Five most important Bedlam visitors
(in order)
Houston Mayde Creek DE Marcus Stripling
Strike while the iron is hot, right? If rumors that Texas A&M is slowly backing away, this is the perfect chance for the Sooners to swoop right on in and make their imprint. Think OU realizes this, too, in having defensive ends coach Calvin Thibodeaux on hand for Stripling’s final high school game Thursday evening. Stripling, of course, way back when, was eyes from Riley back in the winter. You could call it the long play if Stripling does indeed commit now. OU has shown great patience here, and it could be rewarded. Honestly? Stripling is No. 1, IMO, in terms of what 2019 eyes could come out this weekend. Everything has come together at just the right time.
Katy (Texas) Seven Lakes EDGE David Ugwoegbu
It never felt like Ugwoegbu and Stripling were connected, and knowing for sure they’re not, this is another battle OU is going all-in on this weekend. But unlike Stripling, don’t see the Aggies going away from Ugwoegbu anytime soon. You look at OU’s depth chart, and any chance you can find an edge rusher with the talent of Ugwoegbu, you’d be foolish to not make a charge. Not expecting a commitment unless he just gets completely swept up in what is going down for Bedlam weekend. Just don’t see it, though, which is OK… for now.
Phoenix Pinnacle QB Spencer Rattler
Might never really find out why he got suspended the rest of his senior season, but none of that matters this weekend with Rattler coming to town. This will be his fourth and final trip to Norman before he arrives for good. He has that personality that recruits gravitate toward. And although offense isn’t really on the docket this weekend, Rattler can still inspire confidence with defensive recruits. In fact, it’ll help a bunch if that’s exactly what he does. This almost feels like a vacation for Rattler, but he’ll put in the work, too.
Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei DB Jeremiah Criddell
With Mater Dei having a playoff game Friday evening, it took away the chance for 2020 kids like Darion Green-Warren or Elias Ricks to realistically visit OU. And it’s going to make Friday night/Saturday morning a heck of a scramble to get Criddell, an Oregon commit, to Norman in time. If all that goes well, OK, now we’ll see if we have something. OU continues to make the push for cornerback/safety/interchangeable parts, and Criddell appears to fit that mold. This one sort of came out of left field earlier this week, which might mean this is a courtesy visit… or that something is a-brewing.
Bradenton (Fla) IMG Academy OT Evan Neal
Everybody believes Alabama is the easy No. 1 pick for Neal. It’s huge news that Neal takes his official visit the exact same weekend as OU commit E.J. Ndoma-Ogar because of their friendship. But the Sooners are going to need more than that to make an impression, and you wonder, outside of early playing time, what OU can offer to Neal? And what Neal is looking for when it comes to a school? With IMG being done with its season, this will be a legit visit where OU can do everything it can for the full 48 hours. No clue expectations, think we’ll sort of find that out together.
(in order)
Houston Mayde Creek DE Marcus Stripling
Strike while the iron is hot, right? If rumors that Texas A&M is slowly backing away, this is the perfect chance for the Sooners to swoop right on in and make their imprint. Think OU realizes this, too, in having defensive ends coach Calvin Thibodeaux on hand for Stripling’s final high school game Thursday evening. Stripling, of course, way back when, was eyes from Riley back in the winter. You could call it the long play if Stripling does indeed commit now. OU has shown great patience here, and it could be rewarded. Honestly? Stripling is No. 1, IMO, in terms of what 2019 eyes could come out this weekend. Everything has come together at just the right time.
Katy (Texas) Seven Lakes EDGE David Ugwoegbu
It never felt like Ugwoegbu and Stripling were connected, and knowing for sure they’re not, this is another battle OU is going all-in on this weekend. But unlike Stripling, don’t see the Aggies going away from Ugwoegbu anytime soon. You look at OU’s depth chart, and any chance you can find an edge rusher with the talent of Ugwoegbu, you’d be foolish to not make a charge. Not expecting a commitment unless he just gets completely swept up in what is going down for Bedlam weekend. Just don’t see it, though, which is OK… for now.
Phoenix Pinnacle QB Spencer Rattler
Might never really find out why he got suspended the rest of his senior season, but none of that matters this weekend with Rattler coming to town. This will be his fourth and final trip to Norman before he arrives for good. He has that personality that recruits gravitate toward. And although offense isn’t really on the docket this weekend, Rattler can still inspire confidence with defensive recruits. In fact, it’ll help a bunch if that’s exactly what he does. This almost feels like a vacation for Rattler, but he’ll put in the work, too.
Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei DB Jeremiah Criddell
With Mater Dei having a playoff game Friday evening, it took away the chance for 2020 kids like Darion Green-Warren or Elias Ricks to realistically visit OU. And it’s going to make Friday night/Saturday morning a heck of a scramble to get Criddell, an Oregon commit, to Norman in time. If all that goes well, OK, now we’ll see if we have something. OU continues to make the push for cornerback/safety/interchangeable parts, and Criddell appears to fit that mold. This one sort of came out of left field earlier this week, which might mean this is a courtesy visit… or that something is a-brewing.
Bradenton (Fla) IMG Academy OT Evan Neal
Everybody believes Alabama is the easy No. 1 pick for Neal. It’s huge news that Neal takes his official visit the exact same weekend as OU commit E.J. Ndoma-Ogar because of their friendship. But the Sooners are going to need more than that to make an impression, and you wonder, outside of early playing time, what OU can offer to Neal? And what Neal is looking for when it comes to a school? With IMG being done with its season, this will be a legit visit where OU can do everything it can for the full 48 hours. No clue expectations, think we’ll sort of find that out together.
