*** I spoke a bit with 2025 four-star DL Landon Rink today and he really enjoyed his time in Norman. Obviously, with Rink being a Texas legacy, there is reason to feel this one could end up like 2023 four-star DE Colton Vasek. That said, Vasek hadn't visited OU as much as Rink has already up to this point, and the 2025 DL told OUinsider that he already has an official visit set for June 21-23rd. That is big news in itself. Rink also added, "OU is always a great time because they have such an amazing family environment."
At this point, I am awaiting a response from him on whether or not he already has his official visit set for Texas, but I will say that regardless of my trepidation about him ending up at OU, I still think the Sooners' chances are better than what they had with Vasek in '23. I know that sounds crazy since Vasek committed to OU and remained committed until the Sooners' season tanked toward being 6-7. However, Vasek never seemed to make it up to OU when he was scheduled to do so and that is a very tell-tell sign because actions are bigger than words. On that front, Rink has been to OU a lot and showed up when expected. Also, the Sooners' program is in a much better spot today than it was when the Sooners were trying to hold on to Vasek.
Still, I think OU fans should tread lightly in their confidence here due to the Texas legacy part of the equation. That is just my opinion on Rink's recruitment. However, on the flip side of it all, OU sources have remained confident about this recruitment because of Rink's consistent trips to OU and the relationship that has been built between the four-star DL and Sooners' staffers Todd Bates and Miguel Chavis.
Again, I am not there yet. Call it being a Debbie Downer. Call it being pessimistic. Still, no matter what, OU is going to continue to recruit Rink hard and see where this thing goes.
Now we wait and see if the Texas legacy portion of this recruitment wins out or if the OU staff can pull off a big win over their arch-rival by landing the Horns' legacy.
It should be a fun one to follow either way.
Side Note: Texas A&M is another team to watch here.
*** I will add my own update on 2025 four-star OL Lamont Rogers. I spoke with Rogers a bit today, and to say the visit went well might be an understatement. First, we talked about how much his family really enjoyed the visit, particularly Rogers' father.
One source told OUinsider that the elder Rogers was ready to have Lamont be a Sooner already. Obviously, cooler heads prevailed, but Rogers himself talked about that situation and added, "My parents really enjoyed the visit and the SOUL mission a lot," Rogers said. "They got to see how I fit into the program, and Coach [Brent] Venables and Coach [Bill] Bedenbaugh were great to be around."
So, where does that put OU regarding visits this spring and beyond with Rogers? Well, Rogers says, "I will for sure be back this spring." There is no exact date set just yet, but the Sooners have remained at or near the top of Rogers' list before the JR Day took place. Because of that, one can surmise that OU may be in an even better spot (if that is possible), with Rogers' family really hitting it off with the OU staff.
LSU is a team to watch here, but the Sooners will be in it until the end, and that is all you can really ask for this early in most recruitments. The good news is that OU has made a mark on the four-star OL parents, and that is something a few other programs will have to compete with and catch up to moving forward.
*** More notes to come, but I will reiterate what I said yesterday on Jonah Williams: I won't put in an FC for the five-star safety and two-sport star, but I really, really like the Sooners' chances here. That update yesterday was the proverbial FC pick for me, and if I were to put confidence in it, I would say a seven at this juncture.
*** Update on four-star OL Andrew Babalola and a few other notes coming tomorrow. I Spoke with the four-star today, and I will just say that OU has really made their mark with him.
At this point, I am awaiting a response from him on whether or not he already has his official visit set for Texas, but I will say that regardless of my trepidation about him ending up at OU, I still think the Sooners' chances are better than what they had with Vasek in '23. I know that sounds crazy since Vasek committed to OU and remained committed until the Sooners' season tanked toward being 6-7. However, Vasek never seemed to make it up to OU when he was scheduled to do so and that is a very tell-tell sign because actions are bigger than words. On that front, Rink has been to OU a lot and showed up when expected. Also, the Sooners' program is in a much better spot today than it was when the Sooners were trying to hold on to Vasek.
Still, I think OU fans should tread lightly in their confidence here due to the Texas legacy part of the equation. That is just my opinion on Rink's recruitment. However, on the flip side of it all, OU sources have remained confident about this recruitment because of Rink's consistent trips to OU and the relationship that has been built between the four-star DL and Sooners' staffers Todd Bates and Miguel Chavis.
Again, I am not there yet. Call it being a Debbie Downer. Call it being pessimistic. Still, no matter what, OU is going to continue to recruit Rink hard and see where this thing goes.
Now we wait and see if the Texas legacy portion of this recruitment wins out or if the OU staff can pull off a big win over their arch-rival by landing the Horns' legacy.
It should be a fun one to follow either way.
Side Note: Texas A&M is another team to watch here.
*** I will add my own update on 2025 four-star OL Lamont Rogers. I spoke with Rogers a bit today, and to say the visit went well might be an understatement. First, we talked about how much his family really enjoyed the visit, particularly Rogers' father.
One source told OUinsider that the elder Rogers was ready to have Lamont be a Sooner already. Obviously, cooler heads prevailed, but Rogers himself talked about that situation and added, "My parents really enjoyed the visit and the SOUL mission a lot," Rogers said. "They got to see how I fit into the program, and Coach [Brent] Venables and Coach [Bill] Bedenbaugh were great to be around."
So, where does that put OU regarding visits this spring and beyond with Rogers? Well, Rogers says, "I will for sure be back this spring." There is no exact date set just yet, but the Sooners have remained at or near the top of Rogers' list before the JR Day took place. Because of that, one can surmise that OU may be in an even better spot (if that is possible), with Rogers' family really hitting it off with the OU staff.
LSU is a team to watch here, but the Sooners will be in it until the end, and that is all you can really ask for this early in most recruitments. The good news is that OU has made a mark on the four-star OL parents, and that is something a few other programs will have to compete with and catch up to moving forward.
*** More notes to come, but I will reiterate what I said yesterday on Jonah Williams: I won't put in an FC for the five-star safety and two-sport star, but I really, really like the Sooners' chances here. That update yesterday was the proverbial FC pick for me, and if I were to put confidence in it, I would say a seven at this juncture.
*** Update on four-star OL Andrew Babalola and a few other notes coming tomorrow. I Spoke with the four-star today, and I will just say that OU has really made their mark with him.
