Knee-jerking: Oklahoma's 2015 recruiting class
Pret-tay, pret-tay, pret-tay good. (Image: tulsaworld.com)
A cornucopia of thoughts on the Sooners' latest recruiting haul:
*Rivals ranked Oklahoma's class No. 15 class in the country. The previous four groups ranked 15, 15, 11 and 14, so it fits with OU's trend line.
The optimist would say that's a solid finish coming off a lackluster year that produced some staff turnover. Not to mention, the Sooners had the second-best class in the Big 12.
Glass-Half-Empty Fan is reminding Sooner Nation that OU finished in the top 10 three times in the five years prior to that (2006 to 2010).
*Losing out on a local product like four-star lineman Josh Wariboko on signing day stings. Less so with receiver Van Jefferson, who was thought to be mulling a switch from Ole Miss to the good guys at the last minute.
The disappointment of missing on those two should be mitigated by the reality that OU did really well at their positions otherwise. Offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh landed four four-star blockers, including a potential 2015 starter in junior college transfer Jamal Danley. Despite not having a receivers coach officially in place, OU signed four wideouts. Dede Westbrook, another juco signee, will almost certainly find a place in the starting group of receivers come fall.
*Those might not even be the strongest position groups in the class. Bob Stoops suggested that this is the strongest collection of defensive backs OU has ever signed.
I've heard that one before, but I do agree that it's an outstanding bunch. Kahlil Haughton, for instance, could end up in the rotation at safety from game one. Same goes for P.J. Mbanasor at cornerback. I expect William Sunderland to be a multi-year starter, even if it's ultimately at linebacker.
Given how much OU's DBs struggled a year ago, the coaching staff needed to come through with this class. Mission accomplished.
*In contrast, it was another thin year at linebacker.
Ricky Deberry and Arthur McGinnis are both quality prospects who should turn into mainstays on D. Unfortunately, two signees just won't cut it from a pure numbers standpoint.
I do suspect last season's starting safety Ahmad Thomas will convert to linebacker at some point soon. (I also suspect linebackers coach Tim Kish will convert to a new position of his own soon.) Even so, OU has to make LB the top priority in its 2016 class. It's not out of the question that a juco – or two – could play right away that fall.
*One thing that definitely stood out to me on signing day: the production quality of OU's in-house media coverage. The signing day microsite is phenomenal.