And we're rolling again on a Mon.
1. Let's talk defensive backs for a second
What a weekend in that regard, no? We'll start with the big one as Tulsa Booker T. Washington superstar Daxton Hill flipped from Michigan to Alabama.
Hey, gotta love that he cut out that middle part of the equation. No decommitment, just a straight out flip, let's get going.
Great get for the Tide... that might open the door for OU with Ohio State commitment Jordan Battle (weird how that works).
Battle is seemingly down to OU, Alabama and sticking with the Buckeyes. Ya have to feel Bama is crossed off because of Dax and Jeffery Carter (flipping to Tide from A&M just hours after Dax).
This is where you wonder about visit strategy. OU already did its in-home visit with Jordan Battle last week. Now that St. Thomas Aquinas is done with its season, it's all about recruiting for Battle. Did OU take its shot too early? I don't know.
Speaking of Carter, guess they know how to fix flat tires in Tuscaloosa
Battle made his official visit to Norman for Baylor weekend. He's teammates with OU commit Jaden Davis. Ya wonder if he's bummed about Urban Meyer retiring. There's a lot to like for OU in that regard... you know, except for the fact the Sooners do not have a DC and most likely won't have one until after the early signing period.
As for OU's defensive backs coach, every recent follow from Kerry Cooks? UAB or Oregon. Either he loves the color green, or he's starting to see what else could be out there for him.
This happened last year, too, with Cooks following the entire USC staff and then nothing came of it. But ya have to feel this one is more concrete that Cooks is not returning to Norman for the 2019 season.
***
2. It's banquet weekend
Banquet weekend has been a dud the last few years. Not this time. OU will bring as many top prospects that can attend for this weekend's festivities.
Before we talk 2018 banquet, ah, let's reminisce to the bad ol' days of the 2011 edition where OU completely turned off Mario Edwards Jr. on his official visit. Those were the days.
OK, back to this weekend. Potential visitors:
- Juco DL LaRon Stokes
- Juco RB Rhamondre Stevenson
- Maryland grad transfer S Qwuantrezz Knight
- LSU RB commit Tyrion Davis
Also, spliced mid-week is Butler OL grad transfer Tommy Kennedy, so yea, a busy final weekend before the early signing period. And I'm still not throwing in the towel on Demariyon Houston, but welp, that's looking less and less likely by the day.
No longer expected or even hoped for? Keonte Schad.
Although I see this a bit as though OU had to make a choice about who they wanted to keep pursuing, and Schad didn't make the cut compared to Stokes, Marcus Stripling, David Ugwoegbu, etc.
***
(Back to more Mr. Grinch photos)
3. The DC scuttlebutt continues
How close are we to thinking OU won't get Pete Golding OR Alex Grinch? And if that's the case, where are ya looking?
Golding turning down Ole Miss could be good or could be a sign he's sticking with the Tide to further along his coaching career. No way of knowing truly until after the Orange Bowl. Just say those sources who said Golding last month were SOOO good and connected, but seems like nothing is set in stone now.
Then Grinch? Guess it depends on Greg Schiano, no? Sounds like Ryan Day and Schiano got along famously during Day's lil three-game test run. If Schiano stays in Columbus, that will open the door for OU to get Mr. Grinch (sorry, I can't stop singing that song when I say his name).
"Stink, stank, stunk."
OK, back on topic. Is Schiano still sorta toxic after all the hullabaloo with Tennessee during this same period last year? Maybe DC is his ceiling right now, so there's nowhere else for him to go.
If so, you go all-in on Grinch. But yea, you're seeing names being hired like crazy in the last week/10 days, and you know Riley is waiting in the wings. Ya hope this doesn't backfire or fizzle out on him.
Still, trust Riley. It's worked so far (see: Mayfield, Baker; Murray, Kyler).
Bonus
Da Bears. Loved it. 15-6 vs. Rams. Loved it. And love that defense, The Monsters of the Midway are back.
1. Let's talk defensive backs for a second
What a weekend in that regard, no? We'll start with the big one as Tulsa Booker T. Washington superstar Daxton Hill flipped from Michigan to Alabama.
Hey, gotta love that he cut out that middle part of the equation. No decommitment, just a straight out flip, let's get going.
Great get for the Tide... that might open the door for OU with Ohio State commitment Jordan Battle (weird how that works).
Battle is seemingly down to OU, Alabama and sticking with the Buckeyes. Ya have to feel Bama is crossed off because of Dax and Jeffery Carter (flipping to Tide from A&M just hours after Dax).
This is where you wonder about visit strategy. OU already did its in-home visit with Jordan Battle last week. Now that St. Thomas Aquinas is done with its season, it's all about recruiting for Battle. Did OU take its shot too early? I don't know.
Speaking of Carter, guess they know how to fix flat tires in Tuscaloosa
Battle made his official visit to Norman for Baylor weekend. He's teammates with OU commit Jaden Davis. Ya wonder if he's bummed about Urban Meyer retiring. There's a lot to like for OU in that regard... you know, except for the fact the Sooners do not have a DC and most likely won't have one until after the early signing period.
As for OU's defensive backs coach, every recent follow from Kerry Cooks? UAB or Oregon. Either he loves the color green, or he's starting to see what else could be out there for him.
This happened last year, too, with Cooks following the entire USC staff and then nothing came of it. But ya have to feel this one is more concrete that Cooks is not returning to Norman for the 2019 season.
***
2. It's banquet weekend
Banquet weekend has been a dud the last few years. Not this time. OU will bring as many top prospects that can attend for this weekend's festivities.
Before we talk 2018 banquet, ah, let's reminisce to the bad ol' days of the 2011 edition where OU completely turned off Mario Edwards Jr. on his official visit. Those were the days.
OK, back to this weekend. Potential visitors:
- Juco DL LaRon Stokes
- Juco RB Rhamondre Stevenson
- Maryland grad transfer S Qwuantrezz Knight
- LSU RB commit Tyrion Davis
Also, spliced mid-week is Butler OL grad transfer Tommy Kennedy, so yea, a busy final weekend before the early signing period. And I'm still not throwing in the towel on Demariyon Houston, but welp, that's looking less and less likely by the day.
No longer expected or even hoped for? Keonte Schad.
Although I see this a bit as though OU had to make a choice about who they wanted to keep pursuing, and Schad didn't make the cut compared to Stokes, Marcus Stripling, David Ugwoegbu, etc.
***
(Back to more Mr. Grinch photos)
3. The DC scuttlebutt continues
How close are we to thinking OU won't get Pete Golding OR Alex Grinch? And if that's the case, where are ya looking?
Golding turning down Ole Miss could be good or could be a sign he's sticking with the Tide to further along his coaching career. No way of knowing truly until after the Orange Bowl. Just say those sources who said Golding last month were SOOO good and connected, but seems like nothing is set in stone now.
Then Grinch? Guess it depends on Greg Schiano, no? Sounds like Ryan Day and Schiano got along famously during Day's lil three-game test run. If Schiano stays in Columbus, that will open the door for OU to get Mr. Grinch (sorry, I can't stop singing that song when I say his name).
"Stink, stank, stunk."
OK, back on topic. Is Schiano still sorta toxic after all the hullabaloo with Tennessee during this same period last year? Maybe DC is his ceiling right now, so there's nowhere else for him to go.
If so, you go all-in on Grinch. But yea, you're seeing names being hired like crazy in the last week/10 days, and you know Riley is waiting in the wings. Ya hope this doesn't backfire or fizzle out on him.
Still, trust Riley. It's worked so far (see: Mayfield, Baker; Murray, Kyler).
Bonus
Da Bears. Loved it. 15-6 vs. Rams. Loved it. And love that defense, The Monsters of the Midway are back.
