Whew! A lot happened since Ben Arbuckle was hired. I will try to be brief with the multiple updates I have sourced. If you would like clarity on any of them I will reply or update the OP. Let's Get It!
On John Kuceyeski: This was a huge hire for the Sooners! This is someone that Arbuckle asked to bring with him. Arbuckle believed it was essential to bring Kuceyeski to secure Mateer's transfer. Outside of Wazzu coach Jake Dickert, Arbuckle and Kuceyeski are very close with Mateer. Plus Kuceyeski is considered one of the best QB developers and coaches in CFB right now. This should help future QB classes with confidence in development for the NFL.
The Medical/Athletic Training Restructure: I was told by sources that this is 85% done. Expect it to be done in the spring. If you want more information, be sure to read Parker and Brandon's breakdown of what it entails. Because I'm not at Liberty to give much more than they already have.
On Joe Jon Finley: Arbuckle mentioned that the current staff would be retained. In context, he meant at this time the current staff will be retained. It is widely known through multiple sources that JJF is not expected to be on staff for the 2025 season. Now there is a world where he is here through 2025. I'm just putting that out there, but beyond that there is certainty that he is probably not going to be here. He has been linked to multiple lower end P4 offensive coordinator rolls. Sources said Arbuckle feels JJF's recent lack of development is keeping transfer TE's from jumping on board. Arbuckle likes JJF and is willing to allow him an opportunity, but Brian Lepak is literally waiting for a phone call and as one source put it, "jump at the opportunity to join Arbuckle's staff and OU." Personally, in vetting other sources, I do not believe JJF will be here in the Spring time at the latest. That's giving a lot of grace on the timing. Still some moving parts that have to be looked through before JJF's departure is a certainty.
The Transfer Portal: Just briefly, OU was selling The idea of a solid quarterback to offensive transfer recruits. Most were reluctant due to that particular transfer QB not being committed at the time. Parker and Brandon have been on top of this Intel and I cannot provide much more than they have.
John Mateer: Just like Ben Arbuckle's contract.... Mateer's NIL deal HAS NOT BEEN SIGNED! Besides a few verbal and winks nothing official has been signed or made public. All my OU sources have reaffirmed this. Mateer is expected sometime Tuesday evening or very late Tuesday night in Norman. From what my sources have said there will likely be an announcement of his commitment sometime on Wednesday, but said it could also be pushed back to Thursday. My sources are confident that he will not leave Norman without signing an NIL deal. With Arbuckle and Kuceyeski in Norman it seems a, "formality of making it official at this point", according to one source.
Parker and Brandon have done a great job keeping up and covering the Arbuckle, Transfer Portal, and Mateer sagas. Read their first class information and confirm it with other sources and I believe you will see the road the football program is navigating through at this point in time.
Boomer Sooner!
On John Kuceyeski: This was a huge hire for the Sooners! This is someone that Arbuckle asked to bring with him. Arbuckle believed it was essential to bring Kuceyeski to secure Mateer's transfer. Outside of Wazzu coach Jake Dickert, Arbuckle and Kuceyeski are very close with Mateer. Plus Kuceyeski is considered one of the best QB developers and coaches in CFB right now. This should help future QB classes with confidence in development for the NFL.
The Medical/Athletic Training Restructure: I was told by sources that this is 85% done. Expect it to be done in the spring. If you want more information, be sure to read Parker and Brandon's breakdown of what it entails. Because I'm not at Liberty to give much more than they already have.
On Joe Jon Finley: Arbuckle mentioned that the current staff would be retained. In context, he meant at this time the current staff will be retained. It is widely known through multiple sources that JJF is not expected to be on staff for the 2025 season. Now there is a world where he is here through 2025. I'm just putting that out there, but beyond that there is certainty that he is probably not going to be here. He has been linked to multiple lower end P4 offensive coordinator rolls. Sources said Arbuckle feels JJF's recent lack of development is keeping transfer TE's from jumping on board. Arbuckle likes JJF and is willing to allow him an opportunity, but Brian Lepak is literally waiting for a phone call and as one source put it, "jump at the opportunity to join Arbuckle's staff and OU." Personally, in vetting other sources, I do not believe JJF will be here in the Spring time at the latest. That's giving a lot of grace on the timing. Still some moving parts that have to be looked through before JJF's departure is a certainty.
The Transfer Portal: Just briefly, OU was selling The idea of a solid quarterback to offensive transfer recruits. Most were reluctant due to that particular transfer QB not being committed at the time. Parker and Brandon have been on top of this Intel and I cannot provide much more than they have.
John Mateer: Just like Ben Arbuckle's contract.... Mateer's NIL deal HAS NOT BEEN SIGNED! Besides a few verbal and winks nothing official has been signed or made public. All my OU sources have reaffirmed this. Mateer is expected sometime Tuesday evening or very late Tuesday night in Norman. From what my sources have said there will likely be an announcement of his commitment sometime on Wednesday, but said it could also be pushed back to Thursday. My sources are confident that he will not leave Norman without signing an NIL deal. With Arbuckle and Kuceyeski in Norman it seems a, "formality of making it official at this point", according to one source.
Parker and Brandon have done a great job keeping up and covering the Arbuckle, Transfer Portal, and Mateer sagas. Read their first class information and confirm it with other sources and I believe you will see the road the football program is navigating through at this point in time.
Boomer Sooner!
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