depends on them hitting the portal and where OU is at regarding their pursuit with the others already in the portal.

*** As for Kadyn Proctor, I just haven't heard a ton about him and OU. Iowa seems to be the betting favorite.

*** OU has two weeks from today to get whoever they plan on bringing in at OL, if anyone at all, with school and classes starting up this morning. Add/Drop period usually ends a few weeks after the start of the semester. No one can show up after that is done without a waiver.

I keep hearing people speak about Coaches Stations in reference to player workouts. I have no idea what that is. Can someone in the know educate me as to what that is and why the Players don't look forward to them. Thanks.

Oklahoma has elevated JT Gasso to associate head coach ahead of the 2024 season.
https://oklahoma.rivals.com/news/ou-softball-jt-gasso-elevated-to-associate-head-coach

UPDATE (9:00 Fri): Oklahoma's list of commitments and targets is up to date, along with a nugget or two on each of them, courtesy of BD and PT. We will continue to update this list as things change.

*****************************

Having trouble keeping up with the players that Oklahoma is actually targeting in the transfer portal? Here's a comprehensive list of the names you should be keeping an eye on. https://oklahoma.rivals.com/news/portal-prospects-a-list-of-sooner-targets-to-keep-an-eye-on

What’s the feel on 25 DL nickson? Being from this area i have heard multiple times that he wants to play basketball?