Sooners Recruiting Update: Heavy on the offensive line
Recruiting news around Oklahoma kind of ground to a halt after the verbal commitment from linebackers Jacob Phillips and K’Jakrye Daley, but at 21 commitments, it was kind of to be expected. OU's targets left in play are more likely to wait on December and January visits before deciding.
In addition, some prospects fell completely off the OU board like Anthony Hines and Jaylon Johnson. The Sooners did lose out on a key defensive line prospect in Greg Rogers, who chose UCLA.
2017 Verbal Commitments
Projected class size (Approx. 27-29)
*Chris Robison, QB – 6-2, 185 (Texas)
Four stars, Rivals100, top 10 in Texas.
*Levi Draper, LB – 6-3, 225, 4.6 (Oklahoma)
Four stars, Rivals top 150, No. 1 prospect in Oklahoma, Army All-American.
Robert Barnes, S – 6-3, 195, 4.6 (Texas)
Four stars, Rivals top 150, top 30 in Texas, Army All-American.
Tyrese Robinson, OL – 6-5, 300, 5.2 (Texas)
Four stars, Rivals100, top 10 in Texas, Under Armour All-American.
*Justin Broiles, DB – 6-0, 175, 4.5 (Oklahoma)
Four stars, Rivals250, No. 2 prospect in Oklahoma, Under Armour All-American.
Tre Brown, DB – 5-11, 175, 4.4 (Oklahoma)
Four stars, Rivals250, No. 3 prospect in Oklahoma, Under Armour All-American.
*Marcelias Sutton, RB – 5-10, 190, 4.4 (JUCO)
Three stars.
Charleston Rambo, WR – 6-2, 175. 4.45 (Texas)
Four stars, Rivals250, top 30 in Texas.
*Grant Calcaterra, WR/TE – 6-4, 210, 4.7 (California)
Four stars, ESPN 300, Scout 300, Under Armour All-American.
*Trey Sermon, RB – 6-1, 210, 4.6 (Georgia)
Four stars. Rivals' top 150 players, top 30 in Georgia.
Isaiah Thomas, DE/OLB – 6-5, 230, 4.7 (Oklahoma)
Four stars, Scout 300, No. 5 prospect in Oklahoma.
Jeremiah Hall, TE/H-Back – 6-3, 225, 4.6 (North Carolina)
Three stars.
Reeves Mundschau, P – 6-0, 170
Marquis Hayes, OL – 6-6, 320, 5.4 OG (Missouri)
Four stars, Rivals250.
Cedarian Lamb, WR – 6-3, 186, 4.45 (Texas)
Four stars, Rivals top 150 players.
*Creed Humphrey, OL – 6-5, 300, 5.2 (Oklahoma)
Scout 300, No. 3 center overall.
*Kenneth Murray, LB – 6-3, 210, 4.6 (Texas)
Three stars.
*Addison Gumbs, OLB – 6-4, 215, 4.6 (California)
Four stars, Rivals100, Army All-American Game.
Kennedy Brooks, RB – 6-0, 195, 4.55 RB (Texas)
Four stars.
K’Jakrye Daley, OLB – 6-3, 215, 4.6 (Florida)
Three stars.
Jacob Phillips, ILB – 6-3, 225, 4.6 (Tennessee)
Four stars, No. 37 overall by Rivals, Army All-American.
*Potential early enrollee
OU had a great official visit with Filiaga and appears to be locked into a fight with Michigan. Distance is a definite advantage for OU.
2017 Players to Watch
OU leans
Any player leaning to OU is a very fluid situation right now. Limited scholarships mean some players are vying for the same spots.
These projected leans would go a huge way to removing the few remaining gaps in the class.
Adrian Ealy, OT – 6-6, 300, 5.3. (Louisiana)
Bill Bedenbaugh has his power interior players in this class. Now he just needs an athletic left tackle prospect. Ealy fits perfectly. An early enrollee, Ealy could make a call any minute.
Chuck Filiaga, OT – 6-6, 320, 5.3 (Texas via California)
OU appears to be battling Michigan for Filiaga's pledge. Distance would favor the Sooners.
In the Hunt
This list is becoming extremely fluid, especially at DL, after OU's staff has reviewed senior film.
Marquise Brown, WR – 5-11, 175, 4.4 (JUCO)
This year’s Dede Westbrook? An early enrollee with three years to play, Brown is a perfect fit for the OU offense. He's visiting for the OSU game.
Gavin Holmes, WR – 5-11, 175, 4.4 (Dallas)
Decommitedfrom Iowa. Had a great senior with 1,600 yards receiving. Looks like a perfect replacement for Jalen Reagor. Visiting for OSU game.
Joseph Lewis, WR – 6-2, 205, 4.6 (California)
An elite big WR who has a three-year relationship with Dennis Simmons. Will OU hold its fourth WR scholarship for him? Just how good a shot does Simmons think OU has?
James Robinson, WR – 6-3, 200, 4.55 (Florida)
Is OU back in the top five for this elite big WR? His list seems very fluid. An OU official visit could make things interesting.
Lee Autry, DL – 6-4, 285, 4.9 (JUCO)
Mississippi State verbal, but he’s visiting for the OSU game. He's the top JUCO DL in a weak group. His brother played at Miss St. and is now with the Raiders.
Tyler Taylor, LB – 6-3, 225, 4.6 (Georgia)
Ranked right behind Phillips and Anthony Hines at MIKE LB. The time frame for his decision is unknown. He visited for the Ohio State game, and OU appears to be in a battle with Auburn. Uncertainty with that coaching staff could help OU.
Joshua Pascal, DE – 6-4, 255, 4.75 (Maryland)
Another ULM visitor. News from Pascal is scarce. Hopefully, as he visits other schools, more info about OU’s chances will become apparent.
Joshua Rogers, DE – 6-6, 280, 5.0 (Houston)
A new name from Twitter and a new offer by Thibs. Really, the only question is where has he been hiding? Great film, perfect fit for the OU defense. Hopefully OU can get him on campus soon for an official.
Latavious Brini, CB – 6-2, 180, 45 (Florida)
A former Georgia commitment, Brini visited for the Baylor game. He's a big, athletic CB with a great offer list. Somehow, he’s only a three-star recruit by some services. Doesn’t make sense on the surface.
Kobe Boyce, CB – 6-0, 180, 4.5 (Texas)
Boyce seems ready to look around in December and January.
Noah Daniels, CB – 6-1, 180, 4.45 (Texas)
Ex-Baylor commit and fast-rising prospect offered by OU, TCU and others. He’s visiting for the OSU game.
Hanging On
The Sooners may be out soon with this group.
Marvin Wilson, DT – 6-5, 320, 5.1 (Texas)
You know the name. The Ohio State loss crushed any momentum OU had with Wilson. The only reason why OU may still have a shot is that his other perceived top five, save for 'Bama, all had bad weeks recently (LSU, Texas, Florida State).
Jeff Okudah, DB – 6-1, 200, 4.5 (Texas)
Okudah has been to Norman at least five times. He’s buddies with the entire #SoonerSquad17. The Ohio State loss probably ensures a verbal to to the Buckeyes later this fall. OU’s only real chance? Distance becoming a factor down the road.
Elijah Conliffe, DE – 6-5, 270, 4.9 (Virginia)
The ideal 3-4 DE prospect. OU’s in his top 10, and the Sooners are pushing hard for a visit. So is Alabama.
Taquon Graham, DL – 6-4, 260, 4.75 (Texas)
Texas commitment, but might be back in play after Charlie Strong's firing. Can OU get him back on campus while UT is getting its staff together? With Herman, UT has a good shot at holding onto Graham.
Notes
*I fully expect that in mid-January UT's new coaching staff will make an all-out assault on several OU commitments. Targets will probably include Lamb, Robinson and Rambo.
*OU will likely have to hold off any number of SEC suitors for elite LB Jacob Phillips.
*The large early signee class will help OU greatly in January playing defense with their verbals.
*Right now, OU has 2,470 Rivals recruiting points, which would be good for a top 10 class any of the last four years. So, if OU stands pat, the Sooners should have a top 10 class. If OU adds several more four-star or Rivals250-type recruits, we're talking about a top five class.
-Atlantasooner