Oklahoma's visit from USC transfer portal quarterback Jaxson Dart has been kept pretty quiet to date but what is interesting is what seems to be happening around it.
Our last report was about Dart visiting yesterday with some chatter he'd be there some of the day today as well. However we were working under the assumption that Dart had made a visit to Ole Miss on Thursday, which at one point was correct. However, things changed and Ole Miss had been expecting Dart in Oxford on Saturday.
Bad news for the Sooners, right?
Well as time has gone on that visit has looked more and more in doubt. It may still happen but sources around Oxford are far from sure.
Where might he visit?
TCU - as no surprise to anyone, well, almost anyone, the Horned Frogs have made an impression and are angling for the final visit. Initially TCU was expecting Dart on Sunday but now there is some chatter he may visit on Saturday instead. That is if he makes the trip, which is always the risk in trying to be last.
The bottom line is that the Sooners seem to be the one visit Dart was sure of and everything else is a bit more convoluted.
We'll see where it goes but there is some reason for hope.
************************************
Speaking of Dart, what of his buddy Michael Trigg? I hear good things but, like Dart, things have largely been quiet.
The only thing we've heard is that LSU has expressed some interest in Trigg - Dart is more of an unknown - though we're not yet sure what that leads.
************************************
A player who Oklahoma seems to be picking up some steam with his Missouri transfer Mekhi Wingo who is heading to Norman later this afternoon/evening and will spend tomorrow around campus.
The feeling for many is that the Sooners like the progress they are making with Wingo and Jeffery Johnson made it a bit easier for them to seemingly back away from Jaxon Player who figures to be a Big 12 foe with most expecting him to head home and join up with the Baylor Bears.
Wingo had many feeling he was an early fight between LSU and USC but it sounds as though Todd Bates has made a positive impact and the Sooners are contenders.
************************************
Just a quick note on a Sooners favorite, former (so weird to say) linebacker Caleb Kelly looks like he'll be accepting a job in Norman - a reality that had been discussed and pointed out in a few places. However in talking to one source it is not going to be in coaching. Now perhaps that could mean as an analyst or something along those lines but I'm not expecting any type of graduate assistant role or anything on field.
************************************
One of the more interesting visitors of this weekend is Denton (Texas) Guyer Rivals250 quarterback Jackson Arnold.
Arnold has a connection with Jeff Lebby that most know about by now but what some may not know is he has a further connection with the Sooners via the family of mid-term enrollee, and kicker, Gavin Marshall.
Arnold is close with the Marshall family and is actually coming to Norman this weekend with them as they move Gavin into the dorms.
The family will be working hard to make Arnold part of Oklahoma's quarterback plans in the class of 2023.
************************************
Speaking of the class of 2023 there have been some rumors that the Sooners have fallen far behind with one-time in-state tight end commitment Luke Hasz.
In speaking with Hasz that's not the way he sees the changes in Norman and he is still pleased with the presence of Joe Jon Finley in Norman even if there has been plenty of other changeover.
"I'm still thinking about OU but pursuing other schools too," Hasz said. "(I) just kinda hit the reset button."
And though a big part of his relationship with the Sooners was, undoubtedly, his bond with Lincoln Riley but he knows the current head coach quite well too.
"I’ve talked to (Venables) since last June, when he was at Clemson," he explained.
That relationship can continue to grow and the Sooners still seem to be in strong standing with Hasz.
************************************
Finally, we'd said earlier in the week that there was some trepidation about Rivals100 offensive tackle Josh Conerly taking his official visit this weekend.
While we have not been able to confirm that Conerly is en route we've had a few conversations that say everything is moving in the right direction for him to make his way to Norman this weekend.
************************************
OK, it’s time for Josh’s latest crack at the class of 2022. For those unfamiliar every year on the first Friday of each month, I (Josh) invade Scoop’s personal space and take my guesses at just what players could fill out the remaining spots in Oklahoma’s currently ongoing recruiting class.
Right now Oklahoma has 61 players on scholarship, under the guidelines of this year’s unique scholarship breakdown. On top of that the Sooners have 17 commitments for 2022 and has 11 seniors who would normally be expected to leave.
I think we can all see there are going to be more departures departures either via NFL draft, transfer, or any of 1,000 other reasons than ever before. While four used to be our working assumption, let's assume seven in any given year and that may be subject to more and more change going forward. That said, Oklahoma shouldn't have many departures remaining at this point.
Which would mean that Oklahoma could have as many as 14 more openings before the start of the season with additions expected from both the class of 2022 as well as the transfer portal. With that in mind, along with other bits of information with where the new staff plans to go, Scoop and I are working under the thought of the Sooners signing somewhere around 22 total in the 2022 class so I’ll plan accordingly.
The number always Is tricky to guess but In this era, thanks to the ‘Covid year’ allowance, and a late coaching change it’s been nearly impossible. It has moved up and down throughout the year and that may continue even next month when we go to weekly predictions. So, thanks to my mathematical education it would seem the Sooners have a near unreachable number of spots available
Additionally, a level of confidence will be listed with each of the selections and finally a prediction of who will be the next Sooner pledge. Finally the numbers next to each position are how many I expect OU to sign at each position - though that's still a work in progress with the portal and the staff still sorting itself out.
Now you can guarantee this list won’t be what it looks like next month as Oklahoma is still offering players they didn't know of just a few weeks ago so how could I know their level of interest?
And, yes my excuses have already begun…
Players on Last Month’s List Who Aren’t There This Week: Jahlil Florence
Players I Got Right Last Week:
Players I Got Wrong Last Week:
Quarterback (1)
Nick Evers – SIGNED
Running Back (2)
Jovantae Barnes – SIGNED
Gavin Sawchuk – SIGNED
Wide Receiver (3)
Nicholas Anderson – SIGNED
Gavin Freeman - Level of Confidence: 40%
So this one is a bit of a flier but I just can't help thinking of what a fit he is for the duo of primary decision makers here - Brent Venables and Cale Gundy. I mean talk about a player whose attitude, demeanor, and general toughness fits beautifully? It's Freeman.
Jayden Gibson – SIGNED
Tight End/Hback (2)
Kaden Helms - SIGNED
Jason Llewellyn - SIGNED
Offensive Line (3)
Jacob Sexton – SIGNED
Jake Taylor - SIGNED
Defensive Tackle (3)
Ahmad Moten – Level of Confidence: 45%
At this moment Moten feels like a near certainty for the Sooners but there's just no denying the draw of the 'U' under Mario Cristobal and there's a real chance that the Hurricanes make Moten a focal idea of starting to close up the ranks in the city in Cristobal's first class. We'll see where it goes but as of right now Oklahoma has done a great job with Moten.
Cedric Roberts – SIGNED
Alton Tarber - SIGNED
Defensive End (2)
R Mason Thomas – Level of Confidence: 50% - NEXT COMMIT
The story here is not so different from Moten though in Thomas' case he has a bit of an added benefit of already developing a relationship with his would-be position coach, Miguel Chavis. The Sooners have done a very good job with Thomas and the bond is real, that should hold up.
Linebacker (3)
Jaren Kanak – COMMITTED
Kip Lewis - SIGNED
Kobie McKinzie – SIGNED
Cornerback (1)
Gentry Williams – COMMITTED
Safety (2)
Jayden Rowe – SIGNED
Robert Spears-Jennings – SIGNED
Athlete (0)
N/A
Special Teams (0)
N/A
Our last report was about Dart visiting yesterday with some chatter he'd be there some of the day today as well. However we were working under the assumption that Dart had made a visit to Ole Miss on Thursday, which at one point was correct. However, things changed and Ole Miss had been expecting Dart in Oxford on Saturday.
Bad news for the Sooners, right?
Well as time has gone on that visit has looked more and more in doubt. It may still happen but sources around Oxford are far from sure.
Where might he visit?
TCU - as no surprise to anyone, well, almost anyone, the Horned Frogs have made an impression and are angling for the final visit. Initially TCU was expecting Dart on Sunday but now there is some chatter he may visit on Saturday instead. That is if he makes the trip, which is always the risk in trying to be last.
The bottom line is that the Sooners seem to be the one visit Dart was sure of and everything else is a bit more convoluted.
We'll see where it goes but there is some reason for hope.
************************************
Speaking of Dart, what of his buddy Michael Trigg? I hear good things but, like Dart, things have largely been quiet.
The only thing we've heard is that LSU has expressed some interest in Trigg - Dart is more of an unknown - though we're not yet sure what that leads.
************************************
A player who Oklahoma seems to be picking up some steam with his Missouri transfer Mekhi Wingo who is heading to Norman later this afternoon/evening and will spend tomorrow around campus.
The feeling for many is that the Sooners like the progress they are making with Wingo and Jeffery Johnson made it a bit easier for them to seemingly back away from Jaxon Player who figures to be a Big 12 foe with most expecting him to head home and join up with the Baylor Bears.
Wingo had many feeling he was an early fight between LSU and USC but it sounds as though Todd Bates has made a positive impact and the Sooners are contenders.
************************************
Just a quick note on a Sooners favorite, former (so weird to say) linebacker Caleb Kelly looks like he'll be accepting a job in Norman - a reality that had been discussed and pointed out in a few places. However in talking to one source it is not going to be in coaching. Now perhaps that could mean as an analyst or something along those lines but I'm not expecting any type of graduate assistant role or anything on field.
************************************
One of the more interesting visitors of this weekend is Denton (Texas) Guyer Rivals250 quarterback Jackson Arnold.
Arnold has a connection with Jeff Lebby that most know about by now but what some may not know is he has a further connection with the Sooners via the family of mid-term enrollee, and kicker, Gavin Marshall.
Arnold is close with the Marshall family and is actually coming to Norman this weekend with them as they move Gavin into the dorms.
The family will be working hard to make Arnold part of Oklahoma's quarterback plans in the class of 2023.
************************************
Speaking of the class of 2023 there have been some rumors that the Sooners have fallen far behind with one-time in-state tight end commitment Luke Hasz.
In speaking with Hasz that's not the way he sees the changes in Norman and he is still pleased with the presence of Joe Jon Finley in Norman even if there has been plenty of other changeover.
"I'm still thinking about OU but pursuing other schools too," Hasz said. "(I) just kinda hit the reset button."
And though a big part of his relationship with the Sooners was, undoubtedly, his bond with Lincoln Riley but he knows the current head coach quite well too.
"I’ve talked to (Venables) since last June, when he was at Clemson," he explained.
That relationship can continue to grow and the Sooners still seem to be in strong standing with Hasz.
************************************
Finally, we'd said earlier in the week that there was some trepidation about Rivals100 offensive tackle Josh Conerly taking his official visit this weekend.
While we have not been able to confirm that Conerly is en route we've had a few conversations that say everything is moving in the right direction for him to make his way to Norman this weekend.
************************************
OK, it’s time for Josh’s latest crack at the class of 2022. For those unfamiliar every year on the first Friday of each month, I (Josh) invade Scoop’s personal space and take my guesses at just what players could fill out the remaining spots in Oklahoma’s currently ongoing recruiting class.
Right now Oklahoma has 61 players on scholarship, under the guidelines of this year’s unique scholarship breakdown. On top of that the Sooners have 17 commitments for 2022 and has 11 seniors who would normally be expected to leave.
I think we can all see there are going to be more departures departures either via NFL draft, transfer, or any of 1,000 other reasons than ever before. While four used to be our working assumption, let's assume seven in any given year and that may be subject to more and more change going forward. That said, Oklahoma shouldn't have many departures remaining at this point.
Which would mean that Oklahoma could have as many as 14 more openings before the start of the season with additions expected from both the class of 2022 as well as the transfer portal. With that in mind, along with other bits of information with where the new staff plans to go, Scoop and I are working under the thought of the Sooners signing somewhere around 22 total in the 2022 class so I’ll plan accordingly.
The number always Is tricky to guess but In this era, thanks to the ‘Covid year’ allowance, and a late coaching change it’s been nearly impossible. It has moved up and down throughout the year and that may continue even next month when we go to weekly predictions. So, thanks to my mathematical education it would seem the Sooners have a near unreachable number of spots available
Additionally, a level of confidence will be listed with each of the selections and finally a prediction of who will be the next Sooner pledge. Finally the numbers next to each position are how many I expect OU to sign at each position - though that's still a work in progress with the portal and the staff still sorting itself out.
Now you can guarantee this list won’t be what it looks like next month as Oklahoma is still offering players they didn't know of just a few weeks ago so how could I know their level of interest?
And, yes my excuses have already begun…
Players on Last Month’s List Who Aren’t There This Week: Jahlil Florence
Players I Got Right Last Week:
Players I Got Wrong Last Week:
Quarterback (1)
Nick Evers – SIGNED
Running Back (2)
Jovantae Barnes – SIGNED
Gavin Sawchuk – SIGNED
Wide Receiver (3)
Nicholas Anderson – SIGNED
Gavin Freeman - Level of Confidence: 40%
So this one is a bit of a flier but I just can't help thinking of what a fit he is for the duo of primary decision makers here - Brent Venables and Cale Gundy. I mean talk about a player whose attitude, demeanor, and general toughness fits beautifully? It's Freeman.
Jayden Gibson – SIGNED
Tight End/Hback (2)
Kaden Helms - SIGNED
Jason Llewellyn - SIGNED
Offensive Line (3)
Jacob Sexton – SIGNED
Jake Taylor - SIGNED
Defensive Tackle (3)
Ahmad Moten – Level of Confidence: 45%
At this moment Moten feels like a near certainty for the Sooners but there's just no denying the draw of the 'U' under Mario Cristobal and there's a real chance that the Hurricanes make Moten a focal idea of starting to close up the ranks in the city in Cristobal's first class. We'll see where it goes but as of right now Oklahoma has done a great job with Moten.
Cedric Roberts – SIGNED
Alton Tarber - SIGNED
Defensive End (2)
R Mason Thomas – Level of Confidence: 50% - NEXT COMMIT
The story here is not so different from Moten though in Thomas' case he has a bit of an added benefit of already developing a relationship with his would-be position coach, Miguel Chavis. The Sooners have done a very good job with Thomas and the bond is real, that should hold up.
Linebacker (3)
Jaren Kanak – COMMITTED
Kip Lewis - SIGNED
Kobie McKinzie – SIGNED
Cornerback (1)
Gentry Williams – COMMITTED
Safety (2)
Jayden Rowe – SIGNED
Robert Spears-Jennings – SIGNED
Athlete (0)
N/A
Special Teams (0)
N/A
