Question

[veritas59]

Do we really have to go all the way to Scranton, PA to steal 2 star linebackers from Bethune Cookman and Coastal Carolina?

We're holding a solid 4th place in recruiting ............. in the conference.

 

[AbsoluteZer0]

That's pathetic.

 

[CTOkie]

Do we really have to go all the way to Scranton, PA to steal 2 star linebackers from Bethune Cookman and Coastal Carolina?

We're holding a solid 4th place in recruiting ............. in the conference.

3 players from Texas.
2 from Oklahoma.
Two major defections (Daniels and Cobb) to conference rivals.
Coming off an 11-2 season and a trip to the playoffs.
Evidently Veritas, we do.

 

[Senior Sooner]

Do we really have to go all the way to Scranton, PA to steal 2 star linebackers from Bethune Cookman and Coastal Carolina?
We're holding a solid 4th place in recruiting ............. in the conference.

The Irony of it all...

 

[hOUston...]

Well in a few years all of us will be out of the NSD misery. We can become a basketball school. Maybe one day we will see OU participate in this thing called March Madness.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/04/s...marshall-tex-to-end-tackle-football.html?_r=0

 

[Sooners83]

Who did win the NC at recruiting this year? Mack pulled it off for many years.

 

[Soonersincefitty]

Who did win the NC at recruiting this year? Mack pulled it off for many years.

Two things...No, wouldn't be boasting about this class. We filled some critical needs but, ugh, let's say we've done better before.

Also 83, as to your question, Alabama smoked everybody today, landed #1 place with a gaudy, obscene 5 five star studs.

Stunning considering they were around 17th three weeks ago.

 

[WhyNotaSooner]

Do we really have to go all the way to Scranton, PA to steal 2 star linebackers from Bethune Cookman and Coastal Carolina?

We're holding a solid 4th place in recruiting ............. in the conference.

Yes.
This was as worse a closing in the final few weeks as I've ever watched for OU's recruiting. The only saving grace was Swenson and Jackson. I still haven't figured out how Swenson was on the outside looking in at Michigan. But I'm glad he was. At this point, we can only hope to land Kelly to bump us up in the recruiting rankings.

 

[Plainosooner]

I think we should see the guys play first. One will be inside the other outside. I am wondering what you guys would have been saying about this running back Griffin kid or this blonde guy quarterback from freakin South Dakota, with the funny last name who did not even start a game last year at juco and was a one star coming out of high school?

I remember when they said we only got Bradford because he was a legacy and we could not get anybody else to come sit behind Bomar for three years. why were we recruiting this short linebacker from Florida who was not offered by UF or Miami or FSU?

Overall I only have one complaint about this class. It is not at linebacker. Bedenbaugh knows the Lackawana hc well and I am pretty sure he got a high recommendation on both guys. Bill was at WVU when they recruited Kevin White from the same school.

My only complaint about the class is being left with only two scholarship quarterbacks eligible next season. Dalton Wood better keep his arm warm.

Maybe they think they could talk Thomas into coming back next August.

 

[WhyNotaSooner]

I agree Plaino. There will be some hidden jewels. The kids need to prove their worth no doubt. At the same time, if OU is going to be ranked in any category, I want to see it ranked better. It can be done and should be done. OU should not be a 4th place team in any category of the Big 12. But remember, when we can't get over the hump to win the big game(s), we can't blame it on these players. They are who they are. Many of the teams that they will be facing in the next 3 to 4 years will have players that was ranked higher than they were. These new incoming Sooners were hand selected, identified, recruited & then offered by Bob Stoops and his coaches. It's all about the Coaching going forward at this point. They went shopping and this is what they've brought home.

 

[LongTimeSooner]

I don't understand all the negativity about this class. We didn't lose many seniors last year. The guys that signed all seem to be highly regarded, even by 'the tail wagging the dog' recruiting services.

OU went to the final 4 like a month ago. Those guys are gonna stomp the dogcrap out of many teams next year, and might be favored in all of 'em.

 

[Plainosooner]

From what I've seen, I think this might actually be a great class. It has the potential to be the best OL class in school history. Only time will tell. But they also moved a DE to the OLine recently, Orso. So I think with three quality starters returning, including two quality OL freshmen starters, that we could have an elite OLine next year. I think Samia was an exceptional player for a true freshman, but that he'll need to get bigger to be what a quality play he should be. And he will.

I believe we've added a potentially elite running back.

We got three excellent high school receivers. We got a guy who was the best quarterback in the all star game I watched him play in.

We lost a really good DTackle, but if there was a position on the team that could survive that, it was there.

We're still waiting on the best player in the class, whom we are likely a hair ahead of Notre Dame to sign.

I saw the safety in the class interviewed this morning. He's already on campus. I don't know how good a football player he'll be, but he is as quality a kid as you've seen. Kind of a jaw set, soft spoken guy who will smartly pursue the chance to play. And two really good corners.

I have a few thoughts about why the rankings might be a little lower than usual, but I'm going to wait on that until the final decision is in the books.

 

[Soonersincefitty]

I don't understand all the negativity about this class. We didn't lose many seniors last year. The guys that signed all seem to be highly regarded, even by 'the tail wagging the dog' recruiting services.

OU went to the final 4 like a month ago. Those guys are gonna stomp the dogcrap out of many teams next year, and might be favored in all of 'em.

Oh, it's all good.
Just like every aspect of this program comes with ridiculously high expectations that some of us might feel weren't met with this class.
Every program has to maximize what they have on hand and I think our coaches are as good at that as anyone going.

 

[K2C Sooner]

I found this interesting...Props to Soonernvolved on another site.....
Cut and copy;

Just to put things in perspective:

--Texas has one five-star and ten four-stars
--Baylor has no five-stars and nine four-stars
--TCU has no five-stars and six four-stars

If OU gets Kelly, we'll have one five-star and nine four-stars.

UT may be eleven spots ahead (right now), but there's really not much of a difference between the classes in terms of high-end talent.

Full list, for added perspective: n.rivals.com/team_rankings/2016

Also note that the former 5* QB and 4* WR transferring in aren't considered. If Kelly signs and you throw in the transfers, our 5*/4* numbers are the same as Ole Miss.

 

[Soonersincefitty]

I found this interesting...Props to Soonernvolved on another site.....
Cut and copy;

Just to put things in perspective:

--Texas has one five-star and ten four-stars
--Baylor has no five-stars and nine four-stars
--TCU has no five-stars and six four-stars

If OU gets Kelly, we'll have one five-star and nine four-stars.

UT may be eleven spots ahead (right now), but there's really not much of a difference between the classes in terms of high-end talent.

Full list, for added perspective: n.rivals.com/team_rankings/2016

Also note that the former 5* QB and 4* WR transferring in aren't considered. If Kelly signs and you throw in the transfers, our 5*/4* numbers are the same as Ole Miss.

Well, I suppose one could take some small consolation in this analysis.
A natty title is the one metric we need, just to get back on the map...as you'll fondly remember the crazy good classes we got on the heels of 2000.

 

[K2C Sooner]

Well, I suppose one could take some small consolation in this analysis.
A natty title is the one metric we need, just to get back on the map...as you'll fondly remember the crazy good classes we got on the heels of 2000.

Fitty, this shows the lower ranking is because of three or four 2 stars. Most of them from junior college. No one and I mean no one knows how the 2 stars will work out. Remember the last time we brought in two junior college linebackers from the same team were Torrance Marshall and Pasha Jackson. Not to shabby results..........

Kelly to announce at 7:30 CST......Fingers crossed.

 

[Soonersincefitty]

Fitty, this shows the lower ranking is because of three or four 2 stars. Most of them from junior college. No one and I mean no one knows how the 2 stars will work out. Remember the last time we brought in two junior college linebackers from the same team were Torrance Marshall and Pasha Jackson. Not to shabby results..........

Kelly to announce at 7:30 CST......Fingers crossed.

Oh, my internal apothecary scale always weighs over to complete optimism about the program, every year.

History shows that the fellows with the least expectations have given us a lot, if not most of the hardware in the trophy warehouse.

 

[WhyNotaSooner]

K2, I like the analysis but keep in mind we'll lose one of those 4 stars as he's not signing. As Plaino's concern was having ships to issue and not bringing in a QB, my concern is the LBs situation. We really, really need the depth. I hope the two JC guys can be an impact. My hope is not diminished, only disappointed. If Kelly signs, we'll land inside the Top 20, maybe even Top 15.

 

[K2C Sooner]

K2, I like the analysis but keep in mind we'll lose one of those 4 stars as he's not signing. As Plaino's concern was having ships to issue and not bringing in a QB, my concern is the LBs situation. We really, really need the depth. I hope the two JC guys can be an impact. My hope is not diminished, only disappointed. If Kelly signs, we'll land inside the Top 20, maybe even Top 15.

I wondered when I posted this if Volved included Youngquist. One thing, he is still committed, just not signing at this point. I hope it's not a health problem.

In a way it's Dalton Wood all over again. A lot of speculation........

BTW, minis Youngquist and we still have some very large upscale talent signing in this class.

 

[CTOkie]

Griffin was the Houston area offensive player of the year coming out of high school and his credentials were solid. He was also the class 5A-21 offensive player of the year.
Perine was a relative unknown to some here in 2014 as all the attention was on Joe Mixon. Perine was on Texas Football's starting offense his senior year in high school and his power running ability was highly acclaimed.
I do not believe Bradford's recruitment was mainly based on his dad's "legacy". There's too much more to consider when coaching a high profile program. Bradford's mechanics and passing ability had more to do with his recruitment, even as a three star prospect.
Torrance Marshall (failing to get into Miami due to academics and then attending Kemper Military Academy) was 6'2" 240 lbs his first year at OU in 1999....I would not regard that as short, but I have always thought he was one of OU's most underrated linebackers ever.
Beal and Doucet look very good in their videos and I'm hoping OU has found lightning in a bottle with these two.
Dalton Wood is a great athlete but I think Austin Kendall will win the backup role at QB. Wood looks to redshirt this fall and become an H-back....or so I have heard.

 

[Soonersincefitty]

Griffin was the Houston area offensive player of the year coming out of high school and his credentials were solid. He was also the class 5A-21 offensive player of the year.
Perine was a relative unknown to some here in 2014 as all the attention was on Joe Mixon. Perine was on Texas Football's starting offense his senior year in high school and his power running ability was highly acclaimed.
I do not believe Bradford's recruitment was mainly based on his dad's "legacy". There's too much more to consider when coaching a high profile program. Bradford's mechanics and passing ability had more to do with his recruitment, even as a three star prospect.
Torrance Marshall (failing to get into Miami due to academics and then attending Kemper Military Academy) was 6'2" 240 lbs his first year at OU in 1999....I would not regard that as short, but I have always thought he was one of OU's most underrated linebackers ever.
Beal and Doucet look very good in their videos and I'm hoping OU has found lightning in a bottle with these two.
Dalton Wood is a great athlete but I think Austin Kendall will win the backup role at QB. Wood looks to redshirt this fall and become an H-back....or so I have heard.

Marshall was under appreciated IMO.
Simply put, had it not been for his heroics at A&M, no title for OU in 2000.

Not to mention that textbook tackle for loss against Fla. State in the title game. That was just plain fun.

 

[K2C Sooner]

I will never forget the look on Mike Stoops face after that Marshall interception against A&M. Classic....I coached you up and you responded is about all I can say..........

 

[washingtonsooner]

This is a very good class that fills some holes and some real playmakers on both sides of the ball. I wanted Cobb in this class and don't think Daniels is that big of loss today if it puts us in line for Wilson in Houston. WS

 

[Plainosooner]

I found this interesting...Props to Soonernvolved on another site.....
Cut and copy;

Just to put things in perspective:

--Texas has one five-star and ten four-stars
--Baylor has no five-stars and nine four-stars
--TCU has no five-stars and six four-stars

If OU gets Kelly, we'll have one five-star and nine four-stars.

UT may be eleven spots ahead (right now), but there's really not much of a difference between the classes in terms of high-end talent.

Full list, for added perspective: n.rivals.com/team_rankings/2016

Also note that the former 5* QB and 4* WR transferring in aren't considered. If Kelly signs and you throw in the transfers, our 5*/4* numbers are the same as Ole Miss.

After Kelly's commitment, TCU is now ranked behind the Sooners, not that it matters.

 

[Soonersincefitty]

After Kelly's commitment, TCU is now ranked behind the Sooners, not that it matters.

Baylor ended up 17th I believe...course they have a payroll to meet every year.
My, did I say that out loud?

 

[SoonerTulsan]

Baylor ended up 17th I believe...course they have a payroll to meet every year.
My, did I say that out loud?

I thought their success and becoming the class of the conference was all due to superior coaching???

 

[Soonersincefitty]

I thought their success and becoming the class of the conference was all due to superior coaching???

Uh, OK...

 

[Senior Sooner]

Baylor ended up 17th I believe...course they have a payroll to meet every year.
My, did I say that out loud?

Since you did, I have to toss in my 2 cents worth. What happened in Austin that turned Charlie Weak into Charlie Strong? He's been a Man on the Hot Seat, in danger of losing his job. Now, he's a Recruiting Guru, fielding a highly ranked class of new 'horns. Did some 'Big Daddy' give him a blank check and say 'Whatever it takes...Get 'er done'? Inquiring mind, here...

 

[BillyRay]

Since you did, I have to toss in my 2 cents worth. What happened in Austin that turned Charlie Weak into Charlie Strong? He's been a Man on the Hot Seat, in danger of losing his job. Now, he's a Recruiting Guru, fielding a highly ranked class of new 'horns. Did some 'Big Daddy' give him a blank check and say 'Whatever it takes...Get 'er done'? Inquiring mind, here...

Rumor is Charlie was pulling out the race card in recruiting this year. I don't know details, but that's what is being said. Or it could be as simple that he and his staff simply dominated in closing this year on recruits.
But I'm not sure why the idea of buying players or cheating comes to the mind of people when a program out recruits OU. It happens. Sometimes OU just flat out gets out recruited.

 

[22LR]

Rumor is Charlie was pulling out the race card in recruiting this year. I don't know details, but that's what is being said. Or it could be as simple that he and his staff simply dominated in closing this year on recruits.
But I'm not sure why the idea of buying players or cheating comes to the mind of people when a program out recruits OU. It happens. Sometimes OU just flat out gets out recruited.

Then why report the "race card" accusation?

 

[Senior Sooner]

Rumor is Charlie was pulling out the race card in recruiting this year. I don't know details, but that's what is being said. Or it could be as simple that he and his staff simply dominated in closing this year on recruits.
But I'm not sure why the idea of buying players or cheating comes to the mind of people when a program out recruits OU. It happens. Sometimes OU just flat out gets out recruited.

I understand, and agree with, your comment, in part, but when there is such a marked improvement in recruiting...climbing the ladder to #8, yeah, my eyebrows do levitate...

 

[BillyRay]

Then why report the "race card" accusation?

Is playing the race card considered cheating or buying players though?? I don't see it as against any NCAA rules, but I would consider it a dirty tactic. But dirty tactics aren't exactly considered something that can land your program on probation. Or hell maybe there is an NCAA guideline on it that I'm not aware of.

 

[BillyRay]

I understand, and agree with, your comment, in part, but when there is such a marked improvement in recruiting...climbing the ladder to #8, yeah, my eyebrows do levitate...

Oh I certainly agree. Texas went from being ranked in the 40s the day before NSD, to nearly cracking the Top 10 less than 24hrs later. I just looked they finished 13th. If OU had finished that strong, we would be hailing what a great job OUs staff did. But another program does it and it falls under a cloud of suspicion. Maybe I am naive, but I prefer not to rush to such judgements.

 

[Senior Sooner]

Oh I certainly agree. Texas went from being ranked in the 40s the day before NSD, to nearly cracking the Top 10 less than 24hrs later. I just looked they finished 13th. If OU had finished that strong, we would be hailing what a great job OUs staff did. But another program does it and it falls under a cloud of suspicion. Maybe I am naive, but I prefer not to rush to such judgements.

Then 'Good On You' for always taking the High Road...

 

[BillyRay]

Then 'Good On You' for always taking the High Road...

Lol or like I said, maybe I am too damn naive

 

[22LR]

Is playing the race card considered cheating or buying players though?? I don't see it as against any NCAA rules, but I would consider it a dirty tactic. But dirty tactics aren't exactly considered something that can land your program on probation. Or hell maybe there is an NCAA guideline on it that I'm not aware of.

The three things that UT recruits were told to never forget. Or so the rumor goes...

 

[Senior Sooner]

The three things that UT recruits were told to never forget. Or so the rumor goes...

View embedded media

Home Run, 22!

 

[Plainosooner]

Baylor ended up 17th I believe...course they have a payroll to meet every year.
My, did I say that out loud?

I don't know. Do you have to say it to type it? I always remember better when I listen to something rather than just reading it. But I don't think you should ever be discouraged from writing the truth. And Baylor is dirty.

I really really really don't think there is any objective difference between a class ranked 15th and 19th. Is there a difference between a per recruit rank of 3.57 and another that's average is 3.53? Alabama is ranked first in Rivals and third in ESPN. Texas is tenth in ESPN and 13th in Rivals.

There might be some general difference between somebody rank 15th and first. Or 15th and 30th. Then we get to August and somebody doesn't qualify. Somebody else gets hurt. Somebody gets their girlfriend pregnant and she is threatening to move out of the country and he decides to give up football.

I heard a talking head last night, say that only one school in the last 25 years has won an NC without having two of it's previous four or five classes ranked in the top ten. So there is something to it. But OU's best talent base team, 2008, went to the NC, and I still believe would have won it, if not for having to play with their third team middle linebacker who'd never started a game in his career, or even played much, and without it's stud hoss running back who by the way six years later led the NFL in rushing by nearly 500 yards for the season.

So having the best talent in September isn't the same thing as who you have available that game. Or in any particular game during the season. Who you get is important.

And btw, the one team that won an NC without two previous top ten classes? Oklahoma in 2000. So how you coach em does matter, too, along with 1000 other things.

 

[Plainosooner]

Then why report the "race card" accusation?

It was reported as true, to recruiting writers by multiple recruits. After SAE, it was especially used against OU. Big factor in turning Daniels. Charlie reminded him of that and contrasted it with his having a staff with seven African American coaches.

 

[JConXtsy]

I don't see it as against any NCAA rules, but I would consider it a dirty tactic.

Just to play devil's advocate..... I'm sure, and he even admits it, Barry Switzer played the race card as well. You don't have to be the same color to play the race card. He was Oklahoma's first "black" coach in much the same way Bill Clinton was the first "black" President.